In 2027, Valorant will be at its most competitive, with the Philippines finally being included in its list of destinations for the upcoming professional season.

The idea of layering is a concept foreign to many Filipinos. That is, until they go on their first overseas trip and realize how it helps one deal with the sudden drop in temperature. A light jacket is fine for Baguio-like weather but sometimes, only layers can help ward off the chill. In the past, one had to go to different stores or, in a bind, borrow a trench coat, puffer or quilted jacket from someone with a similar build. Accessories like mittens, warm gloves and tightly knitted bonnets were also hard to come by unless one was open to buying from a shop selling overruns or previously owned pieces. The arrival of the Japanese apparel brand Uniqlo in 2012 helped take out the guesswork out of layering. It sold many of the elements needed for a trip to a cold-weather country from thermal underwear and heat-retaining pullovers to down jackets and fleece coats. Now, tech-savvy customers can even put together a virtual wardrobe by clicking on the Uniqlo app (uniqlo.com). By typing in the country they plan to visit and the month they will be there, the app can suggest pieces designed to work together. At the flagship store in Glorietta, there is a large touchscreen where visitors can try out the app for themselves. It reminded one of that opening scene in the 1995 movie “Clueless” where Cher (Alicia Silverstone) picks out her OOTD, the now iconic plaid yellow jacket with matching mini skirt. While the process of putting on and doffing the different components during the day can get tedious, trying them on at the store can be a fun experience. This year, their full-zip fleece jackets come in classic solids with raglan sleeves or color-blocked such as black and gray, and brown and beige. It’s a piece worth considering as the brand has been making and updating this particular line since 1994. They also have pile-lined fleece blousons, button-up pullovers, oversized hoodies and a range of down jackets in varying weights and hefts. One reads from their in-store magazine LifeWear that the down and feathers used in their products is “sourced exclusively from waterfowl raised under strict ethical standards.” For their fall-winter 2026 collection, Uniqlo only used feathers from three Chinese facilities. According to the article, “China produces about 40,000 tons of down yearly yet only the top 10 percent of this satisfies Uniqlo’s exacting standards.” The new collection from Uniqlo is available in stores and online. Hoodie day This weekend, Gap is celebrating the hoodie with its Gap Hoodie Day. To mark the occasion, the brand launched a limited edition reversible logo hoodie. Featuring two wearable looks in one, and crafted from Gap’s heavyweight structured fleece, the special-edition style offers a fresh take on a classic icon. Gap collaborated with Filipino artist Denzel Chang to create limited-edition iron-on patches that can be added to the hoodie as a means of expression. Also this weekend, the brand has a buy one, get one promo on all Gap logo styles. All items emblazoned with the Gap logo are included in the promo. Online shoppers (gap.com.ph) can also avail themselves of a 40 percent discount on logo items like the t-shirts, joggers and even the hoodies.

