Condoleezza Rice, Lee Kyung-chul receive inaugural Lee Hong-koo Diplomacy Award

The Korea Times - Sep 17, 2026

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Lee Kyung-chul, special representative for Middle East peace at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have been named the inaugural recipients of the Lee Hong-koo Diplomacy Award. The Seoul Forum for International Affairs (SFIA), a private diplomatic think tank, announced it has rebranded its Youngsan Diplomat Award, which recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Korean diplomacy, in honor of former Prime Minister Lee Hong-koo. Lee Hong-koo, who died in May at the age of 91, served as the founding chairman of SFIA. The awards were presented Wednesday at FKI Tower in Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo District during an event marking SFIA’s 40th anniversary. About 100 guests from Korea and abroad attended, including former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Rice served as national security advisor under former U.S. President George W. Bush before becoming U.S. secretary of state from 2005 to 2009. She is now director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. Lee was appointed Korea's special representative for Middle Ea

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Seoul city to hike Han River ferry fares for weekends starting next year

Sep 17, 2026

Seoul city to hike Han River ferry fares for weekends starting next year

The Seoul city government said Thursday it seeks to increase fares for its Han River ferry shuttle service on weekends and public holidays next year in a bid to better distribute costs. The "Hangang Bus" service fare is expected to rise from the current 3,000 won ($2.17) to around 5,000 to 10,000 won on weekends and holidays next year, the city said, as the service marks its first anniversary Friday. The ferry service links major points along the Han River that runs through the capital, and has carried more than 600,000 passengers since its launch on Sept. 18, 2025, according to the city government. The city is pushing for the fare hike as there is more demand for the service on weekends, a city official said, adding that a final decision is expected to be made in April next year after public hearings. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said the city also plans to increase the number of piers and ferries to reduce waiting intervals to 15 minutes, while diversifying routes by introducing an express service. The city government said it plans to expand the ferry service into a form of public transit bey

Confirmation hearing reports adopted for justice, defense minister nominees

Sep 17, 2026

Confirmation hearing reports adopted for justice, defense minister nominees

Parliamentary confirmation hearing reports were adopted for the justice and defense minister nominees Thursday amid objections from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP). The parliamentary legislation and judiciary committee adopted a confirmation hearing report for Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won as the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) forged ahead despite PPP lawmakers' boycott, protesting that allegations surrounding Kim were not fully addressed. "None of the allegations raised during the hearing have been resolved," PPP Rep. Park Hyeung-soo said before walking out of the session. The DPK argued that the nominee sufficiently explained himself during Tuesday's confirmation hearing, including claims that he illegally lobbied the food and drug safety ministry to speed up approval for a COVID-19 treatment in 2021 at a broker's request. Kim, a two-term lawmaker, served as a judge at the Jeonju District Court and the Suwon District Court before joining the presidential office under the liberal Moon Jae-in administration, where he worked in the office of political affairs

Korean, US troops conduct annual explosive ordnance disposal drills

Sep 17, 2026

Korean, US troops conduct annual explosive ordnance disposal drills

Korean and U.S. troops have conducted joint explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) drills designed to improve interoperability and strengthen cooperation among relevant agencies, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Thursday. The EOD drills took place at the Army's I Corps and 9th Infantry Division in Goyang, just north of Seoul, from Wednesday to Thursday, according to the JCS. Some 200 personnel, including officials from each branch of the military, the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division and the Korea Airports Corp., participated in the drills. During the drills, EOD teams trained under simulated scenarios involving explosives planted in an urban area, with Korean and U.S. troops conducting joint operations to achieve a shared objective. The troops also took part in a seminar to share information on explosives and discuss ways to improve the EOD teams' operational capabilities in peacetime and wartime. Officials said the drills were not related to recent security developments, including the reportedly ongoing review on the possible deployment of Korean troops to the Strait of Hormuz, noting they hav

Lee faces no-win dilemma as justice minister nominee row threatens prosecution reform

Sep 17, 2026

Lee faces no-win dilemma as justice minister nominee row threatens prosecution reform

