South Korea - The Korea Times

Korea’s innovation city dream stumbles on poor planning and policy drift

On a hot Wednesday morning, the streets of Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, were nearly silent. Pulling over along a four-lane road near town, the only movement visible through the car window came from a few construction vehicles. At the nearby bus stop, neither bus nor passengers appeared. When asked for lunch recommendations nearby, a restaurant staffer waved her hand dismissively. “The nearest market is more than 15 minutes by car. In this heat, just find a cafe.” Despite housing 11 public institutions related to education and information and communication technology, and employing over 3,000 people, the so-called Chungbuk Innovation City in Eumseong felt like an empty hallway between classes. Kim Jang-hyun (alias), 37, who worked here for eight years, said this was nothing new. “On weekdays, you see people inside the buildings. But come the weekend, half the city disappears,” he said. “Most people commute from outside or leave every weekend for Seoul or Sejong.” Public facilities are few, culture almost nonexistent. There are no parks or cultural facilities, nowhere

Jun 18, 2025By Hankookilbo

Korea’s innovation city dream stumbles on poor planning and policy drift

Korean adoption system misidentifies birth parents, 15 years of errors go unchecked

For Anna Kim Riley (born Jang Won-sook), a 40-year-old Korean American adoptee, 2023 was supposed to be a pivotal year. Born in Daejeon and adopted to the United States, she believed she had finally found her birth mother through Korea’s official adoption database, the Adoption Central Management System (ACMS) run by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. But a DNA test soon proved they were not biologically related. “I was furious and deeply confused,” Kim told the Hankook Ilbo via email. The mistake was not hers, but rooted in years of system mismanagement. The ACMS, operational for over 15 years, is riddled with data entry errors and structural flaws that have gone unaddressed. The system was built in 2010 under the now-defunct Korea Adoption Services agency, which has since become the National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC). Despite spending more than 2 billion won ($1.4 million) over a decade on digitizing adoption records, the system has repeatedly mishandled names and addresses, and even deleted key information during updates. Internal documents obtained by Rep. Kim N

Jun 18, 2025By Hankookilbo

Korean adoption system misidentifies birth parents, 15 years of errors go unchecked

Coupang workers launch new integrated labor union

Workers of e-commerce giant Coupang have launched a new integrated labor union to demand better wages and improved working conditions, the union said Tuesday. Until now, Coupang had two separate labor unions — one representing workers in its logistics affiliate, Coupang Fulfillment Service, and the other for employees at its delivery service affiliate, Coupang Logistics Service, according to the union. In its founding statement, the newly formed integrated union, named Cou-nion, said, "The sacrifices of employees must no longer be taken for granted under the banner of delivering 'WOW' experiences to customers and achieving the company's growth." Cou-nion said it aims to create a workplace where all Coupang employees are respected, while working to address unfair treatment of workers and prevent exposure to unreasonable working conditions. The union also said it will focus on securing better wages and incentive policies for its members. Cou-nion is affiliated with the Korean Chemical Textile Food Workers' Union (KCTFU), which is part of the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), one

Jun 17, 2025By Yonhap

Coupang workers launch new integrated labor union

Special panel begins probe into 2022 Halloween crowd crush

A special investigation committee to uncover the truth behind the 2022 crowd crush that killed 159 people in Seoul's Itaewon district and prevent its recurrence began its activities with the first meeting on Tuesday. The deadly crowd accident occurred during Halloween festivities in a narrow alley of Itaewon on Oct. 29, 2022, amid a lack of effective crowd control measures. The committee convened the first meeting to approve the launch of the investigation into the victims, their bereaved families and survivors, as well as damage support and disaster prevention measures. About 40 people, including 36 bereaved family members and one survivor, also sat in on the committee meeting. The committee was formed last year and its activity period is until one year from now and can be extended for up to three months after completion.

Jun 17, 2025By Yonhap

Special panel begins probe into 2022 Halloween crowd crush

7 honorary ambassadors to promote Seoul's global appeal

The Seoul Metropolitan Government appointed seven new promotional ambassadors on Tuesday from the entertainment, music and media sectors, in a bid to boost the city’s global brand and cultural outreach. Those appointed include actor Kim Seok-hoon, YouTuber Park We, pianist Sunwoo Yekwon, actress and singer Song Ji-eun, broadcaster Um Ji-yeon, K-pop boy band ENHYPEN and rookie girl group Hearts2Hearts. The appointment ceremony took place in the multipurpose hall at Seoul City Hall, with all ambassadors in attendance. The selected individuals, who are widely recognized as experts in their respective fields both domestically and internationally, are expected to use their influence to promote Seoul’s diverse cultural content and policy initiatives. According to city officials, the ambassadors will serve a two-year term and contribute to public campaigns spanning youth issues, welfare, tourism, the environment and the arts. Having recently completed a world tour, ENHYPEN will now focus on promoting Seoul’s tourism and lifestyle to younger and overseas audiences. Meanwhile, Hearts2Heart