Dermatologist Dr. Kei George Rebolledo wants viewers to look beyond flawless skin and dramatic before-and-after photos in “Kutis Reveal,” a new reality series that follows 12 Filipinos undergoing dermatological treatments while confronting the personal challenges linked to their skin conditions.  The 13-episode series, hosted by Rebolledo, founder of Kutis by Kei, documents the participants’ consultations, treatments, healing and transformations, highlighting the medical process and emotional experiences behind their journeys.  “Kutis Reveal” premieres today, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. on Bilyonaryo News Channel, Channel 31, and airs every Saturday thereafter.  During the press conference, he said he developed the program to present a more realistic view of dermatology.  “I wanted to combine the medical side with the human side of dermatology. I am very firm about setting expectations because skin conditions cannot simply be cured overnight. This is not a miracle show. This is a real reality show, and we do not make promises just to attract attention or go viral,” Rebolledo said.  Unlike programs that focus mainly on dramatic makeovers, “Kutis Reveal” shows the consultations and procedures leading to each participant’s results. The series also explains why certain treatments are recommended and what patients can realistically expect within the program’s treatment period.  Rebolledo said he was careful about selecting participants whose conditions could show measurable improvement within the production schedule. He explained that some concerns, such as active acne, may respond more quickly to treatment than scars, which can be more difficult to address.  “For acne scars, for instance, I cannot promise that they will disappear completely. I give them a realistic range of improvement based on their condition and the time we have. As doctors, we are not miracle workers. We have to be honest about what we can do and what the patient should expect,” he said.  One of the participants is a stage 4 breast cancer survivor who developed scars associated with chemotherapy treatments. Rebolledo said he explained during the consultation that the scars could improve but would not be completely removed.  The 12 participants were selected from approximately 200 people who auditioned that included cancer survivors, overseas Filipino workers, domestic abuse survivors, an LGBT advocate, and individuals dealing with mental health challenges.  Their skin concerns include acne, acne scars, melasma, psoriasis, pigmentation and other forms of scarring. Rebolledo said the show was also intended to challenge the perception that dermatological care is primarily for celebrities or people seeking aesthetic enhancements.  “There are ordinary people who need a dermatologist because their skin condition is affecting their lives. What we are treating is not just the skin. We are also helping these patients regain their confidence,” he said.  The filming also became an emotional experience for Rebolledo, who said he did not expect to be so affected by the participants’ stories. He recalled crying several times during production, particularly while witnessing their transformations.  Rebolledo said he personally oversees the training of the clinic’s doctors to ensure they follow standardized treatment protocols and provide appropriate care for each participant.  “I am very particular when it comes to choosing and training my doctors. I want to make sure that we have standardized protocols across our clinics because consistency is important in treating our patients,” he said.  The procedures featured in the program include LDM by Elogio, Rejuran, Blaumann Laser and Sylfirm X, administered through CurJet and Lenisna, depending on each participant’s condition and needs.  Through “Kutis Reveal,” Rebolledo hopes to make dermatological education more accessible while encouraging viewers to approach skin concerns with realistic expectations and seek appropriate medical advice.  “I want people to realize that their skin condition does not have to define their future,” he said.

A search for a jewelry gift became a conversation about sacrifice and second chances when award-winning actress Katherine Luna visited Maddox Jewelry and spoke with its owner, Charo Cordial.
 Luna wanted something for her eldest child, whose care had sustained her through four years in prison because of drugs. As she explained the reason behind the gift, in an interview also shared on the boutique’s popular YouTube channel, she shared the family story that brought her to the store. The actress had won Best Actress for “Babae sa Breakwater,” her first leading role. But amid family and relationship problems, she began using drugs, and her career and personal life unraveled. Her eldest was only 14 when she was imprisoned. With no relatives helping her, her children took responsibility for her care. “When I was imprisoned, my children were the ones who looked after me, especially my eldest,” she told Cordial. Every week, her eldest traveled from Manila to Montalban to bring her food. Luna’s savings lasted until her final year in prison. As her eldest approached 18, the child asked permission to work. Their support helped her endure the absence of relatives, although she said she held no resentment. “I still understand them.” Luna also recalled limited food rations inside prison, where inmates waited to see whether anything would be left. Yet she found opportunities to rebuild. She was entrusted with duties in the kitchen and store. She completed high school and pursued vocational training, including dressmaking. Encouragement from people who believed in her helped restore her hope. “That was when I began to feel alive again. That was when I found hope,” she said. Her eldest also provided for the family during a period when Luna was recovering from surgery and had no work. When money ran short, the child pawned two gold necklaces. They were never redeemed. “It was for us, for the family,” Luna said. Now finding work again, Luna visited Maddox Jewelry to choose a gift for her eldest — her chance to give jewelry back to the child who had once parted with it for their sake. At Maddox, those memories gave the gift a meaning beyond adornment. Luna’s conversation with Cordial turned a visit to choose jewelry into a personal account of a mother’s gratitude — for a child who had given up gold but never given up on her.

