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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

An impassioned call for Korean unification

Speaker Seo In-teck, co-chair of Action for Korea United, delivered an impassioned and rousing speech for attendees at the 2025 Capitol Forum held Saturday in Washington, D.C. The audience was comprised of Korean Americans who work on North Korean human rights, speakers who have long careers dealing with North Korean human rights issues and several North Korean defectors. Directly addressing the crowd in Korean to reach the hearts of the Korean diaspora, Seo spoke on how the upcoming 80th anniversary of Korean liberation commands us to think of new vision for Koreans — the Korean Dream. The Korean Dream seeks a free and peaceful unified Korea by working on human rights issues based on Korea's founding principle of "hongik ingan," which is about benefitting all humankind. "I received a lot of positive feedback. There were some parents who appreciated the review of the American founding values and how those values have served as pillars in times of division in the United States. Korea's founding principle of 'hongik ingan' can serve us through times of division toward unity," Seo said.

May 8, 2025By Kim Ji-soo
An impassioned call for Korean unification

Two killed in Incheon car crash caused by drunk driver with suspended license

Two people were killed and four others injured in a head-on collision early Thursday in Incheon, after a drunk driver in his 20s crossed the median while driving with a suspended license, police said. According to Namdong Police Station, the crash happened at around 4:25 a.m. in Guwol-dong, Namdong District, when the man driving a Mercedes-Benz veered into oncoming traffic and collided with a Renault QM6 SUV. The impact left the QM6’s driver, a woman in her 60s, and a male passenger in the Mercedes in cardiac arrest. Both were transported to the hospital by emergency responders but were later pronounced dead. The Mercedes driver and three other passengers in their 20s sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment. Police said the driver was operating the vehicle with a suspended license and admitted to drinking before the crash. Authorities will investigate the exact cause of the accident once he recovers. “The driver acknowledged he had been drinking before the crash,” a police official said, adding that the reason for his license suspension is still under investigation.

May 8, 2025By KTimes
Two killed in Incheon car crash caused by drunk driver with suspended license

Police to be placed on highest alert on Election Day

Police will enforce the highest-level security alert nationwide on the upcoming presidential election day, June 3, the nation's top police official said Thursday. Lee Ho-young, acting chief of the Korean National Police Agency, issued the order during an online conference with top police officials, saying the police will respond sternly to election crimes. Lee emphasized efforts to ensure that the June 3 election will be held more fairly and stably than any previous election through tight security and strict enforcement of the law. The highest-level security alert, or Gapho alert, calls for mobilizing 100 percent of the police force. The police will strengthen security posture beginning on Monday, when the official election campaign kicks off. They will further upgrade the security posture during the early voting days from May 29-30. The police will mobilize about 168,000 officers to protect candidates and polling and counting stations and prepare for contingencies.

May 8, 2025By Yonhap
Police to be placed on highest alert on Election Day

Forget demilitarized zone, meet the demuffled zone

Last July, as the pepper harvest season began, Park Chan-im, 63, was doing her usual preparations for the work ahead. But her routine was shattered when North Korea started blasting what she called “indescribable noises” from loudspeakers. The disturbing sounds — which she compared to “animal cries” and “mechanical whirring” — echoed across the inter-Korean border at all times of the day, often continuing well into the night. “I'm dreading this summer,” Park told The Korea Times. “Installing soundproof windows in January helped, but once the weather heats up and I have to open the windows, the noise will return.” Ganghwa County, where she lives, is the northernmost part of Incheon and at its closest point lies just 1.8 kilometers from North Korea. On Wednesday, the county announced plans to create a noise map to help residents like Park cope with the North’s prolonged loudspeaker broadcasts. “The noise map will show detailed levels and frequencies based on key factors such as the time, volume and direction of the sound,” the county said. County officials plan

May 7, 2025By Park Ung
Forget demilitarized zone, meet the demuffled zone

Unionized Seoul bus drivers to resume 'work-to-rule' protest after long weekend

Unionized bus drivers in Seoul will resume their "work-to-rule" protest this week following a long holiday weekend, city officials said Tuesday. In a press release, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said the union will launch its collective action early Wednesday and the city will take "special steps" to minimize inconveniences to the public. With the work-to-rule protest, bus drivers adhere to driving safety measures, including not overtaking other vehicles and waiting for passengers to find their seats before departing stops. These moves are expected to slow down bus operations. After the wage talks between the union and the management side broke down last week, the unionized drivers staged a one-day work-to-rule protest on Wednesday. But they provided full services during the Saturday-Tuesday long weekend, which included Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday on Monday. To guard against potential disruptions to bus services, Seoul said its usual morning rush hour for subway services will expand by one hour from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., during which time 47 extra trains will be in operation. Th

May 6, 2025By Yonhap
Unionized Seoul bus drivers to resume 'work-to-rule' protest after long weekend

