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Korean Air will launch its integrated flag carrier on Dec. 17, after completing all legal procedures for its high-profile acquisition of Asiana Airlines, the boards of the two companies said Wednesday. The agreement follows the initial share subscription agreement signed in November 2020. Korean Air will absorb all Asiana Airlines assets, liabilities, rights, obligations and personnel for the full-scale integration of the two carriers. The merger ratio has been set at 1 share of Korean Air to 0.2736432 shares of Asiana Airlines. Earlier, the Korean government and state-led creditors provided 3.6 trillion won ($2.42 billion) in liquidity support to cash-strapped Asiana following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Korean Air managed Asiana’s financial and operational restructuring during the acquisition process, which also included full public fund repayment. Following Korean Air’s contract execution slated for Thursday, the carrier will submit a merger application to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Once domestic approvals are finalized, Korean Air will proceed wi
The government on Wednesday proposed an initiative aimed at boosting the competitiveness of Korea's shipbuilding industry as the importance of the sector has grown amid global uncertainties. The initiative was unveiled at a meeting of related government authorities, including the industry, oceans and finance ministries, and executives from large to small and midsized shipbuilding companies in the southeastern city of Ulsan, which is home to many of the country's largest shipyards, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. In the meeting, the industry ministry proposed three strategies aimed at making Korea the global leader in the shipbuilding sector, which are strengthening the fundamental manufacturing capabilities, expanding foothold in global markets, and creating a sustainable industrial ecosystem to promote balanced growth of both small and large companies. The initiative is needed to help the Korean shipbuilding industry maintain its power amid major economies' push to rebuild their maritime capacity in the face of heightened uncertainties in global trade and a
Unsuk Chin has been selected as the Grand Prize winner of the 14th Daewon Music Awards, the Daewon Culture Foundation announced Wednesday. Pianist Sunwoo Yekwon received the Performance Award, while violinist Kim Seo-hyun was named recipient of the Emerging Artist Award, which honors promising young musicians. Chin is regarded as the most internationally acclaimed Korean composer since Isang Yun (1917-1925). Over the years, she has elevated the global standing of Korean classical music through a string of prestigious honors, including the Grawemeyer Award (2004), the Arnold Schoenberg Prize (2005), the Prince Pierre of Monaco Composition Prize (2010), the Wihuri Sibelius Prize (2017), the Hamburg Bach Prize (2019), the Marie-Josée Kravis Prize (2020), the Léonie Sonning Music Prize (2021) and the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize (2024). Last year, Chin won the Contemporary Music Recording Award at the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) for the Berliner Philharmoniker’s “Unsuk Chin Edition.” In March this year, she also became the first Korean recipient of the BBVA Foundati
K-drama heartthrob Song Joong-ki is set to return to KBS with the drama, “Love Cloud,” marking his first project with the broadcaster in about a decade since the hit series “Descendants of the Sun.” According to an exclusive report by Hankook Ilbo on Wednesday, “Love Cloud,” starring Song and Park Ji-hyun, has officially secured a weekend time slot on KBS2. The drama is expected to air in the first half of next year as the follow-up to KBS’s highly anticipated series “Munmu.” Reports of Song positively reviewing the offer first surfaced late last year, and discussions regarding scheduling and production have since progressed. Actors Lee Si-woo and Choi Hee-jin are also said to be considering roles in the project. “Love Cloud” is a romantic comedy set in the mystical atmosphere of Jeju Island, where “love becomes the weather.” The story follows Kang Woo-joo, a former flight instructor, and aspiring pilot Ahn Ha-nee, who reunite seven years later as an air traffic controller and pilot. Director Song Min-yeop will helm the drama. The project carries particular sign
“I’m about to get hit with ‘jeongbyeong.’” For Kim, a 23-year-old college student, the phrase is almost always ready to roll off the tongue. The word is short for the Korean term “jeongsinbyeong,” which literally means “mental illness.” But Kim was not making a blunt confession about having a psychiatric disorder. “It is more of an expression for a sense of helplessness and anxiety — when the word ‘stressful’ does not quite capture the feeling,” Kim said. Jung, another 22-year-old college student who said he often uses “jeongbyeong,” described it as a word that conveys a tangled psychological state: anger, anxiety, dread, depression and powerlessness all mixed together. “About to get hit with jeongbyeong.” “Appearance jeongbyeong.” “Employment jeongbyeong.” Among young Koreans, the word mental illness has become a dominant shorthand for psychological strain and everyday stress. It began as an offensive slur and at times drew criticism for being used in ways that demeaned people actually struggling with mental illness, but young people today incre
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Wednesday elected Rep. Cho Jeong-sik, a six-term lawmaker, as its candidate for the next parliamentary speaker. The 63-year-old beat Kim Tae-nyeon and Park Jie-won, both five-term lawmakers, in a vote cast by party lawmakers and members. If elected at a parliamentary plenary session, Rep. Cho will replace Woo Won-shik and serve a two-year term that will cover the second half of the 22nd National Assembly. He is expected to ultimately become the speaker, as it is customary for the largest party in terms of parliamentary seats to take the speaker position, with two vice speaker seats divided between the ruling and main opposition parties. Four-term lawmaker Rep. Nam In-soon was elected as the DPK's candidate for deputy assembly speaker. Rep. Cho is widely considered to have close ties with President Lee Jae Myung, having served as the president's special political adviser before resigning to run for assembly speaker and previously serving as the secretary general of the DPK when Lee was party leader. In Korea, elections for parliamentary speaker
Actor Ra Mi-ran expressed both excitement and pressure in taking on the lead role for the upcoming fantasy film "The Mysterious Candy Store Jun Chun Dang," based on the hit Japanese children's book series. "I felt a sense of responsibility in playing Hong-ja because the original work is loved by so many people," Ra said during a press conference at a theater in Seoul, Wednesday. "I was motivated by the desire to create a Korean version of the story and to challenge myself with the fantasy genre after focusing on more realistic roles in the past." "The Mysterious Candy Store Jun Chun Dang" is a fantasy drama based on the best-selling Japanese novel series "Mysterious Candy Store Sentendo" by Reiko Hiroshima. The story follows the mysterious owner of a candy store who sells magical treats that grant wishes to lucky customers holding specific coins. The original book series is a major cultural phenomenon in Korea with more than 2 million copies sold. Its popularity has led to various adaptations including an animated series and a movie in Japan and a musical in Korea. The musical version he
A weather application featured on smartphones made by Samsung Electronics is erroneously identifying South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo as North Korean territory. The weather application pre-installed on Galaxy devices showed Dokdo as being located in North Gyeongsang Province in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the North's official name. The error appeared only on devices running Samsung's latest operating system, One UI 8.5. One UI 8.5 comes with the latest flagship Galaxy S26 series and has also been distributed to older models, including the Galaxy S25 and S24 series, as well as the foldable Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, through software updates. Samsung said the error stemmed from an issue involving external weather data provided by The Weather Channel (TWC). "We operate the weather service using data provided by TWC, and the error occurred on the provider's side," a company official who asked not to be named said. "We are aware of the issue and are taking corrective measures." Dokdo has long been a recurring source of tension between South Korea and Japan, as Tokyo c
K-pop duo FLARE U released its debut album, "YOUTH ERROR," Wednesday, officially marking its arrival after months of anticipation from fans who first fell for them on an audition show. The two members, Chuei Li Yu from Taiwan and Korean Kang Woo-jin, competed on Mnet's "Boys II Planet" last year, finishing 10th and 16th, respectively. Neither made the final debut lineup, but their easy rapport became one of the show's more talked-about storylines. The name, FLARE U, captures exactly that: two separate sparks becoming one light. A few hours before the official album drop on Wednesday, the two met the press for a media showcase at BlueSquare Woori WON Banking Hall in Seoul's Yongsan District, sharing behind-the-scenes stories leading up to the duo's launch. "After the audition program ended, I took some rest and then prepared for a fan event. I felt sorry that I couldn't share more news in the meantime," Kang said. It was also a period of real growth, he noted. Appearing on a TV show had been a first for him, and the physical and emotional demands caught him off guard early on. "Having gone
Korea is reviewing a possible role in a U.S. initiative aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a senior presidential official said Wednesday. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac made the remarks following an apparent attack on a Korean-operated vessel last week in the crucial waterway that has effectively been shut down since U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. "Regarding efforts to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a review is underway on the United States' Maritime Freedom Construct," Wi said in a forum in Seoul. Washington has proposed an international coalition, called "Maritime Freedom Construct," aimed at ensuring free navigation of the shipping route. Wi's remarks came after Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told his U.S. counterpart during talks at the Pentagon this week that Seoul will review making phased contributions to Washington's efforts to restore passage in the strait. Wi noted that Seoul is actively taking part in multinational efforts related to the strait, citing President Lee Jae Myung's participation in an onlin
A United Arab Emirates (UAE) minister of state has emphasized any attempts to disrupt commercial shipping and attacks on civilians in the Strait of Hormuz must stop. UAE State Minister Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri made the remarks in a recent written interview with Yonhap News Agency as a Korean-operated vessel was struck by two unidentified airborne objects while stranded in the chokepoint last week. "There is broad international consensus that freedom of navigation in the Strait must be preserved, that Iran must immediately cease its threats, mine-laying, and drone and missile attacks, and cease any attempt to disrupt commercial shipping through the Strait," the minister said. "The international community will not tolerate attacks on sovereignty, civilians or critical infrastructure," he said, stressing the UAE's commitment to working with partners to safeguard maritime security and ensure the safe passage of the waterway. Since U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February, Iran has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy supplies and logistics through the strategic
Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) reported a modest increase in first-quarter earnings on Wednesday, but warned that the impact of the Middle East crisis and rising global fuel prices could weigh on results from the second quarter onward. According to the electric utility company, first-quarter revenue rose 0.7 percent year-on-year to about 24.4 trillion won ($16.4 billion). Operating profit edged up 0.8 percent to 3.8 trillion won, while net profit climbed 6.7 percent to 2.5 trillion won. KEPCO said operating profit rose despite weaker sales thanks to its emergency cost‑cutting drive, including 300 billion won in savings on purchased power and 100 billion won from efficiency gains in maintenance spending through regulatory changes and wider use of artificial intelligence (AI)‑based asset management systems. The company said the first-quarter performance reflects a time lag in the impact of the late‑February spike in global crude and liquefied natural gas prices triggered by the Middle East crisis, adding that fuel cost volatility has had a limited effect on earnings so far. Howev
Day care teachers in Seoul are spending hours each day photographing students, a growing administrative mandate that has become routine in many early childhood classrooms. While children folded paper carnations and made coupons for Parents’ Day last week, teachers focused on photographing them for their parents. "On days with special events, like field trips, we take as many as 100 photos," the teacher said. "It’s not as if we take only 10 pictures just because there are 10 children in the class. We have to upload the good ones. Otherwise, parents complain that their child’s expression looks bad or that only their child had their eyes closed." For about a decade, day care centers and kindergartens have used parent communication apps such as Kids Note and Schoolbell-e to send parents photos of their children. The apps were meant to show parents what young children do at school or day care. Teachers now say the practice has become expected work, adding to their workload and reducing instructional and caregiving time. Smiling photos, strained classrooms Teachers say the reality outsid
Top U.S. and Chinese officials met in Korea, Wednesday, with Korea serving as a neutral ground for last-minute talks ahead of a summit between the leaders of the two countries. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng fine-tuned and finalized the agenda for the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled to take place in Beijing on Thursday. Prior to their meeting, each official paid a courtesy call to President Lee Jae Myung at Cheong Wa Dae, with Lee expressing his best wishes for a successful summit between the U.S. and China. Regarding the officials' visit, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said, “It reflected Korea’s position as both an ally of the U.S. and a strategic cooperative partner of China.” The president and the two officials discussed Korea’s bilateral issues with their respective nations. With Bessent, Lee discussed “positive economic momentum” between Seoul and Washington despite challenging external conditions, along with efforts to strengthen cooperation in security, econom
Korea's ruling and main opposition parties are making similar calls in rare unison for voter support that the outcome of the upcoming local elections will serve as judgment against the other side, political observers here noted Wednesday. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is wooing support for what it calls a "harsh judgment" against "insurrectionist forces" tied to ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his failed martial law attempt. The conservative People Power Party (PPP), too, is calling for judgment against what it claims is a criminal organization and its leader, the DPK and President Lee Jae Myung, respectively. The DPK has framed the June 3 local elections as a crucial election to "normalize" the country and root out what it calls lingering insurrectionist forces linked to Yoon's short-lived martial law declaration in December 2024. "The insurrection is not over, and the insurrectionist forces behind it, who have shown no sign of remorse, are still active in various places," DPK leader Jung Chung-rae said Sunday in a ceremony marking the launch of the party's electi
The government is scrambling to avert a looming strike at Samsung Electronics, with top officials vowing full government support to keep negotiations alive after the latest round of talks collapsed. More than 42,000 workers are expected to walk out next week. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Wednesday that the government would provide “whatever assistance” was necessary to prevent the planned 18-day strike, set to begin May 21. His remarks came after a government-arranged follow-up mediation session between Samsung Electronics and its unions ended earlier in the day without results, increasing the likelihood of the strike primarily involving employees from the company’s chipmaking division. “The dispute should not lead to a strike under any circumstances,” Kim said during a meeting with labor and industry ministers, according to the Prime Minister's Office. “The government will closely manage the situation, given the strike’s potential impact on the national economy, and help facilitate dialogue between the two sides.” Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-che
