Police search Starbucks Korea over 'Tank Day' promotion controversy

Police on Wednesday conducted a search and seizure at Starbucks Korea's headquarters as part of an investigation into the company's controversial "Tank Day" promotion. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency executed a search warrant at the company's headquarters in Gangnam, southern Seoul, at 8:50 a.m. Wednesday, roughly two months after launching the investigation following a complaint filed by a civic group. The warrant was issued in connection with a suspected insult offense. Investigators soug

2026-08-05 12:08:40:00

Heat illness cases hit record, two more dead, as Korea swelters

South Korea recorded 186 heat-related illness cases, including two deaths, on Monday, the highest daily figure reported so far this year, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Tuesday. The figure was nearly five times the 38 cases reported on the same date last year. Both suspected deaths were reported in Wanju, North Jeolla Province. A woman in her 90s was found in a field, while a man in his 80s was found near the side of a road, both after suffering suspected heat-related illne

2026-08-04 18:13:02:00

Struggling private universities face closure under new rules

The government will soon be able to suspend admissions or order the closure of financially distressed private universities struggling with persistent enrollment shortfalls, following the Cabinet’s approval Tuesday of an enforcement decree governing university restructuring. The decree, which takes effect Aug. 15, allows the government to provide consulting support to universities designated as financially distressed and, when recovery is deemed unfeasible, order restructuring measures, including

2026-08-04 14:49:09:00

Busan revokes unauthorized international school’s registration, says teachers will not be investigated

The Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education has revoked the academy registration of Busan Logos International Christian School for allegedly operating unauthorized elementary and secondary school programs. The education office said Tuesday that it has no plans to investigate individual teachers, including foreign instructors who may have taught subjects outside the scope of their E-2 language-instructor visas, and will instead focus enforcement on the school’s founder and operator. The insti

2026-08-04 14:29:59:00

Kookmin Univ. to launch AI doctoral research program for Palestinian students

Kookmin University said Monday it is launching an artificial intelligence doctoral fellowship program for Palestinian students in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency. The program aims to train doctoral researchers who will help drive digital transformation and innovation in Palestine. Under the long-term training program, 30 Palestinian students will be selected to pursue doctoral degrees in AI at Kookmin University’s Graduate School of AI and Software with support for re

2026-08-03 18:02:38:00

Univ. of Seoul-backed program produces Cambodia's first urban planning graduates

Cambodia’s first university department dedicated to urban planning, established with support from the University of Seoul, has produced its inaugural class of 31 graduates. The Department of Sustainable Urban Planning and Development at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s largest national university, was launched in 2022 as part of an official development assistance program run by South Korea’s Ministry of Education. UOS said it was selected for the program in 2021 and received approv

2026-08-03 17:09:38:00

Lawmakers seek tougher penalties for investigators who shield relatives

A bill seeking tougher punishment for investigators who abuse their authority to conceal crimes committed by relatives was introduced at the National Assembly last week, amid fallout from the case of Jang Yoon-gi. Jang is suspected of rape and murder. His father, a police officer, allegedly obtained information about the investigation from colleagues and destroyed key evidence. Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Kim Dong-ah introduced the bill Wednesday. If passed, it would impose heavier penalties

2026-08-03 14:54:45:00

Past sex offense blocks executive’s entry despite W34b Jeju investment

South Korea can deny entry to a foreign businessperson on public safety grounds despite the economic benefits they may bring, a court has ruled. The Seoul Administrative Court upheld immigration authorities’ refusal to allow a Chinese business executive to enter the country, rejecting a lawsuit seeking to overturn the decision, according to legal sources Monday. The executive chairs a company pursuing a development project at a tourism complex on Jeju Island. The company had purchased land on th

2026-08-03 14:25:49:00

Rethinking who tech serves: from assisted dressing to off-grid drinking water

Technology’s brightest light too often bathes those already abundantly served. The newest phone gets a sharper camera, the already capable car inches toward autonomy, the fridge learns another trick. Yet for someone who cannot lift an arm to put on a jacket, or for a child living beside a vast but undrinkable lake, the question is simpler and more urgent: Who does technology serve? Two professors at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology are each attempting to answer that questio

2026-08-01 16:00:02:00

Coupang faces 100,000 won payout per victim over data breach

Coupang was ordered to compensate victims of a major personal data leak with 100,000 won ($70) each in either cash or Coupang Cash, South Korea’s Consumer Dispute Settlement Commission ruled Friday, marking the first case in which the e-commerce company has been found liable for damages over such a breach. The commission said it reached the decision after reviewing a collective dispute mediation request filed by 50 consumers affected by last year’s leak. It found Coupang liable for emotional dis

2026-07-31 16:25:32:00