AliExpress, an online direct purchase platform owned by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, is considering whether to set up a massive logistics center in South Korea in a sign of business expansion, according to industry sources on Tuesday. “Given the extent of AliExpress’ expansion here, the company would need at least five logistics centers to manage products upon their arrival in Incheon (the nation’s main international gateway),” an industry source told The Korea

Industry Nov. 28, 2023

Starting next year, South Korea's immediate tax refund limit at tax refund stores for tourists will be doubled from 2.5 million won ($1,920) to 5 million won, the Finance Ministry announced Monday, in a move to invigorate the tourism industry. Currently, tourists can buy items at tax-free prices in designated tax refund stores across the nation, with a maximum purchase limit of 500,000 won per individual transaction. The total cumulative payments can reach up to 2.5 million won. Starting Ja

Economy Nov. 27, 2023

Four out of 10 South Koreans feel financially unprepared for post-retirement life, according to a survey released on Sunday. Only 21 percent expressed a sense of well-rounded preparedness in advance. The KB Financial Group's Management Research Institute conducted a survey on retirement preparation and housing preferences among 3,000 men and women aged between 20 to 79 nationwide, who are financial decision-makers in their households. The survey took place in January this year. The survey r

Economy Nov. 26, 2023

South Korea's exports of food, agricultural products, smart farm equipment and technology, have achieved a new high this November, passing the $10 billion mark, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Thursday. Fueled by the global Korean food boom, the collective exports of Korean food, related agricultural products and technology -- collectively referred to as the "K-Food+" sector by the government -- reached $10.48 billion by the third week of November. The fig

Industry Nov. 23, 2023

SUWON, Gyeonggi Province -- Mr. Toilet House, also known as Haewoojae, is a museum that transcends the conventional to offer a unique journey into the history and culture of toilets around the world. Derived from the term "Haewooso," meaning "a room to relieve worries," the museum is not just a bizarre architectural wonder but a celebration of the importance of toilets across the globe. In South Korea, the days when public toilets were deemed unclean are long gone. Hosting me

Culture Nov. 21, 2023

Korean exports of instant noodles have been continuing a winning streak, hitting the milestone of 1 trillion won ($777 million) for the first time. According to estimates from the Korea Customs Service on Monday, ramen exports reached $785.25 million for the January-October period this year, a 24.7 percent surge from the same period last year. The figure has already exceeded last year’s total exports of $765.41 million. Ramen exports have now shown annual growth every year since 2015. In t

Industry Nov. 20, 2023

In the vibrant streets of Seoul where culinary diversity flourishes, authentic Mediterranean establishments remain a rarity. Located in the residential neighborhood of Ichon-dong, just a ten-minute walk from the National Museum of Korea, Kantina is an inviting restaurant specializing in Mediterranean cuisine. Marked by its distinctive blue sign and interior, the establishment reflects the city's gradually increasing fondness for Mediterranean flavors, since its opening in 2021. Kantina has

Food Nov. 18, 2023

The World Health City Forum, set to take place in Incheon's Songdo Convensia from Monday, is poised to illuminate the intricate challenges posed by globalized risks in an era shaped by the intricate interplay of pandemics, climate change and economic downturns. Under the theme "Globalization of risks, how to make the world safer?" the three-day gathering will bring together some 150 distinguished thought leaders, including scholars, government officials and business experts across

Culture Nov. 17, 2023

ANDONG, North Gyeongsang Province -- At the heart of Korea's dynamic performance culture is the captivating tradition of "tal" and "talchum" -- masks and mask dancing. This form of masked performance art unveils a hidden world of storytelling and symbolism, enchanting audiences. Since the period of the Three Kingdoms, talchum has been more than entertainment. Masks have the power to empower individuals to air secrets, stir up deep emotions and recount age-old tales, crea

Culture Nov. 14, 2023

Gotaek, which translates to "old house," signifies a historic family residence. Typically, these homes were inhabited by the upper class, including scholars, and have been diligently preserved by generations maintaining much of their original form. The Korea Tourism Organization has selected five gotaek destinations to explore, each with a unique and compelling story to share. The destinations are: Yeoyudang in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province; Incheon Citizens' Home in Incheon; Myeon

Travel Nov. 11, 2023

PYEONGCHANG, Gangwon Province -- The National Museum of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province is gearing up to open its doors to the public this Sunday to offer important documents that show the history of the dynasty (1392-1910) year-round. "Due to the delicate nature of paper book preservation, museums have previously limited the exhibition duration of these artifacts," a senior researcher commented during a press conference organized by the Cultural Herit

Culture Nov. 9, 2023

진행자: 김혜연, Naomi Ng 1. S. Korea, Thailand to work to resolve entry denial claims 기사 요약: 정부, 태국과 체류 및 입국 심사 불만 문제 논의할 의사 밝혀 [1] South Korea and Thailand are to jointly address the growing number of undocumented residents of Thai nationality here in response to complaints of some regular Thai travelers being denied entry to Korea. - undocumented residents 미등록 거주자들 [2] Seoul's Foreign Ministry said in a statement Saturday that First Vice Minister Chang Ho-jin proposed holding a bilateral consu

Podcast Nov. 9, 2023

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, once again agreed to return only the sarira from the 13th century silver-gilt Lamaistic pagoda-shaped sarira reliquary to Korea, according to Hyemun, a former Buddhist monk and the leader of a non-profit civic group dedicated to repatriating cultural heritage, Wednesday. The decision comes more than a decade after previous talks fell through, after the same offer was made in 2009. The civic group announced Wednesday that it had met with Julia McCarthy, interim he

Culture Nov. 8, 2023

JEONGSEON, Gangwon Province -- "Arirang Arirang Arario ..." The melancholic yet oddly comforting melody resonates deeply in the hearts of Koreans. While the song's exact origins remain unclear, historical records suggest that Arirang became popular in the late Joseon era, cementing its position as one of the most beloved Korean folksongs, evoking a sense of home to many. In December 2012, Arirang, the lyrical folk song of the Republic of Korea, was named UNESCO Intangible Cultur

Culture Nov. 7, 2023

Discussions on the return to Korea of the silver-gilt Lamaistic pagoda-shaped sarira reliquary dating back to the 13th century in the Goryeo era, which is currently on exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, are set to resume, 10 years after the previous talks fell through. Hyemun, a former Buddhist monk and the leader of a non-profit civic group dedicated to repatriating cultural heritage, emphasized the need to restart discussions and focus on bringing the sarira back to Korea, in a p

Culture Nov. 7, 2023