Lacson raises more red flags on Taguig ‘ghost’ projects

Inquirer.net - Sep 28, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson asked Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Sunday to explain how the coordinates of a supposed project in Taguig City were traced to the Visayas, based on geotagged photos. He also claimed that the project’s contractor was linked to spouses Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, central figures

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Seoul Grand Park showcases nature's botanical predators

Sep 29, 2026

Seoul Grand Park showcases nature's botanical predators

Long a sanctuary for native flora and exotic animals, the Seoul Grand Park Botanical Garden is turning the spotlight on nature’s most cunning hunters: carnivorous plants. Starting Oct. 2, the park will host its 20th annual carnivorous plant exhibition, a 10-day Exploring North American Carnivorous Plants with JBS showcase. Set in the Welcoming Garden near the main entrance, the event features more than 700 specimens across 16 species native to North America — ranging from the iconic Venus flytrap and dew-beaded sundews to cobra lilies and butterworts. To make the botanical science accessible to families, park organizers are framing the exhibit around JBS (Jabasseu), a whimsical fictional mascot group created to celebrate the botanical garden’s 40th anniversary. Made up of five characters modeled after insect-eating plants — including Fly, Taeyang-i and Sara — JBS acts as a pop-idol-style guide, leading visitors through an interactive journey tracing how these plants thrive in the wild. Carnivorous plants are evolutionary marvels. By adapting to nutrient-poor soils like peat bog

Nvidia CEO Huang receives this year's Van Fleet Award for contribution to Korea-US relations

Sep 29, 2026

Nvidia CEO Huang receives this year's Van Fleet Award for contribution to Korea-US relations

Nvidia Corp. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jensen Huang received an annual prestigious award for his contribution to enhancing the relationship between Korea and the United States, a nonprofit organization said Monday. Huang was honored with this year's Van Fleet Award in recognition of his "visionary" leadership and "transformative" contributions to the artificial intelligence and semiconductor industries — sectors central to the deepening economic partnership between the two countries, according to The Korea Society. The award was given during The Korea Society's annual gala in New York. Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Lee Jae-yong and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won also joined the event. Named after Gen. James A. Van Fleet, commander of the U.S. Eighth Army at the height of the Korean War in 1951, the award has been given annually to those who have made notable contributions to the bilateral relationship. Former honorees of the award include former Korean President Kim Dae-jung, Korean War hero Gen. Paik Sun-yup, former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and former U.S. Presidents

Cabinet passes special bill on introduction, operation of nuclear-powered subs

Sep 29, 2026

Cabinet passes special bill on introduction, operation of nuclear-powered subs

The government on Tuesday passed a special bill outlining measures to introduce and operate nuclear-powered submarines as part of a national strategic project. The bill was passed during a Cabinet meeting led by President Lee Jae Myung and will be submitted to the National Assembly for deliberations. It is aimed at helping the systematic running of nuclear-powered submarine projects and promoting sustainable economic growth through the establishment of national security based on self-reliant defense, the maintenance of international peace and the development of the defense industry. In particular, it outlines special provisions for the introduction and operation of nuclear subs, as well as regulations concerning the safe management of nuclear power, as the project is the country's first case combining weapons systems with nuclear energy. The government has said it aims to enact the special law before the end of the year to launch the lead ship in the mid-2030s and field the homegrown nuclear-powered submarine in the late 2030s.

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

Busan launches rescue operation for canal-trapped shark 'Bukang-i'

Sep 29, 2026

Busan launches rescue operation for canal-trapped shark 'Bukang-i'

BUSAN — Maritime authorities on Tuesday launched an operation to guide a shark from a canal to the outer sea, 12 days after the animal became trapped in the canal at a waterfront park in the southeastern city of Busan. The Busan Coast Guard and the National Institute of Fisheries Science, along with other relevant agencies, began preparing for the operation earlier in the day at North Port in Busan, about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul. Once the preparatory work is completed, the police plan to deploy two vessels to guide the shark out of the park by spraying streams of water. If the method fails, they plan to guide the shark to the open sea by using a net custom-made to fit the width and depth of the artificial waterway. Affectionately named "Bukang-i" — a combination of Bukhang, or North Port, and the Korean suffix "i" — the marine animal has drawn more than 600,000 visitors as of Monday since it was first spotted in the canal on Sept. 18. Initially, local maritime police and authorities tried to drive the shark away. The animal, however, refused to leave the channel, prompting

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

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