Number of inmates granted early parole rises on prison overcrowding: lawmaker

The number of inmates released on parole before serving 60 percent of their full sentence has increased due to prison overcrowding, a lawmaker said Sunday. A total of 634 inmates who had served less than 60 percent of their full sentence were granted early parole in the January-August period, Rep. Joo Jin-woo of the main opposition People Power Party said, citing justice ministry data. The figure is around 3.7-fold bigger than the annual total of 172 in 2025, according to the lawmaker. The numbe

Oct. 18, 2026

China's CXMT pushes into next-gen DRAM, but can it compete on cost?

China's largest DRAM maker, ChangXin Memory Technologies, is planning to introduce a new generation of server memory by year-end, but its expanding production capacity and growing customer base may pose a bigger threat to Korean chipmakers than its latest technological breakthrough. CXMT President Cao Kanyu said at a semiconductor conference in Shanghai on Oct. 10 that the company plans to introduce a DDR5 registered dual in-line memory module, or RDIMM, built on a 4F-squared cell architecture b

Oct. 18, 2026

Inchcape bets on Korea's global shipbuilding push, growing naval MRO market

British maritime services giant Inchcape Shipping Services is stepping up its presence in South Korea, betting on the country's shipbuilding strength and growing naval maintenance business to drive expansion. “We will continue to invest and grow here within Korea. It’s a very key market for us,” David Pratt, Inchcape’s regional CEO for Asia Pacific, told The Korea Herald in an interview in Seoul on Friday. “Korea is a world leader in shipbuilding with major ports and strong maritime technology a

Oct. 18, 2026

[Photo News] Mirae Asset deepens NPS ties

From left: Jeonju City Director of Economic Industry Kim Eun-joo, North Jeolla Province Deputy Gov. for Economy Ko Jeong-sam, National Pension Service Chairman and CEO Kim Sung-joo, and Mirae Asset Global Investments co-CEOs Rhie Chun-yong and Choi Chang-hoon pose at the opening of the asset manager's Jeonju office on Friday. Located near the National Pension Service's investment management headquarters, the office aims to strengthen ties with the pension fund and serve regional clients. (Mirae

Oct. 18, 2026

Haaland keeps on scoring despite Man City scandal

The ongoing financial scandal enveloping Manchester City isn't affecting the team's results in the Premier League. Or Erling Haaland's appetite for scoring goals. Playing in front of fans waving inflatable bananas, City became only the third team to open a Premier League season with seven straight wins by beating Ipswich 3-2 at home Saturday. Haaland netted twice to move to a competition-high eight goals in a campaign being played under a cloud of controversy. It made it back-to-back victories i

Oct. 18, 2026

Hyundai dealer bets on India's next generation of car buyers

PUNE, India — Hyundai Motor's newly opened plant in Pune is raising hopes of a sales rebound in India, where the Korean automaker is looking to regain market share as younger, tech-savvy consumers reshape demand. Hitesh Chadha, director of Kundan Hyundai, a major Pune dealership, said the added production capacity could strengthen Hyundai's appeal among Indian buyers while supporting SUV and electric-vehicle sales. "As we have enhanced capacity, now people feel more connected … and feel that Hyu

Oct. 18, 2026

Reports of taxi fare overcharge for foreigners top 6,000 in 5 years: lawmaker

The number of complaints submitted by foreigners on alleged taxi fare overcharges in Seoul over the past five years came to more than 6,000, but corrective measures have been taken on only about 3 percent of them, a lawmaker said Sunday. The number of such reports submitted between 2021 and August this year totaled 6,481, Rep. Mo Gyeong-jong of the ruling Democratic Party said, citing Seoul city government data. Of the total, administrative measures were taken on only 204 cases, or 3.1 percent.

