The Korean Film Council is accepting applications, starting July 1, for a support initiative to connect indie filmmakers with distributors, the state-run agency said Monday. Now in its fourth year, the First Link program aims to bridge the gap between artistic creation and commercial release in the country's vibrant independent cinema scene. While Korean arthouse cinema has garnered international acclaim, with works like "Breathless" (2008) and "House of Hummingbird" (20

Film June 24, 2024

While the vast campus of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology otherwise remained calm, the two-story Lyu Keun-chul Sports Complex buzzed with energy as people gathered for the event in Daejeon Wednesday. "I've been a huge fan of G-Dragon since I was in elementary school," said 28-year-old Kim Min-hyuk, who works in the arts industry and had been waiting in line since dawn. Another attendee, Park, said he took an overnight train from Daegu with friends, all eager to s

Social Affairs June 7, 2024

A major accident occurred at approximately 11:10 a.m. on Monday at a construction site in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. According to local news reports, a pillar collapsed during the construction of a bridge over a dam reservoir, resulting in eight construction workers falling into the waters below. One worker was injured in the incident, while two others were pronounced dead at the scene. Five workers managed to escape the accident unharmed, authorities confirmed. Following the incident,

Social Affairs Nov. 27, 2023

In a shocking incident of violence in the wealthy district of Gangnam, Seoul, a teenager was arrested on Nov. 11 for attacking a deliveryman with a golf club in broad daylight. The assailant, identified only as a high school student, is now facing aggravated assault charges. The incident came to light when the victim's dashboard camera footage was shared on YouTube on Nov. 24. The video shows the teen, dressed in shorts and carrying a backpack, striking a deliveryman on a motorcycle with a

Social Affairs Nov. 27, 2023

Jeju Seobu Police detained five Chinese nationals for the false imprisonment of a fellow Chinese national concerning a gambling debt of 50 million won ($38,000) on Monday, authorities confirmed Thursday. According to police, the victim had initially borrowed the sum for gambling purposes, agreeing to a 10 percent interest rate. However, the suspects allegedly increased the interest to 20 percent three days later, with which the victim refused to comply. When the victim refused to sign a new debt

Social Affairs Nov. 27, 2023

In yet another stark reminder of South Korea's escalating drug problem, Seoul Bangbae Police arrested a woman in her 40s on Nov. 2 for drug use -- under rather unusual circumstances caught on police camera. The incident began as a minor traffic mishap in Seocho-gu, Seoul. The woman, driving a white vehicle, was involved in what initially appeared to be a routine fender bender. Her behavior at the scene quickly raised suspicions, however. Footage from the patrol car's dashcam shows the

Social Affairs Nov. 21, 2023

A man in his 30s has been shot dead by a hunter who reportedly mistook the victim for a boar, police in Okcheon North Chungcheong Province, confirmed Sunday. The case is the latest gun-related accident to occur in South Korea, despite the country's strict gun control laws. According to Okcheon Police, a 60-year-old suspect is under investigation for fatally shooting a man who was catching crayfish in a nearby stream. The suspect, a registered hunter, claims to have mistaken the victim for a

Social Affairs Nov. 20, 2023

A concerning trend in South Korea's public health profile emerged in recent data released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, a research arm of the Health Ministry. According to the report, made public Oct. 18, 32.5 percent of Korean adults were classified as either overweight or obese with Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or above in 2022, increasing by a third from a decade before when the figure stood at 24.5 percent. Although nearly 1 in 3 South Koreans are now classified as

Social Affairs Nov. 18, 2023

Yeoju Police Station confirmed Tuesday the arrest of 10 individuals linked to the discovery of over 100 animal carcasses on a local property. The investigation, initiated in April after a report from South Korean animal rights group LIFE, uncovered 118 bodies — 86 dogs and 32 cats — in a state of severe malnutrition. The harrowing scene of the exhumation sparked outrage after being featured on an animal TV show in May, prompting 31,400 people to sign an online petition demanding just

Social Affairs Nov. 15, 2023

Weeks have passed since South Korea began grappling with a widespread bedbug outbreak. In response, its central and regional governments have scrambled to launch a four-week campaign beginning Monday, to inspect and disinfect vulnerable facilities and high-risk public spaces. Despite these measures, fear continues to ride high. People are now jumping into action, with some taking measures to map infestations so that the public can be aware of them. In a tech-savvy approach reminiscent of crowdso

Social Affairs Nov. 14, 2023

Korea's National Assembly on Friday took a significant step in addressing the evolving landscape of liquor sales with its inaugural "National Assembly Discussion Forum on Invigorating e-Commerce for Liquor." Hosted by Rep. Choi Seung-Jae of the People Power Party and organized by the Asia Pacific International Spirits and Wines Alliance, the event marked the first-ever discussion in the National Assembly on the topic of online liquor sales, attracting attention from both domestic

Industry Nov. 10, 2023

Recent reports of bedbug infestations in various public spaces, including a university dormitory, low-cost apartments, and saunas, have raised alarms of an impending nationwide outbreak across South Korea, prompting the government to launch a multi-agency task force on Tuesday. But, it turns out bedbugs are causing more than just itchy bites -- they're now making waves in the South Korean stock market, as savvy investors are bullish on pesticide manufacturers. On Tuesday, agrochemical compa

Market Nov. 8, 2023

South Korea is issuing an additional 12,900 E-9 visas for nonskilled foreign workers, the Ministry of Labor and Employment announced Monday, in the latest move to address the deepening labor shortage spurred by the country's demographic collapse. The newly issued visas will be distributed across sectors in need: 5,000 in manufacturing, 4,000 in agriculture and 2,500 in the services sector, as outlined in the announcement. Depending on industry demand, the ministry said it plans to add anoth

Social Affairs Nov. 6, 2023

In South Korea, where all able-bodied men are required to serve in the military, a new measure will soon require all enlistees to undergo drug testing during physical exams. On Thursday, the National Defense Committee, a parliamentary subcommittee overseeing military affairs, approved a bill mandating drug tests for all new service members. The bill will now head to the full parliament for a vote, pending judiciary committee review. Until now, the South Korean military conducted drug tests selec

Social Affairs Nov. 2, 2023

Officials in Bundang Police Station confirmed on Tuesday that they apprehended a teenage boy in connection with a fatal stabbing incident involving another teenager, a girl he reportedly met through an online chatting app. The incident occurred in the early hours of Oct. 27, at an apartment located in the suburban neighborhood of Bundang in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. The two teenagers reportedly had an altercation while drinking together at the victim’s residence, ultimately leading to t

Social Affairs Oct. 31, 2023