Glamour, sophistication and generosity took center stage at the 23rd annual awards night of the Best Dressed Women of the Philippines (BDWP), held at Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City.  The event brought together distinguished personalities, influential leaders, style icons and philanthropists united by a shared commitment to fashion, charitable causes and social responsibility.  The evening honored individuals across several categories, including Best Dressed Women, Men of Influence, Style Icon, Ambassador for Life and Youth of Influence. The awards recognized personalities whose achievements, leadership, personal style and commitment to making a difference continue to inspire their respective communities.  One of the evening’s highlights was the induction of Shy Tan into the Best Dressed Women Hall of Fame. The distinction recognized her contributions to the organization’s legacy and added significance to an occasion that celebrates not only elegance but also generosity and social responsibility.  Over the years, BDWP has established itself as more than an annual celebration of fashion and prestige. It recognizes individuals who understand that influence carries responsibility and that success becomes more meaningful when shared with those in need.  Congratulations to the organizers of the Best Dressed Women of the Philippines for another successful and meaningful awards night. May their work continue to inspire more men and women to embrace philanthropy, champion cancer care and use their influence to make a positive difference in society.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said that prosecutors have finished presenting their evidence against Senator Rodante Marcoleta in the plunder case lodged against him --on the first day of trial.

A roof collapse that killed 32 children and a teacher in northwest Pakistan has prompted safety inspections of schools across the region.

China and America are talking again. There are leaders’ meetings, phone calls and a new channel for discussing artificial intelligence. Officials are cautiously trying to keep the relationship from veering into crisis. And yet some of the hardest questions remain untouched. Neither side is giving much ground on advanced chips, export controls remain a battlefield and neither Washington nor Beijing appears ready to slow its race to develop increasingly powerful AI. So what, exactly, does it mean...

South Korea's defense ministry on Thursday refuted a claim by North Korea's missile chief that questions Seoul's recent test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). Earlier in the day, Jang Chang-ha, director-general of North Korea's Missile Administration, claimed that South Korea's test of the HGV may not have achieved hypersonic flight because its outside appearance was "not stained with any soot," according to the North's Korean Central News Agency. Jang cited photos provided by South Korea after last Thursday's test, but Seoul's defense ministry countered by saying the vehicle has advanced thermal-protection technology and the visible appearance of "soot" is impossible during hypersonic flight. South Korea's military "plans to further develop technologies involved in the weaponization process of the HGV," the ministry said. In a rare public disclosure of the development of key military assets, Cheong Wa Dae unveiled South Korea's first test launch of the HGV. The test came amid rising inter-Korean tensions following the recent explosion of a land mine in the border area that inju

A fierce battle over artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, which are increasingly being seen as unwanted facilities, is erupting around the world among governments, companies and local residents. Korea, which is also moving quickly to expand AI data centers as one of the government's three megaprojects, is no exception. Where can we find clues to resolving these conflicts? To find answers, a Hankook Ilbo reporting team traveled to Australia Aug. 7-14 for a field investigation into how the country is preparing for the future with AI data centers. Australia is seeking to make AI data centers its next major growth industry after minerals and wool. Residents are banding together to make their voices heard and searching for rules that will allow people and AI data centers to coexist. In August, winter fog in the Southern Hemisphere swallowed the morning sunlight, leaving a farm in darkness as cattle awoke to the familiar voices of an elderly couple. "Did you have any trouble during the night?" "Did you sleep well?" Every morning at 7 a.m., Paul Brackenreg, 61, and Rosalind "Rose" Murphy, 7

About 20 people gather every morning in front of Geumcheon District Office in southwestern Seoul, holding signs and staging protests. Most are in their 50s and 60s and live in a large apartment complex identified only as "L," home to more than 1,700 households. Their protest, which they say is the first demonstration they have ever taken part in, marked its 203rd consecutive day on Sept. 21. They might be expected to be tired by now, but it is anger rather than fatigue that shows on their faces. The protesters are vehemently opposed to a data center. About 100 meters from the entrance to their apartment complex, construction of an eight-story data center has been underway for 11 months. Ko Young-chan, 33, a two-term member of the Geumcheon District Council who lives in L Apartment, said, "It seems data center developers came here thinking, 'Land prices in a place like Geumcheon District make the project worth trying.'" He also claimed that the data center itself would not generate tax revenue for the district. The situation is not unique to Geumcheon District. Data center projects are

