Newsmaker In series
A deeper look into the people and developments at the heart of the issue.
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Newsmaker In series
A deeper look into the people and developments at the heart of the issue.
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A former K-pop idol wanted a union. Nobody came forward
Bang Min-su, better known as C.A.P. from his days in boy band Teen Top, met Democratic Party of Korea youth policy researcher Seo Min-seon last year, when she approached him with an idea to form Korea’s first labor union for K-pop idols. The 33-year-old former idol had already spoken publicly about labor and human rights issues in the K-pop industry. In September 2024, he testified at a National Assembly forum on the labor rights of child and teenage K-pop artists, raising concerns about unpaid
Aug. 24, 2026 - 14:02:00
BTS honors Korea's Red Devils at World Cup halftime show, calls stage 'a dream'
Dressed in the signature red, black and white of Korea's "Red Devils" soccer supporters, BTS took the stage at the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday as featured performers in the tournament's first-ever halftime show. Held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey during the final between Spain and Argentina, BTS' 11-minute performance was part of an extended interval introduced for this year's championship match. Following an orchestral rendition of The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" conducted by Gusta
July 20, 2026 - 05:49:53
'Protecting' children at cost of school trips and sports
When 45-year-old Bang Kyeong-hwan's son clinched first place among fourth graders at a national swimming competition last year representing his school, he found the accomplishment deserving of recognition. What his son was rewarded with at school, however, was a private, low-key ceremony between himself and his teacher. There was no classroom applause or cheers for the champion, although Bang thought he deserved it. "For kids growing up, there should be a culture of cheering for a classmate's su
April 14, 2026 - 17:48:52
Shin Hyun-song: Hawkish economist tapped to lead Bank of Korea
Shin Hyun-song, tapped to lead the Bank of Korea, is one of the country's most internationally prominent monetary policymakers and is widely seen as an economist with a hawkish bent. Born in Daegu in 1959, Shin received most of his education in Britain. After graduating from Emanuel School in London, he earned bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in economics from Oxford University, where he later taught until 2000. He went on to teach at the London School of Economics and Princeton Univers
March 23, 2026 - 14:48:58
Across 70 years and 170 films, Ahn Sung-ki charted history of Korean cinema
Veteran actor Ahn Sung-ki, one of Korea’s most beloved actors and a moral anchor of its cinema, died Monday at the age of 74. He had been receiving treatment in an intensive care unit and was hospitalized in an unconscious state for six days after he collapsed at his home on Dec. 30. Over a career that spanned nearly seven decades, Ahn became known for his calm authority and remarkable range. He appeared in more than 170 films, a body of work that mirrored the evolution of modern Korean cinema i
Jan. 5, 2026 - 15:23:15
Samsung, LG turn up the volume with budget-friendly earbud models
As global consumers increasingly prioritize affordability in personal tech, South Korean electronics giants Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are stepping up their game in the wireless earbuds market, aiming to undercut Apple’s longstanding dominance with value-driven alternatives. Wireless earbuds priced below 200,000 won ($142) are typically categorized as mid- to low-end offerings. While Apple’s AirPods continue to symbolize the high-end segment, competitors such as Xiaomi, Samsung and n
Sept. 26, 2025 - 12:07:44
Unification Church leader detained
Han Hak-ja, leader of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, better known as the Unification Church, was taken into custody after a Seoul court approved her arrest early Tuesday morning. The 82-year-old appeared in public for the last time before her arrest when she exited the court building without answering any questions at approximately 7 p.m., Monday, five hours after she attended her warrant hearing. The court found it necessary to detain Han, citing concerns over evidence t
Sept. 23, 2025 - 14:32:33
Busan to host 2026 UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting
Busan won its bid to host the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in 2026, marking South Korea's first time as host since the annual meeting was established in 1977. The announcement was made during the 47th committee meeting in Paris on Tuesday. The annual meeting is the largest annual international event on the cultural heritage calendar. Next year, it is expected to take place July 19-29 at the Bexco Convention Center, although a final decision will come after further discussions, ac
July 16, 2025 - 01:06:34
UNESCO World Heritage-listed petroglyphs in Ulsan to get safety buffer in 2029
"Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream in Ulsan," newly designated as UNESCO World Heritage, will have a buffer from rising water levels during heavy rain from as early as 2029, when three gates at the spillway of Sayeon Dam are completed. The petroglyphs that show evidence of prehistoric marine fishing in East Asia were designated as UNESCO World Heritage at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris, Saturday. “It is estimated that the gate will be completed between lat
July 13, 2025 - 15:51:09
South Korean president likens inter-Korean ties to troubled marriage
In response to a question about achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung offered an unconventional metaphor — comparing inter-Korean relations to a troubled marriage in need of counseling. Addressing reporters Thursday at his first press conference to mark his 30th day in office, Lee recalled his time as a lawyer handling divorces. He shared that some couples reconsidered splitting up after he encouraged them to see the situation from each other’s perspective
July 4, 2025 - 10:52:51
Late Pope Francis' Pyongyang visit fell through due to N. Korea's silence: Cardinal Lazarus You
The reason the late Pope Francis was ultimately unable to travel to Pyongyang and meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un -- a possibility many had hoped for at the time -- was because the isolated regime never responded to the Vatican's efforts to arrange a papal visit there, according to Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik on Thursday. "Pope Francis had a great interest in North Korea. When then-President Moon Jae-in visited him in 2018 and asked if he would meet with Kim, the pope responded that
July 3, 2025 - 14:37:02
Korea's reserved COVID-19 leader poised to return as health chief
As a public health official, Jeong Eun-kyeong is a rare name many South Koreans recognize. While Jeong had served in public health for decades before the pandemic, most came to know her from her leadership at the top of the country's main disease control agency as COVID-19 raged and eventually subsided. When President Lee Jae Myung named Jeong to lead the Health Ministry on Sunday, many public health experts who had worked with her cheered. For over two years from COVID-19's onset in February 20
June 30, 2025 - 14:04:19
Israel strikes Iran nuclear facilities, missile factories
Israel carried out strikes on Iran on Friday, targeting its nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon. Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions including at the country's main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, while Israel declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes. Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards co
June 13, 2025 - 13:34:05
Is People Power Party headed for dissolution?
Voices either calling for or expressing concern about a potential dissolution of the main conservative People Power Party have grown in recent days. This comes amid a widening rift within the party over its defeat in the June 3 presidential election, coupled with the looming threat of the special counsel investigations targeting impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on multiple charges connected to his failed martial law bid. But an expert expressed skepticism about the scenario of a dissolution, po
June 11, 2025 - 15:57:17
Who is Lee Jae-myung's pick for prime minister, Kim Min-seok?
Rep. Kim Min-seok, who was considered President Lee Jae-myung's "strategist in chief" when they were in the Democratic Party of Korea leadership, has been nominated by Lee for the role of prime minister. As prime minister, Kim would steer Lee's Cabinet and serve as a key adviser. The position requires the National Assembly's confirmation. From as early as August 2024, Kim began raising alarms about former President Yoon Suk Yeol possibly preparing to impose martial law. Kim was one of the few in
June 9, 2025 - 15:43:09
