It's splash o'clock along Han River

Six swimming pools and water playgrounds across Seoul's Hangang parks — Yeouido, Ttukseom, Jamsil, Gwangnaru, Nanji and Yanghwa — reopened on June 19, transforming parts of the Han River into the city's seasonal cooling zone. The facilities will operate through Aug. 30, offering everything from family-friendly pools and fountains to larger swimming areas for those looking to escape the summer heat without leaving the city. Yeouido, Ttukseom, Jamsil and Nanji operate from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., while

2026-06-21 18:03:26:00

Korean hospitals dominate Newsweek’s Asia-Pacific specialty rankings

South Korean hospitals topped nine of the 10 specialties evaluated in Newsweek’s latest Asia-Pacific hospital rankings, with Asan Medical Center, Samsung Medical Center and Seoul National University Hospital leading multiple categories. According to Newsweek’s “Best Specialized Hospitals Asia-Pacific 2026” rankings released Wednesday, Asan Medical Center ranked first in five specialties: cardiology, cardiac surgery, neurology, endocrinology and orthopedics. Among the hospitals included in the ev

2026-06-18 13:06:55:00

Young dancers seek freedom in Korea's growing street dance scene

As music blasted across the Han River on a recent breezy Saturday afternoon, a crowd formed a circle beneath the open sky. Dancers took turns stepping into the center, testing their skills in battles in front of peers and spectators. The atmosphere was unmistakably competitive. Cheers erupted after particularly creative exchanges. Participants hyped each other up from the sidelines. Passersby stopped to watch. Yet unlike many formal dance competitions, the boundary between dancer and audience fe

2026-06-17 13:17:05:00

Two workers die after apartment railing gives way in Busan

Two workers in their 40s died after falling from the 11th floor of an apartment building in Busan when a balcony railing gave way during the installation of an outdoor air-conditioning unit, authorities said Thursday. The accident occurred around 12:20 p.m. Wednesday at a 39-year-old apartment complex in Sasang-gu, Busan. According to police, one worker fell after the structure gave way, and the second worker fell while attempting to grab and save his colleague. Both men suffered cardiac arrest

2026-06-11 13:57:51:00

With temples, churches, citizens and city officials pitching in, Busan braces for BTS’ homecoming

BUSAN -- With BTS set to perform at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on June 12 and 13, South Korea's second-largest city is preparing for what officials expect will be an influx of roughly 100,000 visitors from around the world. The effort is part of "BTS The City Arirang," a citywide tourism initiative running from June 5 to 21 that includes exhibitions, fan experiences, cultural programs and special events across Busan. "We are turning the entire city into a festival," Kim Dong-hoon, director of the

2026-06-10 22:10:20:00

Emergency response delays Han River bus routes

Han River ferry services were temporarily delayed after a man in his 70s jumped into the river from a bridge on Sunday, according to Yongsan Fire Station. Rescue workers recovered the man from the water and transported him to Apgujeong pier, where CPR was administered. He was later pronounced dead. The deceased reportedly jumped from Hannam Bridge at around 1:45 p.m. The rescue operation disrupted services on the Hangang Bus, Seoul's ferry-based public transit system launched last year, with bot

2026-06-01 11:50:56:00

From niche hobby to public courts — pickleball gains ground in Korea

The sharp “pop” of plastic balls bouncing off paddles echoed across a Seoul park, where courts once mostly used for jokgu, Korean foot volleyball, are increasingly being taken over by players of the fast-growing racket sport pickleball. Once seen largely as a niche sport favored by older players, pickleball is now attracting younger office workers, foreign residents and former tennis players, pushing the sport further into Korea’s mainstream recreational culture. The trend has grown visible enou

2026-05-31 09:40:03:00

KTX, commuter rail services to fully resume Sunday after Seosomun overpass collapse

Four days after the collapse of Seoul's Seosomun overpass disrupted rail travel across the capital region, rail operations began returning to normal Saturday, with all services expected to be fully restored Sunday. Korail said Saturday that services on the Gyeongui Line between Seoul and Munsan resumed with the first train of the day, restoring operations on the previously suspended section between Seoul Station and Sinchon. KTX services between Haengsin and Seoul also returned to normal operati

2026-05-30 16:24:36:00

Scenes from Day 2 of early voting

As temperatures continue to climb and turnout remains brisk, voters head to polling stations nationwide to cast their ballots ahead of the local elections next Wednesday. Early voting turnout reached 18.61 percent as of 2 p.m., surpassing the figure recorded at the same point in the 2022 local elections. Early voting, which runs until 6 p.m. Saturday, allows voters to cast ballots at any of the country's 3,571 polling stations regardless of their registered place of residence. On Election Day, h

2026-05-30 14:57:35:00

Early voting turnout hits record 23.51%

Early voting turnout for South Korea’s ninth nationwide local elections ended at a record 23.51 percent on Saturday, 2.89 percentage points higher than the previous high of 20.62 percent recorded in the 2022 local elections. The National Election Commission said 10.49 million of the country’s 44.64 million eligible voters cast ballots during the two-day early voting period. The first day of early voting set a new record for local elections, with turnout reaching 11.6 percent, surpassing the prev

2026-05-30 11:18:08:00