South Korea - The Korea Times

Housing project reignites dispute between gov't, mayor over development near UNESCO sites

The Lee Jae Myung administration’s new housing plan has rekindled a row between the central government and Seoul Metropolitan Government over a redevelopment project near the historic shrine of Jongmyo, as the president’s plan involves another heritage site. The city government accused the government of applying double standards by blocking its high-rise redevelopment plan while backing the Lee administration’s housing construction, while the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) has questioned the city’s procedural legitimacy. The issue goes beyond the tension between development and preservation, reflecting a tug-of-war between politicians from rival parties over development projects ahead of the June local elections. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon rekindled the debate by alleging double standards. His government has pushed for a redevelopment plan for Sewoon District 4 near Jongmyo, a UNESCO World Heritage site from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) — a plan that the KHS opposes, citing potential loss in value of the shrine. But the housing plan announced by the Lee administration last week inc

Feb 2, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

Housing project reignites dispute between gov't, mayor over development near UNESCO sites

Hwacheon ice fishing festival wraps up with 1.6 mil. visitors

A popular annual ice fishing festival in Hwacheon, a mountain town in Gangwon Province, ended Sunday, attracting some 1.59 million visitors through its 23-day run, organizers said Sunday. Among those who attended the 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival that kicked off on Jan. 10 were some 114,000 foreign tourists, according to the office of Hwacheon County and Foundation Corporation NARA. While the total number of visitors is lower than last year's 1.86 million, the figure was seen as a relatively solid result given a cold snap that hit the country for more than 10 days and safety measures that were in place amid the frigid weather. "Sancheoneo" is a species of trout known to live only in very clean fresh water. Since its debut in 2003, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival has consistently attracted more than 1 million visitors almost every year, earning global recognition. The 2026 ice fishing festival comprised various cultural programs beyond the main program of sancheoneo fishing, permitting visitors to enjoy the fest in a more diverse manner.

Feb 1, 2026By Yonhap

Hwacheon ice fishing festival wraps up with 1.6 mil. visitors

Heavy snow expected across Korea through Monday morning

Heavy snow was expected to blanket the country beginning later Sunday, with more than 5 centimeters of snow forecast to fall per hour in some areas, the weather agency said. Snow was expected to fall in the Seoul metropolitan area and parts of Gangwon Province from Sunday night and expand to most of the country by early Monday, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Up to 10 centimeters of snow was forecast to pile up in the greater Seoul area and parts of Gangwon Province, followed by up to 8 centimeters of snow in South and North Chungcheong provinces, and 7 centimeters in North Jeolla Province, the KMA said. The weather agency said morning lows may dip to minus 10 degrees Celcius on Monday, advising commuters to be cautious of slippery roads. To help ease inconvenience during morning commuting hours, the state rail operator said it plans to increase the number of trains operating on five lines across the greater Seoul area, including Line 1, the Suin-Bundang Line and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line. The Seoul city government also plans to run more buses and trains throug

Feb 1, 2026By Yonhap

Heavy snow expected across Korea through Monday morning

Two-thirds of older Koreans back raising retirement age: study

Two out of three Koreans aged 50 and older support extending the mandatory retirement age, a recent survey found, with respondents favoring an average retirement age of 66.3 — higher than the current eligibility age of 65 for the national and basic pension programs. The National Pension Research Institute said Sunday that 66 percent of respondents supported extending the retirement age, while 34 percent opposed the idea, according to the 2024 Korean Retirement and Income Study. By gender, 66.2 percent of men and 65.9 percent of women favored the extension. Launched in 2005, the study tracks households with members aged 50 and older, examining incomes, consumption patterns, assets, retirement preparedness, retirement planning, labor market participation and receipt of public pension benefits. The survey conducts its main study every two years, with supplementary surveys carried out in between. The most recent supplementary survey covered 8,394 individuals nationwide, including household members aged 50 and older and their spouses. Support for extending the retirement age varied by age.

Feb 1, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

Two-thirds of older Koreans back raising retirement age: study

'Naming and shaming' of child-support defaulters resurfaces in Korea

A digital wall of shame targeting parents who fail to pay child support has resurfaced in Korea, reigniting a national debate over whether public shaming is a legitimate tool of justice or an unlawful invasion of privacy. Despite a recent government crackdown and expanded state enforcement, the return of this practice reflects deep frustration with a legal system that many single parents say still leaves them financially stranded. The new platform, called "People Who Resolve Child Support" in Korean, began publishing photographs and personal details of alleged “deadbeat” parents on Jan. 26, according to officials. The site is widely seen as the successor to Bad Fathers, an influential but embattled predecessor that was shut down after years of criminal prosecutions. Supporters argue that such naming and shaming is the only way to compel payment in a culture where noncompliance is common, while critics and legal scholars warn that these platforms bypass due process, effectively turning the internet into judge, jury and executioner. The website posts names, birth years, places of resi