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rose slightly to 39 percent after weeks of decline, a weekly poll showed Friday. The survey, conducted by Gallup Korea from Tuesday through Thursday on 1,003 people aged 18 and older, showed that positive assessments of Lee's performance increased 2 percentage points from the previous week. The figure marks a slight recovery from his record low of 37 percent recorded in the previous two Gallup polls, following a downward trend since late August. Those who disapproved of Lee's handling of state affairs rose by 1 percentage point on-week to 52 percent. Among those who positively assessed Lee's performance, 20 percent cited diplomacy, followed by economic and livelihood issues at 11 percent. Real estate policies, along with economic and livelihood concerns, were among the main reasons cited by those who disapproved of Lee's performance. Support for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea rose 1 percentage point to 36 percent after marking the lowest figure since the launch of Lee's administration last week. Support for the main opposition People Power Par

The Seoul city government on Friday blamed policies pursued under late former Mayor Park Won-soon for weakening the foundation for long-term housing supply in the capital. The municipality made the assessment in a report analyzing the city's housing policies over the past 20 years, as recent shortages in the capital have contributed to sharply rising home prices. The report said that between 2012 and 2020, while the late Park served as mayor, 389 of the 683 areas designated for city improvement projects were canceled, eliminating the opportunity to supply roughly 430,000 homes. Park, who was a member of the now ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), prioritized "urban regeneration" projects that focused on preservation over large-scale redevelopment or reconstruction. The report comes as current Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party has faced criticism from DPK lawmakers over his private-led housing supply policy. The city government under Oh plans to break ground on about 310,000 housing units by 2031 through redevelopment and reconstruction projects to respond to t

Korea is considering expanding the operating area of its Cheonghae anti-piracy unit from the Gulf of Aden to the Gulf of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz, as it prepares to seek parliamentary approval to extend its deployment. The government is also reviewing a proposal to add a maritime patrol aircraft to the unit, according to local media reports. No decision has been made on either proposal. Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul told lawmakers Thursday the ministry was reviewing various options concerning the unit’s mission and deployment extension. The current parliamentary authorization expires Dec. 31. The Cheonghae Unit, deployed off Somalia since 2009, escorts commercial vessels and helps protect shipping routes. Its current deployment consists of a 4,400-ton destroyer, a helicopter, up to three rigid-hull inflatable boats and no more than 320 personnel. One option under consideration is deploying a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to expand surveillance coverage. The review comes after Washington requested military contributions from allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz am

The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Friday criticized the government over what it called apparent differences between South Korea and the United States on the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), calling it a "serious diplomatic blunder." The criticism came after U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson said earlier this week that "conditions have changed" and that calls for new standards in the OPCON transfer, citing North Korea's recent missile launches. During a parliamentary audit of military courts on Thursday, Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said that the requirements for the OPCON transfer remained unchanged and that Seoul has conveyed its concerns to Washington. "Instead of reviewing the warning, the Lee Jae Myung administration and the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) made a series of intimidating remarks directed at the USFK commander," Rep. Kim Tae-kyu, the PPP's chief floor spokesperson, said in a commentary. Rep. Kim also criticized the defense ministry's spokesperson for saying at an official press briefing that the transfer would never

