From public squares to pubs, Korea cheers as one

National flags fluttered and chants rang out, from city squares to pubs and parks across South Korea on Friday, as fans rallied behind the Taegeuk Warriors against Mexico. With the top spot in Group A up for grabs, Thursday night's match being played in Zapopan, western Mexico, kicked off locally at 10 a.m. on Friday. Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square was awash in red on Friday, as nearly 20,000 supporters gathered to cheer on the national team, waving national flags and chanting “Daehan Minguk,” a pop

2026-06-19 11:53:25:00

From teammates to rivals, old ties renewed in Korea-Mexico clash

Fresh off a dramatic victory over Czech Republic, the Taegeuk Warriors now face Group A favorite Mexico in what is widely viewed as the group’s de facto decider. The two sides will meet Friday at 10 a.m. (Korea time) at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, western Mexico, for their second group stage match. Mexico currently leads the group on goal difference after beating South Africa 2-0 in its opening match. All eyes are on whether Korea, at 24th in the FIFA rankings to Mexico’s 14th, can defy the

2026-06-18 08:00:00:00

Behind Korea's soaring C-section rates: Risk-averse mothers, doctors in a strained system

Childbirth by surgery is more than twice as common as childbirth through labor in South Korea today. Of the 235,234 babies born in the country in 2024, 67 percent were delivered by cesarean section — up from 51 percent in 2019, when surgical births first surpassed vaginal deliveries, according to data from the National Health Insurance Service. For Hong Hanna, who gave birth to daughters in 2022 and 2024 through surgery, the decision was shaped more by personal preference than medical necessity.

2026-06-17 11:03:06:00

High school student under probe for leaving semen and urine in teacher's classroom

A high school student on Jeju Island is being investigated for allegedly entering an elementary school teacher's classroom on multiple occasions and leaving behind semen and urine, police said Tuesday. According to Seogwipo Police Station and the Jeju Teachers' Union, the student allegedly sneaked into an elementary school near his high school in April and left semen in a teacher's personal tumbler kept in a classroom. On June 4, the student came back to the same classroom, where he urinated on

2026-06-16 20:39:57:00

Airport identity check controversy over Ive's Jang Won-young prompts stronger guidance

A recent controversy involving IVE's Jang Won-young during an airport identity verification check has prompted Korea Airports Corporation to strengthen guidance on passenger screening procedures. Korea Airports Corporation said Monday it will step up efforts to inform travelers about identity verification procedures, including by posting related information on its website. The K-pop star drew criticism online after a video showed her lowering her mask only briefly while undergoing an identity ch

2026-06-16 20:22:25:00

Police probe Gunpo obstetrics clinic over newborn's death

Police have launched an investigation into possible medical negligence at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, where a newborn who suffered respiratory distress shortly after birth died nearly two months later. According to the Gunpo Police Station Tuesday, the infant was born at the clinic on April 15 and was transferred to a university hospital after developing breathing difficulties of unknown cause. The baby was later diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

2026-06-16 19:59:36:00

Injured Dutch hiker rescued from Seoraksan by helicopter

A Dutch hiker was rescued by helicopter from Seoraksan on Monday after an ankle injury left her stranded in the mountain. Local fire authorities said the 24-year-old hiker called emergency authorities at 7:14 a.m. after injuring her ankle near the Heeungak Shelter on Seoraksan in Inje, Gangwon Province. Unable to access the area by vehicle or land a helicopter, the Gangwon 119 Special Rescue Team carried out an aerial rescue, lowering rescuers from a firefighting helicopter to reach the hiker. S

2026-06-16 19:08:21:00

World Cup sticker hunt is on

As the World Cup begins, a nationwide hunt for stickers featuring fans' favorite players has swept Mexico. Known as "Panini," the stickers are sold in packs of seven featuring randomly selected World Cup players. Collecting and trading them has become a hallmark of the World Cup season in Mexico and across much of Latin America and Europe. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 World Cup kicked off Thursday, with the tournament set to run through July 19. On Sunday morning,

2026-06-14 11:18:17:00

Gen Z American musician breathes new life into Korean classic ballad

An American musician and actor is generating buzz among K-pop fans with his remake of a beloved Korean ballad from the 1990s, breathing new life into a song cherished by generations of Koreans. The artist behind the remake is 18-year-old rising star Julian Lerner, who released his new single, "Even If," on May 29. The track is a reimagining of "Geudaeman Itdamyeon," Korean for "If only I had you," the 1999 hit by Ilgiyebo, a Korean male duo that debuted in 1993. Lerner, who made his film debut a

2026-06-11 12:58:56:00

First cheating cases using AI smart glasses detected in S. Korea

Cheating attempts involving AI-powered smart glasses were detected during recent TOEIC exams in South Korea, marking the first reported cases of their kind in the country. Authorities are reviewing preventive measures for major state exams, including the annual national college entrance exam slated for November. According to the Korea TOEIC Committee on Wednesday, two test-takers had their scores invalidated after allegedly using AI-powered smart glasses in separate TOEIC exams held on May 10 an

2026-06-10 13:58:27:00