my timesThe Korea Times

South Korea

PoliticsDefenseGlobal CommunityEnvironment & AnimalsLaw & CrimeHealthSocietyEducationOthers
  • Politics

    Lee proposes golf meeting with opposition lawmakers: PPP officials

    President Lee Jae Myung has proposed a golf meeting with senior lawmakers from the People Power Party (PPP) as part of an effort to improve communication with the opposition, PPP officials said Thursday. They said a senior presidential official called three-term PPP lawmaker Shin Sung-bum in mid-June and invited him to join the president for a round of golf. The official said the meeting was intended to give Lee an opportunity to hear candid views and criticism from opposition lawmakers. The presidential office did not confirm the report. Shin, nevertheless, said, "I received a call from a senior Cheong Wa Dae official inviting me to play golf with the president." "The official said the purpose was for the president to meet opposition lawmakers and listen to their criticism," the lawmaker added. Shin said he declined the invitation because he does not play golf, but welcomed the idea. He added that he told the presidential official it would be worthwhile for the president to meet opposition lawmakers and hear their views on pending issues, including concerns over the government's handling

    1 MIN READBy Yi Whan-woo
    Lee proposes golf meeting with opposition lawmakers: PPP officials
  • Society

    Special counsel indicts ex-JCS chief over martial law involvement

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Special counsel indicts ex-JCS chief over martial law involvement
  • Law & Crime

    Gov’t ramps up crackdown on ‘salt farm slavery’

    2 MIN READBy Jung Min-ho
    Gov’t ramps up crackdown on ‘salt farm slavery’
  • Education

    Hate speech seeps into Korean classrooms

    3 MIN READBy Bahk Eun-ji
    Hate speech seeps into Korean classrooms
  • Society

    Hanwha Aerospace explosion likely occurred while cleaning explosive waste: police

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Hanwha Aerospace explosion likely occurred while cleaning explosive waste: police
Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
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.

Read more

South Korea

Cheong Wa Dae to hold economic review meeting on response to Mideast crisis

Cheong Wa Dae was set to convene an emergency economic review meeting Sunday with relevant ministries to coordinate responses to potential impacts from persisting tensions in the Middle East. Kim Yong-beom, presidential chief of staff for policy, will preside over the meeting, set to be held at 2 p.m., joined by vice ministers from the finance, foreign affairs, industry, energy and public safety ministries, along with senior presidential aides, according to the presidential office. Participants are expected to discuss ways to swiftly implement the 26.2 trillion-won ($17.7 billion) supplementary budget approved by the Cabinet on Saturday, as well as Korea's response from the fallout from the Middle East conflict amid high-level talks between the United States and Iran.

Apr 12, 2026By Yonhap
Cheong Wa Dae to hold economic review meeting on response to Mideast crisis
Politics

PPP picks incumbent Mayor Park as Busan mayoral candidate

Park Heong-joon, the incumbent mayor of Busan seeking a third term in the June 3 local elections, has been selected as the main opposition People Power Party's (PPP) candidate for mayor of the southeastern port city, the party said Saturday. Park secured a majority of the votes in the primary, defeating first-term lawmaker Rep. Joo Jin-woo, and was confirmed as the party's final candidate, according to Park Duk-hyum, chairman of the party's nomination management committee. Park will face Rep. Jeon Jae-soo, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) candidate for Busan mayor, in the upcoming election. "Now is the time for victory. I will serve as the field commander and vanguard for all PPP candidates," Park said, adding he would block what he described as the DPK's "one-party dominance without checks." Park was first elected Busan mayor in a 2021 by-election and was reelected in July 2022. Last month, he shaved his head to call for the swift passage of the "Special Act on the Development of Busan as a Global Hub City," which aims to transform the southeastern port city into a global hub

Apr 11, 2026By Yonhap
PPP picks incumbent Mayor Park as Busan mayoral candidate
Society

'Yellow envelope law' at 1 month: bargaining expands, but not to 'thousands'