Former opposition lawmaker Yoo Seong-min and three university officials have been referred to the prosecution for possible indictment over allegations of preferential treatment in the hiring of Yoo's daughter as a professor by Incheon National University (INU), police said Friday. The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency said Yoo, INU President Lee In-jae and two INU professors were sent to the prosecution without detention on charges of obstruction of business. Lee and the two professors were also charged with violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. The four are suspected of obstructing the university's recruitment process when Yoo's daughter, Yoo Dam, 32, was hired as a faculty member in its trade department in the second semester of last year. Lee and the two professors are also suspected of receiving improper solicitations concerning the hiring of Yoo's daughter, although investigators found no evidence that they had accepted money or valuables, the police said. The police announcement came after an investigation that began in November last year. They also questioned Yoo's d

In an effort to counter rural depopulation and redirect traveler traffic away from major urban hubs, the Korea Tourism Organization is launching a new initiative aimed at boosting regional economies through targeted travel incentives. Known as the "Regional Tourism Booster," the program moves beyond traditional promotional advertising by creating a direct pipeline between local municipalities, private tour operators and digital booking platforms. Rather than simply showcasing scenic destinations, the initiative pairs digital storytelling with discounted tour packages to drive actual foot traffic and local spending in shrinking rural counties across the peninsula. At the center of the campaign is "Korea Every Corner" at the agency’s primary domestic travel portal. While the platform has long offered destination guides and travel articles, the new booster program transforms it into an active marketplace. Working with local governments, the agency is uncovering regional folklore, seasonal harvests and overlooked historical landmarks, repackaging them into mobile audio guides, social med

On any given afternoon near Gyeongbok Palace, the open courtyards resemble a historical pageant. Swirling skirts and embroidered coats flap against centuries-old timber pillars as thousands of visitors step out in "hanbok" — the traditional dress of Korea. Refined over more than a millennium and rooted in the Joseon Dynasty (1392 to 1910), the classic attire features fluid silhouettes: a "jeogori" (jacket) paired with a sweeping "chima" (skirt) for women or "baji" (trousers) for men. While historically tailored from hemp, ramie or silk to reflect social standing and seasonal shifts, the garments are celebrated today for their understated elegance and harmony. Driven by global interest in period dramas and modern pop culture, renting hanbok has transformed from a niche cultural activity into a highlight for domestic and international travelers exploring Seoul’s historic core. However, as costumed crowds have expanded, concerns have grown over cheap synthetic knockoffs and historical inaccuracies that obscure the authentic craft behind the garment. To counter that shift, cultural auth

An Uzbek man who spent more than 16 years behind bars serving a life sentence for robbery-murder and other charges was released Thursday after a court granted him a retrial, citing serious problems with the police investigation that led to his conviction. Bozorov Akmal, 37, walked out of Changwon Prison Thursday evening, after the Changwon District Court suspended the enforcement of his sentence pending a final ruling in the retrial. He tearfully reunited with his father, who was waiting outside the prison. “I have suffered greatly, feeling that I was wrongfully imprisoned. But at the same time, I am truly sorry for the great pain this could cause the victim’s family,” said Akmal. “I will speak truthfully throughout the remaining court proceedings.” The case dates back to March 24, 2009, when a taxi driver in his 50s was found murdered inside a taxi parked in an alley in Myeongseo-dong, Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province. On July 6 that year, police arrested three people, including Akmal, then 19, in connection with a separate taxi robbery. Police subsequently identified Akma

A crackdown on cheating using artificial intelligence (AI)-powered smart glasses is raising concerns over mounting pressure on teachers tasked with detecting the devices, with the college entrance exam just a month away. The Ministry of Education plans to require exam supervisors to inspect all test takers wearing glasses before each session of this year's College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), or Suneung, as part of efforts to prevent AI-assisted cheating. Under the rules, even possessing smart glasses without using them will be considered cheating. Violators will have their exam results invalidated and be barred from taking Suneung the following year. The tougher measures come amid a series of cheating cases involving AI glasses during recent university entrance exams. On Oct. 10, a student was caught wearing smart glasses during an entrance exam at Yonsei University. Although exam supervisors had checked students before the test began, the student reportedly switched glasses afterward, evading detection until later in the test. A similar case was reported at the University of Seoul on

