Summer stories only Korea could tell

At 11 a.m. Monday, Seoul was placed under its first heat wave advisory of the season. Summer has officially arrived. The Korea Meteorological Administration expects a hotter-than-average summer this year, with heavier rainfall. The monsoon has not fully settled in, so weeks of rain are likely before the summer heat takes over in July. However hot, sticky or humid it gets, every Korean summer seems to leave behind a story worth telling. To mark the start of the season, we’ve gathered seven of the

2026-07-04 16:00:00:00

Prison sentences finalized for pair who blackmailed Son Heung-min with false pregnancy claim

A woman who blackmailed South Korean football star Son Heung-min with a false pregnancy claim has been sentenced to four years in prison, while her male accomplice received a two-year sentence. Both sentences are now final. In June 2024, the woman, in her 20s, extorted 300 million won ($195,000) from Son by threatening to publicize the false pregnancy claim. Prosecutors said that Son paid to protect his reputation and career. The woman did not appeal the four-year sentence issued by the appeals

2026-07-03 13:45:31:00

Job well done, Chungseong

After seven years and 16 successful rescues across South Korea, fire rescue dog Chungseong officially retired on Wednesday and joined his adoptive family. The Busan Fire and Safety Headquarters held a retirement ceremony on Wednesday at the Haeundae district rescue unit. Attendees included the unit commander, three of Chungseong's former handlers, and his new adoptive family. "We sincerely hope Chungseong can now put down the burden of rescue work and enjoy a healthy and happy second chapter of

2026-07-02 10:23:39:00

6-year-old Singaporean boy struck by airport buggy at Incheon Airport

A 6-year-old Singaporean boy was injured after being struck by an airport buggy at Incheon Airport on Wednesday, according to the child’s family. The incident gained widespread attention after the boy’s father, Kayden Khoo, shared details on social media and requested witnesses. Khoo said that the accident took place near the entrance to a restroom at Gate 221 while the family was waiting to board flight KE645 to Singapore. He explained that his son went to the restroom alone, and neither he nor

2026-06-23 16:52:15:00

Lovebugs are back in Seoul

“A lovebug flew into my house yesterday, and I completely panicked. I guess it's that time of year again,” said Park Jin-ju, who lives in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on Sunday. Park is right. It's that time of year when lovebugs, also called Plecia nearctica, reach maturity in large numbers and start showing up all over Seoul and nearby areas. On Monday, people shared reports of lovebug sightings on social media and online communities in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province. “They were clinging to my cl

2026-06-22 13:33:35:00

Is it okay to click-clack keycap keychains in public?

What began as a popular stress-relief accessory is quickly becoming a source of frustration in subways, offices and other shared spaces. As keycap keychains gain popularity among younger people, complaints about their constant clicking and clacking are also growing. Keycap keychains are small keyboard-inspired gadgets that click when pressed. They come in various designs and provide tactile feedback and audible clicks, making them popular as stress-relief and fidget items. However, many people s

2026-06-17 13:16:42:00

Will cat mascot return to Goyang?

After the June 3 local elections brought a change in leadership to Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, many online users have expressed hopes for the return of the beloved mascot "Goyang Goyangi." The renewed interest comes as Mayor-elect Min Kyung-seon pledged to revive the cat character as part of the city's branding efforts. Goyang first began using Goyang Goyangi on its official social media accounts in 2012. The mascot-driven strategy quickly attracted attention, helping the city cultivate a distinc

2026-06-09 13:07:59:00

After the election, campaign banners end up as waste

Each election produces a substantial amount of waste, as campaign banners, paper leaflets and promotional materials are typically discarded once the voting is over. Although the total volume of banner waste from this year's local elections has not yet been determined due to ongoing removal efforts, election-related waste has again attracted media attention, as such events typically generate thousands of tons of waste. Data from the Ministry of Environment and the National Election Commission ind

2026-06-08 15:06:26:00

Time to open ballots

After voting concluded in South Korea's local elections Wednesday evening, election workers began sorting ballots at a counting center set up in Hoban Gymnasium, located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province.

2026-06-03 20:58:24:00

Korea's bestselling soju lowers alcohol content

South Korean liquor-maker HiteJinro announced Tuesday that it will lower the alcoholic content of its flagship soju brand, Chamisul Fresh, from 16 percent to 15.7 percent to better align with changing consumer preferences. Chamisul Fresh is the No. 1 soju brand by domestic sales. This update follows the brand's last reformulation two years and four months ago. The refreshed Chamisul Fresh will be available nationwide through distribution channels starting in mid-June. The company stated that thi

2026-06-02 20:42:10:00