Ombudsman suspends Cavite town mayor amid illegal gambling probe

Inquirer.net - Nov 12, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman imposed a preventive suspension against Rosario, Cavite Mayor Jose Voltaire Ricafrente over his alleged involvement in gambling activities at a casino in Bacolod City.  According to the Office of Ombudsman on Thursday, the case stemmed from a complaint filed by its Field Investigation Office I after conducting

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European film festival brings record 23 countries to Seoul

Nov 12, 2026

European film festival brings record 23 countries to Seoul

Seoul is preparing for an unusually wide-ranging cinematic journey through Europe, with films from a record 23 countries set to take over Seoul Museum of History for this year's European Film Festival. The 12th edition of the festival, organized by Seoul Museum of History in partnership with EUNIC Korea and the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea, will run from Nov. 20 to Dec. 6, with 23 films screened free of charge. This year's theme, "Memories of Past, Visions of Future," explores history, identity, migration, generations, gender and human rights through stories from across Europe. The participating countries include Poland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Britain, Germany, France, Hungary, Ireland and 14 others, marking the largest international lineup in the festival's history. Screenings will take place at Yajugae Hall inside the museum on nine Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with evening sessions added to make the program more accessible to workers and students. The festival opens Nov. 20 with "VIKA!," a 2024 Polish documentary directed by Agnieszka Zwiefka about an 84-

Seoul serves up steamed rice as next big tourist attraction

Nov 12, 2026

Seoul serves up steamed rice as next big tourist attraction

A bowl of steamed rice, an everyday staple in Korea, could become an unexpected draw for international tourists as Seoul looks to turn its traditional food culture into a new form of culinary tourism. The Seoul Metropolitan Government held a K-Rice Pairing Experience on Wednesday at Seoul Herbal Medicine Center, inviting 12 international students from Korea University to explore the flavors, aromas and textures of Korean rice. The event was part of the city's efforts to develop tourism experiences rooted in local culture and everyday life, moving beyond conventional sightseeing destinations. Participants sampled three Korean rice varieties — Samgwang from Chungcheong Province, Sindongjin from North Jeolla Province and Golden Queen No. 3 from Gyeonggi Province — comparing their textures, aromas and levels of stickiness. They also paired the rice with salted pollock roe, roasted seaweed and kimchi before sampling three traditional alcoholic beverages made from rice. The experience began with participants opening rice cookers to appreciate the aroma of freshly cooked rice, alongside intr

Why Koreans eat boiled pork with fresh kimchi — and what it does to the body

Nov 12, 2026

Why Koreans eat boiled pork with fresh kimchi — and what it does to the body

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. As Korea's annual kimchi-making season approaches, one traditional food pairing is drawing renewed attention for its potential health benefits: freshly made kimchi served with steaming slices of boiled pork. Known as "suyuk," the tender boiled pork has long been a staple at the end of "kimjang," the traditional Korean practice of preparing large quantities of kimchi for the winter. In the past, families and neighbors would gather to salt napa cabbage, prepare seasonings and pack kimchi into containers. The labor-intensive process often ended with a shared meal of freshly made kimchi and boiled pork, offering a welcome reward after hours of physical work. But the pairing may offer more than comfort and flavor. Pork provides nutrients involved in energy metabolism, while cabbage and kimchi seasonings contribute fiber and antioxidants. A fading winter tradition Despite its cultural significance, kimjang is becoming less common in Korean households. According to the Korea Rural Economic Institute, 58.6 percent of households surveyed this year said th

Once a cheap meal, gimbap sees steepest price hike in Seoul

Nov 12, 2026

Once a cheap meal, gimbap sees steepest price hike in Seoul

Gimbap, long considered an affordable meal in Korea, has seen the steepest price increase among popular dining options in Seoul this year, with the average price of a roll approaching 4,000 won ($2.80), up more than 5 percent from the end of last year. According to data released Wednesday by the Korea Consumer Agency's price information portal, Champrice, the average price of a roll of gimbap in Seoul reached 3,923 won in September, up 5.4 percent from 3,723 won in December last year. This was the largest increase among eight popular dining options tracked in Seoul: naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles), bibimbap (rice mixed with vegetables), kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew), samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), jjajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce), samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), kalguksu (hand-cut noodles) and gimbap. At many gimbap chains, even a basic roll already costs more than 4,000 won. Prices vary by location, but a roll typically costs more than 5,000 won at well-known franchises like Gimgane and more than 4,000 won at Kobongmin and Teacher Kim. Bibimbap recorded the second-larg