Migrant rights groups called on politicians to drastically expand social rights and protections for more than 2.8 million migrants living in Korea, accusing policymakers of treating them as workers but not as residents, neighbors or — where eligible — voters. At a press conference in Seoul ahead of the June 3 local elections, representatives of the groups said everyone who lives and works in the country should be guaranteed equal access to welfare and public services, including health care and education, regardless of nationality. They claimed both central and local governments build their economies on migrant labor while systematically excluding migrants from tax-funded benefits. They called on candidates to present concrete pledges to remove legal and institutional discrimination, strengthen local migrant support systems and embrace migrants — including undocumented workers and children — as members of society whose rights must be protected. “This election will decide our region’s future — and migrant workers must be part of it,” said Udaya Rai, head of the Migrants’
SBS’ new drama "My Royal Nemesis" centers on Kang Dan-sim, a Joseon-era "villainess" executed by poison who wakes up 300 years later in the body of a struggling actress, Shin Seo-ri. While the premise risked being dismissed as just another derivative time-slip trope, the series has instead debuted as a bold and cheeky romantic comedy. Actress Lim Ji-yeon’s performance is the show's true anchor, as she effortlessly pivots between slapstick comedy and poignant romance to strike a perfect balance of comedy, angst and romantic chemistry. Driven by Lim’s powerhouse performance and a narrative that outpaces the typical fantasy rom-com formula, the show has already captivated audiences. By its second episode, it hit a 5.4 percent nationwide rating, according to Nielsen Korea, and clinched the top spot on Netflix Korea. The drama opens with a haunting sequence: Kang Dan-sim (Lim), a royal concubine branded a villainess, collapses after drinking poison. Her final cry — "My only crime was struggling to survive in a palace where everyone sought my head" — is cut short as a total lunar ec
Foreign residents living in Korea are rapidly becoming a powerful new force in the country’s tourism economy, with many traveling frequently across the nation and encouraging friends and relatives abroad to visit. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization said Wednesday that a new survey of foreign residents found that nearly 7 in 10 respondents had taken domestic day trips over the past year, while nearly 6 in 10 had traveled overnight. The report comes as Korea’s foreign resident population reaches 2.58 million, roughly 5 percent of the country’s total population, prompting tourism officials to view expatriates, international students and migrant workers as a growing tourism market rather than simply long-term residents. The survey of 1,000 foreign residents showed that respondents averaged 3.7 day trips and two overnight trips annually between November 2024 and October 2025. Nature and food ranked among the most popular activities. About 85.7 percent said they enjoyed sightseeing focused on scenery and landscapes, while 64.2 percent said food
KOSPI, which briefly fell to the 7,400 range on foreign investor selloff on Wednesday, reversed course to close at a record high above the 7,800 mark on strong buying from retail and institutional investors. The country's benchmark index opened at 7,513.65, down 1.69 percent, or 129.50 points, from the previous session. Losses deepened in early trading, pushing the index as low as 7,402. Sentiment later improved, however, with KOSPI recouping its earlier declines and climbing above the 7,800 level intraday before closing at 7,844.01, up 200.86 points, or 2.63 percent, from the previous session. The weak start followed an overnight decline in U.S. semiconductor shares, which dragged down the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index and pressured Korean equities from premarket trading. Among heavyweight stocks, Samsung Electronics dropped sharply earlier in the session, plunging nearly 6 percent after labor-management talks broke down and U.S. chip stocks weakened overnight. The stock later pared most of its losses, fluctuating around the flat line before ending 1.79 percent higher at 284,000 won
Kumho Petrochemical Group donated 30 million won ($20,000) on Wednesday to the nonprofit KJ Choi Foundation to support students pursuing science and engineering degrees, underscoring its commitment to nurturing next-generation technical talent. The scholarships will be awarded as part of the foundation’s initiative to support the next generation of talent. A total of five undergraduate and graduate students will be selected among those who are majoring in robotics, computer science, artificial intelligence (AI), information security and cryptography and chemical engineering, which is a core area closely related to the company’s business. Kumho Petrochemical explained the scholarship initiative reflects its longstanding emphasis on fostering science and engineering talent in Korea, where it has grown from the country’s early days as a marginal player in petrochemicals into a global competitor. The partnership came as the foundation’s response to that commitment. Founded in 2008 by PGA Tour player Choi Kyung-joo, an eight-time winner on the U.S. men’s golf circuit, the foundation
As the Korean peninsula braces for a summer season defined by increasingly erratic and extreme weather, Seoul city officials are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) and an expanded network of "climate shelters" to protect a vulnerable urban population. The Seoul Metropolitan Government unveiled a comprehensive five-month safety mandate on Wednesday, a strategic pivot aimed at hardening the capital against the dual threats of extreme heat and flash flooding. The plan, which runs through October, represents a significant escalation in the city’s technological response to the climate crisis. Central to the initiative is the deployment of AI-powered surveillance along Seoul’s major streams, including Jungnang Stream. These intelligent CCTV systems are designed to detect stranded pedestrians in real-time and issue automated warnings during the sudden, torrential downpours that have increasingly plagued the region. Further inland, AI will analyze weather radar data to predict flooding risks on 15 notorious thoroughfares, including the low-lying districts around Gangnam Station that h
A high-stakes summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping set for Thursday is putting Korea's semiconductor rally in the spotlight, market watchers said Wednesday. As the leaders of the world's two largest economies prepare to meet in Beijing, investors are closely watching whether the talks, expected to focus heavily on trade and economic issues, could affect Korea's export-driven stock market, particularly semiconductor shares that have powered recent gains. Market attention is centered on whether Washington and Beijing could reach agreements related to rare earth supplies and semiconductor trade restrictions. In recent years, Korean chipmakers have emerged as major beneficiaries of escalating U.S.-China tensions, as global customers increasingly turned to Korean suppliers viewed as less exposed to the trade and technology conflict. Analysts said a possible U.S.-China thaw in semiconductor tensions could undermine some of the advantages Korea's two chip giants — Samsung Electronics and SK hynix — have enjoyed during the prolonged trade dispute. From K
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun narrowed down the list of likely suspects behind the attack on a Korean-operated vessel near the Strait of Hormuz to Iran-linked entities, while stopping short of directly naming Tehran and leaving open the possibility that militia groups may have been involved. “It is difficult to make a hasty determination. When it comes to who may have launched this kind of object, there are several possibilities even within Iran. Militias could also be involved,” Cho told reporters Wednesday at Government Complex Seoul, when asked whether the object that struck HMM Namu, a Korean-operated and Panama-flagged cargo vessel, was likely a drone. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac opened up the possibility that missiles could have struck the vessel, rejecting speculation that drones were used. "So far, there is no grounds for saying that it was attacked by drones ... Missiles also can be one of many options. We are open to many possibilities," Wi said during a press conference at the Korea Press Center, Wednesday. Wi also said that Seoul is reviewing whether it will join th
For many immigrants in Korea, the distance between arriving in a new country and finding a place in its workforce can feel insurmountable. Language barriers and cultural nuances often relegate talented individuals to the sidelines. However, a collaborative initiative between the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Ediya Coffee, one of the nation's largest coffee chains, is proving that the path to integration can be found in the art of the perfect pour. The program, titled "I Am a Barista!", has transitioned from a pilot project into a structural pillar for multicultural families. By pairing government oversight with private-sector expertise, the initiative provides marriage immigrants and their children with rigorous vocational training, moving beyond simple theory to provide a direct pipeline into the service industry. The results of the 2025 cycle underscore the program’s efficacy: Every single one of the 30 participants successfully obtained a Level 3 barista certification. More importantly, the program is delivering on its promise of economic mobility. Several graduates have alread
Korean director Park Chan-wook said he will evaluate films at this year's Cannes Film Festival with the "pure eyes of an audience." Speaking at a press conference in Cannes, France, for the festival's competition jury, held before the festival opened Tuesday (local time), Park outlined his dual approach to viewing and evaluating the entries as the jury president. "I want to watch the films with a sense of excitement, without prejudice, preconceptions or fixed ideas, waiting to see which work will surprise me," Park said in a video of the event posted on the festival's website. "But when it comes time to discuss them, I will speak as a professional with clear views and an understanding of cinema history." Asked by a reporter whether art should be separated from politics, Park rejected the idea. "It is strange to think of politics and art as opposing concepts," he said, adding that films with political messages should not be seen as "the enemy of art" if expressed effectively. The 79th edition features three Korean films across sections, underlining the country's growing global cinematic pr
The suspected ringleader of a cybercrime network accused of stealing the personal data of wealthy individuals — including BTS member Jungkook — to withdraw funds from their financial accounts has been extradited to Korea and placed in custody by authorities. According to the Ministry of Justice and the National Police Agency (NPA), the 40-year-old Chinese national arrived at Incheon International Airport from Bangkok, Wednesday. He is the second key suspect in the case, following a 36-year-old Chinese accomplice who was extradited to Korea, indicted and detained in August last year. The group is suspected of running a cybercrime network based in several countries but primarily operating out of Thailand. From August 2023 to April 2024, it allegedly siphoned off more than 38 billion won ($25.5 million) by using illegally obtained personal data to gain access to victims’ bank and cryptocurrency accounts. Investigators said the group hacked multiple websites to obtain personal data, then used the stolen identities to open low-cost mobile lines and pass identity verification, allowing
Pro-Specs is doubling down on its commitment to Korea’s baseball and softball programs, extending its official sponsorship of the national teams through 2029 in a renewed partnership with the Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA). The Korean sportswear brand said it signed a four-year contract extension covering the 2026 to 2029 seasons, continuing a relationship that began in 2022 and has focused on outfitting national team athletes for training and competition. The agreement was signed on Monday at LS Yongsan Tower in Seoul’s Yongsan District, with Pro-Specs division head Koo Eun-sung and KBSA President Yang Hae-young among those in attendance, the organizations said. Under the deal, Pro-Specs will continue to supply official uniforms, training apparel and equipment for Korea’s baseball and softball national teams, supporting athletes across international competitions and training camps. Since first partnering with KBSA in 2022, Pro-Specs has positioned itself as a long-term supporter of elite baseball and softball development in Korea, emphasizing performance-focused appare
A court on Wednesday concluded hearings on Samsung Electronics's request for an injunction to block a strike threatened by its unionized workers. The Suwon District Court said it will decide whether to grant the injunction before the general strike scheduled to begin May 21, after hearing arguments from both labor and management. Samsung filed the injunction case on April 16 against two labor unions, leading to the second closed-door hearing on Wednesday morning, which was attended by about 30 people, including lawyers and officials from both sides. The hearing lasted about 1 hour and 45 minutes, proceeding with presentations by the two unions opposing the injunction request, followed by a rebuttal from management. The court said at the end of the hearing that it will make a decision after careful consideration. Typically, injunction cases are handled based on the gravity and urgency of the matter. In Samsung's case, it is expected that the impact of the planned industrial action, as well as its necessity and legitimacy, will also be reviewed. Samsung's labor and management failed to reac
For years, Korean cinema arrived at the Cannes Film Festival as a celebrated outsider, a source of visceral, high-concept energy that reliably jolted the traditional hierarchy. This year, as the 79th edition of the festival begins, that energy has been translated into institutional power. The most visible sign of this new status is the appointment of Park Chan-wook, the director of "Oldboy" and "Decision to Leave," as the first Korean to serve as president of the main competition jury. His role as the festival’s lead arbiter marks a transition for the Korean film industry: It is no longer just a trend to be watched, but a standard-bearer for the medium. To turn this symbolic prestige into structural influence, the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) launched an expansive commercial offensive on the Croisette. Operating from a dedicated pavilion in the International Village, the council is moving beyond the promotion of finished films toward a strategy of deep-rooted international integration. At the heart of this effort is the "KO-PICK" initiative, a program designed to embed Korean producers
President Lee Jae Myung accused some media outlets Wednesday of distorting his aide's remarks to make it appear that he suggested distributing the excess profits of artificial intelligence (AI) companies among the public. Lee wrote on his X account that certain outlets were distributing "malicious fake news," when the intent of his chief of staff for policy Kim Yong-beom was to propose sharing the surplus tax revenue generated by the recent boom at AI companies, such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. "When some news outlets distributed malicious fake news by editing (Kim's) remarks ... he denied it and kindly explained that he was arguing for a review of distributing surplus tax revenue," Lee wrote. "What is the reason they are still carrying such malicious reports? It must be remembered that political accusations and criticism harm democracy if they are not based on facts." Kim wrote on Facebook the previous day that a "public dividend" system could be considered as a way of sharing with the people "the fruits of the AI infrastructure era." The remark prompted fierce backlash among c
Whenever global K-pop phenomenon BTS announces a performance, a familiar gold-rush mentality tends to seize the host city. But as the group prepares to descend on Korea's second-biggest city for its "ARIRANG" world tour concerts in June, local authorities are moving to ensure that fans aren't fleeced by the local hospitality industry. The Busan Metropolitan Government announced Wednesday a sweeping crackdown on price gouging, mobilizing an interagency task force to inspect hotels and guesthouses across the southern port city. The initiative, which includes the city’s Special Judicial Police and the Korea Fair Trade Commission, is a preemptive strike against the predatory pricing and unilateral reservation cancellations that have historically marred major cultural events in the region. The inspections will target establishments flagged by the city’s "tourism inconvenience" reporting system. Under the Public Health Control Act, inspectors will be looking for a range of infractions, from the failure to display mandated rate schedules to the operation of entirely unregistered lodgings.
The country's major shipbuilders and local banks have teamed up to give more financial support for shipbuilding-related smaller firms, the industry ministry said Wednesday. According to the ministry, Hanwha Ocean and Samsung Heavy Industries , along with Shinhan Bank and Woori Bank, have chipped in to create a combined 42.6 billion-won ($28.9 million) fund for trade insurance. In January this year, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hana Bank already funneled a total of 28 billion won into the fund, which is used to provide insurance to shipbuilding parts manufacturers and their subcontractors. The industry ministry said a total of 1 trillion won worth of trade insurance will be offered to shipbuilders' subcontractors. In addition, local banks will pump a total of 15 trillion won in productive finance to smaller exporters, the ministry said.
