Seoul eyes 'Hipjiro' as model for nighttime tourism

Seoul is looking to Euljiro's blend of industrial heritage and lively outdoor drinking culture as a model for drawing more tourists after dark, as city officials pledge safer streets and better multilingual guidance. The city’s G3 Seoul Planning Committee visited Euljiro on Thursday evening to examine its nighttime culture, pedestrian conditions and visitor flows. The committee was launched as a public-private advisory body with an aim to develop strategies to help Seoul become one of the world’

2026-08-14 12:46:57:00

Teacher investigated after filming noisy students

A contract middle school teacher in North Gyeongsang Province has been reported to police for alleged emotional abuse after filming students for several seconds to quiet a noisy classroom, prompting a teachers' union to call the response excessive. According to the North Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education and Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday, a complaint was filed last month accusing the teacher of child abuse at a middle school in Yeongju. The teacher, identified only as A, reportedly use

2026-08-13 17:54:47:00

Frieze Seoul helped unite Korea's art scene. Now it's looking to Asia

Frieze House Seoul, Frieze's recently opened permanent gallery space in Jung-gu, serves as the art fair's year-round base in the city beyond its annual event. Ahead of the fifth edition of Frieze Seoul that kicks off on Sept. 2, it will host exhibitions presented by New York’s Paula Cooper Gallery and Japanese gallery Yumekoubou. The space recently concluded a relay exhibition series organized with Korean galleries. Patrick Lee, director of Frieze Seoul, wants the house to reflect Frieze's origi

2026-08-13 17:30:53:00

Seoul’s 120 hotline to offer hospital, bus info during holiday

Seoul's 120 Dasan Call Center will provide round-the-clock information on hospitals and pharmacies, public transportation and events at Han River parks during the Liberation Day holiday, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday. The service will operate throughout the three-day holiday from Saturday through Monday, with Monday designated as a substitute holiday. The city analyzed inquiries received during last year's Liberation Day holiday and identified medical services, transportation a

2026-08-13 13:21:47:00

Seoul to expand affordable youth housing provision

Seoul plans to expand affordable housing for young people through 2030 as intense competition and tighter lending rules make it harder for young residents to secure homes in the capital. As part of that effort, the city aims to increase its Youth Safe Housing program to 46,000 units by 2030, up from 33,621 completed as of the end of July. Mayor Oh Se-hoon outlined the plan Wednesday during a visit to the 605-unit Sageium Youth Safe Housing complex in Gaebong-dong, Guro-gu, where he met residents

2026-08-12 17:44:49:00

Samsung, SK hynix chip clusters get new power supply road map

South Korea laid out a new power supply road map Wednesday for planned semiconductor clusters involving Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, as the government seeks to ensure electricity shortages do not delay the scheme. The southwestern Honam semiconductor complex will initially receive about 3 gigawatts of power to support the start of fab operations in 2029, with capacity later expanding to more than 6 GW, according to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. Two semiconductor complexes

2026-08-12 16:40:02:00

TOPIK test fee reimbursement offered to foreign residents

The Korea Financial Industry Foundation is offering financial support to foreign residents and young people from immigrant backgrounds who are looking to improve their Korean-language skills. Those who take the Test of Proficiency in Korean, or TOPIK, on or after Jan. 1, 2026, can receive reimbursement of up to 50,000 won ($35) after submitting their score report. The program, jointly run with the Labor Human Rights Center, will support 1,000 applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.

2026-08-12 15:34:16:00

[Treasures from National Museum of Korea] Painting of Sea Passage to the Ming dynasty

Period: Joseon Materials: Paper Dimensions: 40.8×34.0cm (Album) This album documents the sea voyage undertaken by a Joseon diplomatic mission to the Ming court in 1624 to seek formal recognition of the newly enthroned King Injo (1623–1649). The original paintings were commissioned and overseen by Yi Deok-hyeong (1566–1645), the mission’s chief envoy. The surviving album, comprising 25 leaves, is believed to have been produced between the late 18th and early 19th centuries as a copy of an earlier

2026-08-12 14:14:22:00

Hanbok models wanted — all ages, pets too

Jongno-gu is recruiting participants for a hanbok showcase featuring children, adults, foreign residents and pets as part of the 2026 Jongno Hanbok Festival, which will take place Sept. 11-12 at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. The program will invite residents and visitors to take the stage wearing traditional Korean attire. This year, the district has also added a pet category. Applications are open in two categories: a general division and a pet division. The general division is open to K

2026-08-11 13:42:42:00

Night run coming to Yangjaecheon on Aug. 28

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will launch a nighttime running program along Yangjaecheon on Aug. 28, inviting residents to exercise in the cooler night air while supporting nearby commercial districts. The inaugural Yangjaecheon Moonlight Night Run, jointly organized with the 7979 Seoul Running Crew, will feature a 5.8-kilometer course along Yangjaecheon and Yeouicheon, the city government announced Monday. Registration will open at 2 p.m. Tuesday through the Seoul Public Service Registratio

2026-08-10 13:40:45:00