South Korea - The Korea Times

AI developers fear being replaced by their own creation

Every Monday at lunchtime over the past several weeks, a small crowd gathers outside Microsoft Korea’s Seoul office, protesting out of fear that artificial intelligence (AI) could make their jobs obsolete. The weekly demonstration has become a visible symbol of the deep anxiety gripping white-collar workers, particularly software developers and other employees who are building the very AI systems that could one day replace them. Union officials say about 50 positions — mostly software developers — have been affected by AI-driven restructuring over the past three years, and they worry that another 10 percent of roughly 550 jobs could be at risk as the technology is rolled out more aggressively. “For example, in one technical support division that handles phone and email queries from customers using Microsoft products, workers have been told to help train an AI agent that will automatically suggest solutions to problems,” Kwak Chang-yong, secretary-general of the union, told The Korea Times. “It naturally prompts a question, ‘What will happen to me when I complete the traini

Jan 20, 2026By Jung Min-ho

AI developers fear being replaced by their own creation

Genuine mindfulness or unrealistic expectations? Online debate erupts

What began as small, well-intentioned gestures — an expectant mother preparing meals for her husband or a parent handing out small gifts to fellow passengers on a plane — came under scrutiny after going viral online. The controversy began when a full-term pregnant YouTuber uploaded a video of herself preparing meals in advance for her husband. The footage shows her portioning vegetables and meat dishes so he would have food ready while she was in the hospital. Criticism mounted as the video spread online. One commenter said, "In a climate where pregnant women already struggle to receive adequate consideration, videos like this reinforce the notion that women are expected to take care of their husbands even late in pregnancy." Another argued that the YouTuber should have more carefully considered the weight of her online influence. Others echoed the criticism. One user wrote, “When a creator with such influence chooses to widely share content like this, the implications go beyond an individual’s pastime,” adding that “it can become a benchmark that pressures women into certai

Jan 19, 2026By Hankookilbo

Genuine mindfulness or unrealistic expectations? Online debate erupts

Korean Air to operate mileage-only flights on Jeju route during Lunar New Year holiday

Korean Air will operate special mileage-exclusive flights on its domestic route connecting Seoul and the country's southern resort island of Jeju next month to accommodate the Lunar New Year holiday travel demand, the company said Monday. The airline will run the Gimpo-Jeju flights from Feb. 13-19, with two flights planned for each day. Full schedules are available through the Korean Air website and mobile app. The Korean flag carrier has been encouraging customers' mileage consumption amid the ongoing integration of its mileage system with that of Asiana Airlines as part of an organizational merger of the two airlines. "We decided to add special flights on the high-demand Gimpo-Jeju route to provide customers with more travel options over the Lunar New Year holiday," a Korean Air official said. "We will continue expanding opportunities for customers to make greater use of their mileage benefits."

Jan 19, 2026By Yonhap

Korean Air to operate mileage-only flights on Jeju route during Lunar New Year holiday

Nearly 8 in 10 non-capital region governments brace for population decline: poll

Nearly 8 out of 10 local governments outside of the capital region remain concerned over the likelihood of a decline in population in their areas due to comparatively weaker job opportunities and living conditions, a poll showed Monday. According to a survey conducted by the Federation of Korean Industries on 100 local governments outside the greater Seoul metropolitan region, 77 percent of respondents said they were faced with a high risk of population decline. The poll also excluded the central city of Sejong and the southern resort island of Jeju. The outlook came amid an ongoing population crisis in Asia's No. 4 economy, with its total fertility rate, or the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, reaching just 0.81 in October, much lower than the replacement level of 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population without immigration. By province, 85.7 percent of local governments in Gangwon Province said the risk was high, followed by Gyeongsang region provinces at 85.3 percent, Jeolla region provinces at 78.6 percent and Chungcheong region provinces at 5

Jan 19, 2026By Yonhap

Nearly 8 in 10 non-capital region governments brace for population decline: poll

Seoul expands EV subsidies to speed shift away from internal combustion cars

Seoul will expand incentives for electric vehicle (EV) purchases this year by adding city-funded subsidies to national support, as part of efforts to accelerate the shift away from internal combustion engine vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under the plan, buyers who replace gasoline or diesel vehicles with electric models will be eligible for an additional 300,000 won ($203) from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, on top of a 1 million won subsidy provided by the central government, city officials said Sunday. Seoul plans to earmark 22,526 EVs for subsidies this year, up about 18 percent from 19,081 supplied in 2024. Of the total, 22,409 vehicles are set for the private sector and 117 to public institutions. Private allocations include passenger cars, cargo trucks, taxis, vans and school buses. Electric passenger vehicles will be eligible for subsidies of up to 7.54 million won. Buyers who scrap an internal combustion engine vehicle and purchase an electric passenger car or truck can receive up to 1.3 million won in additional conversion incentives, combining national and