President Lee Jae Myung is facing a high-stakes dilemma over his justice minister nominee: push forward with Kim Seung-won's appointment at the cost of further eroding his approval ratings or withdraw the nomination and lose momentum on his flagship prosecution reform agenda. Political insiders suggest Lee will press ahead regardless. Analysts say he is likely to frame the standoff as a defining battle for prosecutorial reform — a direct confrontation with what his camp describes as political prosecutors resistant to change. “The (ruling) Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) appears poised to push forward with the appointment, while opposition parties are expected to gauge public sentiment following President Lee’s press conference scheduled on Friday before deciding whether to launch full-fledged street protests,” Seo Yang-ho, a political commentator and former mayor of Seoul’s Jung District, was quoted saying on a TV news program. “At its core, Kim Seung-won's nomination is not simply a Cabinet appointment; it represents a fundamental clash between forces driving President Lee

Assembly passes confirmation motion for Supreme Court justice nominee

Sep 17, 2026

Assembly passes confirmation motion for Supreme Court justice nominee

The National Assembly on Thursday passed the confirmation motion for Supreme Court Justice nominee Kim Sung-soo. During a plenary session, the Assembly endorsed the confirmation motion for Kim in a 227-28 vote, with 13 abstentions. Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae last month recommended Kim to President Lee Jae Myung for appointment as the successor to former Supreme Court Justice Lee Heung-ku. Kim's parliamentary confirmation hearing took place Monday and rival parties adopted his confirmation hearing report Wednesday. Kim will become the first Supreme Court justice to take office since the launch of the Lee administration if the president approves his appointment.

Korea plans abortion pill rollout as doctors, women's groups clash over access

Sep 17, 2026

Korea plans abortion pill rollout as doctors, women's groups clash over access

As Korea prepares to introduce abortion pills, women’s rights groups and doctors are welcoming the move but remain divided over how broadly the drugs should be made available. Women's rights advocates are calling for wider eligibility and eased prescription rules, while doctors are urging tighter medical oversight, reflecting a broader debate over how to balance reproductive autonomy with patient safety. The government on Wednesday announced a plan to allow the use of abortion pills for pregnancies of nine weeks or less, as early as the first quarter of next year. The move follows a prolonged legislative vacuum since the Constitutional Court ruled in 2019 that the criminalization of abortion was unconstitutional. Lawmakers have remained gridlocked over the deeply divisive issue, leaving follow-up legislation on matters such as permissible gestational limits stalled for years. Amid that vacuum, abortion pills have circulated illicitly, fueling calls for their formal introduction. President Lee Jae Myung instructed officials to discuss allowing Mifegyne during a Cabinet meeting in July. M

Pasta and gochujang butter: Korean instant noodle makers chase global tastes

Sep 17, 2026

Pasta and gochujang butter: Korean instant noodle makers chase global tastes

For years, heat reigned supreme in the Korean instant noodle market. But in recent years, pasta-inspired varieties have begun to challenge that dominance. Korean food companies are targeting overseas consumers by combining the familiar appeal of pasta with instant noodles, already Korea’s top food export, and distinctive Korean flavors such as gochujang (red pepper paste) and bulgogi. Korean noodle makers have launched a string of pasta-inspired products designed for overseas markets in recent years, according to industry officials on Wednesday. Notable examples include Nongshim’s Shin Ramyun Toomba, introduced in 2024 as a spicy cream pasta take on its flagship noodles. Samyang Foods is positioning its protein pasta brand Tangle as its next major hit after Buldak, while Paldo and hy launched ARIH’s Modern Noodle range in collaboration with BTS this year. These products combine pasta shapes and creamy sauces familiar to overseas consumers with Korean heat and traditional ingredients such as gochujang and soy sauce. ARIH’s Modern Noodle range, for example, blends pasta and stir-

Seoul's premier music district opens doors for 8th Seoripul Street Festival

Sep 17, 2026

Seoul's premier music district opens doors for 8th Seoripul Street Festival

Home to classical instrument workshops and performance halls, Seocho District’s music enclave in southern Seoul stands as Korea’s only official music-themed cultural zone. On Saturday and Sunday, the area will host the eighth annual Seoripul Musical Instrument Street Festival, bringing rare craftsmanship, live outdoor music and hands-on masterclasses to the public. First held in 2016, the two-day festival brings together local instrument shops, workshops, professional musicians, students and residents for a dynamic event where visitors can see, hear and play a wide range of instruments. As in the previous year, the festival will again run alongside the Seoripul Music Festival, giving visitors access to both events' performances and hands-on programs. Large instrument retailers Cosmos Musical Instruments and Europe Musical Instruments will display everything from classical instruments to traditional Korean instruments and folk instruments from around the world. Musicians from South America and Africa will also introduce and perform on traditional instruments from their home regions. V

