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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.

CEO apologizes over deadly fire as risk of collapse slows probe

The head of Anjun Industry, the auto parts maker at the center of a deadly factory blaze in Daejeon, apologized to the victims and their families Sunday. Accompanied by about 30 company executives and employees, CEO Sohn Ju-hwan arrived at a joint memorial altar installed in the lobby of Daejeon City Hall and paid respects to 14 workers who died in Friday’s fire, the cause of which is under investigation. A day prior, Sohn issued a written apology on the company’s website, offering his “deepest condolences and heartfelt apologies” to the injured and the bereaved families. He said his company would “take full responsibility” by providing support and compensation. The fire broke out at around 1:17 p.m. at the company’s Munpyeong-dong plant in Daedeok District, killing 14 people and injuring around 60 others. The police, fire authorities and other government agencies launched a forensic investigation, but officials say the on-site probe has been severely hampered by the risk of further collapse at the fire-damaged structure. Many sections of the factory have partially collapse

Mar 22, 2026By Jung Min-ho
CEO apologizes over deadly fire as risk of collapse slows probe

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOKWith rise of Korean wave, being Korean means something different than it did decade ago

Watching Saturday's BTS concert in Seoul — and speaking with the group's fandom, ARMY, who converged in the historic Gwanghwamun Square from across the globe — unexpectedly took me back to a decade ago, when being Korean abroad meant something different than it does today. Between 2014 and 2015, I worked in Australia for a year to save money for travel. I spent another year traveling through 24 countries, mainly in Latin America. Back then, few could have imagined people from around the world would fly to Seoul to see a Korean artist. Having crossed continents where the Korean wave was already a phenomenon and some where it was virtually unknown, I came to understand how a country’s cultural standing shapes what it means to be from there. The Korean wave, or “hallyu,” had yet to make its mark in Australia at the time. Being Korean was hardly an advantage there. I still remember washing dishes when a coworker asked if my country ate dogs and if I had ever tried one. (Of course, I also remember all the Aussies who welcomed me, Brisbane's blue skies and the outback sunsets of the

Mar 22, 2026By Park Ung
With rise of Korean wave, being Korean means something different than it did decade ago

Netflix criticized over out-of-sync subtitles during BTS livestream

While BTS has staged a high-profile comeback concert, the viewing experience for fans tuning in through Netflix was marred by technical shortcomings, with poorly synchronized subtitles drawing widespread criticism. Complaints over subtitle issues quickly spread across social media and online communities, as viewers voiced frustration with the live stream. “English subtitles were out of sync and hard to follow,” one user wrote on Reddit. “Even half a day later, Netflix hasn’t fixed the crappy subtitles.” “BTS COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG” marked Netflix’s first-ever global live event and music performance to be broadcasted globally from Korea, reaching audiences in 190 countries. However, at the outset, subtitles were out of sync with the members’ remarks, falling short of expectations among both domestic and international viewers. As the concert progressed, synchronization issues persisted, with subtitles frequently appearing after songs had already concluded. “I had high expectations for how well Netflix would handle the BTS live broadcast, but the audio and subtitle synchr

Mar 22, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Netflix criticized over out-of-sync subtitles during BTS livestream

Father and 4 children found dead in Ulsan, hamburgers were their last meal

Outside the apartment, behind police tape, a young child's bicycle was left alone at the entrance. "Not long ago, I saw the father putting the kids on the day care center bus in the morning. Whatever drove him to this," a neighbor said. "I never talked to him, but he always seemed troubled. It's heartbreaking what the circumstances were." A father in his 30s and his four young children were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide in Ulsan after welfare rules barred the cash-strapped family from receiving emergency government assistance. Police discovered the bodies in an apartment in Ulju County at 4:48 p.m. on Wednesday, two days after the estimated time of death. The discovery occurred after the eldest child's teacher reported the 7-year-old's repeated absences to police. The children — ages 7, 5, 3, and 5 months — showed no signs of physical injury or illness. Investigators suspect the family died from carbon monoxide poisoning around 9 p.m. on March 16. Police found burned charcoal briquettes inside the room, alongside hamburger wrappers believed to be from the family's last mea

Mar 21, 2026By Hankookilbo
Father and 4 children found dead in Ulsan, hamburgers were their last meal

Korea closes loophole on synthetic nicotine to curb youth vaping

South Korea will strictly regulate synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes under conventional tobacco laws starting next month, closing a long-standing loophole to combat a surge in youth vaping. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced Thursday that the revised Tobacco Business Act takes effect April 24. The previous law defined tobacco based solely on tobacco-derived nicotine extracted from leaves, exempting synthetic nicotine products that carry virtually identical addictive properties. The revision brings synthetic nicotine under tobacco regulations. Authorities banned the use of these e-cigarettes in smoke-free zones, carrying fines of up to 100,000 won ($69) for violators. Sellers must register as authorized retailers, and the government banned online sales outright. Crackdown on youth marketing The law specifically targets marketing aimed at youths. Manufacturers must attach warning pictures and phrases to packaging. The government also banned flavor descriptors such as "mango," "mint" and "sweet" — alongside related images — on e-liquid bottles. Violating this packaging rule carr

