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  • Society

    Despite public support, Korea struggles to raise age threshold for seniors’ free subway rides

    As Seoul pushes to raise the eligibility age for free subway rides from 65 to 70, calls are growing to extend the change across the broader range of social benefits provided to older citizens to reflect the demographic reality of a “superaged society,” in which more than 20 percent of the population is 65 or older. But the threshold is tightly bound up with a host of other policies, including the statutory retirement age, making it increasingly difficult for the Korean government to revise a definition of old age written into law decades ago. Under the Welfare of Senior Citizens Act, people aged 65 and older receive a range of benefits, including free rides on subways nationwide and free admission to national parks, museums, galleries and historic palaces. They are also entitled to a 30 percent discount on rail services such as the KTX. Various welfare programs introduced later, including the basic pension and long-term care insurance, followed suit by setting their eligibility threshold at 65. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Sunday, that age standard has remained

    3 MIN READBy Hankookilbo
    Despite public support, Korea struggles to raise age threshold for seniors’ free subway rides
  • Health

    Korea marks decline in new annual HIV infections

    2 MIN READBy Jhoo Dong-chan
    Korea marks decline in new annual HIV infections
  • Others

    Chungnam National University selected for National Research Lab project to lead theranostics research

    2 MIN READBy Park Yoon-bae
    Chungnam National University selected for National Research Lab project to lead theranostics research
  • South Korea

    Lee says all but 2 Korean vessels have left Strait of Hormuz

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Lee says all but 2 Korean vessels have left Strait of Hormuz
  • Defense

    Korea's Marine Corps participates in annual multinational exercise in Philippines

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Korea's Marine Corps participates in annual multinational exercise in Philippines
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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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Society

Global Korea Awards winners share experiences with gender minister

Outstanding students from multicultural backgrounds shared their stories and policy ideas with Minister of Gender Equality and Family Won Min-kyong, turning their personal experiences into proposals for change. Winners of the Global Korea Awards — hosted by The Korea Times to support multicultural students who often encounter hurdles rooted in cultural differences or language barriers — gathered for a luncheon with Won at Government Complex Seoul in Jongno District, Thursday. “I read about each of your backgrounds and achievements. You are all truly remarkable,” Won said, explaining that the ministry is shifting from awareness campaigns toward policies that respond to what multicultural families and immigrant-background youth actually need. “We all share this planet. That common ground calls us to reject discrimination and build a society where young people of all backgrounds stand equal,” she said. Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin noted that multiculturalism, once an unfamiliar concept when the awards launched 15 years ago, has become a natural part of Korean soc

May 7, 2026By Park Ung
Global Korea Awards winners share experiences with gender minister
Politics

Constitutional revision drive stalls as PPP boycotts Assembly vote

A constitutional revision aimed at tightening conditions for declaring martial law fell through Thursday after the conservative People Power Party (PPP) boycotted a parliamentary vote, claiming the amendment bill was politically motivated. The National Assembly on Thursday voted on a constitutional amendment package for the first time in 39 years, with a plan to hold a national referendum for the revision alongside the June 3 local elections. The proposed amendment, jointly introduced by six parties excluding the PPP, included provisions requiring parliamentary approval for a presidential declaration of martial law and strengthening the Assembly’s authority to lift martial law. The amendment also added references to the Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising of 1979 and the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising of 1980 to the Constitution’s preamble. The revision package also included calls for balanced regional development. The bill's passage required approval by more than 191 sitting lawmakers, or two-thirds of all 286. However, the PPP, which holds 107 seats, did not participate in the votin

May 7, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji
Constitutional revision drive stalls as PPP boycotts Assembly vote
Politics

Lee says stabilizing consumer prices top priority amid uncertainties over Middle East war