Seoul Hanok Week returns with record lineup of tours and craft workshops

Sep 17, 2026

Seoul Hanok Week returns with record lineup of tours and craft workshops

For generations, the elegant curved tile roofs and serene courtyards of "hanok" — Korea’s traditional vernacular housing — have served as living symbols of the capital’s heritage. Seoul is inviting international travelers to step past the threshold of these historic homes and experience them as dynamic cultural stages. City officials said Thursday that Seoul Hanok Week will return this October with an expanded schedule of immersive art exhibitions, live performances, neighborhood walking tours and hands-on craft workshops. The fourth edition of Seoul Hanok Week will run from Friday, Oct. 2, through Sunday, Oct. 11, across the neighborhoods of Bukchon and Seochon, with 82 programs — up from 66 last year, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Last year's festival drew about 74,000 visitors, and this year's expanded program will include 17 exhibitions, 15 tours, 29 hands-on activities, nine performances and 12 special events. Among the highlights is “Beyond the Gate, Hanok,” an open-house program marking the 10th anniversary of Seoul Exemplary Hanok program, with gui

Seoul marks Chuseok holiday with late-night reading, folk shows, free museum entry

Sep 17, 2026

Seoul marks Chuseok holiday with late-night reading, folk shows, free museum entry

As Korea prepares for Chuseok, its traditional autumn harvest festival, Seoul is transforming the national holiday into a four-day cultural festival. From Thursday through Sunday, the capital will host traditional folk performances, open museum exhibitions for free and keep public libraries open late, offering foreign visitors a rare look into the country's cultural roots. From Sept. 24-27, traditional cultural sites, museums and art institutions will host family programs ranging from folk games and Korean music to craft workshops and exhibitions, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Unhyeon Palace will hold its Chuseok program from Thursday through Sunday, offering traditional games, craft activities and performances featuring Korean traditional and fusion music and dance. Namsangol Hanok Village will host Namsan Dalbit Madang (Moonlit Courtyard) from Friday through Sunday, with tightrope walking, Arirang performances, seven traditional experiences, quilted craft workshops and hanbok-related activities. Several museums will hold special events Saturday, including traditional p

Seoul names 15 time-honored dining spots to safeguard culinary history

Sep 17, 2026

Seoul names 15 time-honored dining spots to safeguard culinary history

Beneath the gleaming skyscrapers and bustling pace of Korea’s capital lie quiet, time-worn restaurants where charcoal fires have burned for six decades and recipes remain unchanged across generations. City officials designated 15 such historic restaurants on Thursday as the latest additions to "Oraegage" — a municipal heritage designation honoring long-standing local establishments. The term Oraegage, which translates roughly to "store with a long history," was established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to identify and safeguard culinary and cultural landmarks that have withstood gentrification and rapid urbanization. With this year’s inductees, the citywide roster expands to 150 certified heritage venues across food, traditional crafts, and neighborhood services. This year’s search targeted Seoul’s eastern districts — Gwangjin, Dongdaemun, Seongdong and Jungnang. Officials winnowed down 1,731 public nominations submitted in June before conducting rigorous on-site inspections and expert evaluations. The 15 finalists represent a tapestry of neighborhood history, ranging

Seoul's commuter ferries mark one year, 600,000 passengers

Sep 17, 2026

Seoul's commuter ferries mark one year, 600,000 passengers

When the Hangang Bus launched last September, skeptics questioned whether a fleet of ferries could transform into a legitimate leg of public transit in a city already serviced by one of the world's most extensive subway networks. One year in, municipal officials say the bold experiment is proving its worth on the water. More than 600,000 passengers have boarded the Hangang Bus since its inaugural voyage on Sept. 18, 2025, according to data released Thursday by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The service hit its stride this spring following an initial period of operational tweaks and safety overhauls. Since full-route operations resumed on March 1, nearly 500,000 riders have used the ferries. Passenger numbers peaked in August, when over 89,000 people opted for a riverfront commute over packed train cars and congested highway bridges. Crucially for a commuter network, reliability has stabilized. On-time performance reached 99.3 percent in July, up from 97.7 percent in March, as vessel crews and terminal staff gained operational experience along the urban waterway, according to the city

