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  • Politics

    Soon-to-be PM Han carries high expectation for AI transformation

    Han Seong-sook, Korea’s soon-to-be prime minister, arrives at the post with high expectations that she will leverage her technological expertise to help accelerate the country's artificial intelligence (AI) transformation. The parliamentary confirmation hearing committee approved a report, Tuesday, clearing Han as qualified for the post, with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leading the approval after she was nominated on June 7. Han is now just one step away from officially taking office, with her appointment to be finalized once the National Assembly approves the confirmation motion at a plenary session. The process leading to Han’s likely appointment comes as President Lee Jae Myung pushes to position Korea among the world's top three AI powers, alongside the United States and China. The blueprint has become increasingly concrete since Lee outlined the vision last year, with initiatives such as the government's allocation of a record 9.9 trillion won ($6.3 billion) for AI this year and public-private plans to build four new semiconductor plants in southwestern Korea to m

    2 MIN READBy Yi Whan-woo
    Soon-to-be PM Han carries high expectation for AI transformation
  • Defense

    Defense minister backs push for unified military academy as fundamental reform for future

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Defense minister backs push for unified military academy as fundamental reform for future
  • Law & Crime

    Outgoing North Chungcheong governor raided over bribery allegations

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Outgoing North Chungcheong governor raided over bribery allegations
  • Education

    Kookmin University student wins 2nd place at IBM Bob Hackathon

    2 MIN READBy Park Yoon-bae
    Kookmin University student wins 2nd place at IBM Bob Hackathon
  • Defense

    Ukrainian outlet's critique exposes gaps in Korea's counter-drone strategy

    3 MIN READBy Bahk Eun-ji
    Ukrainian outlet's critique exposes gaps in Korea's counter-drone strategy
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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.

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Health

Teacher’s ‘melon seed’ comment sparks backlash — health experts say eating them is actually beneficial

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. A South Korean teacher is facing criticism after claiming that children who eat Korean melon seeds are more likely to come from disadvantaged backgrounds — a remark that has ignited debate online and drawn attention to misconceptions about food and health. The controversy began when a current teacher, identified as A, posted on the anonymous workplace app Blind. In the post, the teacher wrote, "My husband eats Korean melon seeds too. I didn’t notice when we were dating, but after marriage, I started to feel differences even in small things." The teacher went on to say, "I see many children at school, and those who eat fruit seeds are usually from single-parent families or households that are not well-off," adding, "I was taught properly about these things growing up." The comments quickly drew backlash. Many users criticized the teacher for making assumptions about children based on eating habits. "It’s shocking that a teacher judges students by whether they eat Korean melon seeds," one commenter said. Others said, "Whether someone eats

May 1, 2026By Kormedi.com
Teacher’s ‘melon seed’ comment sparks backlash — health experts say eating them is actually beneficial
Society

'Child nearly dies from mosquito bite': comedian Lee Soo-ji’s kindergarten satire sequel draws explosive response

Comedian Lee Soo-ji has once again sparked widespread reaction with a second YouTube video sharply satirizing the harsh realities faced by kindergarten and daycare teachers. Current and former childcare workers flooded the comments section, saying that "reality is even worse than the video," while criticizing unreasonable demands from some parents. The clip drew explosive engagement, surpassing 10,000 comments within a day of its release. The video was uploaded on April 29 to Lee’s YouTube channel “Hot Issue Ji” under the title "A spring day of kindergarten teacher Lee Min-ji (feat. mosquitoes): Real extreme job documentary." The skit follows a fictional kindergarten teacher, Lee Min-ji, played by Lee Soo-ji, portraying a day in her life. It is a sequel released about three weeks after the first installment, "The never-ending 24 hours of kindergarten teacher Lee Min-ji: Real extreme job documentary," which was posted April 7 and went viral with 5.89 million views. In the new episode, a child is bitten by a mosquito during an outdoor activity, prompting the teacher to call an ambu

May 1, 2026By Hankookilbo
'Child nearly dies from mosquito bite': comedian Lee Soo-ji’s kindergarten satire sequel draws explosive response
Environment & Animals

