Alcantara: 20% kickback began in 2022, hiked during Romualdez’ time

Inquirer.net - Oct 20, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The alleged 20% “commitment” or kickback scheme in infrastructure projects began in 2022 and escalated to 25% during the time of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. State witness and ex-Public Works engineer Henry Alcantara made this statement to the Sandiganbayan Third Division during the plunder bail hearing of the Leyte lawmaker over

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Seoul launches driverless night bus along Cheonggye Stream

Oct 20, 2026

Seoul launches driverless night bus along Cheonggye Stream

Steering wheel-free shuttles will hit the streets of downtown Seoul this week, offering free automated rides along the historic Cheonggye Stream to connect the capital’s late-night food markets and nightlife hubs. Starting at 7 p.m. on Oct. 22, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is deploying the nation's first regularly scheduled driverless night shuttle — the Cheonggye A01. Stripped of both a steering wheel and a driver's seat, the futuristic pod-like vehicle weaves along a 4.8-kilometer loop, binding together the city's vibrant nightlife, culinary hubs and cultural landmarks under the glow of the city lights. The shuttle, operating two vehicles across 11 marked stops every 30 minutes until 11 p.m., connects Cheonggye Plaza with major commercial districts, including the neon-lit food alleys of Jongno, the industrial-chic bars of Euljiro and Gwangjang Market, world-famous for its street food. Following a successful pilot program in August and a year of daytime testing, the night shuttle offers night-shift workers, late-night shoppers and international tourists free transit between ke

Busan ranks No. 5 on Expedia's Top 10 global travel destinations for 2027

Oct 20, 2026

Busan ranks No. 5 on Expedia's Top 10 global travel destinations for 2027

Busan — Korea’s vibrant southeastern port city celebrated for its beaches and bustling seafood markets — is cementing its status as one of Asia's hottest escapes, jumping into Expedia’s top ten global destinations for 2027 following a dramatic spike in worldwide travel searches. The city was the only destination in Korea to make the list in Expedia’s “Unpack ’27” report, ranking fifth worldwide as the result of a 50 percent increase in travel searches compared with the previous year. South Lake Tahoe, California, topped the ranking with a 195 percent increase, followed by Hyogo, Japan, at 95 percent; Punta del Este, Uruguay, at 65 percent; and Sedona, Arizona, at 55 percent. Expedia highlighted Busan’s lively coastal atmosphere, traditional markets and diverse food scene, recommending Haedong Yonggung Temple, Haeundae Beach and Jagalchi Market as key attractions visitors can explore in a single day. The city also met Expedia’s Smart Travel Health Check criteria, which recognize destinations aligned with sustainable tourism principles promoted by the World Travel & Tou

New director, new 'Giselle': Korea's top ballet company begins next chapter

Oct 20, 2026

New director, new 'Giselle': Korea's top ballet company begins next chapter

Smoke rose from the chimney of Giselle’s cottage in a rural village as the curtain went up. The opening scene revived a stage detail that had appeared in the Korean National Ballet’s 2011 premiere of the French choreographer Patrice Bart’s (1945-2025) version of “Giselle,” but had since been dropped. Other subtle changes were evident in the latest production — the company’s first regular performance since Kim Joo-won, a former principal with the company, became its director and artistic director in August. Even the poster, which had previously featured full-length portraits of Giselle, was replaced with a composition emphasizing her upper body. Both onstage and off, the production suggested an effort to revisit the familiar repertoire from a fresh perspective. One of the most notable aspects of “Giselle,” staged at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater from Oct. 13 to last Sunday, was the bold decision to cast dancers in roles they had never performed before. Of the 11 dancers who took on the roles of Giselle and Albrecht across seven performances, six were making t

AI takes hassle out of navigating Korea's traditional markets

Oct 20, 2026

AI takes hassle out of navigating Korea's traditional markets

Exploring Korea’s traditional markets — with their narrow alleys, handwritten menus and long queues — can be as overwhelming as it is exciting for out-of-town visitors and international tourists. Artificial intelligence (AI) is stepping in as a digital concierge as the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) launched its AI Tourism Butler service across key traditional markets nationwide, aiming to dismantle the spatial and linguistic barriers that often hamper the traditional market experience. First deployed on Oct. 9 at Mangwon Market in western Seoul, Haeundae Market in Busan and Suwon Nammun Market just south of the capital, the service expands by the end of October to three more regional hubs: Gyeongdong Market in eastern Seoul, Andong Gu Market in southeastern Korea and Danyang Gugyeong Market in the central part of the country. Rather than requiring travelers to download proprietary mobile apps or navigate registration forms, the service functions instantly when users scan QR codes placed on signposts throughout the market. Once activated, the web interface opens access to a suite