President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday urged stepped-up efforts to stabilize consumer prices, calling it a top priority for his government amid uncertainties stemming from the prolonged war in the Middle East. His remarks came one day after the government reported a 2.6 percent increase in consumer prices from a year earlier in April, the fastest on-year increase in 21 months since July 2024. "As instability in international oil prices persists, upward pressure on consumer prices is growing. Uncertainty surrounding negotiations to end the war has driven up petroleum products by 20 percent, accelerating consumer price growth in April," the president said in a meeting with senior presidential aides at Cheong Wa Dae. "For now, the top priority should be stabilizing prices, while all available resources should be mobilized to manage supply channels for crude oil and key materials," Lee added. He warned that continued price increases would further strain people's livelihoods and hamper the economic recovery trend. "The future of our economy will depend on how we overcome this crisis, although it

May 7, 2026By Yonhap
Lee says stabilizing consumer prices top priority amid uncertainties over Middle East war
Law & Crime

8 student activists detained after attempting to enter US Embassy in Seoul

Eight liberal student activists were apprehended by police Thursday for attempting to enter the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. The students, all members of the Korean Progressive University Student Union, staged a surprise rally around noon in front of the embassy's main gate to denounce Xavier Brunson, commander of the U.S. Forces Korea, before attempting to trespass onto the embassy compound. They strongly resisted by lying down on the road in protest against the police, who demanded that they disperse because their rally was not registered in advance. The students were taken to the Seoul Jongno Police Station for questioning on charges of violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act. No one was reportedly injured during the process. The student union has claimed that Brunson's remarks regarding the transfer of wartime operational control, made during his appearance before U.S. Congress last month, constituted an infringement on sovereignty. Brunson stated at that time, "Political expediency must not outpace the conditions."

May 7, 2026By Yonhap
8 student activists detained after attempting to enter US Embassy in Seoul
Society

After impeachment, disappointed young Koreans turn away from politics

For 22-year-old college student Lee Ji-ahn, a press conference held last March by eight lawmakers in their 30s and 40s from both the ruling and opposition parties remains a clear memory. “The benefits go to older generations, while the burden falls on future generations,” lawmakers gathered at the National Assembly said as they criticized the national pension reform bill, arguing that the parametric adjustment — raising the contribution rate from 9 percent to 13 percent and the income replacement rate from 40 percent to 43 percent — would make the system worse for young people. “It was the kind of politics I wanted to see,” Lee recalled. But the cross-party push to represent younger voters was short-lived, soon buried under partisan bickering between the ruling and opposition parties. Lee said skepticism began to grow: “Why does it matter if I vote for one party?” Kwon Mil-roo, another college student in her 20s, said she was shocked by a filibuster speech late last year by the leader of the main opposition People Power Party. In the speech, the opposition leader said ma

May 7, 2026By Hankookilbo
After impeachment, disappointed young Koreans turn away from politics
Defense

USFK commander reiterates importance of 'east-up' mapping in Indo-Pacific

U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson has stressed the importance of an "east-up" perspective view in the Indo-Pacific theater, stressing a "coherent strategic geometry" of South Korea, Japan and the Philippines in the region, according to the USFK website Thursday. Brunson's remarks come as Washington has sought to "modernize" its alliance with South Korea to expand the role of the 28,500-strong USFK forces beyond the defense of the Korean Peninsula while calling on Seoul to take on a greater burden for its own security. In a speech made at a symposium held at the U.S. Army War College on Tuesday (U.S. time), the USFK commander raised the need to set aside the conventional "north-up" view of the world and consider an "east-up" perspective. "In Korea, we have that presence. We aren't projecting power. Our alliance is our power," Brunson was quoted as saying. He unveiled the concept of the "east-up" mapping for the first time in an article carried by USFK in November last year, Unlike the conventional mapping that places North Korea and Russia north of South Korea, the eas

May 7, 2026By Yonhap
USFK commander reiterates importance of 'east-up' mapping in Indo-Pacific
South Korea

