More toddlers under 2 start to use smartphones

More than half of children under five began using smartphones before turning two, according to a government survey. The Mental Health Information and NCMH Data, or MIND, report released in January by the National Center for Mental Health's Mental Health Research Institute surveyed the parents of 400 Korean children aged 2 to 5 about when their children began using smartphones. The largest share, 37.18 percent, said their children began using smartphones at 12 to 23 months old, while 13.8 percent

2026-09-28 14:54:22:00

Over 10,000 students left Korea’s top universities without graduating: data

More than 10,700 students left three of South Korea’s most prestigious universities — Seoul National University, Korea University and Yonsei University — before graduating over the past five years, according to an analysis of university disclosures. The three schools, collectively known as SKY, recorded 10,736 departures from 2021 through 2025, Jongro Academy said, citing data from the Higher Education in Korea disclosure system. The annual figure has exceeded 2,000 for four consecutive years, t

2026-09-27 14:06:27:00

Domestic violence reports surge during Chuseok

Domestic violence reports to police averaged 1,294 a day during this year’s Chuseok holiday, up 42.4 percent from the average daily level. The provisional figure released Sunday compares with a daily average of 908.9 reports so far this year. It was also 13 percent higher than last Chuseok’s daily average of 1,145.3, according to the National Police Agency. The holiday spike has recurred in recent years. Last year’s Chuseok average was about 44 percent above the daily average for 2025. There wer

2026-09-27 14:05:59:00

TikToker Chambo’s new quest: Building a better home for foreign creators

For about two years, Australian creator Chris Hambarsoomian says he made no money in Korea, even as he was building the online persona that would make him known to millions as “Chambo.” Now, with more than 1 million followers on TikTok, over 600,000 YouTube subscribers and permanent resident status in Korea, the 34-year-old is taking on his next project: building an agency for foreign content creators facing some of the same problems he did. “I feel like the global content creator community in K

2026-09-26 16:00:00:00

Who looks after Seoul’s pets during Chuseok?

As Seoul residents pack their bags for Chuseok, the pets staying behind are creating a holiday rush of their own. Not every pet can join the family trip, leaving owners to choose among boarding facilities, sitters and neighbors willing to step in. For many, pet hotels offer the most straightforward option, providing daytime care and separate rooms for overnight stays. Some pet hotels in the capital are seeing daily reservations double or even triple as owners secure care before leaving for vacat

2026-09-24 09:00:00:00

Former first lady’s prison term cut to 5 years

Former first lady Kim Keon Hee had her seven-year prison sentence reduced to five years Tuesday, after an appeals court cleared her of accepting a 39.9 million won ($29,000) Vacheron Constantin watch in return for business favors. The Seoul High Court upheld most of Kim’s conviction for accepting luxury goods from people seeking public appointments and other favors through her influence as the spouse of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. It ordered her to pay 24.4 million won in forfeiture and the

2026-09-22 16:51:03:00

Need a doctor over Chuseok? Here’s how to find one

People who need medical care during the Chuseok holiday should check opening hours before heading out, as hospitals, clinics and pharmacies will operate on limited schedules from Thursday through Sunday. The easiest way to find a nearby facility is through E-Gen, the national emergency medical information website. Users can search for facilities by location, type, medical specialty and treatment date. Because holiday hours may change, visitors should call the hospital, clinic or pharmacy before

2026-09-21 20:16:33:00

Soldier gets 4 years after leaking military secrets to China

A South Korean Army sergeant has had a four-year prison term upheld for selling classified materials, including documents on South Korea-US combined military exercises, to a Chinese intelligence organization. Legal sources said Friday that the Supreme Court’s Second Division upheld an August ruling by the Seoul High Court, which also included a 20 million won ($14,500) fine and a 19.07 million won forfeiture. The soldier, who was an active-duty sergeant at the time of the offenses, had been in c

2026-09-18 14:35:54:00

Adverse-event reports involving Wegovy, Mounjaro top 1,700 in Korea

Reports of adverse events following the use of Wegovy and Mounjaro have reached 1,780 in Korea as prescriptions for the weight-loss drugs have surged, government data showed Friday. The data, submitted to ruling Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Kwon Chil-seung, showed 944 reports involving Wegovy from its Korean launch in October 2024 through March this year. The annual breakdown was 49 in 2024, 672 in 2025 and 223 in the first three months of 2026. “Adverse-event reports alone cannot establish a

2026-09-18 11:23:50:00

Foreign riders with unregistered motorcycles become extortion targets

Nine people have been referred to prosecutors for allegedly targeting and threatening foreign nationals riding motorcycles without license plates in two cities in South Gyeongsang Province, police said Thursday. Yangsan Police Station referred two suspects in their 20s to prosecutors who were in custody on charges including joint extortion. Gimhae Seobu Police Station separately referred seven teenagers without detention on aggravated assault charges. The two Yangsan suspects allegedly followed

2026-09-18 11:11:13:00