One month after South Korea's revised labor law took effect, early rulings suggest the worst-case scenarios from business groups have not materialized. Employers said the "yellow envelope law" — a pro-labor act limiting damages against strikers — could force companies to bargain with hundreds or even thousands of subcontractor unions and invite interference in core management decisions. However, the first rulings have shown a limited scope. Labor authorities have recognized employer status more broadly for principal contractors, while restricting bargaining to a limited number of units and confining recognized issues largely to working conditions. The law marked its first month Friday. It expanded the definition of employer to include firms that substantially control working conditions even if they do not directly hire the workers. Labor relation commissions nationwide started ruling on subcontractor unions' bargaining demands, often recognizing prime contractors as the "real employer" of subcontracted workers. Business groups said this could lead to endless demands, but the governm

Apr 11, 2026By Hankookilbo
'Yellow envelope law' at 1 month: bargaining expands, but not to 'thousands'
Global Community

PWS Korea wrestles its way into spotlight

Pro Wrestling Society (PWS) Korea is aiming to build on a breakout year as it prepares to welcome thousands of fans for Wrestle Nation 2 on May 9. The flagship event last May drew around 3,000 spectators, a milestone that Shiho, founder and director of PWS, said is rare across the global independent professional wrestling scene. Replicating that number would place PWS among a small group of promoters in Asia able to consistently attract crowds of that size, he added. “We are trying to become the center of pro wrestling in the Asian region,” he told The Korea Times in an interview. The growth follows a major overhaul in recent years, as PWS shifted toward a more systematic approach to pro wrestling. Shiho, who debuted as a pro wrestler in 2012, said the changes followed creative differences with earlier wrestlers, prompting a reset to rebuild the group’s roster around a more unified vision. Narrative-driven storylines Shiho describes pro wrestling as closer to film or theater, with tighter control over characters, storylines and presentation than a traditional sport. “If you want to

Apr 11, 2026By Mariam Ibrahim
PWS Korea wrestles its way into spotlight
Global Community

YongsanCats saves hundreds of felines from disappearing streets in Hannam New Town redevelopment zone

Construction equipment smashes down old brick buildings and scrapes into the exposed earth underneath, making way for Hannam New Town, a massive redevelopment project located between central Seoul's multicultural Itaewon area and the Han River. As demolition is nearly complete in Zone 3, the first of five adjacent redevelopment zones in the area, residents of Zone 2 are being pushed out in the latest wave of evictions. Amid the destruction, Julie Choi, the operator of YongsanCats, an animal welfare community active in the area, warns that large-scale redevelopment of the neighborhood affects more than just its human residents. Choi, who lives in another part of Yongsan District, estimates she has rescued more than 200 cats from the path of demolition in the area since 2024. "I started because I could not ignore what I knew these cats were facing," she told The Korea Times. "I also wanted to help create an environment in which ordinary people feel they can take responsibility for even one life." Now the animal shelter, where her rescues live while awaiting a foster or forever home, faces

Apr 11, 2026By Jon Dunbar
YongsanCats saves hundreds of felines from disappearing streets in Hannam New Town redevelopment zone
Law & Crime

Yakuza member arrested for smuggling 636 kg of marijuana into South Korea

An ethnic Korean member of a Japan-based yakuza syndicate has been arrested and indicted for smuggling into South Korea about 636 kilograms of marijuana — enough for roughly 1.27 million people to smoke at once, law enforcement authorities said Friday. The amount seized is the largest ever among narcotics imported for domestic distribution, officials said. The pan-government joint investigation unit on drug crimes said it detained and indicted the 53-year-old suspect, a member of the yakuza group, on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act. Authorities have also identified four Vietnamese nationals who allegedly sold the drugs to the suspect, sought arrest warrants for them and plan to request Interpol red notices. The individual is accused of loading the marijuana into a shipping container departing from Thailand in early March and arranging for it to arrive at Incheon Port on March 23. Investigators said he conspired with a drug trafficking organization based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, intending to distribute part of the marijuana in South Korea through Vietnamese networks a

Apr 10, 2026By Lee Hyo-sik
Yakuza member arrested for smuggling 636 kg of marijuana into South Korea
Politics

Why is DPK eager to recruit presidential AI secretary for local elections?