Feb 1, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin

'Naming and shaming' of child-support defaulters resurfaces in Korea

Jeju drew 2.24 mil. foreign tourists in 2025, 70% from China

More than 2.24 million foreign tourists visited Jeju Island last year, with Chinese travelers making up nearly 70 percent — underscoring the island’s continued reliance on visitors from China. According to the Jeju Tourism Association on Saturday, foreign tourists accounted for 16.2 percent of the island’s total 13.86 million visitors last year. The number was up 17.7 percent from 2024 but remained more than 1.3 million below the record 3.6 million set in 2016. Chinese tourists made up the largest share at 70.2 percent, followed by visitors from Taiwan, Japan, the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore. Visitors from Thailand totaled 10,532, the sharpest year-on-year increase at 349.7 percent, after Jeju Air resumed regular flights on the Bangkok route last year. The number of Chinese tourists rose 14.8 percent compared to 2024, easing concerns about a potential downturn in Jeju following last year’s nationwide rollout of a temporary visa-free program for Chinese tour groups. Jeju Island has long been a popular destination for Chinese tourists under a visa-free scheme that allows

Feb 1, 2026By Park Ung

Jeju drew 2.24 mil. foreign tourists in 2025, 70% from China

Korea bids farewell to ex-PM Lee Hae-chan

The funeral ceremony for former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan was held Saturday with the attendance of top dignitaries, including President Lee Jae Myung. The late Lee died Sunday aged 73 while on a business trip to Vietnam after suffering cardiac arrest. His body was flown home Tuesday, beginning a five-day memorial period that saw large numbers of mourners paying tribute at an altar at Seoul National University Hospital in the capital. The funeral ceremony began at 9 a.m. at a conference hall on the National Assembly compound. President Lee, first lady Kim Hea Kyung, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok sat in the front row with the bereaved family. Others in attendance included ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leader Jung Chung-rai, DPK floor leader Han Byung-do, Deputy Assembly Speaker Joo Ho-young, and the leaders of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party and the Progressive Party. Cho Jung-sik, a special adviser to the president for political affairs, gave remarks in his capacity as head of the funeral committee, describing the former prime minister a

Jan 31, 2026By Yonhap

Korea bids farewell to ex-PM Lee Hae-chan

How sexual intimacy varies across couples in the US, Korea and Japan

About one in four American couples does not have sex even once a month, according to a recent survey that sheds light on changing intimacy patterns across developed countries. The findings come from a poll conducted by U.S. research firm Talker Research and adult wellness brand LELO, which surveyed 2,000 adults in committed relationships. The results suggest that fatigue, stress and mismatched desire — rather than lack of affection — are the biggest obstacles to sexual intimacy. Respondents said the most common reason for infrequent sexual activity was fatigue, cited by 38 percent, followed by mismatched sex drives at 29 percent, health problems at 29 percent and work-related stress at 27 percent. On average, American couples reported having sex four times a month, with each encounter lasting about 18.6 minutes. Despite the relatively low frequency, satisfaction levels remained high. While 14 percent of respondents said they were completely dissatisfied with their sex lives, 71 percent said they were satisfied. The results suggest that many couples prioritize emotional connection an

Jan 31, 2026By Kormedi.com

How sexual intimacy varies across couples in the US, Korea and Japan

Insiders expose flaws in Korea's college entrance exam

There is a test that is simultaneously praised as "the world's most perfect multiple-choice exam" and criticized as "the main culprit for ruining classroom instruction." It is the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), known locally as Suneung. Launched in 1993 to move Korean education away from rote learning, the CSAT is now facing growing calls for a major overhaul in the era of artificial intelligence. Critics argue that the 33-year-old exam has completely lost its way after a series of patchwork fixes aimed at addressing excessive academic pressure, entrenched university hierarchies and soaring private education costs. The Hankook Ilbo conducted an in-depth investigation into the crisis triggered by last year’s controversial “Bul-suneung,” or “fire test,” which drew widespread criticism for its extreme difficulty. Based on interviews with twelve key insiders — including former institute presidents and CSAT question writers — the report examines how the long-standing exam must evolve. "The original plan was to hold the exam six times a year. If a student scored over 250

Jan 31, 2026By Hankookilbo

Insiders expose flaws in Korea's college entrance exam

Driverless robotaxis to hit Seoul streets this year in ‘physical AI’ push

Korea’s first fully driverless robotaxis will begin operating on Seoul streets later this year as the city pushes to become a leader in “physical” artificial intelligence (AI) embedded in real-world spaces like roads, buildings and public infrastructure. At this year’s AI Seoul conference at COEX on Friday, Mayor Oh Se-hoon positioned Seoul as a global testbed for AI in the built environment rather than only on screens. He said the city government will use large-scale urban pilots to demonstrate how the technology can be used to improve people’s lives in everyday settings. “Technology should ultimately be directed toward people, and the ‘leading physical AI city’ that Seoul envisions is one where the coldest technology brings about the warmest change,” Oh said. “Seoul is now fully set to begin a journey to become the global hub and benchmark for physical AI.” Oh presented a three-part strategy for that vision. First, starting this October, Korea’s first Level 4 robotaxis will begin operating in Seoul, making it the world's third city to adopt the technology. Leve

Jan 30, 2026By Jung Min-ho

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