For decades, the arrival of summer in Korea was heralded by the rhythmic hum of cicadas and the predictable onset of monsoon season. But as climate change rewrites the country’s seasonal script, the government is bracing for a new reality. The Korea Meteorological Administration announced a sweeping overhaul of its national weather warning system Wednesday, the first major restructuring in nearly two decades. The centerpiece of the plan is the introduction of a top-tier “extreme heat emergency” alert — the result of a decade in which scorching afternoons, sleepless "tropical nights" (a meteorological phenomenon where the temperature remains at or above 25 degrees Celsius, or 77 degrees Fahrenheit, between 6:01 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following day) and record-breaking torrential downpours have moved from anomalies to the new seasonal baseline. Under the new protocol, which takes effect June 1, the weather agency will move beyond the two-tiered advisory system established in 2008. "Extreme heat emergency" will be triggered when the daily perceived temperature is forecast to hit 38 de
As the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) continues its record-breaking boom, drawing more than 10 million fans annually since 2024, Korea’s financial sector is racing to tap into the country’s sports fever with a growing lineup of tailored financial products, according to industry officials Wednesday. Banks and card issuers are rolling out interactive products that tie customer rewards to team performance and fan engagement. In the banking sector, team-linked savings products are emerging as a particularly popular strategy. Shinhan Bank offers a KBO-themed savings account that provides interest rates of up to 5 percent annually, depending on a supported team’s KBO season performance. Additional perks can also be earned through prediction events within the bank’s mobile app. Regional lenders are also leveraging hometown loyalty. NH NongHyup Bank has introduced a product tied to the NC Dinos, with annual rates climbing as high as 7 percent based on team performance and customers’ success in prediction programs. Busan Bank and Kwangju Bank have launched similar offerings linked to t
JANGSU, North Jeolla Province — Mount Beophwa is considered among the smaller mountains here in this remote but lush town, measuring slightly over 700 meters tall from sea level. Lee Kyung-sook, 66, came here to forage for mountain herbs and vegetables in the last week of April. The veteran shimmani, or forager, wore her rainboots to fend off the snakes, her "namul" apron and a backpack to carry the wild veggies and herbs she gathers. Deftly, she climbed over fallen tree trunks and hanging branches in long steps, her legs and arms moving in long arc-like silhouette. Whenever she saw a target, she bent 90 degrees, swiftly plucking it. "Ah there, there is 'chwinamul' or Astor greens. Here look, there is 'gosari' or bracken fern," she said. When she changes direction and enters into the deeper, thicker section of the mountain, she finds 'dureup,' or Aralia sprouts from a Korean angelica tree. These seasonal wild herbs, which have a fresh and nutty taste, are in full bloom during late April and May, making for busy months for Lee. About four hours' drive from the highly-wired and connecte
Biotech giant Alteogen’s move toward a KOSPI listing transfer is fueling concerns within the venture capital industry and the Kosdaq market that the secondary bourse could become even more marginalized, according to industry officials and analysts Wednesday. The sense of crisis comes amid an unprecedented divergence in returns between the country’s main bourse, the KOSPI, and the Kosdaq. While the benchmark index has been driven higher by semiconductor heavyweights such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, major Kosdaq sectors, including biotech and battery stocks, have struggled to maintain momentum. Earlier in the day, the Korea Venture Capital Association, the Kosdaq Association and the Korea Venture Business Association released a joint statement calling on leading Kosdaq-listed companies to remain on the market, warning that the departure of blue-chip firms could weaken investor confidence and undermine the broader innovation ecosystem. The joint appeal by the three organizations is widely seen as a response to Alteogen’s planned move to the KOSPI. The biotech firm, currently
The 2026 Lotus Lantern Festival, called Yeondeunghoe in Korean, will be held Saturday and Sunday in the Jogye Temple, Ujeongguk-ro and Jongno areas of central Seoul, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday. The festival traces its origins to the Unified Silla period (676-935) and was designated Korea's National Intangible Heritage No. 122 in 2012, before receiving UNESCO recognition in 2020 and being inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is organized annually by the Yeondeunghoe Preservation Committee, which also runs traditional lantern-making workshops and international academic conferences. The centerpiece of this year's festival is the Lotus Lantern Parade on Saturday evening, where more than 60 organizations and roughly 20,000 participants will march from Dongguk University through Heunginjimun gate and Jongno to Jogye Temple from 7-9:30 p.m. Following the parade, a communal celebration will run from 9:30-11 p.m. at Jongak intersection, featuring ganggangsullae (circle dancing), music performances and a "flower rain" finale. On Sunday, a tradi
The Han River is traditionally a place for picnics or weekend strolls, but next month, a stretch of its waters will be transformed into a sprawling, low-stakes obstacle course designed to prove that anyone can be a triathlete. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday that the third annual "MY PACE" Hangang Triathlon Festival will return to Ttukseom Hangang Park from June 5 to 7. Unlike the grueling, clock-watching spectacles typically associated with the sport, this three-day event is built on the premise that speed is secondary to simply showing up. Participants are encouraged to swim, cycle, and run through the course at their own speed, stripping away the pressure of rankings in favor of a collective finish line. The centerpiece of this year’s festival is "Haechi Island," a massive floating playground named after the city’s official mascot. The installation effectively turns a portion of the river into a water-bound carnival, featuring air-bounce attractions, water trampolines and a "slippery pole" challenge. For those less inclined to enter the water, the festival offer
Deep within the historic enclave that houses the official portraits of Joseon Dynasty kings, a group of global diplomats is set to swap their briefing papers for handfuls of wet clay. On Thursday afternoon, the K-Heritage International Center will host a congregation of ambassadors and senior envoys from 18 nations — among them Greece, New Zealand, Lithuania and Lebanon — for an immersion into the rustic, improvisational elegance of buncheong ceramics. The setting, Seonwonjeon at Deoksu Palace, provides an atmospheric backdrop for the meeting: a place where the venerated history of the royal portrait halls meets the tactile, unpretentious beauty of Korea’s 15th century stoneware. The event, titled "K-Heritage Day," is organized by Korea National University of Cultural Heritage to showcase the distinct aesthetic of Korea’s national legacy to the international community. While the translucent perfection of white porcelain and the jade hues of celadon often dominate global conversations about Korean pottery, this year’s focus turns to buncheong. It is a style celebrated for its
Nongshim on Wednesday announced a new goal for its exports to surpass 60 percent of total sales, building on the global success of its signature instant noodle brand, Shin Ramyun. “Our goal is clear. As a global food and beverage lifestyle leader, we will reach annual sales of 7.3 trillion won ($4.9 billion) by 2030, achieving operating profit margin of 10 percent,” Nongshim CEO Cho Yong-chul said during a press conference marking the 40th anniversary of Shin Ramyun’s launch. “Shin Ramyun’s cumulative sales now amount to 20 trillion won ($13.4 billion). If the noodle packages were connected end to end, the distance would equal 2,200 round trips between the Earth and the moon and six trips between the Earth and the sun.” The announcement came with the launch of the brand’s new edition, Shin Ramyun Rose, which adds tomato and cream flavors to the original product’s signature spiciness. The new product hit shelves in Korea and Japan on Monday and will be rolled out to other markets later. Currently, Shin Ramyun is available in 100 countries. “We carried out tasting events
"During peak hours, it can take over an hour to complete a delivery. The food gets cold and customer complaints pile up, leaving us utterly frustrated." Cho, a 41-year-old fast-food operator in Gwangju, is facing mounting losses. With riders now being assigned from up to 5 kilometers away — five or six times the usual distance — delivery delays of 30 minutes just to pick up the food have become commonplace. "Often, orders are canceled through platform customer service without our knowledge," Cho said. "Every time I have to throw away ruined food, my heart sinks." Korea's highly efficient food delivery ecosystem is fracturing under the weight of geopolitical shocks and platform algorithms. A surge in global fuel prices, triggered by the fallout from the U.S.-Iran conflict, has collided with falling delivery fees. In response, delivery riders are actively avoiding low-margin, long-distance orders to protect their earnings. Jung, a 32-year-old delivery veteran of seven years, said falling platform fees and record fuel costs have decimated his take-home pay. "While it is impossible to ver
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport officially launched Team Korea for Autonomous Driving, a public-private partnership aimed at making Gwangju the country's first citywide testbed for self-driving vehicles. The launch ceremony, held Wednesday at Kimdaejung Convention Center in the southwestern city, included the signing of a memorandum of understanding by all participating entities and the public unveiling of dedicated autonomous driving vehicles. Under the initiative, 200 software-defined vehicles (SDVs) built by Hyundai Motor will be deployed across Gwangju's 500-square-kilometer urban area beginning in June. Autonomous driving firms Autonomous A2Z and RideFlux will install sensors and software on the vehicles and begin real-world testing after completing safety verification procedures. The project follows a cycle of driving data collection, artificial intelligence model training and field demonstration, with the goal of achieving Level 4 end-to-end autonomous driving by 2027. Level 4 refers to vehicles capable of operating without human intervention under most condition
Woori Bank said Wednesday that it has begun issuing a prepaid card tailored for foreign tourists at Incheon International Airport, as the bank looks to expand services for Korea's growing inbound tourism market. The NOL World Card, launched in partnership with travel platform Nol Universe and fintech firm Kona I, is designed to allow foreign visitors to exchange currency, make payments and withdraw cash immediately upon arrival in Korea. The rollout at Incheon airport marks the first on-site distribution of the card since the three companies signed a business agreement in March to develop financial services targeting foreign travelers, Woori said. The prepaid card, which offers preferential exchange rates for tourists, also allows them to reload or withdraw funds through multiple channels, including the bank's branches, ATMs, unmanned exchange machines and kiosks operated by partner companies nationwide. The bank said the card service was aimed at improving financial accessibility for short-term foreign visitors, who often face high exchange fees or payment limitations when using oversea
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Cold noodle season is here. On hot days, few dishes are more refreshing than a bowl of naengmyeon or Korean cold noodles. However, buckwheat noodles are still high in carbohydrates and often also contain potato or sweet potato starch. Since recipes vary widely by restaurant, the effect on blood sugar can differ significantly as well. For people managing blood sugar, both the noodles and the sweetened broth or sauces can be problematic. Gochujang-based bibim naengmyeon, in particular, may cause larger blood sugar spikes because of its sweet and spicy sauce. So how can you enjoy naengmyeon in a healthier way? Naengmyeon noodles are typically made from buckwheat mixed with starches such as potato starch or sweet potato starch. Depending on the ratio, the noodles may be digested quickly, causing blood sugar to rise rapidly. According to Korea’s National Institute of Crop Science, buckwheat contains 74.7 percent carbohydrates and 11.5 percent protein plus fats, minerals and vitamins. Buckwheat is also rich in rutin, a compound associated with bloo
BEIJING/SEOUL — U.S. President Donald Trump picked up Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in Alaska en route to a high-stakes Beijing summit with China's Xi Jinping, while his top trade negotiator Scott Bessent began preparatory talks with Chinese officials in Korea. With his public approval ratings bruised by the Iran war, Trump embarks on his first visit to China in nearly a decade aiming to strike deals on farm goods and airplanes and maintain a fragile trade war truce between the world's top two economies. The CEOs accompanying Trump are drawn mainly from companies seeking to resolve business issues with China, such as Nvidia, which U.S. officials say has struggled to get regulatory permission to sell its powerful H200 artificial intelligence chips there. "I will be asking President Xi, a Leader of extraordinary distinction, to 'open up' China so that these brilliant people can work their magic," Trump said in post on Truth Social, referring to the delegation which he confirmed included Huang. "I will make that my very first request." Trump asked Huang at the last minute to join the trip, said
Officials from Korea and the United Arab Emirates convened for a landmark investment forum Wednesday, signaling a deepening marriage between Korean technical hardware and Emirati sovereign wealth. The "Korea-UAE Strategic Alliance for AI & Semiconductor" forum, which took place at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas, follows a state visit last November that established a high-level working group to bridge the two nations’ tech ecosystems. The goal is a seamless "artificial intelligence (AI) value chain" — one that links Korea’s world-class semiconductor manufacturing and energy-efficient AI models with the UAE's massive investment capacity and strategic location as a global hub. The Emirati delegation, led by Mohamed Abdul Rahman AlHawi, the undersecretary of the Ministry of Investment, also included heavyweights from Abu Dhabi’s national AI firm Core42, the investment vehicle MGX and sovereign wealth giants Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. Their presence underscored a $30 billion investment commitment made by the UAW to Korea in 2023, which is now being fun
Xiaomi Korea has appointed Summer Peng as its new general manager, as the company seeks to strengthen its leadership and expand its presence in the Korean market. Peng brings extensive experience in regional business management, channel operations and global e-commerce. She previously led Xiaomi’s operations in Hong Kong and Macau, where she helped expand market share, refine multichannel retail strategies and reinforce the company’s premium brand positioning. She also oversaw cross-border e-commerce initiatives, contributing to Xiaomi’s competitiveness across international markets. Before joining Xiaomi, Peng held various roles at major tech companies, including Huawei, Skyworth and Oppo, working across channel sales, product operations and consumer-focused strategy. “Xiaomi’s core value lies in delivering high-quality products that resonate with consumers at reasonable prices, while pursuing continuous growth through technological innovation,” Peng said. “In Korea, we aim to help more consumers experience Xiaomi’s differentiated technologies and smart ecosystem through a
Seven teenagers were sentenced to prison Wednesday for collectively assaulting a mentally disabled person and filming the victim being molested. The Seoul Southern District Court sentenced five male and two female teenagers to prison terms ranging from 2 1/2 years to five years on charges related to sexual violence crimes. All defendants were also ordered to complete a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program each. One mobile phone used to film the molestation was confiscated. The teenagers are accused of stripping the 24-year-old victim of his clothes at a park in Seoul's Yeouido in November before beating and molesting him. They allegedly committed the crime because they did not like a message the victim sent to one of the female defendants. They burned the victim's arm with a half-smoked cigarette butt, causing third-degree burns and injuries requiring six weeks of recovery. The court said stern punishment was inevitable for the defendants because their violence was tantamount to abuse or torture.