Mar 20, 2026By Hankookilbo
Korea closes loophole on synthetic nicotine to curb youth vaping

Seoul sends 1st-ever English public safety alert ahead of BTS concert

The Seoul local government on Friday sent out a public safety alert in English for the first time as part of safety measures ahead of BTS' comeback concert this Saturday, which is expected to draw up to 260,000 people. The Seoul Metropolitan Government sent an English-language alert on traffic controls ahead of BTS' show at Gwanghwamun Square which read: "Mar 20 9PM~22 6AM Sejongdaero closed; Mar 21 4~11PM Sajikro, 7~11PM Saemunanro closed [SEOUL]," accompanied by a Korean version of the message. “If foreign attendees only receive alerts in Korean, that could pose a real safety risk in an emergency,” an official from Seoul's disaster and safety office told The Korea Times. “We wanted to ensure they receive the same information as locals at the same time.” The official added that the alert reached all phones in Seoul regardless of roaming status, though those moving outside the coverage area at the time of sending may have missed it. English alerts will continue Saturday, targeted at those in and around the Gwanghwamun area, with prepared scenario-based messages covering crowd di

Mar 20, 2026By Park Ung
Seoul sends 1st-ever English public safety alert ahead of BTS concert

Possible trash bag shortage looms as Middle East crisis depletes raw material supply

The government has launched a nationwide inspection of trash bag stockpiles amid concerns that the U.S.-Israel war on Iran could lead to supply shortages. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said Friday that it had asked local governments across the country to conduct a preemptive review of trash bag inventories after manufacturers notified authorities that they had enough raw materials to last only about a month. Trash bags are made using linear low-density polyethylene, or LLDPE, and high-density polyethylene, or HDPE, both of which are derived from naphtha, a crude oil-based feedstock. Growing uncertainty over naphtha supply linked to disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz has pushed up prices for a range of petroleum-based products. A survey by the Korea Federation of Plastics Industry Cooperatives found that the supply price of polyethylene rose by 200,000 won ($133) in March alone. Some companies were also reportedly told that the supply price of LLDPE could rise by an additional 400,000 won to 800,000 won. Local governments are believed to have enough trash bags in reserv

Mar 20, 2026By Hankookilbo
Possible trash bag shortage looms as Middle East crisis depletes raw material supply

11 people killed at car parts plant fire in Daejeon

At least 11 people have been killed in a large-scale fire at an automobile parts plant in the central city of Daejeon, authorities said Saturday. Rescue workers recovered the remains of the 11th victim from the charred wreckage of the plant around Saturday noon, they said. Three others remain missing, and at least 59 people were injured in the explosion, including two firefighters. A total of 170 workers were inside the plant when the fire was reported at around 1:17 p.m. on Friday. Firefighters were earlier unable to enter the structure due to concerns it could collapse. Also complicating the firefighting effort were 200 kilograms of sodium inside the building, which could explode if poorly handled. The fire was fully extinguished after about 10 hours and 30 minutes, authorities said. Fire officials are now using heavy equipment to remove debris as they continue searching for missing people. The cause was not immediately known, but the blaze appeared to have spread rapidly, with witnesses reporting an explosion. President Lee Jae Myung has called for the full mobilization of personnel and e

Mar 20, 2026By Yonhap
11 people killed at car parts plant fire in Daejeon

Why Koreans feel poorer even as official income data improves

Even as official data shows a narrowing income gap, Koreans say they feel the wealth gap is growing due to the heavy burden of groceries and housing costs. A report published Thursday by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, titled "Why do people feel inequality is severe?", highlighted this gap between official data and reality. The research noted that the country's Gini index — a key measure of income distribution where a lower number signifies less inequality — dropped from 0.418 in 2011 to 0.392 in 2023. The official index was compiled by the Ministry of Data and Statistics. Analyzing this data, the institute concluded that an expansion of government transfers, such as state pensions and various public benefits, has helped narrow the statistical wealth gap. However, public perceptions moved in the opposite direction during the same period. Perception vs. reality Lower-income households see the gap between themselves and higher earners as growing wider, even if their actual earnings increased. The institute attributed this directly to the cost of living. Because groce

Mar 20, 2026By Hankookilbo
Why Koreans feel poorer even as official income data improves

Korea's rights body urges safer undocumented migrant crackdowns after Daegu death

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea urged authorities to take stronger safety measures when planning crackdowns on undocumented migrants, citing concerns over possible clashes during enforcement operations. The commission said Friday it recommended to Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho in January that enforcement plans include measures to block access to areas prone to falls or other accidents. It also called for immigration officer ID cards — currently worn on lanyards, which can be grabbed or snagged — to be redesigned in a form and material that better protects the physical safety of both officers and foreign nationals subject to enforcement. Authorities have faced repeated criticism over heavy-handed enforcement tactics. Last October, Tu Anh, a 25-year-old Vietnamese, was found dead after falling from a building while hiding from immigration officers during a crackdown at an industrial complex in Daegu. In a separate case in 2024, an unidentified complainant alleged that immigration officers raided a restaurant without presenting documents or identifying themselves to the o

Mar 20, 2026By Park Ung
Korea's rights body urges safer undocumented migrant crackdowns after Daegu death
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