Design Miami's Seoul fair draws 12,000 visitors, flurry of sales

Sep 17, 2026

Design Miami's Seoul fair draws 12,000 visitors, flurry of sales

Design Miami.Seoul 2026, the premier global fair for museum-grade furniture and decorative art, wrapped its seven-day run at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) after drawing nearly 12,000 visitors and driving a flurry of high-value transactions. Running from Aug. 31 to Sept. 6, the design spectacle recorded more than 50 major sales, with multiple international galleries selling out their entire booth inventories, according to organizers. Seoul Design Foundation and Design Miami, the global collectible design platform, hosted the evented. It marked the fair's second year in Seoul following last year's debut as "Design Miami.In Situ Seoul," the platform's first event in Asia. This year's edition, themed "Resonance: Design in Dialogue," expanded to include a gallery program, an "In Situ" program spotlighting Asian designers, a partner brand program and a design talks series, bringing together six international galleries, nine partner brands including Samsung Electronics and sofa maker Alloso, along with roughly 230 works by more than 100 designers. Of the 92 works shown through the gallery progra

K-indie music heads to Berlin with Chang Ki-ha, Catch The Young

Sep 17, 2026

K-indie music heads to Berlin with Chang Ki-ha, Catch The Young

Korean indie musicians will take the stage in Berlin this weekend, as a festival there sets out to show European audiences that Korean music stretches well beyond K-pop. The Korean Cultural Center in Germany will hold the K-INDIE ON Festival 2026 — No Borders, Just RocK! during the weekend (local time) at Saalchen, a concert venue in the German capital, featuring indie acts Catch The Young, Bongjeingan, Kim Seung-joo and Chang Ki-ha. Now in its fourth edition, the festival has been held annually since 2023 to introduce the wide range of genres and styles in Korean music. Five-piece indie band Catch The Young, formed in 2023, and alternative rock trio Bongjeingan will open the festival at 7 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, Kim, a singer-songwriter who gained attention with the 2023 song "Shonen Manga," will perform before Chang closes the festival. Chang, who helped bring Korean indie music into the mainstream as the frontman of rock band Kiha & The Faces from 2008 to 2018, plans to perform songs from his first solo studio album, "Sansanjogak," released Sept. 9. Last year's edition drew abou

From safari to zombies: Everland's day-to-night adventure

Sep 17, 2026

From safari to zombies: Everland's day-to-night adventure

By day, people take leisurely strolls through the savannah to observe the wildlife, but the moment the sun dips below the horizon, Korea’s most iconic theme park transforms into an apocalyptic battleground where survival is your only objective. Following the return of Everland's "walking safari" experience, the park's autumn lineup puts horror front and center with Blood City Zero: Hell Gate, a live-action experience that brings visitors directly into a living nightmare. Operated by Samsung C&T Resort Group, this seasonal spectacle ditches traditional passive viewing in favor of heart-stopping immersion, for a 72-day run ending on Nov. 22. Escape zombie outbreaks Celebrating the horror zone's 10th anniversary, Everland joined forces with film director Lee Seok-hoon, known for box-office hits like "The Pirates" (2014) and "Confidential Assignment 2: International" (2022), to translate the visual language and cinematic staging of a blockbuster film to a theme park event. Starting at 4 p.m. every day, the boundaries between actors and audience completely dissolve as the entire area conver

Calligrapher Kim Do-im brings calligraphy meditation to Seoul hotel rooftop

Sep 17, 2026

Calligrapher Kim Do-im brings calligraphy meditation to Seoul hotel rooftop

Calligrapher Kim Do-im will host a K-Calligraphy & Meditation Class at Terrace 194, the rooftop lounge of Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Myeongdong, on Monday. The 120-minute program will begin at 6:30 p.m. and combine traditional Korean calligraphy with meditation, inviting participants to find personal meaning through art and express it through traditional calligraphy. Kim has built her career around calligraphy using ink and brush and has explored themes including love and life through her work. She works with Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, using traditional calligraphy techniques, and has held 11 solo exhibitions and participated in more than 100 group exhibitions in Korea and abroad. The special program will allow participants to slow down and step away from their busy routines. The program reflects Kim’s philosophy that “repetition is not simply doing the same thing again, but a way to notice how we change from one moment to the next.” Participants will start with a welcome session and viewing of Kim’s work, followed by breathing meditation, ink grinding, Korean cursive-style ca

