Why Korean mothers face 300-km journeys just to give birth

Women with high-risk pregnancies in South Korea are being sent hundreds of kilometers, sometimes by helicopter, in search of hospitals able to deliver their babies, exposing deep shortages in the country’s obstetric emergency system. Recent incidents across the country have highlighted what experts describe as a systemic breakdown in emergency maternal care, particularly outside the Seoul metropolitan area. In one of the most severe cases last week, a woman who was 29 weeks pregnant in Cheongju,

2026-05-04 15:26:51:00

Seoul brings Korea’s most sought-after baked goods under one roof

Bread lovers who would normally travel across the country for a taste of Korea’s most-loved baked goods may not have to go so far this month. For three days, some of the country’s most popular bakeries will gather in one place in Seoul. The National Bread Showcase will take place from May 8 to 10 at Sky Park on the third floor of Garak Mall, according to the Seoul Agro-Fisheries & Food Corp. on Monday. Now in its third edition, the event has grown steadily since its launch in 2024. Organizers sa

2026-05-04 15:20:27:00

Seoul Friendship Festival to bring 75 countries to DDP this weekend

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will host the Seoul Friendship Festival on May 9 and 10 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza. The annual international cultural exchange event, launched in 1996 to commemorate Seoul Citizens’ Day, has grown into one of the city’s signature multicultural festivals. Last year’s edition drew about 160,000 visitors. Officials said Sunday that this year’s key attractions include a world cultural performance stage, a global city cinema and embassy booths. International food and

2026-05-03 17:53:28:00

Korea likely to keep criminal age threshold at 14

South Korea will likely maintain the current minimum age of criminal responsibility at 14, following months of public debate sparked by rising concern over juvenile crime. The decision was reached by a government-led deliberative body formed to review the age standard for juvenile offenders, minors aged 10-13 who are exempt from criminal punishment and instead subject to separate measures under the Juvenile Act. The recommendation, adopted after a final vote on April 30, will be submitted to the

2026-05-03 14:44:50:00

Four Seoul hikes to help you enjoy spring like a local

Spring is the season when Seoul's mountains come alive. Within minutes of dense urban neighborhoods, hiking trails open into panoramic views, blooming ridgelines and quiet forest paths. For travelers looking to experience Seoul beyond its cafes and palaces, these mountains offer a deeper glimpse into how locals embrace the season: hiking, picnicking and ending the climb with a well-earned meal. Here are four mountains in Seoul that combine accessibility, scenery and a full day’s worth of explora

2026-05-02 16:00:00:00

Military duty persists as axis of gender conflict in Korea

A recent court ruling has reignited one of South Korea’s most sensitive social debates: whether military service should translate into tangible advantages in civilian life and, if so, who bears the cost. Last week, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled that a personnel system granting higher starting ranks to employees with military service may constitute gender discrimination if it affects promotions. The court said such practices place women, who are not subject to conscription, at a disadvanta

2026-04-27 13:35:38:00

Ministry says stay safe and stand in place

When in a foreign country, it is often the small, unwritten rules that prove most confusing, such as whether to stand in place or walk up the escalator — as well as which side is for resting and which side is for rushing. Yet in South Korea, even locals remain unsure after decades of shifting guidance. Now the country is once again reconsidering the proper way to use moving stairs. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety is preparing a nationwide campaign urging people to stand on both sides of

2026-04-23 14:26:12:00

Man made W10m by faking ‘wrist-hit’ traffic accidents

A man in his 50s has been arrested for allegedly staging dozens of minor traffic accidents to extort settlement money from drivers, police said Wednesday. The Busan Metropolitan Police Agency said the 51-year-old suspect was taken into custody on fraud charges. Police said he deliberately struck his arm against the side mirrors of slow-moving vehicles on narrow streets, a tactic commonly known in Korea as a “wrist-hit” scam. The incidents occurred between January and April in busy areas, includi

2026-04-22 17:33:06:00

Cost of silence: LGBTQ+ Koreans hesitate to come out at work

“‘I spent the weekend with my partner,’ I once said. The next question was, ‘How long have you been dating your girlfriend?’ I just smiled and moved on. That’s how the lies begin.” For many sexual minorities in South Korea, the workplace is not simply a site of labor, but a carefully managed stage: Identity is edited, rehearsed or even erased. According to a recent survey by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, 9 out of 10 sexual minorities said they had hidden or misrepresented their

2026-04-22 14:37:58:00

Gyeonggi introduces day tours from Seoul to international tourists

Gyeonggi Province has launched a new day tour program for foreign visitors, aiming to improve access to major attractions across the region without requiring travelers to navigate public transportation, officials said Wednesday. Dubbed the “2026 EG Tour (Easy & Enjoy Gyeonggi Tour),” the program offers customized itineraries departing from key locations in Seoul, including Hongdae, Euljiro and Yangjae stations, and returning to the same points after visiting destinations across Gyeonggi Province

2026-04-22 13:42:53:00