Wild boar sightings in Seoul surge 137%

A video of firefighters struggling to subdue a wild boar in an apartment building in Seoul’s Mapo District went viral, April 27. The footage shows four firefighters wrestling with the animal before it was eventually killed. Six days earlier, Ewha Womans University put up an unusual notice for dormitory residents, warning them about wild boars on campus and advising them not to walk alone at night, or make any sudden or provocative movements if they encounter one. The university said it had increased patrols while spraying repellent, but failed to spot or capture any animal. The number of wild boar sightings has been on the rise over the past few years. The incidents reflect a broader trend. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the number of wild boars reported in the city rose137 percent, from 205 in 2022 to 486 in 2024. Eunpyeong District recorded the most cases at 158, followed by Dobong District with 126 and Seongbuk District with 79. Fire department callouts related to wild boars in Seoul reached 589 in 2024, up 55.4 percent from 2022, with 290 cases already logged in th

May 1, 2026By Park Ji-won
Wild boar sightings in Seoul surge 137%
South Korea

Drug supplier to notorious drug kingpin Park Wang-yeol repatriated from Thailand

A key drug supplier linked to infamous trafficker Park Wang-yeol was repatriated from Thailand, Friday, to face investigation and possible criminal charges in his home country. The suspect, surnamed Choi, arrived at Incheon International Airport earlier in the day and was escorted directly to a police vehicle. He did not answer questions from reporters about his alleged ties to Park. Choi is accused of smuggling and distributing illegal drugs worth 10 billion won ($6.77 million) since 2019. Police said the investigation will focus on the nature of his relationship with Park, as well as suspected transactions and criminal proceeds. Choi is believed to have led a luxurious life overseas, funded by illicit activities. He first came to the authorities' attention during the investigation into Park, who was repatriated from the Philippines, March 25. Park is accused of trafficking methamphetamine into South Korea from overseas. He was returned in a temporary repatriation under an extradition treaty between Seoul and Manila. He had been serving a 60-year prison sentence in the Philippines for th

May 1, 2026By Yonhap
Drug supplier to notorious drug kingpin Park Wang-yeol repatriated from Thailand
South Korea

S. Korean envoy stresses commitment to 'peaceful coexistence' on peninsula, denuclearization

WASHINGTON — South Korea's top envoy to the U.N. reaffirmed Seoul's commitment to "peaceful coexistence" on the Korean Peninsula and denuclearization Thursday as he explained its policy to reduce military tensions and build trust with North Korea. Ambassador Cha Ji-hoon delivered a speech during a U.N. Security Council (UNSC) meeting in New York, as the United States and other countries marked two years since a U.N. expert panel, tasked with monitoring the enforcement of sanctions on North Korea, was disbanded following Russia's veto of a resolution to extend its mandate. "Since the inauguration of the Lee Jae Myung administration last year, the Republic of Korea has consistently pursued a vision of a peaceful (Korean) peninsula built on reconciliation and cooperation rather than hostility and confrontation," he said, referring to South Korea by its official name. "We remain committed to respecting the DPRK system, pursuing neither hostility nor unification by absorption. In this spirit, the Republic of Korea has taken proactive steps to reduce tensions and build trust with the DPRK,"

May 1, 2026By Yonhap
S. Korean envoy stresses commitment to 'peaceful coexistence' on peninsula, denuclearization
South Korea

Lee vows zero compromise on workplace safety in Labor Day address

President Lee Jae Myung pledged unwavering commitment to workplace safety in his address at Cheong Wa Dae to mark Labor Day, Friday. "I will neither compromise nor make concessions on workplace safety," he said, vowing to build a "normal" country where no worker ever has to risk their life at work. "Safeguarding workers is the most basic responsibility of any nation and any business," he said. The president also pushed back against the notion that worker welfare and business growth are incompatible, stressing the two are mutually dependent. "We can only move forward by breaking free from the outdated thinking that being pro-business means being anti-worker," he said. "Growth has a future only when labor stands behind it" he said. Amid growing concerns that artificial intelligence (AI) threatens jobs, the president sought to reassure the public that the government prioritizes people over productivity. "As technologies advance, the prevailing view is that machines powered by artificial intelligence will largely replace human labor," he said. "But it is not right to ask workers to sacrifice t

May 1, 2026By Yonhap
Lee vows zero compromise on workplace safety in Labor Day address
Global Community