Jan 18, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin

Seoul expands EV subsidies to speed shift away from internal combustion cars

Gov’t to review Cheongdo bullfighting over animal abuse concerns

Bullfighting in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province, is facing new government scrutiny as criticism mounts that the practice amounts to animal abuse, putting a decades-old and lucrative local attraction under renewed pressure over animal welfare concerns. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Sunday it will conduct a review of the Cheongdo Public Business Corporation, which runs the Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival. The ministry said it would also strengthen oversight of bullfighting operations with Cheongdo County, including reviewing registered fighting bulls, introducing a nose-pattern identification system, convening an external panel of experts to improve animal welfare and tightening controls on the issuance of betting tickets. The annual festival in the southeastern county, held since 1999, features bouts between two bulls. Although the origins of bullfighting in Korea are unclear, the practice was largely banned during the 1910-45 Japanese occupation of the peninsula, citing concerns about large public gatherings. Revived after liberation and later formalized, th

Jan 18, 2026By Park Ung

Gov’t to review Cheongdo bullfighting over animal abuse concerns

Seoul sets stricter rules for city-sponsored marathons

The Seoul Metropolitan Government unveiled a new set of guidelines tightening regulations on marathons organized or sponsored by the city, aiming to reduce traffic disruptions, noise and public inconvenience as citizens' love of running shows no sign of slowing. Under the new rules, races requiring traffic control must now begin before 7:30 a.m. and finish around 10 a.m., moving up start times from the previous 8 a.m. or 9 a.m., according to the city government. The earlier ending is intended to ease commuter complaints caused by prolonged road closures. The city also banned alcohol companies from sponsoring events, citing a mismatch between the spirit of athletics and alcoholic branding. Until last year, beverage makers such as OB Beer and HiteJinro sponsored marathons and distributed nonalcoholic beer to runners. To maintain public order and safety, the guidelines set capacity limits for major public venues: 15,000 participants at Gwanghwamun Square, 12,000 at Seoul Plaza, 9,000 at Yeouido Park and 7,000 at World Cup Park. Organizers who fail to clean up litter on roads after races wi

Jan 18, 2026By Lee Hae-rin

Seoul sets stricter rules for city-sponsored marathons

Temple stay participation hits record 350,000 visitors last year

Nearly 350,000 domestic and foreign visitors took part in temple stay programs last year, marking an all-time high amid growing favorable perceptions of Buddhism in Korea. The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the country’s largest Buddhist sect, said Sunday that about 349,000 people took part in temple stay programs at 158 temples nationwide, including about 294,000 Koreans and 55,515 foreign visitors. The total marked a 5.1 percent increase from 2024, and the highest level on record. Temple stay programs began in 2002 during the World Cup co-hosted by Korea and Japan, offering a glimpse into Buddhist daily life while helping ease a lodging shortage and promote traditional culture. Launched with 33 temples and 2,558 participants — about 51 percent Koreans and 49 percent foreign visitors — the program has expanded steadily over the past two decades. Foreign participation first surpassed 50,000 in 2018, the year of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, plunged during the COVID-19 pandemic and rebounded last year above the 2018 record. From 2002 through last year, cumulative participation rea

Jan 18, 2026By Park Ung

Temple stay participation hits record 350,000 visitors last year

President’s panda request revives debate over animal diplomacy

On Jan. 7, the final day of his state visit to China, President Lee Jae Myung explained the reasoning behind his surprise request for an "additional panda loan" during the Korea-China summit. Speaking at a press conference, Lee revealed that after South Korea returned a pair of Qing Dynasty stone lion statues to China, he asked for the return of the giant panda Fu Bao, who was sent back to China two years ago. While Seoul and Beijing are currently in working-level talks regarding the lease, the practice of "animal diplomacy" — treating living creatures as diplomatic gifts — has once again come under fire. Animal rights groups are condemning the tradition as anachronistic and calling for the withdrawal of the loan request. It remains unclear whether the pandas will be loaned. During the summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Jan. 5, Lee requested a pair of pandas to promote bilateral ties, suggesting Uchi Park Zoo in Gwangju as a candidate site. After a positive response from China, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs began working

Jan 17, 2026By Hankookilbo

President’s panda request revives debate over animal diplomacy

BTS comeback sparks astronomical hotel price hikes in Busan

BTS’ long-awaited full-group comeback concert in Busan is still months away, but hotel prices in the southeastern port city have already hit exorbitant levels, rekindling anger over “rip-off” room rates whenever mega-events come to town. Some properties have reportedly hiked prices by up to 10 times and even asked guests with existing bookings to cancel so they can resell at higher prices. The group will return as a full act for the first time since all members completed their mandatory military service, kicking off a world tour in April that will stop in North America, Europe, South America and Asia. Busan is the only domestic venue outside Seoul, with shows slated for June 12 and 13 — the latter doubling as BTS’ debut anniversary and a homecoming for Busan-born members Jimin and Jung Kook, intensifying demand from both local and overseas ARMY, their official fan base. As of Friday, on local booking platforms, many hotels across key tourist areas such as Haeundae, Gwangalli and Gijang were already sold out for the concert dates within hours of the schedule dropping. Remaining

Jan 16, 2026By Lee Hae-rin

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