Only about half of Korean adults wash their hands with soap after using the restroom, a survey showed, while the average time spent washing hands fell far short of the recommended 30 seconds. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on Thursday announced the findings of its survey on infection prevention practices for the first half of 2026, conducted jointly with the National Medical Center. The survey observed the hand-washing behavior of 4,560 adults at 120 public restrooms nationwide from May 28 to June 30. Exit interviews were also conducted with 1,800 of the participants. The survey found that 86 percent of people washed their hands after using the restroom, up 1.9 percentage points from 84.1 percent last year. The proportion who washed their hands with soap rose 1.7 percentage points from a year earlier to 46.7 percent. Another 39.3 percent washed their hands with water only, while the remaining 14 percent did not wash their hands at all after using the restroom. The amount of time people spent washing their hands was also notably short. The average total hand-washing

Gender Equality Minister Won Min-kyong on Friday called for abolishing a legal provision that bars punishing perpetrators of domestic violence if the victims do not wish punishment. Under the current law, authorities cannot punish domestic violence offenders if victims express opposition to punishment. Critics have said the provision has led offenders to pressure victims to settle cases. "Since the policy briefing in December last year, I have consistently called for abolishing the clause on domestic violence as a crime not punishable against the victim's will," Won said in a YouTube interview. She added that President Lee Jae Myung shares her view. Stalking crimes had previously not been punishable against the victim's will but a legal revision abolished the provision in June 2023.

President Lee Jae Myung on Friday appointed a new vice industry minister and a new deputy chief of the Financial Services Commission (FSC). Park Dong-il, a senior official at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, was named vice minister, while Shin Ji-chang, a senior FSC official, was appointed the commission's vice chairman, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said. Kang described Park as an industry policy expert with extensive experience in planning and coordinating industrial policies, expressing hope that he would play a role in spearheading the country's push to achieve unrivaled leadership in future strategic industries. The presidential spokesperson portrayed Shin as a career official well versed in the financial and industrial sectors, with expertise in financial programs for low-income people and small merchants, as well as the housing market.

Eighteen professors at Kwangwoon University have been named among the World’s Top 2% Scientists, highlighting the research excellence and international academic influence of the university’s faculty. The World’s Top 2% Scientists list for 2026 was recently released by Stanford University and Elsevier, a global provider of academic information. It evaluates researchers’ scientific impact using data from Elsevier’s Scopus database. The list comprises two categories: Career-long citation impact, which measures a researcher’s cumulative impact throughout their career, and single-year scientific impact, which reflects citation impact in 2025. The 2026 edition uses citation data through the end of last year. Ten Kwangwoon University professors were named in the career-long category. They include Kim Young-hun (chemical engineering), Kim Tae-kyun (mathematics), Park Myun-joo (electronics convergence engineering), Park Jae-yeong (electronic engineering), Park Chul-hwan (chemical engineering), Lee Sang-shin (electronic engineering) and Jang Min (environmental engineering). Fourteen pro

A man accused of injuring eight people in a knife attack at a commercial complex in Incheon earlier this week attended an arrest warrant hearing on Friday. The hearing began at 2 p.m. at the Incheon District Court after prosecutors requested an arrest warrant for the suspect on charges of attempted murder and carrying weapons in public spaces. The 59-year-old man is suspected of attempting to kill 10 people with knives attached to both of his hands at the shopping complex in Incheon, just west of Seoul, on Tuesday. The attack left eight people injured, including one who remains unconscious after suffering cardiac arrest. The two others escaped unharmed. The suspect reportedly has 10 prior convictions, two of them attempted murder. "I am sorry," the suspect said while walking toward the court for his hearing, noting he has made a serious mistake. According to police, the man has cited his frustration over his medical treatment at a local hospital as the motive for the attack. He had staged a one-man protest in front of the hospital for 2 1/2 months since August. During those protests, the