Apple will host a three-day intensive program for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at its Manufacturing R&D Support Center in Pohang next month, offering local factories free access to the tech giant’s engineering expertise. The event, called "SME Week," scheduled for June 9-11, aims to modernize Korea's traditional supply chains through artificial intelligence and carbon-neutral production strategies. The initiative, to be hosted at the Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) campus, moves beyond theoretical research to address the gritty technical challenges of the factory floor. While Apple is best known for its consumer hardware, this center — the first of its kind globally — is dedicated to the "smart" evolution of its partners, focusing on optimizing algorithms, streamlining logistics and integrating machine learning into quality control. The event will feature a keynote by professor Ahn Hee-kap, a leading artificial intelligence expert at POSTECH, followed by sessions led by industry veterans from Kolon Industries on sustainable manufacturing. These t
Quagmire again
“If we’re going to marry eventually, why put it off?” For Chu, who is set to become a May bride, each passing day is filled with anticipation. At 28, she is marrying earlier than many of her Korean peers, but she said the response has been more envy than concern. “We decided to marry early because we wanted to have a child, and we saw so many couples struggle with infertility,” Chu said. “The thought of building a life together with my husband always gives me strength." Her case is one of many reflecting a transformation in perception among young Koreans, who are increasingly starting to believe that marrying at a younger age may be better. For years, the struggle to find jobs has delayed financial independence for many young people, making late marriage the norm in Korean society. However, young Koreans are now looking at marriage through a different lens. Still burdened by the need to find stable jobs and afford homes, some believe that building a family while they are still young and pooling their strength as a couple can help them establish a financial foundation more qui
For many Koreans, school trips from elementary, middle and high school are lifelong memories. Those from Seoul mostly headed to Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, to see cultural relics such as Bulguksa temple, and even rundown motels became part of the fun when shared with classmates. However, as President Lee Jae Myung recently remarked, it seems these experiences are becoming a thing of the past. “I hear that these days, students don’t go on picnics or school trips much anymore,” he said in a Cabinet meeting, lamenting that they are “taking away good opportunities from students just to avoid responsibility.” According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, only 31 percent of elementary, middle and high schools in Seoul have announced plans to conduct daytime field trips this year. Overnight field trips are decreasing even further, with only 17 percent of schools planning to do so. Behind the plunge are the excessive legal and emotional risks borne by teachers. In a survey by the Elementary School Teachers’ Union, 96 percent of teachers who responded expressed a ne
Jeonbuk National University said Tuesday that its generative artificial intelligence (AI) service based on multiple large language models (LLMs) is rapidly spreading throughout the campus. According to the school, the number of users surpassed 6,600 just one month after the launch of the full-scale service, demonstrating strong adoption and widespread use among members of the university community. The university has been providing the service since April 1 to enhance AI utilization capabilities and improve access to AI services after running a two-month pilot program. The school said it has put the full-fledged AI service in place following the pilot program results that showed 98 percent of users wanting to keep the service going. The number of users has been increasing at a fast pace with the total standing at 6,645. Student users take the lion’s share with their number rising to 5,486, accounting for 82 percent of the total. Some 545 faculty members and 614 staff members and teaching assistants are also using the service. According to the university’s analysis of usage patterns, st
Korea's money supply continued to rise in March on an increase in short-term funds awaiting investment, central bank data showed Wednesday. The country's M2, a key gauge of the money supply, stood at an average of 4,132.1 trillion won ($2.76 trillion) in March, up 18.5 trillion won from a month earlier, according to the preliminary data from the Bank of Korea (BOK). The figure has been on a steady rise since November. M2 is a measure of the money supply that includes cash, demand deposits and other easily convertible financial instruments. The BOK attributed the March gain to increases in money market funds that mostly invest in short-term products amid a rally in the local stock market. By sector, liquidity increased by 34.9 trillion won among nonfinancial corporations and 1.6 trillion won among financial institutions, while liquidity held by households and nonprofit organizations fell by 13.1 trillion won, the data showed.
AL-EIZARIYA, West Bank — Israeli bulldozers tore down dozens of Palestinian shops on the edge of a town southeast of Jerusalem this week, clearing land ahead of a settlement-linked road project in the occupied West Bank. Israel says the demolitions are needed to make way for a road serving Palestinian communities. But Palestinian officials say the road is part of a broader plan to keep Palestinian vehicles off a new highway being built to serve nearby Israeli settlements. That project is part of a strategic section of the West Bank known as E1, which Israel is developing with the intention of preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state. “The shops that were demolished are where Israel is planning to build a new road that will divert all Palestinian traffic to that road so that they can close down the whole area of E1 for Palestinians,” said Hagit Ofran, director of the antisettlement group Peace Now. Tuesday’s demolitions took place in the town of al-Eizariya, less than a week after some owners received notices to evacuate shops built without permits. Attorneys appealed,
May, the queen of all months, has finally come. In this beautiful time of year when colorful flowers are in full bloom, I find myself writing about a very different kind of flower, the "Desert Flower." This is the story of women living in Africa, far from Korea. I hope that we can relate to their stories. African feminist theologians have developed new frameworks from feminist and postcolonial perspectives. Mercy Amba Oduyoye, from Ghana, differentiates her work from American or European feminist theologies by taking the economic oppression and subordinate structures of women as her point of departure. She developed her theology through a rigorous dialogue with African culture and indigenous religions. Oduyoye seeks to overcome the deep-seated colonial legacy of patriarchy within Africa and the parochialism of Western feminist theology. While preserving African identity, she does not exclude the positive aspects of Western Christianity; rather, she emphasizes mutual hospitality through intercultural encounters. Musa W. Dube, a theologian from Botswana, has been a leading voice in postc
TOKYO — The packaging on some snacks in Japan is turning a somber black-and-white, as the war in Iran disrupts the supply of an ingredient used in colored ink. Tokyo-based Calbee Inc., which makes potato chips and cereal, said what’s inside remains the same. Calbee's popular snacks are available in Japan's omnipresent convenience stores and shipped to the U.S., China and Australia. “This measure is intended to help maintain a stable supply of products,” it said in a statement this week. The change on 14 products in its lineup will start May 25, limiting ink colors to just two, the company said, noting it was necessary to respond flexibly to changing geopolitical conditions. How long the change might last remains unclear, according to Calbee, founded in 1949, and employing more than 5,000 group workers. The move is the latest caused by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz because of the war in Iran. The war has sent prices of oil and other products higher, as well as caused supply crunches. Japan relies almost entirely on oil imports. A key oil-related product called naphth
CANNES, France — The 79th Cannes Film Festival opened Tuesday with politics, artificial intelligence and the shifting priorities of Hollywood taking center stage at the film gathering on the French Riviera. The festival launched with a tribute to director Peter Jackson, handing the “Lord of the Rings” filmmaker an honorary Palme d’Or. He was introduced by actor Elijah Wood, who played Frodo Baggins in Jackson's fantasy franchise, one of many notable faces on the Cannes red carpet, including Bong Joon Ho, Joan Collins, Heidi Klum and James Franco. “I've never figured out why I'm getting a Palme d'Or. I'm not a Palme d'Or sorta guy,” said the shaggy haired New Zealand filmmaker. Jackson was then serenaded with a rendition of the song “Get Back,” a nod to his lauded 2021 documentary about The Beatles. The director sat stage right mouthing the lyrics. Jane Fonda and Gong Li officially opened the festival, with Fonda declaring: “Cinema has always been an act of resistance.” It was a fitting observation for a film festival that has already seen politics take center stage. At
BEIJING — U.S. President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday for his highly anticipated summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a restless moment for a world worried about war, trade and artificial intelligence. “We're the two superpowers,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House on Tuesday. “We're the strongest nation on Earth in terms of military. China’s considered second.” While Trump likes to project a sense of strength, the visit occurs at a delicate moment for his presidency as his popularity at home has been weighed down by the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran and rising inflation as a consequence of that conflict. The president is seeking a win by signing deals with China to buy more American food and aircraft, saying he'll be talking with Xi about trade “more than anything else.” The Trump administration hopes to begin the process of establishing a “Board of Trade” with China to address differences between the countries. The board could help prevent the trade war ignited last year after Trump's tariff hikes, an action China cou
Trump visits Xi Jinping
MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine senator said Tuesday he will fight any attempt to send him to the International Criminal Court for prosecution on an alleged crime against humanity, adding he never condoned extrajudicial killings when he led the country's police force. On Monday, the global tribunal in The Hague unsealed an arrest warrant for Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, a former national police chief who first enforced then- President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drugs crackdowns in which thousands of mostly petty suspects were killed. Originally issued in November, the warrant charges dela Rosa with the crime against humanity of murder of “no less than 32 persons” between July 2016 and the end of April 2018 in the Philippines. “If I have something to answer for, I will face those in our local courts and not before foreigners,” dela Rosa told reporters in the Senate, which took him into “protective custody” Monday when he reappeared after months of absence. “I will avail of all legal processes,” he said, and pleaded to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.: “Don’t bring me to The
The Korean economy is projected to expand 2.5 percent in 2026, supported by strong growth in the semiconductor industry and a recovery in domestic consumption, a state-run think tank said Wednesday. The Korea Development Institute (KDI) raised its 2026 growth forecast from 1.9 percent projected in February, noting that the country has maintained solid export growth driven by semiconductors despite a challenging business environment, including Washington's tariff policies. The KDI said domestic consumption is expected to increase 2.2 percent in 2026, helped by the government's subsidy policies, before rising 1.5 percent in 2027. Facility investment is projected to grow 3.3 percent in 2026 and 2.4 percent in 2027, driven by the semiconductor industry. Consumer prices are expected to rise 2.7 percent in 2026 due to higher crude oil prices before easing to 2.2 percent in the following year. The economy is projected to expand 1.7 percent in 2027, according to the KDI. The think tank said economic growth could accelerate further if Korean chipmakers promptly expand production capacity. "Amid the
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Mangoes have a medium glycemic index but a low glycemic load, meaning moderate portions can fit into a healthy diet without causing major blood sugar spikes. Mangoes are packed with vitamins, minerals and powerful antioxidants, making them a highly nutritious fruit. Although the fruit contains natural sugars, it also provides fiber, which helps slow digestion and reduce its impact on blood sugar levels. Two key measures are used to estimate how foods can affect one's blood sugar. One way is the glycemic index (GI), which measures how quickly a food raises blood sugar on a scale of 0–100. A scale below 55 indicates a low GI score while 70 or higher reflects a high GI score. The glycemic load (GL), meanwhile, takes both the GI and the amount of carbohydrates consumed into account, providing a more realistic picture of blood sugar impact. A level of 10 or below is considered low, an 11 to 19 is considered moderate, while a 20 or higher is considered high. Mango has a GI of around 51, considered moderate, but its GL is only 8.4, which is low. Th
North Korea has raised the mandatory retirement age for office workers by three years to reflect the country's population aging and demographic changes, according to a North Korean academic paper Wednesday. A revised labor law in 2024 stipulates that the retirement age for office workers eligible for state pension benefits is now 63 for men and 58 for women, according to the paper published in the 2026 first issue of the Journal of the Kim Il Sung University, seen by Yonhap News Agency. Under the country's labor law adopted in 1978, the retirement age had been set at 60 for men and 55 for women, but the revision extended the criteria only for office workers, while leaving that for manual laborers and farmers unchanged. The amendment was adopted by the standing committee of the North's assembly in September 2024, according to the paper. It was previously known that North Korea raised its working-age and voting-age thresholds, but it marked the first confirmation that the country has extended the retirement age only for office workers. "The revisions reflect the evolving pension system and
The government is injecting 3.4 billion won ($2.27 million) from supplementary budgets to support tourism in cruise port cities following a sharp rebound in passenger arrivals, the culture ministry said Wednesday. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, approximately 320,000 people arrived in the country aboard cruise ships during the first quarter, an 11.4 percent increase from a year earlier, while the number of cruise calls rose 50 percent year-on-year to 168. Officials project that total port calls will reach 960 by the end of this year, a 63.2 percent increase from 2025. The government is seeking ways to ease entry procedures for cruise passengers. In February, President Lee Jae Myung chaired a tourism strategy meeting with the culture, justice and oceans ministers to discuss expanding on-board immigration checks for travelers arriving on large vessels. To encourage passengers to spend time beyond the immediate port areas, officials plan to introduce localized tourism programs, including operating shuttle buses and launching pop-up markets for regional products, a
For two decades, the Boeing 747-400 known as HL7489 was a workhorse of the Pacific, a double-decker behemoth that ferried passengers across oceans and helped cement Korea’s place in the global aviation hierarchy. On Tuesday, after a storied career of more than 86,000 flight hours, the "Queen of the Skies" made its debut in a new, more stationary role: as the centerpiece of a major educational initiative at the California Science Center. The unveiling of the Korean Air Aviation Gallery marks a significant cultural gift to Los Angeles, a city that Cho Won-tae, chairman of Hanjin Group, described as a "second home" for the airline. In a ceremony attended by local officials and museum leadership, the airline formally presented the massive aircraft, stripped and reimagined as an interactive laboratory for flight. The gallery, housed within the museum’s forthcoming Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, is designed to demystify the complex physics of aviation for a new generation. Rather than viewing the aircraft from behind a velvet rope, visitors will be invited to step inside the fuselage
A senior presidential official drew criticism for floating a populist policy idea of redistributing increased tax revenue to address the widening wealth gap in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). In a social media post on Monday, Kim Yong-beom, presidential chief of staff for policy, proposed what he called a “national dividend,” a concept involving direct cash payments to citizens funded by increased tax revenue from the booming AI industry. Shortly after media outlets reported on the post on Tuesday, the stock market experienced volatility. Korea’s benchmark KOSPI plunged as much as 5.1 percent before recovering a significant portion of its losses. Cheong Wa Dae later said the AI dividend proposal reflected Kim’s personal opinion, apparently seeking to downplay its significance. It added that the proposal had neither been reviewed internally nor discussed as a possible social policy. Nevertheless, Kim’s policy trial balloon caused a stir. Critics argued that his idea of distributing funds generated from the booming semiconductor industry resembled the rationing systems o