Union wants foreign language teachers to know their rights

She broke her foot, and still had to go to work. While her students were busy taking a test, she had the audacity to sit down, just to take pressure off her broken foot for a moment. Her boss was watching over CCTV, and came in to berate her for this infraction in front of the class. The teacher, who wished to be identified only as Day, said this experience pushed her to take action. She joined the Native Teachers' Branch of the Korean General Labor Union (KGLU), which is affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). Originally named "Native English Teachers' Branch" in 2024, the word "English" was removed as the organization grew. "Now that we've grown, we have native teachers of other languages, such as Chinese and Japanese, that face the issues we face," said Day, who is now chair of the Seoul branch. "We changed the name to reflect that diversity and to be more welcoming to those teachers who need assistance and aid." She also added that some of the members are Korean nationals, and some aren't even currently teachers. This includes those who are studying for furthe

May 1, 2026By Jon Dunbar
Union wants foreign language teachers to know their rights
South Korea

Trump Jr. gets taste of Seoul’s famed pork belly scene

Donald Trump Jr. added an unmistakably Korean stop to his Seoul itinerary this week: sizzling pork belly at one of the city’s best-known barbecue restaurants. The eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump was spotted at Geumdwaeji Sikdang, or Gold Pig Restaurant, in Jung District, Seoul, where he signed an interior door and wrote “2026” beside his name, according to local media reports. He also posed for a photo with a restaurant official. The restaurant is no ordinary neighborhood barbecue joint. Known for drawing long lines and celebrity diners, Geumdwaeji Sikdang has built a reputation as one of Seoul’s most recognizable pork barbecue spots. Former soccer star David Beckham is among the high-profile visitors who have eaten there. The restaurant is best known for pork belly and other grilled pork cuts, making Trump Jr.’s visit a distinctly local stop during a trip otherwise watched for its business and political connections. Trump Jr.’s restaurant visit came during a private trip to Korea that has drawn attention because of his ties with Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-

May 1, 2026By Jane Han
Trump Jr. gets taste of Seoul’s famed pork belly scene
Society

Warehouse-style pharmacies pressure neighborhood drugstores

At the first-floor entrance of the new wing of Yongsan Etland, one of Korea’s largest electronics marketplaces, stands Medikingdom Pharmacy, a warehouse-style pharmacy that opened in February. Occupying one of the building’s prime retail spots, the store spans 1,178 square meters — roughly 24 times the size of a typical neighborhood pharmacy, which average about 50 square meters. More striking than its size is the way the pharmacy sells medicine. Dozens of display shelves, each measuring 2.5 meters wide and 2 meters tall, were lined with over-the-counter drugs organized by category, including vitamins, pain relief, cold medicine, ointments and fever reducers. Inside, about 50 customers roamed the aisles, pushing small shopping carts and picking up medicines like they might grab instant noodles or fresh vegetables at a big box store. The products themselves looked more like items at a supermarket than medicines at a neighborhood pharmacy. Jang, 27, said he visited MediKingdom Pharmacy after seeing a post about it on social media. “I bought antiseptic mouthwash, which I usually fe

May 1, 2026By Hankookilbo
Warehouse-style pharmacies pressure neighborhood drugstores
South Korea

Korea to send special envoy to Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain amid Middle East crisis

Korea will dispatch a special envoy to Kuwait, Iraq and Bahrain to strengthen cooperation with the Middle Eastern nations amid supply disruptions caused by the ongoing war in the region, the foreign ministry said Thursday. Moon Byung-jun, former charge d'affaires at the South Korean Embassy in Saudi Arabia, will visit the three Middle Eastern countries as a special envoy of Foreign Minister Cho Hyun from Monday through May 9, according to the ministry. During the visit, Moon is expected to meet senior officials in each country, exchange views on recent regional developments and discuss practical cooperation in various fields. "The dispatch aims to strengthen cooperation with key Middle Eastern countries amid the prolonged war in the region and ongoing disruptions to global supply chains and to explore ways of expanding bilateral relations once the situation stabilizes," the ministry said in a statement.

Apr 30, 2026By Yonhap
Korea to send special envoy to Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain amid Middle East crisis
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