Korea recruits record 1,152 global creators to promote K-culture online

Korea is doubling down on its global cultural reach by enlisting more than 1,000 foreign content creators to flood YouTube with videos about Korean life, from subway rides to pop choreography. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it selected 1,152 participants from 98 countries for the seventh cohort of its “K-influencer” program, a government initiative that recruits foreign YouTubers to promote Korean culture worldwide. The program launches at 3 p.m. Thursday with an inauguration ceremony at the Arirang International Broadcasting Studio, with overseas participants joining via livestream. Officials said the scale of this year’s recruitment marked a record high in applications, reflecting surging global interest in Korea’s cultural exports. A total of 4,184 applicants from 134 countries applied during the March 27 to April 17 recruitment period. The ministry said Asia accounted for 37.3 percent of applicants, followed by South America at 19.6 percent, Africa at 19.4 percent and Europe at 11.6 percent. Among those selected are creators with sizable global followings, in

May 7, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korea recruits record 1,152 global creators to promote K-culture online
South Korea

Seoul moves early to stop swarms of lovebugs before summer invasion

After swarms of lovebugs blanketed parts of Seoul last summer, clinging to apartment walls, sidewalks and hikers across the capital, city officials are racing to stop the insects before they return in force. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday it would begin preemptive, eco-friendly pest control measures targeting mass outbreaks of Plecia longiforceps, commonly known as lovebugs, and oriental mayflies ahead of the peak summer season. The city said it would launch daily monitoring and coordinated response systems across all 25 districts while expanding field technologies, including large-scale insect traps, water-spraying drones and biological larvicide treatments. Although the insects are not known to transmit infectious diseases, city officials said their sudden population surges have caused widespread public discomfort. According to a 2025 survey of 1,000 Seoul residents conducted by the city, 90.7 percent of respondents said they felt disgust toward insect outbreaks, while 88.2 percent said they experienced psychological discomfort. Another 89.8 percent said stronger pest

May 7, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Seoul moves early to stop swarms of lovebugs before summer invasion
South Korea

BLACKPINK lands on Korean stamps in tribute to global K-pop phenomenon

Korea Post said Thursday it will release a commemorative BLACKPINK stamp collection on June 16, featuring 10 stamps and a special collector’s packet carrying portraits of the group’s members. The agency said the release recognizes BLACKPINK's role in expanding the global reach of K-pop and elevating the profile of Korean popular culture. Since debuting in August 2016, BLACKPINK has emerged as one of the world’s most commercially successful girl groups, propelled by international hits including “DDU-DU DDU-DU,” “Kill This Love” and “How You Like That.” The group’s second studio album, “BORN PINK,” became the first album by a K-pop girl group to surpass 2 million sales, while its third EP, “DEADLINE,” recorded the highest first-week sales for a K-pop girl group, according to Korea Post. BLACKPINK also became the first Asian act to headline the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the first K-pop act to headline a major concert at Hyde Park in London. The group has also appeared at United Nations events promoting sustainable development goals. The commemor

May 7, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
BLACKPINK lands on Korean stamps in tribute to global K-pop phenomenon
South Korea

Forum puts traditional Korean cuisine in fine dining spotlight

As Korean fine dining gains global prestige, chefs and scholars will gather in Seoul this month to debate a question at the heart of the country’s culinary identity: how to preserve the roots of traditional Korean cuisine while pushing it into the future. The Korea Heritage Service and the Korea Heritage Agency said Thursday that they will host the third Hansik Forum on Monday at the Korea House Folk Theater in central Seoul. The forum, “Fine Dining Embraces the Essence of Traditional Korean Cuisine,” will examine ways to reinterpret and expand traditional Korean food culture in a sustainable way, organizers said. The event will feature presentations and panel discussions led by chefs, academics and food industry officials working at the forefront of Korean cuisine. The first session will focus on the modern reinterpretation of historical Korean cookbooks, overseas examples of traditional Korean food education and the cultural value of traditional cuisine. The second session will feature an open discussion. The forum is open to the public and costs 20,000 won ($14) to attend. Partic

May 7, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Forum puts traditional Korean cuisine in fine dining spotlight
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