Seoul Street Arts Festival to turn Han River, Seoul Forest into open-air stages

Sep 17, 2026

Seoul Street Arts Festival to turn Han River, Seoul Forest into open-air stages

Seoul Street Arts Festival 2026 will bring giant puppets, circus acts and other performances to Ttukseom Hangang Park and Seoul Forest this weekend, turning familiar walking and cycling routes into an open-air stage. The festival runs Saturday and Sunday, with 20 works presented 62 times, including productions from France, Lithuania, Chile, Slovenia and Brazil. Organized by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, the festival expands beyond conventional performance spaces, inviting visitors to encounter works as they walk along the Han River or move between Ttukseom and Seoul Forest. A new program called Artrekking offers four suggested routes that combine performances and hands-on activities, with full and half courses designed for families and other visitors. Visitors can travel between venues on foot, by Ttareungi public bicycles or by Han River buses, while collecting stamps at six locations to complete a festival postcard. The lineup includes a large parade featuring an eight-meter red giraffe puppet, as well as circus performances using Chinese pole, tightrope walking and jugglin

‘Depraved’ Singaporean paedophile, who abused daughter, granddaughters, jailed

Sep 17, 2026

‘Depraved’ Singaporean paedophile, who abused daughter, granddaughters, jailed

A diagnosed paedophile who sexually abused 11 girls over 33 years, with the acts ranging from molestation to rape, was sentenced by a Singapore court on Thursday to 21 years’ jail. The victims were as young as five, and included his daughter, granddaughters, nieces and students at an enrichment centre he ran with his wife. The judge noted that the jail term should not be crushing or amount to a life sentence for the 71-year-old man, who suffers from a rare blood cancer called myelofibrosis. At...

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Sep 17, 2026

4 more listed passengers did not board MV June Aster

Puerto Princesa City — Four more individuals listed in the passenger manifest of the ill-fated MV June Aster have been confirmed to have not boarded the vessel when it left Baseco Port in Manila on Sept. 8, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Wednesday night. PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemi Cayabyab said the Emergency Operation Center

FACT CHECK: No lockdown in Malacañang after court ordered VP Sara’s arrest

Sep 17, 2026

FACT CHECK: No lockdown in Malacañang after court ordered VP Sara’s arrest

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Fire hits part of Angeles City public market

Sep 17, 2026

Fire hits part of Angeles City public market

MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga – A fire hit a portion of the Pampang Public Market in Angeles City on Wednesday night, displacing dozens of stall owners. The Bureau of Fire Protection in Angeles City declared the blaze “contained” early Thursday, although firefighters were still working to fully extinguish it. READ: Pampanga helps ease floods at NLEx

Malacañang notes Rodrigo Duterte's 'good condition', acceptance of situation after ICC appearance

Sep 17, 2026

Malacañang notes Rodrigo Duterte's 'good condition', acceptance of situation after ICC appearance

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Malaysia seizes 3 Israeli-bound containers as Anwar pledges to stop shipments for Gaza war

Sep 17, 2026

Malaysia seizes 3 Israeli-bound containers as Anwar pledges to stop shipments for Gaza war

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Tribute exhibit for Leslie Cheung; Hong Kong’s Gen Z coffee boss: 7 Lifestyle highlights

Sep 17, 2026

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After Senate passes bill, will 2026 barangay, SK polls be postponed?

Sep 17, 2026

After Senate passes bill, will 2026 barangay, SK polls be postponed?

The measure fixes the term of all elected barangay and SK officials to five years and moves the village and youth polls to the second Monday of November starting in 2028

Teodoro for president? Philippine defence chief draws 2028 election buzz after China clash

Sep 17, 2026

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LPA off Palawan to bring rains across parts of PH

Sep 17, 2026

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Emporio Armani names Dario Vitale new creative director

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