S. Korea sets 2027 minimum wage at 10,700 won per hour, up 3.7%

South Korea's Minimum Wage Commission on Tuesday set the country's 2027 minimum wage at 10,700 won ($7.19) per hour, a 3.7 percent increase from the current level, the Ministry of Employment and Labor said. The plenary session, which began at 3 p.m. at the Government Complex Sejong, lasted about eight hours. Ahead of Tuesday's meeting, the gap between labor and management had narrowed to 690 won from their initial proposals during the previous day's negotiations. Labor representatives had initia

2026-07-14 23:09:24:00

‘Singles parties’ with drinks may cross legal line

Pay-to-play social gatherings offering food and alcohol through online community platforms may cross the line into unregistered business activity when they are held repeatedly for profit, local media reported Tuesday. Groups advertised as “Wine Parties” or “Singles Parties” are easy to find on neighborhood platforms used for hobby clubs and secondhand trading. Many charge participation fees while providing food and drinks. Authorities may treat such events as commercial operations if organizers

2026-07-14 17:20:49:00

Gwangju seeks int'l student performers for busking event

The Gwangju Busking World Cup is inviting international students in Korea to perform in a special busking program on Oct. 8. The 2026 International Student Busking program, organized by the Gwangju Dong-gu Culture and Tourism Foundation, will take place at the May 18 Democracy Square in Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City. The program is open to international students currently enrolled at or taking a leave of absence from a university in Korea. They can apply individually or as part of a team. Korean

2026-07-14 14:38:14:00

Seoul extends honorary citizenship nomination period

Seoul has extended the nomination period for its honorary citizenship to July 24, inviting residents and organizations to recommend foreign nationals who have made significant contributions to the city. Launched in 1958, the Honorary Citizenship of Seoul program recognizes foreign nationals who have helped raise the city’s profile in areas including the economy, culture, education and welfare. A total of 968 people from 100 countries have received the honor. Honorary citizens may serve as advise

2026-07-14 14:18:59:00

FC Seoul offers foreign fans discounted tickets, free beer

FC Seoul is inviting international fans to its K League 1 home match against Ulsan HD with discounted tickets and a complimentary cup of draft beer, the club said Tuesday. The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on July 26 at Seoul World Cup Stadium. Foreign nationals can buy tickets for either the general admission section or the supporters’ section for 11,000 won ($7), compared with the regular on-site price of 20,000 won. The promotion also includes one complimentary cup of draft beer. Individua

2026-07-14 14:04:51:00

Sauna, cable car rides and more discounts added to Seoul's Jung-gu tour pass

Seoul’s Jung-gu, home to major tourist attractions including Namsan, Myeong-dong and Deoksugung Palace, has expanded its tour pass program with new options featuring a Korean sauna and unrestricted access to Namsan cable car. The new lineup includes a package offering admission to Sparex, where visitors can relax in heated rooms after bathing. Korean saunas have attracted greater attention among overseas visitors following their appearance in the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.” The district

2026-07-13 15:02:40:00

Woman rams police cars for an hour with 8-year-old daughter inside

A woman in her 40s was placed under emergency psychiatric hospitalization after repeatedly ramming police vehicles during an hour-long standoff in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, on Sunday. Her 8-year-old daughter was in the car at the time. The woman’s husband called police around noon after she drove away with their daughter following an argument between the couple, authorities said. He reportedly told officers that he feared she might cause a traffic accident. Police attempted to stop the vehicle,

2026-07-13 12:08:28:00

How Korea’s digital nomad visa works

South Korea's introduction of a digital nomad visa has strengthened its appeal to remote workers who want to live abroad while continuing to work for overseas employers. Although the visa initially drew skepticism for requiring applicants to earn at least twice Korea's per capita gross national income of 52.4 million won ($37,000) annually, the Ministry of Justice said 743 people obtained the visa after its pilot launch in January 2024. The government has since eased the income requirement for s

2026-07-10 18:06:46:00

Lee warns Ikea Korea over parental leave demotion claim

President Lee Jae Myung on Friday warned foreign companies operating in South Korea against unfair labor practices, saying his administration would investigate allegations thoroughly and take strict action if violations are confirmed. The warning came after a local media report alleged labor rights violations at Ikea Korea. In a social media post, Lee said some global companies with strong reputations overseas have faced criticism in Korea over what he called anti-labor practices and opaque mana

2026-07-10 14:01:48:00

Dolphins seen carrying dead calves off Jeju raise concern

Two Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins were seen carrying dead calves off Jeju Island this week, a rare sighting that has raised concern among environmental activists over the survival of young dolphins in the area. According to Oh Seung-mok, director of Docu Jeju, the dolphins were spotted off the northeastern coast of Jeju at around 3 p.m. Wednesday, with several other dolphins swimming nearby. The dead calves, carried on the snouts of what appeared to be their parents, showed different levels o

2026-07-09 17:29:36:00