The Atlanta Braves' South Korean shortstop Kim Ha-seong has marked his long-awaited season debut with a walk and a key defensive play. Kim went 0-for-3 with a walk from the No. 8 spot in the lineup, as the Braves defeated the Chicago Cubs 5-2 at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday (local time). Kim, 30, signed a one-year, $20 million contract with the Braves in December after spending the latter portion of the 2025 season with them. But a finger injury suffered in a fall on ice in South Korea in January had kept him out of big league action until this week. He had played in nine rehab games in the minors before getting called up for the Cubs series earlier in the week. Kim was robbed of a base hit by second baseman Nico Hoerner, who dove to his left to snatch a grounder toward the hole on the right side and threw out Kim. Kim popped out in the fifth, got a walk in the sixth and grounded out in the eighth. In the top of the fourth inning, with the bases loaded and the game tied at 1-1, Kim ranged to his left to field a grounder off the bat of Moises Ballesteros and got the force at second, k
A deadly outbreak linked to the Dutch-flagged luxury cruise ship MV Hondius has brought renewed attention to hantavirus after the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed three people dead and 11 reported cases connected to the vessel as of Wednesday. Health officials say the virus — believed to be the Andes variant — can carry a fatality rate of up to 40 percent in severe cases. But where did hantavirus originate, how did hantavirus get its name, what are the symptoms and treatments? Q. Where did hantavirus come from? A. Hantavirus was first identified in the Hantan River area in Korea. It infected more than 3,200 United Nations soldiers during the 1950-53 Korean War near the current inter-Korean border. Late Korean virologist Lee Ho-wang first identified hantavirus from a rodent captured near the Hantan River, which runs through the northern parts of Gangwon and Gyeonggi provinces, and helped develop the world’s first vaccine against the disease. He first named it the Hantaan virus, which became more commonly known as hantavirus. Q. How do you get hantavirus? A. Humans can contr
1787-Delegates gather in Philadelphia to draw up the Constitution of the United States 1796-English country doctor Edward Jenner administers his revolutionary cowpox-based vaccine for smallpox in Berkeley, Gloucestershire 1804-Meriwether Lewis and William Clark's expedition sets out from St. Louis for the Pacific Coast, commissioned by Thomas Jefferson 1853-Land surveyor, newspaper publisher and inventor Gail Borden patents his process for condensed milk 1948-David Ben-Gurion declares Israel independent from British administration, Golda Meir one of the signatories 1955-Warsaw Pact is signed by the Soviet Union, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland and Romania 2024-Google unveils new generative AI features at its annual conference, forcing users to view AI Overviews at the top of search results despite them being factually incorrect 60% of the time
Vietnam's top diplomat has arrived in North Korea as a special envoy for the country's top leader To Lam, Pyongyang's state media reported Wednesday. Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung and his delegation arrived in North Korea on Tuesday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). They were received at Pyongyang International Airport by Vice Foreign Minister Pak Sang-gil and Vietnamese Ambassador to North Korea Le Ba Vinh. Trung is widely expected to brief North Korean officials on recent political developments in Vietnam, including Lam's continuation as Communist Party general secretary and his concurrent holding of the presidency. The KCNA did not disclose the purpose of the visit. However, the trip comes after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's visit to Vietnam last month, raising speculation that Hanoi could play a mediating role regarding inter-Korean relations. The visit comes as ties between North Korea and Vietnam have gained momentum following Lam's trip to Pyongyang in October last year, which marked the first visit to North Korea by a Vietnamese top leader i
For the millions of Koreans living abroad, the simple act of managing a bank account in Korea has long been tethered to the slow, physical reality of the 20th century. To authorize a transaction through a representative, an overseas citizen had to visit an embassy, secure a physical seal and entrust the document to an international courier — a process fraught with delays and the lingering anxiety of a lost envelope. On Wednesday, that paper-bound era moved toward its conclusion. The Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA), the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Financial Telecommunications & Clearings Institute announced a landmark agreement to launch the Digital Consular Authentication Financial Power of Attorney Service. The initiative, set to begin in July 2026, replaces the post office with the blockchain. Under the new protocol, once a citizen’s power of attorney is authenticated at an overseas mission, it is transformed into a digital document and transmitted instantly to a recipient bank in Korea. The use of a shared blockchain system allows financial institutions to verify th
Hyundai Motor Group said Wednesday it will join a government-led autonomous vehicle demonstration project in the southwestern city of Gwangju to test and advance its mobility solutions. Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Gwangju city government and mobility startups, including Autonomous A2Z and Ride Flux, during a ceremony in Gwangju, about 270 kilometers southwest of Seoul. Under the agreement, the two automakers will develop around 200 autonomous vehicles based on the Ioniq 5 electric vehicles and operate autonomous mobility services in Gwangju, including vehicle dispatching and fleet control operations. Atria AI, an autonomous driving software developed by Hyundai Motor's subsidiary, 42dot, will analyze road-driving data collected through the program to help test and improve autonomous driving capabilities. The project aims to achieve technology equivalent to Level 4 autonomous driving, in which vehicles are capable of handling all driving tasks within designated areas without human interve
An appellate court on Wednesday decided to schedule an additional mediation hearing in the high-profile divorce settlement case between SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and his former wife, Roh Soh-yeong. The Seoul High Court made the decision in a mediation session between the two sides that lasted about an hour. The court is said to have only heard their respective positions, deciding to hold another session at an early date. The session took place after the Supreme Court sent the case back for review last year, overturning the couple's asset division ruling, while confirming the divorce and Chey's alimony to Roh, daughter of late former President Roh Tae-woo. Roh did not respond to reporters' questions as she arrived at the court. Chey did not attend the hearing in person, with only his legal team appearing. In October, the top court overturned the appellate court's ruling that ordered Chey to pay about 1.38 trillion won ($922 million) in asset division to Roh. It struck down the appeals court's recognition of a purported 30 billion-won slush fund the former president had allegedly funne
Kwangwoon University is seeking to expand exchanges and strengthen industry-academia collaboration with Changzhou in China’s Jiangsu Province. The effort follows a visit by a six-member delegation from the Chinese city to the university’s campus in northeastern Seoul, May 6. Both sides discussed how to set up a practical model for educational and industrial cooperation that will contribute to mutual development, the school said Friday. According to the university, the Chinese delegation included Li Desen, governor of Zhonglou District in Changzhou, accompanied by officials and businesspeople from economic development zones, investment agencies and related companies. The delegates held a meeting with Cho Sun-young, chair of the Kwangwoon Academy Foundation, Yoon Do-young, president of the university, and Jeong Suk-jae, the university's vice president. During the meeting, the senior university officials and professors from the College of Engineering and related departments introduced the school’s educational and research capabilities and its industry-academia cooperation projects. They
Hyundai Motor Company, in collaboration with the FIFA Museum, announced Wednesday the opening of “Legacies of Champions,” a sprawling exhibition in New York dedicated to the history and future of the world’s most-watched sporting event. The showcase, which runs from June 11 to July 19, marks a high-profile cultural activation ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Visitors will be greeted by a rare assembly of football artifacts, ranging from the original Jules Rimet Trophy to the jerseys of all 48 nations competing in the upcoming tournament. The exhibit is a curated journey through a century of human drama — capturing not just the euphoria of victory, but the poignant stumbles and heartbreaks that define the sport's narrative. Beyond the nostalgia of leather balls and vintage kits, the exhibition pivots toward the future. Hyundai, a FIFA partner for 27 years, is using the Manhattan stage to debut its vision of "Next Starts Now." This includes a notable collaboration with Boston Dynamics, integrating advanced robotics into the fan experience. Through interactive displays, the Korea
The leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Wednesday that the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) should be harshly judged in the upcoming local elections, stressing the need to wipe out "even the slightest remnants of insurrection" tied to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid. Rep. Jung Chung-rae made the remarks during a press conference at the National Assembly, a day before candidate registration opens for the June 3 local elections, calling the PPP an "unconstitutional" political party that needs to be dissolved. "We must ensure that the insurrectionist forces are decisively judged by the public in the local elections and that even the slightest remnants of the insurrection are wiped out," Jung said. "That is why the local elections are so important." "The PPP should face people's harsh judgment in the June 3 local elections before being subjected to a Constitutional Court review on the dissolution of an unconstitutional political party," he added. Jung insisted doing so would be a "historic mission" to normalize the country and support the succes
The Asia Journalist Association (AJA) elected Lee Gi-woo, former vice education minister, as its seventh chairperson. Lee also previously served as president of JEI University in Incheon, chairman of the Korean Teachers' Credit Union and CEO of Gyeongin Broadcasting. The AJA elected Lee at a special board meeting on May 4 at the Korea Press Center in Seoul. The meeting was attended by former chairperson Koo Bon-hong, former lawmaker Bae Gi-seon, Heart-to-Heart Foundation Chairperson Oh Jee-chul, Anglican Bishop Paul Kim Geun-sang and Yeongwol Media Journalist Museum Director Koh Myung-jin, among others. The board also discussed plans to establish an Asia Press Center, measures to strengthen the association's Asia-wide network and efforts to restore its status as a designated donation recipient organization. The AJA was founded in 2004 by journalists across Asia.
Korea’s booming used car export industry is scrambling to find new buyers as the prolonged war in the Middle East disrupts shipments to one of its largest overseas markets. The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, or KOTRA, said Wednesday it will hold a two-day export consultation event in Incheon beginning Thursday to help used car exporters diversify their markets and reduce dependence on the Middle East. The event, co-hosted with the Incheon Port Authority, the Incheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, will bring together 33 buyers from seven countries, including Georgia, Cambodia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Chile, Jordan and Egypt, with 61 Korean companies. The consultations come as the conflict in the Middle East, now stretching beyond two months, disrupts logistics and marketing activities for Korean exporters. The region accounts for about 30 percent of Korea’s used car exports, according to KOTRA. Korea’s used car exports reached a record $8.9 billion (13.3 trillion won) in 2025, up 75.1 percent from a year earlier, f
Losing faith in the American dream
Game studio NC on Wednesday reported a solid recovery in its first-quarter earnings, driven by the success of its signature massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) titles, including AION 2 and Lineage Classic. During its earnings call, NC announced 557.4 billion won ($372.25 million) in sales and 113.3 billion won in operating profit for the January-March period this year, up 55 percent and 2,070 percent, respectively, year-on-year. The numbers mark a solid recovery in the company’s profitability. In 2024, the company suffered an annual operating loss of 109.2 billion won. Since then, the company has pursued aggressive restructuring and efficiency improvements, returning to an annual operating profit of 16.1 billion won in 2025 and extending the momentum into the first quarter of this year. Driving the improvement were the company’s PC titles, whose revenue reached a quarterly record of 318.4 billion won, up 210 percent from a year earlier. AION 2 generated 136.8 billion won in revenue, as the title, released in November last year, made a full-quarter contribution. Du
NEW YORK — The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has done much more than destabilize the Middle East, trigger a surge in energy and other prices, and disrupt the global economy. It has also left US allies and rivals scrambling to respond to an unpredictable and unreliable superpower. The result is an historic geopolitical realignment that will shift the global balance of power over the next decade. Of course, the war’s effects are most immediate and profound in the region where it is being fought. It has already helped persuade many Gulf Arab states that the Gulf Cooperation Council — a loose diplomatic, economic, and security arrangement long plagued by infighting — is no longer fit for purpose. The war also intensifies the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which recently announced its intent to end its nearly six-decade membership in OPEC. The UAE will now align more closely with Israel on intelligence, technology, and security, in hopes of crippling the Iranian regime. Saudi Arabia, by contrast, will try to find ways to live peacefully alongside the I
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Wednesday that it is too early to determine who was responsible for a recent strike on a Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, noting that various actors, including militias, could have been involved. According to the findings of a government investigation team, two "unidentified airborne objects" struck the Panama-flagged cargo ship HMM Namu, operated by Korean shipping company HMM, last week, causing an explosion and fire. The government, however, has said the source of the strike and type of the objects have yet to be confirmed, adding that further analysis will be conducted on engine debris recovered from the scene. Asked whether the objects may have been drones, Cho said, "At this point, it is difficult to identify them hastily. "In particular, even within Iran, there could be multiple possible actors behind such a launch. There also could be militias," Cho said. "I am not saying we are specifically assuming that, but that possibility exists." Experts have raised the possibility that the objects could have been suicide drones or anti-ship missiles. Suic
A Chinese national, who led a hacking scheme that targeted K-pop group BTS member Jung Kook and Korean business executives, has been extradited to Korea from Thailand, the justice ministry said Wednesday. The 40-year-old arrived at Incheon International Airport on Tuesday from Bangkok to be handed over to police for investigation over allegations of stealing over 38 billion won ($25.4 million) from the victims, according to the ministry. The police said they plan to seek a warrant for his formal arrest after questioning him and analyzing evidence. The suspect is said to be part of a criminal ring accused of illegally collecting personal information of the victims from August 2023 to April 2025 by hacking into government and public agency websites, and using the data to withdraw cash from their accounts. While Jungkook was targeted in the scheme, his agency, BigHit Music, took immediate action to prevent losses. The criminal ring allegedly opened unauthorized brokerage accounts in Jungkook's name in January 2024 in an attempt to steal 8.4 billion won worth of his shares in Hybe, the compan
North Korea's largest group of workers has held its first congress in five years to elect a new leadership and called for efforts to implement the country's five-year economic development plan, state media reported Wednesday. The General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, affiliated with the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), held its ninth congress Monday to Tuesday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The workers' group is one of the four largest labor organizations under the guidance of the WPK and is mainly aimed at instilling party ideology in the people. At the latest congress, the labor group elected a new leadership and discussed the amendment of the organization's rules and other issues, the KCNA said. The gathering came after North Korea held a key party congress in February to set major policy directions on the military, the economy and other fields for the next five years. Ri Won-jong was elected chairman of the labor group's central committee. Ri was named an alternate member of the WPK central committee in a personnel reshuffle held at the party congress
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back has asked the U.S. Navy for support for South Korea's push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, according to his office Wednesday. According to the defense ministry, Ahn met with Hung Cao, acting U.S. Navy secretary, in Washington on Tuesday (U.S. time) and requested support for the Seoul initiative, stressing that it would contribute to the shared security interests of the two countries and serve as an important milestone in advancing the bilateral alliance. Ahn emphasized South Korea is an optimal partner for shipbuilding cooperation with the United States, citing the country's strong shipbuilding capabilities and the recent legislation regarding Korean investment in the U.S. Seoul is seeking to acquire nuclear-powered submarines under a joint summit agreement with the U.S. reached last year, along with efforts to secure uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing capabilities for civil purposes. The minister also met with key congressional figures, including Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee; Sen.