Ha Jung-woo, a former IT expert with no experience in politics who is now presidential senior secretary for artificial intelligence (AI) and future planning, had not been widely mentioned as a potential election candidate until several weeks ago. Now, however, he is one of the most sought-after figures, as the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) called for him to run in a parliamentary by-election, even though President Lee Jae Myung himself said Ha still has a lot to do at Cheong Wa Dae. Whether he runs in the race or not, one thing is certain: His capacity is recognized in both administrative and political circles. He joined the current administration in June last year, when Lee created the new senior presidential secretary post dedicated to AI policy. Just before being appointed to the post, he was the head of the AI Innovation Center at Naver, the nation’s largest web portal operator and one of the country's leading tech companies. Many wondered what the new post was about and whether an IT specialist from the private sector could perform administrative affairs effectively. Howe

Apr 10, 2026By Park Ji-won
Why is DPK eager to recruit presidential AI secretary for local elections?
South Korea

Korea begins 100-day countdown to UNESCO World Heritage session

Korea on Friday kicked off a nationwide promotional campaign for the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee session to be held in Busan, releasing an official video and poster 100 days ahead of the country’s debut as host of the event. The campaign, led by the Korea Heritage Service, aims to raise public awareness and build momentum ahead of the July gathering in the southeastern city. The agency said the promotional video highlights the importance of international cooperation in preserving world heritage, while underscoring Korea’s commitment to successfully hosting the global event. The video will also be shown on KTX onboard monitors and display boards at Seoul Station. An accompanying poster reinterprets traditional Korean architectural elements — including wooden pillars, decorative dancheong patterns and roof tiles — in a modern design. The poster will be displayed at 19 major cultural sites, including the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Korea, as well as key transit hubs such as Seoul Station and Yongsan Station. The agency will also release a seri

Apr 10, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korea begins 100-day countdown to UNESCO World Heritage session
Society

Historian to lead Independence Hall of Korea in South Chungcheong Province

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced Friday that President Lee Jae Myung has appointed Kim Hee-gon, head of the National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government, as the 14th president of the Independence Hall of Korea, effective Monday. Kim is widely regarded as an expert in the history of Korea’s independence movement from Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945). He previously served as a professor in the history department at Andong National University (now Gyeongguk National University). He has also held several key positions, including head of the Korea Independence Movement History Research Institute at the Independence Hall of Korea, director of the Andong Independence Movement Memorial Hall and president of the Korean Association for Modern and Contemporary History, and is a member of the National Institute of Korean History. Since April 2022, he has served as the inaugural head of the National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Kyungpook National University and obtained both his master’s and do

Apr 10, 2026By Hankookilbo
Historian to lead Independence Hall of Korea in South Chungcheong Province
Defense

Defense chief inspects arms supply chain amid Mideast war

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Friday visited a key precision-guided missiles and weapons manufacturer to inspect the impact of the Middle East war on the domestic arms industry, his office said, amid growing uncertainties over oil prices and the global supply chain. During his visit to LIG Defense & Aerospace (D&A), Ahn was briefed on the impact of the war on the arms industry supply chain and received feedback on possible measures to help stabilize the supply chain amid the prolonged crisis, according to the defense ministry. "Uncertainties over global oil price and supply chains are growing due to the impact of the war in the Middle East," Ahn said, underscoring the need for the government, companies and relevant institutions to share information and seek joint measures. "The arms industry is the bastion of national security and core driving force for growth," he said, urging a thorough response for the smallest issues regarding supply chains and pledging government-wide support to maintain the arms industry supply chain in a stable manner. LIG D&A is the manufacturer of the Cheongu

Apr 10, 2026By Yonhap
Defense chief inspects arms supply chain amid Mideast war
previous page
151152153154155
next page

Most Read in South Korea