EXPLAINERS: What is the proposed Sierra Madre Mountain Range Authority?

GMA Network - Sep 29, 2026

The House Panel on Government Enterprises and Privatization tackled the substitute bill for 14 separate measures that propose the creation of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range Authority (SMMRA), with one of the measures being filed by House Speaker Bojie Dy.

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DMZ mine blast puts Seoul's NK outreach at risk

Sep 29, 2026

DMZ mine blast puts Seoul's NK outreach at risk

President Lee Jae Myung ordered the military on Tuesday to determine the cause of a land mine explosion near the inter-Korean border and take necessary measures, raising questions about how his administration, which has been pursuing dialogue with Pyongyang, might respond if North Korea is found responsible. Possible responses range from resuming propaganda broadcasts along the border to adjusting military operations inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and seeking action through the United Nations Command (UNC). The government has yet to announce any specific measures. “The military must work closely with the UNC to conduct a swift and thorough investigation and establish the facts transparently,” Lee said during a Cabinet meeting. “Necessary measures will then be taken based on the findings.” His remarks followed an interim military investigation that found a very high likelihood that North Korean mines caused the Sept. 21 explosions, which injured three South Korean soldiers. Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul and the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) have pledged corresponding measures

Korea turns to AI to modernize TOPIK national language exam

Sep 29, 2026

Korea turns to AI to modernize TOPIK national language exam

Korea’s national Korean language proficiency exam is preparing for a major digital overhaul, introducing artificial intelligence (AI) to draft test questions and grade essays as global demand to learn the language surges. The Ministry of Education and the National Institute for International Education unveiled a comprehensive strategy Tuesday to modernize the Test of Proficiency in Korean, widely known as TOPIK. The overhaul aims to transition the traditional paper-heavy exam into an AI-driven digital testing platform by 2029, catering to an expanding pool of foreign students, job seekers and workers aiming to establish careers in Korea. Since its launch in 1997 with fewer than 3,000 test-takers across four countries, TOPIK has grown into a crucial gateway for foreign nationals seeking university admission, corporate employment or residency visas in Korea. Annual applicants soared from roughly 329,000 in 2018 to more than 566,000 in 2025, spanning 94 countries. By September, registration had already reached 564,606 — up 10 percent from the same period last year — putting the exam

Cornell disputes light-punishment claims in drugging, assault case

Sep 29, 2026

Cornell disputes light-punishment claims in drugging, assault case

Cornell University has disputed claims that students named in a sexual assault lawsuit were allowed to mitigate their punishment simply by submitting essays, calling the characterization false and warning it could deter survivors from coming forward. When asked about the disciplinary action against the accused students, the Ivy League university said that any suggestion that the university did not impose consequential punishments for those involved is false. “A continuation of the false narrative that there were minimal consequences in this case is irresponsible, will make survivors feel less safe and supported, and will perpetuate the underreporting of sexual assault,” the university said in a statement on Monday (local time), which it sent to The Korea Times in response to the newspaper's inquiry. The response came after a former Cornell student, identified as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit in New York this month alleging that seven members of the school's Chi Phi fraternity drugged and sexually assaulted her in October 2024, according to The Cornell Daily Sun. The university said the

College student jailed for attempting to join ISIS

Sep 29, 2026

College student jailed for attempting to join ISIS

CHEONGJU — A college student was jailed Tuesday for pledging allegiance to the extremist militant group ISIS while in high school, officials said. The Cheongju District Court sentenced the 18-year-old male student to an indeterminate prison term of one to 1 1/2 years after finding him guilty of violating the anti-terrorism law. The student, whose identity was withheld, was charged with attempting to join ISIS after watching various propaganda materials at an encrypted online platform operated by an ISIS-affiliated group between November 2024 and February this year, and swearing allegiance to ISIS. He was also suspected of obtaining bomb-making instructions from an ISIS contact, forming a bomb attack scheme against the government forces of Mozambique and requesting an ISIS evaluation for his attack plan, according to court officials.