Work takes priority over marriage, children for Koreans in 20s to 40s: survey

A majority of Koreans in their 20s to 40s place greater importance on their careers than on marriage or having children, according to a report released Monday by the Presidential Committee for National Cohesion. The report examined changing perceptions of family and labor roles through a nationwide online survey of 2,690 men and women aged 25 to 44 conducted from Jan. 31 to Feb. 14. When asked to rank the most important aspects of life, 38.1 percent of respondents — regardless of gender — chose work as their top priority, followed by personal life elements such as leisure and self-fulfillment at 23.1 percent, romantic partnerships, including dating and marriage, at 22 percent and children at 16.8 percent. While work consistently topped the list for both men and women, the remaining priorities showed slight gender differences. Women placed a greater emphasis on personal life at 24.5 percent over partnerships at 20.9 percent, whereas men ranked partnership at 23.1 percent ahead of personal life at 21.7 percent. Children were the lowest priority for both genders, with 17 percent of wome

May 6, 2025By Jung Da-hyun
Work takes priority over marriage, children for Koreans in 20s to 40s: survey

Korea University, UNDP celebrate partnership with monument unveiling

Korea University and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held a joint ceremony on Monday at the university’s Central Plaza in Seoul to unveil a commemorative monument celebrating two significant milestones — the 120th anniversary of the founding of Korea University and the 60th anniversary of the UNDP Seoul office. The event also featured the official opening of the UN-KU Sustainable Terrace, a new campus space symbolizing the institutions’ shared commitment to global cooperation. Among the distinguished attendees were Korea University President Kim Dong-one, Korea University Alumni Association President and The Korea Times Chairman Seung Myung-ho and UNDP Seoul Policy Centre Director Anne Juepner, as well as senior officials from both organizations. The newly unveiled monument symbolizes the shared values of the two institutions — sustainability, peace and international cooperation — and their commitment to shaping a more sustainable future. The terrace, featuring seven newly planted trees and a wooden deck, is designed as a space for reflection and dialogue on sus

May 6, 2025By Jung Da-hyun
Korea University, UNDP celebrate partnership with monument unveiling

7 in 10 households shop online for processed food, survey shows

Seven in 10 households made online purchases of processed foods in 2024, a survey showed Tuesday, marking a sharp increase from a year earlier and a significant change in where and how people shop. According to the survey conducted by the Korea Rural Economic Institute, 72.3 percent of households purchased processed foods online last year. The comparative figure for 2023 stood at around 50 percent, the institute said. The trend was most prominent among younger people, with 96.2 percent of respondents in their 30s saying they have made online purchases of processed foods, while 90.3 percent of those in their 20s shared such experiences. The survey also showed people are shopping more frequently. The proportion of respondents who said they shop at least once a week increased from 16.4 percent in 2019 to 37.8 percent last year. "The number of households that take into account the safety, freshness and convenience in purchasing and cooking increased compared to a year ago, while they think less about the taste, price, quality and nutrition (in their purchase)," a researcher said.

May 6, 2025By Yonhap
7 in 10 households shop online for processed food, survey shows

Air passenger traffic to Japan hits record high in January to April

The number of flight passengers traveling from South Korea to Japan hit a record high of approximately 9 million in the first four months of this year, government data showed Tuesday. A total of 8.88 million passengers flew from domestic airports to Japan from Jan. 1 to April 28, according to the data from the Incheon International Airport Corporation and Korea Airports Corporation. With an average of around 49,000 people using Incheon International Airport daily in April, the total number is estimated to have reached over 9 million during the January-April period. The estimated figure marks an 8.8 percent increase compared with the same period from last year and the highest ever recorded for the route. The rise in travel to Japan is attributed to airlines expanding routes and offering promotional travel packages. Air traffic to China has also surged thanks to Beijing's implementation of a visa-free policy for Korean travelers in November. A total of 5.72 million passengers used the China route from November to March, jumping 29.4 percent from the same period a year ago.

May 6, 2025By Yonhap
Air passenger traffic to Japan hits record high in January to April

Korea University opens special exhibition celebrating 120 years of academic legacy, vision

Korea University unveiled a special exhibition on Wednesday to commemorate its 120th anniversary, with an opening ceremony held at the university’s Centennial Memorial Samsung Hall. Jointly organized by the university’s museum and library, the exhibition highlights Korea University’s enduring commitment to academic excellence and civic engagement. It also looks ahead, outlining the institution’s aspirations for the next 120 years. The exhibition showcases 120 rare artifacts and more than 170 items, including several nationally designated cultural treasures. Among the highlights are Donggwoldo, a detailed painting of Changdeok and Changgyeong Palaces; Honcheonsigye, an intricate astronomical clock; and a celadon jar adorned with stamped chrysanthemum patterns. A key feature of the exhibition is the oldest known printed edition of Hunminjeongeum, the historic document that introduced the Korean script. The artifact is being made available for public viewing for the first time in 90 years. Divided into five thematic sections, each named after characters in the university’s Korean

May 6, 2025By Jung Da-hyun
Korea University opens special exhibition celebrating 120 years of academic legacy, vision
  • Korea University, UNDP celebrate partnership with monument unveiling
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