Yoo Hae-jin, who plays the warden in the megahit film "The King's Warden," has donated 100 million won ($66,787) to support patients receiving cancer treatment, a Seoul hospital said Wednesday. Yoo expressed hope that the donation will help cancer patients receive better treatment in a more comfortable and safe environment and eventually return to their everyday lives, according to Asan Medical Center. With the latest contribution, Yoo has donated a combined 200 million won to the hospital, following earlier donations in 2022 and 2023. The hospital said it plans to use the donation to establish cutting-edge treatment systems for cancer patients and improve the environment for their treatments. Yoo recently received the grand prize in the film category at the Baeksang Awards for his performance in "The King's Warden," which has become the second-most watched film in Korean cinema history following its release in February. Directed by Jang Hang-jun, the film portrays the unlikely friendship between village chief Eom Heung-do (Yoo Hae-jin) and the dethroned King Danjong (Park Ji-hoon) of the
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok called Wednesday for the government to look for various ways to boost domestic tourism so it can work as a growth engine for the economy, after data showed the country's travel account balance posted a surplus in March for the first time in 11 years. Kim made the remark during an emergency economic headquarters meeting, citing reports that those going on domestic tours, rather than overseas trips, are on the rise at a time when the government is preparing to roll out a second round of cash aid later this month to help ease financial burdens arising from high oil prices. "Starting May 18, fuel price relief funds will be paid to 70 percent of the population. We should make sure there will be no problem in the course of people applying for and using it," Kim said "In this situation, in particular, there are reports that people are enjoying tours to local regions, rather than overseas trips," he said. "Our travel account balance recorded a surplus in March for the first time in 11 years and four months. We should study various measures to make K-tourism a growth
Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol on Wednesday expressed concern over the breakdown of wage talks at Samsung Electronics, saying the government will spare no effort to help the two sides reach an agreement and avoid a possible walkout. Koo made the remarks in a social media post after the labor union and management at Samsung Electronics failed to narrow their differences over performance-based bonuses following government-led mediation talks, which ended in the early hours of Wednesday. "The government finds it deeply regrettable that labor-management negotiations at Samsung Electronics failed to reach an agreement despite the government's mediation," Koo said in the post. "There should never be a strike," Koo said, adding that the government will make every effort to help settle the dispute through principle-based negotiations under all circumstances. "Samsung Electronics is an important company that is drawing global attention," Koo pointed out. "Considering the current business environment and its impact on the national economy, both the labor union and management should continue princip
The fantasy rom-com series "My Royal Nemesis" featuring "The Glory" star Lim Ji-yeon ranked No. 1 on Netflix's non-English chart, the streaming platform said Wednesday. The SBS drama series garnered 3.9 million views for the week that ended Sunday, according to Netflix. It ranked in the top 10 in 44 countries and regions, including South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Greece and Mexico. Released last week, "My Royal Nemesis" follows a legendary villain from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) whose soul is reborn into the body of a modern-day actress with little fame. Korean shows swept the weekly chart, with the young adult horror series "If Wishes Could Kill" placing No. 2, followed by the rom-com series "Sold Out on You," which ranked third. In the English-language film category, "KPop Demon Hunters" ranked No. 5, staying in the top 10 for the 47th straight week.
The Korean won weakened sharply against the U.S. dollar Wednesday amid lingering uncertainties in the Middle East and sharper-than-expected U.S. inflation. The won opened at 1,493.8 won per dollar, down 3.9 won from the previous session's close. The currency has shown heightened volatility in recent sessions due to a lack of progress in Washington-Tehran talks to end the war. The won plunged 17.5 won to 1,489.9 won Tuesday, marking its lowest level since April 4, when the won-dollar rate was quoted at 1,504.2 won. Overnight U.S. data showed that consumer prices rose sharply for the second straight month in April, marking the largest annual increase in inflation in nearly three years and raising expectations that the Federal Reserve would keep interest rates unchanged for the time being. Concerns that the U.S.-Iran war could continue also pushed up prices of West Texas Intermediate crude above $102 per barrel. Higher oil prices have pressured the won by increasing demand for dollars for crude imports as Korea relies heavily on imports to meet its energy needs. Amid heightened tensions, the b
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held trade talks in Seoul on Wednesday ahead of this week's high-stakes summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The two met behind closed doors at a VIP lounge at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, to coordinate the agenda of the Trump-Xi summit scheduled for Thursday. Bessent arrived in Seoul from Japan hours earlier and paid a courtesy call on President Lee Jae Myung at Cheong Wa Dae before returning to the airport. The talks were held under tight security, with all access points to the lounge closed, including to the press. Bessent will later head to Beijing to join Trump on his two-day visit to the country.
One has already set a career high in the number of top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour. The other was in contention for a title just this past weekend. Kim Si-woo, the owner of six top-10s after 13 events this season, and Im Sung-jae, a 36-hole leader who finished tied for fifth at the Truist Championship, will be the two Korean PGA Tour veterans in action for this week's PGA Championship, the second major of the year. The big tournament will be played at the par-70 Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, from Thursday to Sunday. Kim, a four-time tour winner, is in the midst of a strong campaign. He has not missed a cut in his 13 starts and is ranked 10th on the money list with $4,838,855 so far. He is also seventh in the FedEx Cup standings, the highest placement by a player without a victory this year, and is the top Korean in the world rankings at No. 22. The 30-year-old has had little success at major championships, with only one career top-10 finish in 35 starts. That came at the 2025 PGA Championship, where he tied for eighth. Statistically, Kim has been one of the tour's t
The digital economy has led to a U.S. trade surplus in services on the order of around 1 percent of gross domestic product. Yet recent advances in artificial intelligence have exposed new vulnerabilities that place every cyber system at risk of disruption. Cryptography has been crucial to protecting cyber systems. Using hashing or encryption, passwords can be protected, which has historically kept cyber systems safe from intruders. More recently, quantum computing has been viewed as a threat to shatter cyber system security, given its ability to unlock such systems in a reasonable amount of computing time. This has pushed the discovery of quantum-ready cryptography — cryptography that even quantum computers cannot break. This traditional model for protecting cyber systems is akin to installing an impenetrable lock on a house door to keep criminals from entering. AI systems that now exist effectively allow such people to enter the house through other means, without touching the house door that had become the focal point of protection. Enter Claude Mythos, a set of large language models
Does confidence breed success or is it the other way around? Roh Si-hwan, the surging slugger for the Hanwha Eagles, says the former has been the case for him lately. Baseball is such a humbling game that even a player with Roh's track record — a pair of 30-homer, 100-RBI seasons and a runner-up finish in MVP voting in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) — can battle confidence issues. The 25-year-old did so when he managed only eight hits in his first 13 games of this season, with zero homers and just three RBIs. The Eagles sent him down to the minor league on April 13. Roh went deep in his first game back with the Eagles on April 23. And he has been on a tear since the start of May, batting .364 in 10 games with six home runs and 15 RBIs — both of them the highest totals in the KBO this month. Roh continued his hot streak Tuesday night by hitting his third career grand slam to help the Eagles to an 11-5 win over the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. "I think confidence has been the biggest factor for me," Roh said afterward. "When I am struggling, I can get really down
The global debate over artificial intelligence (AI) keeps returning to the same anxiety. As machines grow more capable, the warning goes, human relevance will decline. Mass unemployment, the collapse of expertise, the eventual replacement of human judgment — each new model revives the script. Predictions of a world where machines outthink, outwork and outpace their human creators now dominate headlines and policy discussions alike. But the real disruption may be something else entirely. Not human replacement, but the exposure of weak systems. Technological revolutions rarely reward capability alone. Steam power, electricity, the internet and smartphones each transformed civilization, but none produced prosperity automatically. Their gains depended on institutions that could absorb them — governance structures, coordination mechanisms and the ability of societies to adapt under changing conditions. AI will be no different. What it changes is the price of analysis. High-level expertise and judgment, once expensive and slow, are becoming cheap and fast. For centuries, organizations com
Korean stocks rebounded by more than 2 percent to settle above the 7,800-point mark Wednesday as investors scooped up semiconductor and auto shares amid lingering Middle East tensions ahead of the U.S.-China summit. The local currency declined against the U.S. dollar. Opening 1.69 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index reversed course to close at 7,844.01, up 200.86 points, or 2.63 percent. The index fell 2.29 percent to finish at 7,643.15 on Tuesday on profit hunting, ending a five-session bullish run driven by tech stocks. Overnight, U.S. inflation in April rose at the fastest pace in nearly three years, while oil prices climbed back above $100 per barrel amid fading hopes for a Middle East peace deal. Investor sentiment, however, improved on expectations that the upcoming U.S.-China summit could help ease concerns over the Iran conflict. Market sentiment also improved as the prime minister and finance minister called on Samsung Electronics' management and labor to sit again to resolve their sparring stance over a pay raise and bonus payments. The two sides failed
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has stressed the need to strengthen the country's mortar and howitzer forces during his inspection of key munitions factories, state media reported Wednesday. Kim visited several munitions industrial enterprises Monday in a bid to review the implementation of the nation's munitions production plan for the first half of this year, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). At a bullet production factory, the North's leader set forth important tasks of establishing the production system for high-precision multipurpose bullets of different calibers and other bullets. "He repeatedly stressed the need to strengthen the mortar and howitzer forces and advance some important tasks for setting up a specialized artillery production complex and a small-arms production factory," the KCNA said. Kim was accompanied by key defense officials, including Jo Chun-ryong, a party secretary, and Kim Jong-sik, the first director of the ruling party's munitions industry department. North Korea has been ramping up efforts to bolster its military capabilities in line with a
PARIS — A French woman infected in the deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship is critically ill and being treated with an artificial lung, a doctor at the Paris hospital caring for the sickened passenger said Tuesday. The outbreak has now reached 11 total reported cases, 9 of which have been confirmed. Three people on the cruise died, including a Dutch couple that health officials believe were the first exposed to the virus while visiting South America. The French passenger hospitalized in Paris has a severe form of the disease that has caused life-threatening lung and heart problems, said Dr. Xavier Lescure, an infectious disease specialist at Bichat Hospital. He said the woman is on a life-support device that pumps blood through an artificial lung, providing it with oxygen and returning it to the body. The hope is that the device relieves enough pressure on the lungs and heart to give them some time to recover. Lescure called it “the final stage of supportive care.” With the evacuation of all passengers and many crew members completed, the MV Hondius is now sailing back to t
Korea added 74,000 jobs in April, marking the slowest growth in 16 months in the aftermath of the Middle East conflict, which led to higher oil prices and weaker consumers' sentiment, data showed Wednesday. The number of employed people came to 28.96 million in April, compared with 28.88 million a year earlier, according to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics. It marked the weakest performance since posting a 52,000 on-year drop in December 2024. Job growth had expanded in the 200,000 range in February and March. The country's jobless rate came to 2.9 percent last month, unchanged from a year earlier. The number of unemployed people totaled 853,000 in April, down 2,000. The ministry said the unemployment rate fell among people in their 20s and 50s but rose for those in their 30s. The employment rate for South Koreans aged 15 to 64 came to 70 percent in April, down 0.1 percentage point from a year earlier. The employment rate for all South Koreans aged 15 and above reached 63 percent, down 0.2 percentage point. By sector, the number of jobs in the health and social welfare services
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Wednesday he has told his U.S. counterpart that Seoul will review making phased contributions to Washington's initiative in restoring safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to reporters at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, Ahn said Seoul conveyed to Washington that it would "participate as a responsible member of the international community and review ways to contribute in phases" while sharing details of his discussions with his U.S. counterpart, Pete Hegseth, at the Pentagon earlier this week. Ahn cited the declaring of support, dispatching personnel, sharing information and providing military assets as possible means of participation. The minister, however, said the two sides did not hold in-depth discussions on direct participation by the South Korean military. "There are also matters that must follow our domestic legal procedures." On Monday, the presidential office strongly condemned an apparent attack on South Korean-operated cargo ship HMM Namu in the Strait of Hormuz last week and pledged to continue to participate in internationa
BEIJING — U.S. President Donald Trump departed for Beijing on Tuesday (Washington time) for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, amid hopes that the long-awaited meeting will help ease tensions in their deepening strategic rivalry and foster cooperation on complex issues, such as Iran. Trump is scheduled to land in Beijing on Wednesday evening (local time) for a three-day visit, marking his first trip to China since November 2017. This trip comes despite an impasse in U.S.-Iran talks aimed at ending the war and reopening the crucial Strait of Hormuz. On Thursday morning, Trump and Xi are set to hold a meeting, which would be the first of four possible bilateral talks this year, including meetings on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, in November and the Group of 20 gathering in Florida in December. Before departing, Trump told reporters that he will discuss "a lot of different things" with Xi. "I would say more than anything else will be trade," he said. During their talks, Trump and Xi are expected to discuss trade, the se
At the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, most visitors come for the cherry blossoms. When Hwang Ji-hyun visited in her early 20s, the gray warships moored along the coast caught her eye more than the flowers. "I was drawn to the warship and even had a chance to look inside," Master Chief Petty Officer Hwang recalled during an interview with The Korea Times. "That was when I decided I wanted to become a sailor serving aboard ships." Nearly two decades later, Hwang, now 44, became the first female command sergeant major in the history of the Korean Navy. The draw to military life had roots even earlier, influenced in part by her family’s military background. Her father served as a noncommissioned officer in the Navy, while her uncle graduated from the Naval Academy. She enlisted as part of the Navy’s 211th noncommissioned officer class in 2006 and officially assumed her new post last month at the Maritime Operations Center under the Navy Operations Command. Along the way, she accumulated a series of firsts, including becoming the Navy’s first female tra