Express Bus Terminal underground mall reinvents itself as K-fashion runway

Sep 29, 2026

Express Bus Terminal underground mall reinvents itself as K-fashion runway

Beneath the concrete sprawl of Express Bus Terminal lies Gotomall, a vast subterranean labyrinth of roughly 620 shops better known for budget impulse buys than haute couture. Now, city district officials are attempting a high-fashion transformation, turning the sprawling underground market into an interactive runway. Starting Sunday, Seocho District in southern Seoul will launch the 2026 Goto-Sebit K-Style Up Festa, a monthlong campaign aimed at repositioning the underground shopping hub as a premier destination for modern Korean street styles. Running every Sunday through Oct. 25 along Picasso Mural Street, the festival pairs the market’s affordable wardrobe staples with professional styling by beauty experts. The initiative highlights the Goto-Sebit Special Tourist Zone, designated in late 2024 as the only tourism district in Seoul to encompass the Han River. Spanning the transit terminal, Banpo Han River Park, the floating island of Some Sevit and the underground passages of Gotomall, the zone blends commercial retail with riverside leisure. While the district previously hosted pop

Post-Chuseok diet: What to eat after salty holiday feast

Sep 29, 2026

Post-Chuseok diet: What to eat after salty holiday feast

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. After the Chuseok holiday, some people may feel bloated or heavier than usual. This is often because they consume more sodium than normal, eating foods such as jeon (pan-fried meat and vegetables), galbi (marinated beef ribs) and japchae (glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables), along with soups, stews and sauces. For those looking to get back on track, eating plenty of potassium-rich foods like fruit and vegetables may be more helpful than simply skipping meals. Here are some foods that can be incorporated into meals after the holiday, along with tips on how to eat them. Why are potassium-rich foods helpful? Potassium helps maintain muscle and nerve function and regulates the body's fluid and electrolyte balance. In particular, it helps the body get rid of extra sodium. Getting enough potassium can help counteract the rise in blood pressure associated with excessive sodium intake. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 2025 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans, potassium helps regulate blood pressure by promoting sodium excretion

Japanese travelers favor quick and condensed trips to Seoul

Sep 29, 2026

Japanese travelers favor quick and condensed trips to Seoul

A new trend is reshaping tourism in Seoul: the "bullet trip." Rather than settling in for an extended vacation, a growing wave of Japanese travelers is landing in Korea for condensed itineraries packed with skin care treatments, late-night fashion runs and street food. Data released by the Seoul Metropolitan Government shows Japanese tourists averaged a 3.5-day stay last year — far shorter than visitors from China or Taiwan, who averaged roughly six days. Yet, their repeat visit rate stood at an impressive 71 percent. Driven largely by women in their 20s and 30s, who accounted for over a third of all Japanese arrivals to Korea, these travelers choose frequent, targeted getaways over drawn-out sightseeing. Industry analysts point to Seoul’s unique density as the main draw. Within a single neighborhood like Myeong-dong or Dongdaemun, visitors can move effortlessly between K-beauty clinics, traditional markets and late-night shopping malls. According to city consumption data from early 2026, medical and wellness services — including dermatology, body scrubs and semi-permanent makeup

Seoul revitalizes traditional markets with autumn night food festivals

Sep 29, 2026

Seoul revitalizes traditional markets with autumn night food festivals

Twenty-three traditional markets and shopping streets across 12 districts in Seoul will host fall festivals starting in October. The events feature night markets, special food menus and cultural programs, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday. The events belong to a citywide initiative aimed at boosting nighttime tourism and food culture in traditional markets. By attracting evening shoppers, the city hopes to drive revenue directly into local markets and nearby neighborhood businesses. Sinheung Market in Haebangchon, a multicultural neighborhood in Yongsan District, will hold a global local festival from Thursday to Saturday. It will feature a flea market with vendors from nine countries and a "yut nori World Cup," a tournament of the traditional Korean board game. Guro Market in southern Seoul will hold a fashion show on Oct. 24 featuring residents and college students clad in hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) showcasing 10 of the market's staple goods. Other markets will focus on food. In southwestern Seoul, Byeolbit Nammun Market in Geumcheon District will unveil seven new