Oct. 18, 2026

Rookie embracing cleanup role in 1st KBO postseason

Playing in his first South Korean baseball postseason, LG Twins infielder Moon Jeong-bin wants to have as much fun as he can, not taking the opportunity at hand for granted. The 23-year-old started the 2026 Korea Baseball Organization season in the minors and only made his season debut on May 15. He stayed with the Twins the rest of the way and ended up playing 91 games. He finished with 19 home runs and 66 RBIs, both of them the second-highest totals by a rookie. With his raw power, Moon has es

Oct. 18, 2026

Factory fire in Bucheon likely caused by oil vapor ignited by frictional heat: officials

A fire at a factory in Bucheon that left one firefighter dead and seven others injured was likely caused by an oil mist catching fire during a metal cleaning operation, officials said Saturday. The fire broke out at the four-story metalworking factory in Bucheon, just west of Seoul, on Friday before fire authorities fully extinguished the blaze some 2 1/2 hours later. One firefighter went into cardiac arrest, before he was pronounced dead while being treated at a hospital. Seven others were inju

Oct. 17, 2026

Bury yourself in enzyme baths, Korea’s latest wellness trend

Wellness has become an increasingly prominent part of Korea's lifestyle scene, attracting both locals and tourists. The trend, particularly centered around saunas, encompasses beauty, food, cultural experiences and a range of health and relaxation practices. Enzyme baths are one of the latest trends, having gained attention after celebrities including actors Oh Yeon-seo and Hwang Jung-eum, singers Hyeri and Hwasa and model and TV personality Han Hye-jin shared their experiences on social media.

Oct. 17, 2026

Seochon, the season’s most stylish stroll

To the west of Gyeongbokgung lies the neighborhood of Seochon. Along with Bukchon to the palace’s north, it is one of the few places in Seoul that still embodies the city’s old soul. Low-slung hanok rooftops, framed by Inwangsan, line its alleys. Tucked between them are a terrace bistro, a vintage photo booth, a niche perfumer, fashion flagships, a jewelry workshop and a cafe facing the palace wall. The neighborhood has long drawn artists. From the Joseon era to the modern period, poets, novelis

Oct. 17, 2026

For Lee Jun-hyuk, the real jackpot is finding purpose in his work

TvN's office drama "The Ordinary Jackpot" has a provocative hook: A corporate worker wins the lottery jackpot, but decides to stay at his desk job. The choice is largely rooted in financial reality. A first-prize lottery winner in South Korea takes home approximately 1.3 billion won ($965,000) post-taxes. It's a handsome payout, but not enough to bankroll an early retirement. Instead of leaning into a dopamine-fueled revenge fantasy of an employee breaking his corporate shackles, "The Ordinary J

Oct. 17, 2026

Where pale gold meets sapphire blue

VALLETTA, Malta ― In the bustling streets and alleys of Valletta, throngs of tourists stroll between centuries-old buildings made of pale, golden limestone, often with sweeping views of the sapphire-blue Mediterranean in the background. Defensive walls line the rocky shores of Malta's peninsular capital, which stretches northward into the shimmering sea. On the southern side of the capital, towering stone walls rise above deep moats that separate the city from the rest of the island. Within thes

Oct. 17, 2026

Wait, can’t we fix these before throwing them away?

A broken umbrella. A toy that no longer works. A chair with a wobbly leg. How many of these have you thrown away simply because you didn’t know how or where to get them fixed? In Seoul, local governments operate 126 public repair programs, but finding the right service can feel like a scavenger hunt in a society where buying is easier than repairing. In September, the Seoul branch of the Korea Federation for Environmental Movements and the Resource Circulation Society and Economy Institute relea

Oct. 17, 2026

Seoul expresses regret over Takaichi's offering to controversial war shrine

The South Korean government expressed regret Saturday after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual offering to a war shrine seen as a symbol of Japan's imperialistic past. Takaichi sent the offering earlier Saturday in her capacity as prime minister to mark the start of the Yasukuni Shrine's three-day autumn festival. But she plans to refrain from visiting the shrine in person during the festival, Japan's Kyodo News reported, citing sources close to the prime minister. The Yasukuni

Oct. 17, 2026