Kwangwoon University is stepping up efforts to transform itself into an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven institution, aiming to strengthen its competitiveness through advanced research and interdisciplinary education. “We have established our vision as ‘Engineering for Humanity’ — a university that shines through cutting-edge research and convergent education,” said Kwangwoon University President Yoon Do-young. “This reflects our goal of building strong research capabilities in advanced fields while fostering interdisciplinary education that can respond to complex social changes and ultimately becoming a university where all members take pride.” AI woven into campus life The university is enhancing the use of AI on campus through technologies developed in-house, improving both accessibility and efficiency across academic and administrative services. For international students, it provides high-accuracy translation tools tailored to coursework, campus communications and daily academic needs, helping reduce language barriers and support smoother integration. As part of the p
An additional round of wage negotiations between Samsung Electronics’ management and labor unions collapsed Wednesday, as the dispute spirals toward an 18-day strike involving more than 40,000 employees, mostly from the company’s chipmaking division, starting May 21. While a last-minute settlement before the strike remains possible, concerns are growing over potential fallout from a walkout, with losses expected to reach 1 trillion won ($671 million) per day. Prolonged disruptions to semiconductor production lines could lead to structural damage for the company, including the possible loss of key clients such as Nvidia. Samsung Electronics has filed an injunction with the Suwon District Court seeking to ban the planned labor actions, and the court is expected to issue its ruling before the strike begins. If the court accepts the request, the company may avoid large-scale disruption, but problems could drag on longer under a reduced workforce maintained only by essential personnel. According to the government and industry officials, the two-day follow-up mediation session arranged by
Heavy-truck maker Oshkosh Corp and toy maker Basic Fun on Tuesday both said they had received partial payments of the refunds they had sought of the import tariffs they had paid under the Trump administration that were invalidated earlier this year by the U.S. Supreme Court. The payments mark a milestone in a fraught battle over the taxes. The U.S. government has been ordered to refund up to $166 billion to importers after the tariffs were deemed illegal, and doubts have lingered about whether a last-minute move by the Trump administration could still stall or slow the process. "The issue is will the funds flow like a river or fire hose or like a stream or garden hose," Jay Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun, which sells Tonka trucks, Care Bears and K'Nex construction toys, said in an email. "So far, the funds are trickling out but they have started." Foreman said he received $400,000 out of his $7.4 million in claims. Oshkosh hasn’t disclosed the amount it is seeking, but the company acknowledges it started receiving a portion. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said as of early Apri
U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated advocacy for investment by Chinese carmakers ahead of his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week is raising the alarm for Hyundai Motor Group, experts and industry officials said Tuesday. While Chinese automakers are still viewed as unlikely to enter the U.S. vehicle market in the near term due to lingering regulatory barriers, Trump’s outward support for Chinese investment in U.S. manufacturing could eventually reshape the competitive landscape, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. In January, Trump said it would be great if Chinese carmakers built factories in the U.S. and hired more American workers. Trump’s remarks have unsettled the U.S. auto industry, which has long opposed Washington’s potential move to allow the influx of low-cost Chinese EVs. Industry officials fear Chinese carmakers could leverage their aggressive pricing and advanced battery technologies to rapidly expand their share of the EV market in the U.S. It remains unclear whether Trump and Xi will discuss the agenda during their upcoming sum
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced tough questions Tuesday from Republican and Democratic lawmakers about the Trump administration's end game for the Iran war, the cost of the conflict and its impact on diminishing U.S. weapons stockpiles. For his part, the Pentagon chief softened his tone from hearings before Congress nearly two weeks ago, notably avoiding the same pointed criticism of lawmakers in his opening remarks as he outlined the Trump administration’s efforts to ramp up production of weapons and other military capabilities. Even so, Hegseth insisted that the military has plenty of missile defense systems and other munitions for the Iran war or future conflicts as both Republicans and Democrats hammered him with those concerns. “I take issue with the characterization that munitions are depleted in a public forum," Hegseth said. "That’s not true.” The cost of the Iran war has risen to about $29 billion, the vast bulk of which — $24 billion — is related to replacing and repairing munitions but also includes operational costs to keep forces deployed, Pen
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said Tuesday the cost of the war with Iran had climbed to nearly $29 billion, as President Donald Trump faced mounting scrutiny over the conflict and its impact on military readiness. The new figure, revealed by the Defense Department during a budget hearing on Capitol Hill, is about $4 billion higher than the estimate offered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth two weeks ago. Hegseth and General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were testifying on a $1.5 trillion budget request for 2027 alongside Pentagon finance chief Jules Hurst III when they were asked for an update on the war's price tag. "At the time of testimony... it was $25 billion dollars," Hurst told lawmakers, referring to Hegseth's April 29 estimate. "But the joint staff team and the comptroller team are constantly looking at that estimate, and so now we think it's closer to 29," he said -- citing updated "repair and replacement of equipment costs" and broader operational expenses. Pressed on when Congress would receive a fuller accounting of the war's costs, Hegseth said the administ
BEIJING — From Meta to Tesla and BlackRock, the U.S. business delegation for President Donald Trump's summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week consists mainly of companies seeking to resolve business issues with the world's second-largest economy. More than a dozen CEOs and top executives from companies such as Tesla, BlackRock, Illumina, Mastercard and Visa will accompany Trump on his visit on May 14 and 15, a White House official said on Monday. Unlike Trump's 2017 visit, which was heavy on pomp and trade deals, the scaled-back delegation this time includes companies seeking to advance long-standing business priorities in China, said two people familiar with the preparations who sought anonymity. "Besides Boeing and Cargill being linked to purchase agreements, the others are mainly there to deliver demands on critical input supply," said Reva Goujon, a geopolitical strategist at Rhodium Group. "This could help the U.S. administration's messaging that to even be able to discuss a board of investment, China needs to be a reliable investment partner and not weaponise supply." The
Dr. Ko Young-cho climbed a narrow staircase in central Seoul’s Yongsan District, barely wide enough for one person. The walls blocked the sunlight, and the air smelled heavily of dampness. Ko, 73, moved up the steep steps with an old medical bag over his shoulder. Inside a cramped shack where empty soju bottles lay on the floor, Ko wrapped a blood pressure cuff around the arm of a 55-year-old man surnamed Ji, who struggles with severe alcoholism. "Your blood pressure is still high," Ko said. "I won’t tell you to stop drinking right away. Until I come next time, let’s try cutting it down to just one bottle a week." "I still think about drinking, but thanks to you, doctor, I’m better than before," Ji said, looking embarrassed. Ko held his hand. It was a small gesture, but for a man in a room few outsiders enter, it meant he had not been abandoned. Ko has spent 53 years providing medical care to people living at the edge of society. He began as a first-year medical student carrying heavy medicine boxes into hillside shantytowns. He is now an elderly doctor, but still serves Seoul's "
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Interest in the benefits of Pilates has been growing after K-pop group Stray Kids shared footage of members taking on the workout challenge. In a recent YouTube video, members Hyunjin, Changbin and I.N tried a Pilates session for the first time. Despite being idols known for their strong athletic ability and intense dance training, the workout proved far from easy. Even a basic stretching position — placing the leg up on a barre hook to loosen the lower body — was difficult for Hyunjin. As his legs trembled from holding the pose, he joked, “My legs are calling me.” After trying several movements, the members reacted honestly, saying things like, “All my swelling disappeared,” “Men who do Pilates are real men” and “This is seriously hard.” Although Pilates is often associated with women, it is actually an exercise focused less on gender and more on how precisely the body is used. So what kinds of benefits can Pilates offer men? And can it really help reduce swelling, as Hyunjin suggested? Pilates may appear gentle and static,
Korean Air and Asiana Airlines on Wednesday approved a long-awaited merger that will pave the way for the launch of a new, integrated Korean Air on December 17. The agreement comes about five and a half years after Korean Air announced its decision to take over Asiana Airlines. The two airlines said they will sign the official contract on Thursday. Under the merger terms, Korean Air will comprehensively inherit Asiana Airlines’ assets, liabilities, rights, obligations and workforce. The merger r
Samyang Foods posted record quarterly earnings on surging overseas demand for its Buldak noodles, as Europe's explosive growth underscored the brand's deepening global reach. The company said Wednesday that first-quarter revenue climbed 35 percent to a record 714.4 billion won ($480 million), while operating profit rose 32 percent to 177.1 billion won. International revenue, which accounted for around 80 percent of total sales, jumped 38 percent to 585 billion won. A weaker Korean won and increa
The bereaved family of a woman killed in a drunk driving incident last year voiced their disapproval of the criminal punishment handed to the driver, who on Tuesday was sentenced to five years in prison. According to Japanese media outlets, the family said punishment for drunk driving in Korea is too lenient. They also expressed suspicion that such crimes here have become routine. The defendant, a man surnamed Seo in his 30s, was found guilty of death by dangerous driving, for which the Seoul Ce
Flare U made its debut Wednesday with its first EP, “Youth Error,” introducing itself as a two-member act built around the idea that imperfection can become its own kind of brightness. The duo of Chuei Liyu and Kang Woojin held a debut showcase ahead of the EP’s release, presenting the album as the starting point of a youth story shaped by trial and error as well as companionship and growth. The duo's name refers to the moment when two separate lights come together to form one brighter glow. The
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea on Wednesday elected Rep. Cho Jeong-sik, a six-term lawmaker, as the final candidate to assume the role of speaker for the second half of the 22nd National Assembly. Cho, 62, garnered majority of votes at the ruling party lawmakers' general assembly. The party did not disclose the vote total, which combines the ballots of ruling party lawmakers and dues-paying party members. He is likely to gain approval to assume the role in a plenary sesssion at the Assembl
President Lee Jae Myung held rare back-to-back meetings with top US and Chinese economic officials in Seoul, as preparatory talks were being held ahead of a high-stakes US-China summit. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent consecutively paid courtesy calls on Lee on Wednesday morning at Cheong Wa Dae. The United States and China chose South Korea as the third-country venue for last-minute talks between Bessent and He, before the summit between US President Donal
Composer Chin Unsuk has been named the grand prize winner of the 14th Daewon Music Awards, the Daewon Cultural Foundation said Wednesday. Pianist Sunwoo Ye-kwon received the performance prize, while violinist Kim Seo-hyun was selected for the rookie award. Established in 2006 by the Daewon Cultural Foundation, the Daewon Music Awards recognize Korean musicians and classical music organizations that have made significant contributions to the field. The grand prize winner receives 100 million won
National Theater Company of Korea’s 2025 runaway hit, “Hedda Gabler,” is touring overseas for the first time at the Singapore International Festival of Arts 2026, which kicks off Friday. The contemporary reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s play — helmed by the company’s artistic director Park Jung-hee and featuring veteran actor Lee Hye-young, who reprised the role of Hedda Tesman after playing it in 2012 — performed to a sold-out audience for all 22 shows at the Myeongdong Theater in Seoul in May 202
Major roads in central Seoul will be closed this weekend as the city hosts the 2026 Lotus Lantern Festival, a traditional Buddhist celebration inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, city officials said Wednesday. The traffic restrictions will take effect Saturday and Sunday around Jogyesa, Ujeongguk-ro and the Jongno district to accommodate the festival’s signature events, including a massive lantern parade. The Seoul Metropolitan Government will implement phased closures on
About 30 dogs registered for regular blood donations and their owners attended a commemorative event Wednesday at Konkuk University. Three donor dogs received special recognition at the event. Bokhui, a former rescue dog, received the Life Sharing Award after donating blood 12 times since 2022. Sundol, an emergency donor dog, received the Life Guardian Award, while Tree was honored with a retirement award for regularly donating blood from the center’s pilot phase until retirement. Wednesday's ev
From daily selfies to group photos, the classic 'V' hand sign may now pose a security risk, with AI technology making fingerprint theft easier than ever, according to a news report Tuesday. In a recent reality program, Chinese security expert Li Chang demonstrated how fingerprints could be extracted from a celebrity’s selfie using AI tools, warning that the seemingly harmless hand sign could put personal biometric information at risk. “If the pads of the fingers are directly exposed toward the c
Conflict surrounding the construction of a second airport on Jeju Island is intensifying, as leading candidates for Jeju governor avoid taking a clear stance and civic groups ask major parties to clarify their position on the issue. Public opinion on the matter has been sharply divided for more than a decade, between the need to ease the island’s chronic air traffic congestion and the efforts to preserve its unique natural environment. On Wednesday, a civic group opposing the project held a pres
South Korea is keeping a missile strike among the possible explanations for the damage to the HMM Namu vessel, national security adviser Wi Sung-lac said Wednesday. Wi’s remarks came after Seoul said Sunday for the first time that the Panama-flagged vessel, operated by a South Korean shipping company and carrying six Korean and 18 foreign crew members, had been struck by unidentified flying objects. “There is no separate reason for not specifically identifying it as a drone at this stage. We sim
A court on Wednesday concluded hearings on Samsung Electronics Co.'s request for an injunction to block a strike threatened by its unionized workers. The Suwon District Court said it will decide whether to grant the injunction before the general strike scheduled to begin May 21, after hearing arguments from both labor and management. Samsung filed the injunction case on April 16 against two labor unions, leading to the second closed-door hearing on Wednesday morning, which was attended by about
South Korean stocks rebounded by more than 2 percent to settle above the 7,800-point mark Wednesday as investors scooped up semiconductor and auto shares amid lingering Middle East tensions ahead of the US-China summit. The local currency declined against the US dollar. Opening 1.69 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index reversed course to close at 7,844.01, up 200.86 points, or 2.63 percent. The index fell 2.29 percent to finish at 7,643.15 on Tuesday on profit hunting,
Korea Herald correspondent VENICE, Italy — The Venice Biennale is packed with major exhibitions drawing art professionals from around the world. Coinciding with the world’s most prestigious art biennale, The Korea Herald recommends three must-visit museum shows in Venice. While walking remains the best way to experience the city, exhausted visitors can also hop on the vaporetto — Venice’s public water bus — which conveniently stops near each museum. Located along the Grand Canal, Palazzo Grassi
Lee Kang-in will miss Paris Saint-Germain's potential Ligue 1 title-clinching match this season because of an injury. Ahead of PSG's away match against RC Lens in Round 29 of the 2025-26 Ligue 1 on Thursday, the club announced updates on injured players through its official website on Tuesday. PSG said Lee "suffered a left ankle injury during the match against Brest and will undergo indoor training for the next few days." Lee started in PSG's 1-0 home victory over Stade Brestois 29 in Ligue 1 Ro
The Cheonan Dongnam Police Station said Wednesday it arrested an elementary school student on suspicion of stealing a car and driving it without a license. The student allegedly stole the vehicle from the parking lot of an apartment complex in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, at around 7:20 a.m. Police received a report from the car’s owner that the vehicle had been stolen. About an hour later, they received another report that “an elementary school student was driving” near a local school.