Taste the past at Gyeongbok Palace as royal sauce storage opens to public

Oct 20, 2026

Taste the past at Gyeongbok Palace as royal sauce storage opens to public

In the quiet, stone-paved courtyards of Gyeongbok Palace, the heart of Korea’s 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, stands a rare enclave reserved for the deep secrets of royal cuisine: the Janggo. For centuries, this specialized pavilion served as the palace’s dedicated sauce storage, housing hundreds of giant earthenware jars where fermented soy paste and sauces aged slowly under the watchful eyes of royal court ladies. Far more than a simple condiment, fermented soybean paste, or "jang," forms the fundamental flavor base of Korean cuisine, serving as the quiet backbone of everything from daily family stews to elaborate royal banquets. Steeped in centuries of communal ritual, the practice of making jang — timing the fermentation to the winter air and tending to the earthenware jars over months — reflects a deep philosophy of seasonality, patience and harmony with nature that continues to define Korean culinary heritage. Starting Nov. 4, the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center and the Korea Heritage Agency will swing open the long-sealed doors of the Janggo for a five-day immersive cultural pro

Korean sci-fi writers bring imaginative worlds to major French festival

Oct 20, 2026

Korean sci-fi writers bring imaginative worlds to major French festival

Three Korean authors are set to bring their imaginative visions to one of Europe’s premier science fiction festivals, offering French readers a fresh lens on identity, nature, humanity and power. The Literature Translation Institute of Korea, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said Kim Bo-young, Park Seo-ryeon and Dolgi Min will participate in Les Utopiales, an international science fiction festival in Nantes, France, from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2. Under this year’s theme, “Perspectives,” the three writers will participate in seven programs showcasing Korean science fiction and other forms of speculative literature, including fantasy and queer fiction. Kim returns to the festival after being invited in 2023, while Park continues to expand her presence at international literary events and Dolgi, whose work has recently been published in French translation for the first time, will meet French readers. The Korean authors will join internationally recognized science fiction writers, including Hugo Award winner Robert Jackson Bennett and Audrey Pleynet, a recipient

Seoul launches stamp tour linking downtown cultural attractions

Oct 20, 2026

Seoul launches stamp tour linking downtown cultural attractions

Seoul is turning Friday night into a cultural scavenger hunt, linking downtown exhibitions, hands-on activities and performances in a walking tour that invites visitors to explore the city one stamp at a time. The Seoul Metropolitan Government will pilot “Stamp Your Way Through Culture” on Nov. 6, connecting Seoul Gallery, Sejong Story, Chungmugong Story and Garden of Gratitude before participants choose between a craft performance and a literary reading. The tour is part of “Culture Night, Culture Bit by Bit,” a city program that runs every Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at eight cultural venues from April through December. Applications open Wednesday through Seoul’s public service reservation system, with places available for 50 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. The tour begins at 3 p.m. at Seoul Gallery, in the basement of Seoul City Hall, where participants can explore an exhibition marking the centennial of the creation of Korean Hangul braille and make business cards bearing their names in braille. Starting at 4 p.m., participants can visit Sejong Sto

In Seoul's Seongbuk-dong, art finds a home in historic spaces

Oct 20, 2026

In Seoul's Seongbuk-dong, art finds a home in historic spaces

In Seongbuk-dong, a quiet neighborhood tucked beyond Seoul’s centuries-old city wall, traditional houses and secluded gardens have long drawn generations of modern and contemporary Korean artists, poets and architects seeking space to live, work and reflect. Painters Kim Whan-ki, known for his abstract works, and Lee Jung-seop, best known for his paintings of white oxen, were among them. So it is fitting, then, that Seongbuk Art Week is taking shape here. Opening Tuesday, the inaugural art week will turn the neighborhood and surrounding district into an interconnected museum, featuring more than 40 exhibitions and projects. Organized by Seongbuk District, the Seongbuk Cultural Foundation and the Seongbuk Museum of Art, the event will also explore how attachments to places can endure across generations. Home shared across generations At Seongbuk Museum of Art, a special exhibition brings together abstract ink painter Suh Se-ok and his son and installation artist Do Ho Suh, through their shared connection to the family’s Seongbuk-dong hanok, or traditional Korean house. For the elder Suh