Jun 17, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

7 honorary ambassadors to promote Seoul's global appeal

Kakao to ban users over child exploitation or prostitution-related chats on KakaoTalk

Kakao has introduced stricter content moderation rules for its flagship messaging app, KakaoTalk, permanently banning users who engage in child exploitation, prostitution-related conversations or terror plots. Starting Monday, Kakao’s revised operating policy prohibits grooming behavior targeting minors, conversations aimed at sexual exploitation or prostitution and discussions related to terrorist planning or incitement to violence. Users who suggest transactional sexual encounters, create chatrooms for sexual discussions or invite others with that intent may also be penalized, according to the company. Violators may face a complete suspension from KakaoTalk. In particular, anyone found to have committed offenses involving children or adolescents will be permanently barred from using the app’s Open Chat feature, even if they reregister with a new account. Kakao emphasized that it does not monitor private conversations directly. Enforcement of the new policy relies solely on user reports. “In cases involving violent or extremist content, we will only take action after receiving a us

Jun 17, 2025By Hankookilbo

Kakao to ban users over child exploitation or prostitution-related chats on KakaoTalk

Former first lady's master's degree to be revoked amid plagiarism allegations

Sookmyung Women’s University announced on Monday that it had completed a revision of its academic regulations to revoke former first lady Kim Keon Hee’s master’s degrees amid plagiarism allegations. The university council held a meeting and finalized the addition of a supplementary provision to the academic regulations regarding the revocation of degrees. The original regulation allowed degrees obtained through fraudulent means to be revoked following deliberation by the Graduate School of Education committee. However, this regulation has only been in effect since June 13, 2015, meaning it could not be applied to Kim, who received her degree in 1999. In response, the council added a clause stating that the revocation of degrees conferred prior to this provision shall be limited to cases involving serious and clear misconduct that significantly undermines ethical standards. Allegations of plagiarism against Kim surfaced in December 2021, at a time when her husband, the now impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol, had emerged as a prominent presidential candidate. Following an accusa

Jun 17, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Former first lady's master's degree to be revoked amid plagiarism allegations

Young Koreans flee provinces in search of opportunity, leaving regions hollowed out

After work one evening in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, Kim Hee-seop sat in his dormitory study room, flipping through an English speaking test prep book. A chemical engineer by trade, Kim had moved 400 kilometers from Seoul to take a job in the shipbuilding city, eager to apply his degree. By his second year, the job had become fulfilling. He liked the work, the team and the security. Then one colleague casually asked, "Are you really going to stay here forever?" The question lingered. That same day, a close friend and fellow engineer announced he was leaving for a job at a state-run company. For Kim, it triggered unease. "Am I settling? Can I raise kids here? Is this where I grow?" he wondered. Kim wasn’t alone. Despite steady pay and relative job security, he eventually left Geoje. So have thousands of others. From 2015 to 2021, nearly 80 percent of the population growth in the capital region came from young people aged 15 to 34 migrating from outside the area, according to government data. Meanwhile, Korea’s provincial cities are shrinking. Busan, the country’s second-largest

Jun 17, 2025By Hankookilbo

Young Koreans flee provinces in search of opportunity, leaving regions hollowed out

Trending Chinese doll Labubu's offline sales suspended in Korea

The Chinese brand behind the globally coveted "ugly doll" Labubu has suspended offline sales at locations in Korea. Pop Mart's Korean branch stated on its Instagram account Saturday it is temporarily halting sales of its plush dolls and plush keyring series at nationwide offline sales locations due to "safety concerns," at a time tourists and local customers have been flooding to their stores to purchase the in-demand items. "We are doing our utmost to resume sales with better service to meet your expectations," Pop Mart Korea said in the notice. The brand did not state when it would resume sales of its products. The furry bunny character designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung gained popularity after BLACKPINK member Lisa endorsed merchandise such as keychains and plush toys in 2024. Global celebrities including Rihanna and David Beckham have also been seen with Labubu bag charms. Prices of Labubu merchandise range from 15,000 won to 268,000 won ($11 to $197) in Korea. Labubu has seven official sales locations in Korea — four in Seoul, one in Busan and two in Gyeonggi Province, in Suw

Jun 16, 2025By Kim Bo-eun

Trending Chinese doll Labubu's offline sales suspended in Korea

FTC launches probe into egg producers' group over alleged price-fixing

The antitrust regulator said Monday it has launched an investigation into the Korea Egg Producers Association (KEPA) over allegations that the group played a leading role in driving up egg prices. According to the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), investigators were dispatched to the association's offices to look into suspicions that KEPA forced member companies to adhere to officially announced price guidelines and thereby influenced egg prices in the market. The farm gate price of eggs announced by the association has risen approximately 30 percent, from 146 won per egg in March to 190 won recently. The current price is 6 percent higher than the same period last year and 4.2 percent above the average seasonal level. If KEPA is found to have compelled its members to follow the posted prices, the act could constitute a violation of the relevant law, which prohibits unfair collective actions by business associations.

Jun 16, 2025By Yonhap

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