The United Nations holds a special position in South Korea’s modern history. From the nation-building process following the liberation from the 1910-45 Japanese occupation to the 1950-53 Korean War and postwar recovery and reconstruction efforts, the global governance body played a crucial role by providing South Korea with military and humanitarian assistance. Yet, it wasn't until 1991 when South Korea officially became a member. Joining alongside North Korea, it was the 161st to join the

Hashtag Korea July 12, 2023

Photos of a Seoul mountaintop covered in lovebugs, a species of March fly that are usually found in pairs, went viral after it was shared on social media last week. The photos were taken June 30 on Bukhansan, a mountain located on the northern periphery of Seoul, according to a social media user who uploaded the photos. The mountain, which is at the center of a national park of the same name, is a popular hiking destination for both locals and tourists. The park authorities have decided not to i

Social Affairs July 3, 2023

South Korea’s second-largest city, Busan, entices tourists with its delectable cuisine, vibrant beaches and dazzling cityscape. However, few visitors know that the city’s main attraction used to be its hot springs. Oncheonjang Station, a stop on Busan metro's Line No.1, is wher e the origin of the city’s history as a hot spring destination lies. With the bathhouses and hotels that once adorned the area mostly gone, a replica of the streetcar that once transported visitors

Culture July 1, 2023

One of Kim Sun-min's new joys in life is to visit the local diving pool in Ilsan, a northwestern satellite city of Seoul. It is where the 42-year-old content marketer can become the mythical creature of her dreams -- a mermaid -- for at least a few hours a week. "Mermaiding might seem like wearing a costume and posing for a photo underwater to outsiders," Kim told The Korea Herald at the Mer Freediving Center in Ilsan. "But it's actually a combination of art and sports -

Hashtag Korea July 1, 2023

A high school specializing in educating students in K-pop and related performances will open in Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, by 2028, the city’s education authorities announced Friday. The school will provide quality vocal, dance, composing and songwriting lessons taught by experienced K-pop faculty. International students will be eligible to apply, Ha Yoon-su, the superintendent of education in Busan, said in an official briefing. An official at the Busan Metropolitan

K-pop June 30, 2023

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday named Jang Mi-ran, a physical education professor and former Olympic weightlifting champion, as the vice minister of culture and sports. Jang, 39, will become The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's second vice minister, whose main responsibility is handling sports-related affairs, according to officials. With the ministry having two vice ministers, Jang will cooperate with the current first vice minister Chun Byong-geuk in overseeing the ministry&#

Culture June 29, 2023

Find the answer at the bottom of the page. South Koreans are famous for consuming the largest amount of alcohol in the world. Koreans consume 8.7 liters of pure alcohol per capita, according to latest data by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Its unparalleled love for liquor has morphed the nation's own unique drinking culture. One of the most common customs when drinking is that the youngest of the group has to pour the drink into the glasses of their older count

Hashtag Korea June 29, 2023

Every household in a small rural village in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, received cash gifts up to as much as 90.2 million won ($69,000) per household in the past month. The generous donor was Lee Joong-keun, the 82-year-old founder of property developer Booyoung Group, who grew up there in poverty and wanted to express his “thanks to the support of villagers.” According to the conglomerate, all 280 households in its chairman's hometown of Unpyeong-ri were wired cash, rangin

Industry June 28, 2023

The suspect in the murder of a university student in Busan is believed to have stabbed the victim over 110 times, prosecutors investing the case revealed Tuesday. Suspect Jung Yoo-jung, 23, is accused of attacking the victim with a weapon she prepared, dismembering the body and disposing of it in the Nakdong River near Yangsan, according to Busan District Prosecutor's Office. Jung was arrested last month. She confessed to the killing and said she did so "out of curiosity about murder.&

Social Affairs June 27, 2023

"Revenant," a new mystery thriller from the star writer behind “Kingdom,” is off to a strong start, with two episodes aired so far. With the second episode aired Saturday, the SBS TV drama, starring Kim Tae-ri, the heroine of “Mr. Sunshine,” as the protagonist who is possessed by a devil spirit, recorded a viewership rating of 10.8 percent among the Seoul metropolitan area's TV-watching households, while nabbing 10 percent of viewers nationwide, according t

Television June 25, 2023

Three Korean soccer players with Ulsan Hyundai FC were suspended for one game and fined 15 million won ($11,500) each on Thursday for posting allegedly racist comments online. A disciplinary committee under the Korea Professional Football League announced their decision to punish Ulsan defender Lee Myung-jae and his teammates Lee Gyu-sung and Park Yong-woo for posting allegedly racist comments on social media, one of which referenced Thai player Sasalak Haiprakhon earlier this month. This marks

Soccer June 22, 2023

A singer who raised donations by faking cancer was found dead in an apparent suicide, police said Wednesday. The deceased, 33-year-old Choi Sung-bong, was the semifinalist in tvN's 2011 singing competition program "Korea's Got Talent." Police and emergency officials found him dead at his home in Gangnam-gu around 9:41 a.m. on Tuesday. Officers arrived at the scene after receiving a report that he may have attempted suicide. Prior to his death, Choi posted on his YouTube chann

Social Affairs June 21, 2023

A Korean female livestreamer died Monday, days after she attempted suicide during a YouTube broadcast. Im Ji-hyae, who went by the online handle BJ Imvely, passed away at the age of 37, according to a post uploaded to her Instagram account. She is survived by two daughters, her parents and two brothers. On June 11, Im returned from a live drinking session with a group of fellow streamers, which was also broadcast live. A brawl erupted between Im and another female livestreamer, which soon turned

Social Affairs June 19, 2023

Busan, South Korea’s second-biggest city renowned for its vibrant beaches and delectable cuisine, has its own subway network. Much like Seoul Station, which acts as the main entry point for visitors to the capital, Busan Station serves as the gateway for those arriving in the city, doubling as a stop for the bullet train and a subway station. The subway stop is part of Line No. 1 that connects passengers with major tourist spots in the northern and western part of the city, including the

Travel June 18, 2023

South Korea’s National Assembly erupted in an applause in a rare, unifying moment on Wednesday, as a visually impaired lawmaker, accompanied by her guide dog, gave a passionate speech on disability rights. Rep. Kim Yea-ji of the ruling People Power Party took the podium on the last day of the government interpellation session, with Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon in attendance to answer her questions. She said crimes against the disabled are not properly dealt with in Korea’s justice

Social Affairs June 15, 2023