Lee says success of 3 megaprojects depends on creating right living conditions

Sep 29, 2026

Lee says success of 3 megaprojects depends on creating right living conditions

President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday the success of the government's "three megaprojects" initiative centered on building up the semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) industries will depend on creating the right living conditions for workers and their families. Lee made the remark at the third public-private meeting discussing progress on the initiative, which focuses on developing hubs for semiconductors, physical AI and AI data centers across the nation. "Today we will focus our discussions on ways to create living conditions, which could be called the key to the project's success," he said at the meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, which brought together relevant ministers and presidential officials, as well as senior executives from Samsung and SK. "The megaprojects' ultimate goal is for young people and talents to flock to regions (outside the capital area) in search of jobs, and for all regions and people to evenly enjoy the benefits of growth," he said. Lee went on to explain that the projects should be pursued under a combined plan for the construction of industrial complexes and

2 former Chinese soldiers indicted for leaking secrets from Korean, US military

Sep 29, 2026

2 former Chinese soldiers indicted for leaking secrets from Korean, US military

PYEONGTAEK — Two former Chinese soldiers have been indicted on charges of leaking secrets from the Korean military and the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), legal sources said Tuesday. One of the suspects was charged with wiretapping communications at major Korean and U.S. air and naval bases 13 times between March 2024 and August this year, according to the Pyeongtaek branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors Office. The 60-something operative, who had served for about 40 years at an eavesdropping unit in China's People's Liberation Army (PLA), is accused of collecting 13.9 terabytes of intercepted data and smuggling it to China. The other suspect, a 45-year-old former member of the PLA's special forces unit, faces charges of stealing Korea-U.S. joint military exercise data and leadership information on 12 occasions. The former special forces member was found to have recruited a civilian worker and soldiers working at Camp Humphreys while running a military supply shop near the U.S. military base in Pyeongtaek, some 50 kilometers south of Seoul, from November 2021 to May this year. The suspect

Defense chief says DMZ blast 'clear' violation of armistice agreement

Sep 29, 2026

Defense chief says DMZ blast 'clear' violation of armistice agreement

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Tuesday last week's explosion inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), highly likely caused by North Korean land mines, is in "clear" violation of the armistice agreement that halted the 1950-53 Korean War. Kang made the remarks during a plenary session of the parliamentary defense committee, after the South Korean military announced Monday that North Korean landmines were "highly likely" the cause of the Sept. 21 blast. "This is a clear violation of the armistice agreement," Shin said, in response to an opposition lawmaker pointing out the explosion was North Korea's blatant provocation and a breach of the armistice. "As responsibility lies on North Korea, we will take corresponding measures, (if the blast is confirmed to have been caused by land mines planted by North Korean forces)," the minister said. The explosion south of the Military Demarcation Line inside the DMZ separating the two Koreas left three South Korean soldiers injured. A joint survey team, comprising South Korean military officials and the U.N. Command's Military Armistice Commission, h

Special counsel seeks 25-year prison term for ex-justice minister over martial law role

Sep 29, 2026

Special counsel seeks 25-year prison term for ex-justice minister over martial law role

A special counsel team on Tuesday sought a 25-year prison term for former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae in his appellate trial over his alleged role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed 2024 martial law bid. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team made the request at the Seoul High Court, after a lower court sentenced Park to 25 years in prison in June on multiple charges, including playing a key role in an insurrection, which exceeded the team's initial recommendation of 20 years. Park is accused of convening a meeting of senior ministry officials following Yoon's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, to review follow-up measures, such as dispatching prosecutors to a martial law body. "Instead of siding with the people and the rule of law, he sided with insurrection forces and aided a self-coup by becoming the hands and feet of Yoon Suk Yeol," Cho's team said.

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