In a “limited and exceptional freedom” granted, South Korean badminton champion An Se-young can wear the shoes of her choice at the Denmark Open tournament, which opened Tuesday. The Badminton Korea Association’s decision on Monday exempts the Paris Olympic gold medalist from the obligation to choose footwear exclusively from brands that have signed sponsorship deals with the association. The exemption applies exclusively to An and only for the Denmark Open. It follows An&rsq

More Sports Oct. 15, 2024

SEJONG — From runners in perfect gear to families with strollers and couples with dogs, nearly 7,000 participated in a fun race in the city of Sejong on Wednesday, celebrating King Sejong’s great gift to the Korean people, Hangeul. The 2024 Hangeul Run, held at Sejong Lake Park to mark the 587th anniversary of Hangeul’s proclamation in 1446, featured two courses: a 10.9-kilometer run commemorating Hangeul Day and a 5.15-kilometer course celebrating King Sejong’s birthda

Hashtag Korea Oct. 10, 2024

SEJONG -- Interest in K-pop has motivated many students overseas to study the Korean language and its alphabet, Hangeul, according to contestants of the inaugural Sejong Hangeul Olympiad held on Tuesday in Sejong. For many students, K-pop’s global influence extends beyond music, serving as a cultural link to Korea’s linguistic heritage, they shared. “K-pop acts as an ambassador for the Korean language,” said the Spicy Samgak Gimbap team of three international students --

Hashtag Korea Oct. 10, 2024

Dressed casually in a black T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers, Chef Choi Jung-yoon greeted us at a cafe near Jung-gu, Seoul. Initially reserved, her face lit up when discussing the recent Netflix hit "Culinary Class Wars." "I'm so glad the chefs are getting so much attention," she said, with her enthusiasm for the local food industry evident throughout the hour-long interview. Choi, with over 26 years of experience as a chef and Korean cuisine researcher, founded Nanro, a co

Hashtag Korea Oct. 10, 2024

The number of Korean teenagers taking 10 or more prescription medications for chronic conditions has more than tripled during the last four and half years, National Health Insurance Service data showed Monday. A total of 241 teenagers were found to be taking 10 or more types of medication for chronic conditions for at least 60 days during the first half of this year, according to the data cited by Rep. Kim Mi-ae of the ruling People Power Party. This marks a 239.4 percent increase from 2019 wh

Social Affairs Oct. 7, 2024

Of all age groups, those in their 20s have the highest total amount in overdue mobile bills, followed by those in their 30s, according to government data Monday. The Ministry of Science and ICT data, obtained by Rep. Park Chung-kwon of the ruling People Power Party, revealed that as of the end of July, overdue mobile phone payments for people in their 20s reached 5.82 billion won ($4,454,189), with 39,839 overdue cases. Twenty-somethings had the most cases and highest total overdue amount of all

Social Affairs Sept. 30, 2024

A large group of people wearing blue headphones, dance out in the open by the Han River. But no music is blaring. This is a silent disco. Instead of speaker stacks, DJs broadcast their sets directly to wireless headphones, allowing people to adjust the volume to their liking. This creates a more personalized, immersive experience while minimizing noise pollution, meaning people can gather and dance in places they normally couldn't. And in this case, it was the Han River's parks. More

Hashtag Korea Sept. 30, 2024

South Korean police apprehended 48 Thai nationals involved in the trafficking and use of yaba, a synthetic drug referred to as “crazy medicine" in Thai. Yaba, typically in the form of pink tablets, is a mix of methamphetamine and caffeine. According to the North Chungcheong Provincial Police Wednesday, of the 48 suspects, 16 accused of selling the illegal substance were arrested for charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act. The remaining 32 individuals suspected of purchasing

Social Affairs Sept. 25, 2024

Cho, a 31-year-old cafe owner in Seoul who requested anonymity, used to run a popular spot for pet owners. Her cafe, known for its dog-friendly atmosphere and puppuccinos, a drink for dogs, regularly welcomed customers with their pets. Occasionally, she would bring her own dog to work. But recent government warnings have made it difficult to allow dogs on the premises. “I received a warning from the government about having dogs here,” Cho said. “They told me a complaint was fil

Hashtag Korea Sept. 24, 2024

Kang Joo-hye is an artist who has a unique view of the world — literally. Blind in her right eye and experiencing double vision in her left, she chooses to communicate with the world through art. Created under the pen name “Migeung” — meaning crazily or beautifully positive — her drawings betray no hint of this struggle; they exude warmth and positivity. The survivor of two serious car accidents understands the media’s fascination with her story. However,

Hashtag Korea Sept. 17, 2024

A court on Wednesday overturned a reprimand issued to an Incheon firefighter paramedic for being “impolite” to a patient who kept an ambulance waiting to take a shower. The Incheon District Court ruled in favor of the firefighter, citing procedural irregularities in the disciplinary process. The court found that the employer had not given adequate notice or allowed the firefighter a proper opportunity to present his case. "Given the procedural irregularities, we are overturning

Social Affairs Sept. 11, 2024

Mapo-gu, a district in Seoul, is set to introduce a house call pet funeral service in collaboration with Petmun, a local pet services firm, district official said Tuesday. This service centers around a specialized vehicle equipped with a smokeless, odorless cremation facility. This vehicle will visit the home of the deceased pet, conduct a funeral service there and transport the pet’s body for cremation. Although the vehicle itself is a moving crematorium, the district plans to set a rul

Social Affairs Sept. 10, 2024

Find the answer at the bottom. Hahoe is a traditional clan-based village in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, known for having the oldest surviving masks for mask dance dramas in South Korea. Eleven Hahoe masks have been passed down, representing different characters in a stage play, including a lion, a bride, a monk, a noble and a scholar. Traditionally, such masks were made from gourds or paper and burned at the end of the performance. However, Hahoe masks were crafted from wood and prese

Hashtag Korea Sept. 10, 2024

A quiet revolution is sweeping through one of Korea’s most iconic street foods: tteokbokki. Once the beloved snack of schoolgirls and the young at heart, these chewy rice cakes drenched in sweet and spicy sauce have transcended their street food origins, thanks to the relentless innovation of the local meal kit industry. At an E-mart outlet in central Seoul, Korea's largest discount store chain, which this reporter visited on Aug. 27, there were over 20 different varieties of ready-to

Hashtag Korea Sept. 7, 2024

Veterinary clinics will be required to disclose information on the cost of a wider range of treatments starting next year. After pet owners in Korea have complained about unexpectedly hefty bills from vet visits due to a lack of transparency, clinics have been required since January to disclose the costs of 12 veterinary services. This requirement will be expanded to 20 services starting Jan. 1 of next year, the government announced on Thursday. The eight new additions include computed tomograph

Social Affairs Sept. 5, 2024