Sungkyunkwan University said it has recruited world-renowned scholars in key fields, including medicine, biotechnology, energy and semiconductors, as distinguished professors to lead international collaborative research with its faculty. The scholars include Peter J. Park of Harvard Medical School, Gerbrand Ceder of the University of California, Berkeley, and Konstantin Novoselov, who shared the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics. Harvard University physicist Philip Kim will also participate in the initiative as an international research collaborator. The initiative goes beyond nominal affiliations, enabling researchers and students to work directly with leading scholars on joint research projects. Sungkyunkwan University plans to establish a framework that integrates research collaboration with talent development through joint projects, researcher exchanges, campus visits by the scholars and joint supervision and mentoring of students. “Close collaboration with world-renowned scholars will help Sungkyunkwan University establish itself as a global research hub in cutting-edge fields of science

A high-risk pregnant woman whose water broke was airlifted about 240 kilometers from Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, to a university hospital in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, after emergency responders were unable to find a nearby hospital capable of treating her and her baby. Paramedics in Gyeonggi Province contacted about 18 hospitals in surrounding areas, including South Chungcheong Province, but were unable to secure a facility capable of providing neonatal intensive care. According to the South Chungcheong Fire Headquarters on Thursday, its emergency responders were dispatched after receiving a request for assistance from Gyeonggi paramedics at around 4 a.m. on Oct. 8. The woman, who was at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Pyeongtaek, was transported by a firefighting helicopter to a university hospital in Changwon. The woman had gestational diabetes and was less than 35 weeks pregnant when her water broke. The fetus was also in a breech position, requiring urgent medical care. A fire official said the baby was expected to require treatment in a neonatal intensive care u

Construction has begun on about 99,000 homes in greater Seoul so far this year, less than 40 percent of the annual target, with the figure expected to reach only around 80 percent of the goal by year-end, the government said Friday. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Office for Government Policy Coordination released an updated housing supply outlook amid growing concerns over rising home prices, and a tightening rental market in Seoul and surrounding areas. The government earlier announced a broader housing supply plan to begin construction on more than 1.5 million homes in the 2026-30 period to address supply shortages and ease upward pressure on property prices. For this year, the government has set a target of starting construction on 268,000 homes, including 62,000 public housing units. As of the second week of October, construction had begun on approximately 99,000 homes, accounting for just 37 percent of the annual target, according to the ministry. Despite the sluggish pace, the government projected that between 218,000 and 235,000 units would break ground

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Kyu-ha has called for the deployment of robots and drones for dangerous missions in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), saying he raised the idea with the top U.S. commander in Korea, following a land mine explosion that injured three South Korean soldiers last month. Kim said Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, agreed that unmanned systems could help keep troops out of harm’s way, although both commanders recognized the risks of operating them near the inter-Korean border. “After the incident, I told Gen. Brunson that sending our personnel into the DMZ involves dangers and difficulties, and that robots and drones should go in instead,” Kim said at an Army policy briefing at the Yangpyeong General Training Ground in Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. “He agreed,” Kim said, adding that they also shared the view that the systems must be thoroughly tested before deployment. On Sept. 21, three South Korean service members were injured when a North Korean anti-personnel land mine exploded during an operation near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL)

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Friday he will seek to transform the Marine Corps into an operations command capable of conducting modern maneuver warfare amid the military's push to restore operational control of the Marines. Kang made the remarks during a visit to the Marine Corps headquarters and the Northwest Islands Defense Command, both located in Hwaseong, 45 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the defense ministry. "The Marine Corps is at a historic turning point as it seeks to reinvent itself," Kang said. "We will strengthen the status and capabilities of the Marine Corps and transform it into a force capable of conducting modern maneuver warfare." Under the plan, the military seeks to restore the operational control of two Marine divisions, currently held by the Army, as part of a broader effort to restructure the three-pronged military structure. The move is designed to ensure the independence of the Marine Corps by fully restoring its operational control over its units. The defense chief also stressed the strategic value of the Marine Corps as a national strategic tas