Photographer examines Jongno 3-ga beyond its 'coolest neighborhood' tag

Oct 20, 2026

Photographer examines Jongno 3-ga beyond its 'coolest neighborhood' tag

Before Jongno 3-ga claimed the top spot in Time Out's list of the "world’s coolest neighborhoods" in September, its bustling, vibrant streets filled with street food stalls and busy shops have long stood witness to its reputation as one of Seoul’s hippest hangout spots. But beyond this trendy landscape, photographer Park Kwang Bok’s attention gravitated towards the area’s more precarious yet intimate side. For his exhibitions titled “Earthly Paradise” and “Nights in Paradise” — both opening Tuesday — the artist explored the neighborhood’s gritty, hidden corners in search of narratives of joy, companionship and freedom. “Earthly Paradise” displays scenes of companionship and moments of happiness among the homeless despite their difficult circumstances. Featuring black-and-white photographs, the showcase seeks to “lift the veil of social prejudice and reveal the joy, tenderness and dignity that often go unnoticed.” Meanwhile, “Nights in Paradise” explores the lives of gay men who gather around Jongno 3-ga, portraying the community’s humanity, relationsh

Seoul exhibition brings 6 decades of American artist Lynn Hershman Leeson

Oct 20, 2026

Seoul exhibition brings 6 decades of American artist Lynn Hershman Leeson

Works by American artist Lynn Hershman Leeson, a pioneer of media art, will be shown in Seoul in her first solo exhibition in Asia, the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) said Tuesday. Titled "Lynn Hershman Leeson: First Person Plural," the exhibition, which begins Wednesday, will bring together some 200 pieces of her work spanning painting, photography, sculpture and media installation, according to SeMA. Born in 1941, Leeson is known for experimenting with new technologies, such as video, the internet, artificial intelligence (AI) and genetic engineering, and transforming them into forms of art. In the 1970s, she carried out a multi-year performance art project in which she lived as Roberta Breitmore, a fictional alter ego she created. In the 1980s, she showcased the interactive work "Lorna," in which viewers can take part in an artwork by using a remote control to choose the narrative. The upcoming SeMA exhibition comprises six sections, which allow visitors to explore how born identities are expanded through social relationships, connected through media and network and undergo biological chan

Former Cold War bunker in Seoul hosts art exhibition on peace and nature

Oct 20, 2026

Former Cold War bunker in Seoul hosts art exhibition on peace and nature

At a former Cold War military outpost in northern Seoul, a new public art exhibition is set to open in a tranquil garden, inviting visitors to reflect on how traces of division and conflict can transform into spaces of peace and ecological renewal. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday that the exhibition “Afterimages of Peace” will run from Saturday through Dec. 13 at Seoul Iris Garden in Dobong District, a park near Mount Dobong in the northeastern part of the capital. The show is the first part of a public art project linking the garden with the nearby Peace Culture Bunker. The bunker is a former anti-tank defense facility, built around 1970 on a route North Korean tanks used to invade Seoul during the 1950-53 Korean War. It reopened as a cultural venue in 2017. The exhibition features six works by two teams of emerging artists and four student teams from Seoul National University, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Hanyang University and Hongik University. The works explore the relationship between forests and nature, and between people and the environ

Seoul spreads nighttime attractions across all 25 districts

Oct 20, 2026

Seoul spreads nighttime attractions across all 25 districts

Late-night leisure in Korea's capital is moving beyond downtown and the Han River as city officials prepare to build dozens of neighborhood evening hotspots designed to boost local alleyway economies. The Seoul Metropolitan Government unveiled a plan Tuesday to establish 10 Seoul Starlight Destinations by late 2027, with the ultimate goal of creating 25 localized night-leisure hubs — one for each administrative district — by 2028. By bringing curated evening attractions closer to residential neighborhoods, the city aims to enrich daily life for locals while funneling foot traffic and consumer spending directly into quiet alleyway commercial districts. The initiative responds directly to shifting public preferences. A municipal survey of 1,000 residents revealed that 82.6 percent expressed a desire to visit evening attractions if located near their homes, favoring illuminated waterfront trails, outdoor dining avenues and late-night cultural openings. To kick off the multiyear program, 21 districts submitted 27 candidate locations spanning natural retreats, historical landmarks and urb

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