NC, formerly known as NCSoft, has turned in record quarterly earnings on the back of successful massively multiplayer online role-playing game launches such as Aion 2 and Lineage Classic. According to NC on Wednesday, it reported 557.4 billion won ($373.9 million) in sales and 113.3 billion won in operating profit in the first quarter of this year, up 55 percent and 2,070 percent from the same period last year, respectively. The Korean game company posted its best-ever quarterly PC game sales wi
Hyundai Rotem said Wednesday it is participating in the Black Sea Defense, Aerospace and Security exhibition in Bucharest, Romania, as the company steps up its push into Eastern Europe’s growing defense market. Held May 13-15, BSDA is the largest defense exhibition in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region. This marks Hyundai Rotem’s second appearance at the event since 2024. Under the theme “Romania’s Partner in Readiness,” the company said it aims to position itself as a long-term strategic p
Nongshim said Wednesday that cumulative sales of its flagship instant noodle brand Shin Ramyun surpassed 20 trillion won ($13.4 billion) in 2025, marking the first time a Korean ramyeon brand has reached the milestone. Since its launch in 1986, Shin Ramyun has sold more than 42.5 billion units worldwide. Nongshim said the combined length of the noodles sold would be enough to travel to the sun and back six times. “Surpassing 20 trillion won in sales is more than a financial milestone. It proves
Kakao Mobility is pursuing a potential Nasdaq listing in the US, according to an exclusive report by Herald Business on Wednesday, signaling a possible shift away from its previously expected domestic IPO route. Citing investment banking industry sources, the report said Kakao Mobility recently began a re-audit of its financial statements for 2023-2025 in preparation for a possible US market debut. The mobility platform operator had consistently denied speculation about a Nasdaq listing, but ind
POCHEON, Gyeonggi Province — In South Korea's crowded frozen dessert market, Benson, the premium ice cream brand operated by Hanwha Galleria subsidiary Better Scoop Creamery, is making the case for ice cream with more dairy and less of everything else. Its products stand apart from what it describes as the watered-down, powder-based formulations filling most Korean freezer aisles. Take the vanilla: Butterfat content reaches 17 percent, above the low-teens typical in the market. Meanwhile, air co
South Korea's state-run think tank Korea Development Institute raised its 2026 growth outlook for the country to 2.5 percent on Wednesday, saying robust semiconductor exports outweighed uncertainties stemming from the Middle East conflict. The institute forecast the gross domestic product of Asia's fourth-largest economy to grow 2.5 percent this year, up 0.6 percentage point from its previous forecast. Growth is expected to moderate to 1.7 percent in 2027. KDI had projected 1.9 percent growth fo
Soaring oil prices fueled by conflict in the Middle East have driven a sharp rebound in first-quarter earnings across the global energy industry, benefiting not only oil-producing giants but also South Korean refiners that import and process crude oil. Still, analysts caution that the strong profits posted by Korean refiners are fundamentally different from those of global oil majors, given that a significant share of the gains is driven by short-term inventory accounting effects rather than fun
When Park Ji-hoon walked up to collect the best new actor for film award at last week's Baeksang Arts Awards — the closest thing Korea has to the Emmys and Oscars combined — nobody in the room seemed surprised. He'd spent the first half of the year slaying at the box office as the tragic boy-king Danjong, a 15th-century Joseon ruler deposed and killed at 17, in "The King's Warden." The historical drama became the highest-grossing Korean film of all time, selling more than 16 million tickets in a
Samsung Electronics is edging closer to a possible full-scale strike, as its largest union presses ahead with an 18-day walkout plan that could disrupt production at the heart of Korea’s chip industry. The risk became more immediate after last-ditch talks mediated by the National Labor Relations Commission ended without a breakthrough early Wednesday. The union has fixed both the timing and duration of the strike, leaving little room for a quick compromise unless either side makes a major conces
Poland and South Korea underscored bilateral cooperation on Tuesday, marking Polish Constitution Day in Seoul. Poland adopted its first constitution on May 3, 1791 — the first modern constitution in Europe and the second in the world after the United States Constitution, ratified in 1787. The two sides reiterated closer ties in defense, technology, trade and global security. "We have decided to work more closely on polar affairs and wish to strengthen cooperation on space and ballistics," said P
President Lee Jae Myung has branded criticism of plans announced by his policy aide to distribute excess tax revenue from South Korea's technology sector as "fake news." In an X post shared Wednesday, Lee condemned reports from media outlets, which he said was designed to manipulate public opinion. His post came a day after the chief presidential secretary for policy, Kim Yong-beom, called for "structural changes" to prevent bipolarization stemming from "excess gains" from artificial intelligenc
Samsung Electronics is preparing to mass-produce next-generation Compute Express Link (CXL) memory modules as early as the fourth quarter, to capture rising demand for flexible AI data center memory beyond DRAM and HBM. According to industry sources Wednesday, the chipmaker plans to supply samples of its CXL 3.1-based CMM-D memory modules to major server and hyperscale customers in the third quarter. Mass production could begin later this year if the products pass customer qualification tests. C
The foundation devoted to promoting ex-President Roh Moo-hyun's legacy publicly condemned the recent caption used by Lotte Giants, carrying allegedly depreciative phrases toward Roh, urging the professional baseball team to ensure such incident does not occur again. The Busan-based baseball team on Monday posted footage of the game against the Kia Tigers, who are based in Gwangu. As the players celebrated a hit, a caption reading "Moohan (infinite) clapping" appeared over 1st baseman Noh Jin-hyu
An actor who once played a striker in a soccer drama has now fulfilled his real-life dream of becoming a professional soccer player. El Paso Locomotive FC, a club in the USL Championship — the second-tier professional soccer league in the United States — announced Tuesday via its official website that it had signed "forward" Cristo Fernandez, 35, pending league and federation approval. The club did not disclose contract details in accordance with team policy. Fernandez is best known for portrayi
In a new Coupang Play series, actors open a dessert cafe in the countryside to offer older residents comfort and companionship. On paper, such a healing viewing experience is almost impossible to criticize. But once menu prices come into focus, "Bonjour Bakery" becomes a more complicated watch. The eight-episode original series, released weekly on Fridays, follows Cha Seung-won, Kim Hee-ae, Kim Seon-ho and Lee Ki-taek as they operate Bonjour Bakery in Gochang, North Jeolla Province. The cast alo
A parliamentary conference on Tuesday discussed ways to help migrant workers become part of their local communities and shift away from employer-focused immigration policies. Lawmakers, government officials and immigration experts discussed ways to support migrant workers’ long-term stay in Korea to address the shortage of skilled labor at the conference held at the National Assembly. The country has increasingly relied on a migrant workforce, the population of which exceeded 1.1 million as of 2
An established conductor, a string ensemble approaching its 30th anniversary led by a renowned violinist and educator and a longtime patron have come together to commission a new work built on a 600-year-old cornerstone of Korean court music. For the conductor, it is the vindication of decades of advocacy. For the ensemble, it is a mission to define its next 30 years. And for the patron, an answer to a question he has long been asking: What, exactly, is our music? The new work, titled "Metamorph
The 79th Cannes Film Festival opened Tuesday on the French Riviera, with Pierre Salvadori's period romance "The Electric Kiss" kicking off a 12-day run that wraps May 23. Jane Fonda and Gong Li presented the opening ceremony, where Peter Jackson collected an honorary Palme d'Or. Barbra Streisand is set to receive the same honor later in the festival. Park Chan-wook presides over the main competition jury, becoming the first Korean filmmaker to hold the post. Park leads a panel that includes Demi
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for strengthening the country’s mortar and howitzer forces during inspections of key munitions factories, state media reported Wednesday, as Pyongyang continues a series of high-profile military activities. According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim visited several munitions industrial enterprises on Monday to review the implementation of the country’s weapons production plan for the first half of 2026. The visit came amid what appears to be an intens
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held trade talks in Seoul on Wednesday ahead of this week's high-stakes summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The two met behind closed doors at a VIP lounge at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, to coordinate the agenda of the Trump-Xi summit scheduled for Thursday. Bessent arrived in Seoul from Japan hours earlier and paid a courtesy call on President Lee Jae Myung
The South Korean economy is projected to expand 2.5 percent in 2026, supported by strong growth in the semiconductor industry and a recovery in domestic consumption, a state-run think tank said Wednesday. The Korea Development Institute raised its 2026 growth forecast from 1.9 percent projected in February, noting that the country has maintained solid export growth driven by semiconductors despite a challenging business environment, including Washington's tariff policies. The KDI said domestic c
The Korea Exchange, South Korea's bourse operator, said Wednesday it has begun adopting artificial intelligence technology in its capital market monitoring works. The formal adoption of AI technology came about three months after the Korea Exchange acquired local AI startup Fair Labs to accelerate its AI transformation and strengthen its data businesses. The AI technology enables employees to better analyze real-time data from listed firms and comprehensively screen data on corporate wrongdoings
Netflix said it has generated more than $325 billion in global economic value since ramping up its investment in films and series, with Korean content and talent emerging as major contributors to the streamer's worldwide cultural and commercial footprint. On Wednesday, the company unveiled The Netflix Effect, an interactive website examining the economic, cultural and social influence of the streamer's programming over the past decade. According to the site, Netflix has invested more than $135 b
North Korea has raised the mandatory retirement age for office workers by three years to reflect the country's population aging and demographic changes, according to a North Korean academic paper Wednesday. A revised labor law in 2024 stipulates that the retirement age for office workers eligible for state pension benefits is now 63 for men and 58 for women, according to the paper published in the 2026 first issue of the Journal of the Kim Il Sung University, seen by Yonhap News Agency. Under th
Younite returned Tuesday with a refined sound and renewed sense of direction, unveiling its eighth EP “Inyun Part. 1” as the beginning of a new chapter. The media showcase, held in western Seoul, marked the boy group’s first comeback in nine months and its first release under Para Music, a K-pop label under Brand New Music. The seven members present — Eunho, Steve, Hyungseok, Woono, Dey, Kyungmoon and Sion — described the album as both a turning point and a fresh start. “We prepared really hard
Samsung Display and LG Display expanded their share of the global smartphone OLED panel market in the first quarter of 2026, even as the industry contracted, with Chinese competitors absorbing more than twice the volume decline as a memory chip price surge forced their smartphone customers to cut production. Total smartphone OLED panel shipments fell 12 percent year-on-year to 190 million units in the first quarter, also down 20 percent from the previous quarter, Seoul-based market researcher UB
Unionized workers in the education sector on Wednesday urged authorities to address staffing shortages and improve working conditions for school cafeteria workers at a press conference in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. The National Union of Education Public Service Workers said school kitchens across 17 cities and provinces nationwide were short by as many as 1,852 workers last year. Recruitment shortfalls were found in 14 cities and provinces for which data were available,
Xiaomi Korea said Wednesday it appointed Summer Peng as its new general manager as the Chinese electronics brand moves to strengthen its operations and market presence in Korea. Peng previously led Xiaomi’s businesses in Hong Kong and Macau, where she focused on expanding market share, improving multichannel retail operations and strengthening the company’s premium brand positioning. Before joining Xiaomi, she held sales, product and consumer strategy roles at major Chinese technology companies
Iran's chief negotiator said Tuesday that Washington must accept Tehran's latest peace plan or face failure, after US President Donald Trump warned the truce in the Middle East war was on the brink of collapse. The war, which erupted more than two months ago with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, has spread throughout the Middle East and roiled the global economy despite the ceasefire, impacting hundreds of millions worldwide. Both sides have refused to make concessions and repeatedly threatened to re
PARIS (AP) — A French woman infected in the deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship is critically ill and being treated with an artificial lung, a doctor at the Paris hospital caring for the sickened passenger said Tuesday. The outbreak has now reached 11 total reported cases, 9 of which have been confirmed. Three people on the cruise died, including a Dutch couple that health officials believe were the first exposed to the virus while visiting South America. The French passenger hospitalize
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday it is providing an annual subsidy of 240,000 won ($160) for buying eco-friendly agricultural products to pregnant women residing in the South Korean capital. Starting July 1, the subsidy will be provided to 29,200 women, a figure based on the number of births in Seoul throughout 2025. Pregnant women — Koreans and foreign nationals alike — and those who gave birth since Jan. 1, 2025, will be entitled to the benefits. Applicants can submit related d
Mamamoo shared promo photographs of Solar and Moonbyul ahead of its upcoming international tour “4Ward,” agency RBW Entertainment announced Tuesday. Clad in all black, the two pose in close-up shots released after the group's poster for its Seoul show, which will kick off the tour. The four members will hold three concerts in the capital on June 19, the day of their 12th debut anniversary. It will be the first full-group show in three years. The tour then takes Mamamoo to five more cities in Asi