Korea welcomes record 20 mil. foreign visitors as K-culture fuels tourism boom

Nov 12, 2026

Korea welcomes record 20 mil. foreign visitors as K-culture fuels tourism boom

Korea has crossed a milestone that once seemed distant, welcoming more than 20 million foreign tourists in a single year for the first time as the global popularity of Korean culture fuels demand for travel to the country. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that international arrivals surpassed the 20 million mark on Thursday, just 14 years after Korea first recorded 10 million annual visitors in 2012. The achievement marks a new high for the country's tourism industry, with arrivals expected to continue setting records through the end of the year. The surge has also translated into higher spending and more visitors entering through regional gateways, extending tourism's economic benefits beyond the capital. Foreign tourists spent 15.9 trillion won on tourism-related activities through September, up 47.7 percent from the same period last year, according to the ministry. Arrivals through airports outside the Seoul metropolitan area reached 3.24 million, up 37.4 percent, while arrivals through regional seaports totaled 1.58 million, an increase of 14.5 percent. The ministr

After dark, Seoul's museums and cultural sites see attendance surge

Nov 12, 2026

After dark, Seoul's museums and cultural sites see attendance surge

Seoul’s museums, historic sites and cultural venues are drawing more visitors after dark, with attendance more than doubling since the city expanded evening opening hours for many popular spots in September. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday that six major cultural attractions recorded approximately 1.198 million visitors from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31, up 110 percent from 569,000 from Aug. 1 to Sept. 14. The increase followed an expansion of evening hours that allows select venues to remain open until 9 p.m. five days a week, giving residents and tourists more opportunities to explore the city after work. More than 85,000 people visited the six venues between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. during the initial period, according to the city. The participating attractions are Seoul Museum of History, Seoul Museum of Craft Art, Seoul Baekje Museum, Unhyeon Palace, Namsangol Hanok Village and the Story of Sejong and Story of Admiral Yi Sunshin exhibition halls at Gwanghwamun. On Wednesday evening, Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited Seoul Museum of Craft Art, Unhyeon Palace and Sejong Center for the Perform

Singapore Art Week to mark 15 years by taking art to streets

Nov 12, 2026

Singapore Art Week to mark 15 years by taking art to streets

SINGAPORE — For 11 days next January, art in Singapore will spill out of its museums and galleries. It will light up the facade of a skyscraper in the financial district, fill the historic Padang green, ride a bus through residential neighborhoods and greet commuters at 10 subway stations. That citywide takeover sits at the heart of Singapore Art Week (SAW) 2027, which will mark its 15th edition from Jan. 21 to 31. With Singapore expected to take on the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in a year that also marks the bloc’s 60th anniversary, this edition will put Southeast Asian art and its creative ties across the region front and center. SAW is organized by the National Arts Council (NAC), a statutory board under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth that champions the arts in Singapore, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board. Launched in 2013 with just over 50 events, the annual season has since grown into the country’s most prominent visual arts event, now spanning more than 100 programs across museums, galleries, independent art

'The old America is gone': OPCON transfer is Korea's answer to changing US, Moon Chung-in says

Nov 12, 2026

'The old America is gone': OPCON transfer is Korea's answer to changing US, Moon Chung-in says

Korea's push to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) of its military is not just an attempt to reclaim military sovereignty, but a necessary response to a fundamental shift in the United States' foreign and security policy, according to Moon Chung-in, a former presidential special adviser. In an interview with The Korea Times on Tuesday, Moon, currently a professor emeritus at Yonsei University, argued that President Lee Jae Myung's pursuit of OPCON transfer comes in line with Washington's growing expectation that Seoul assume primary responsibility for its own defense, rather than the self-reliant defense agenda set by former President Roh Moo-hyun. "The U.S. is changing, but we are still clinging to the old America. The old America is gone," Moon said. He pointed to U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated demands that Korea shoulder a greater share of its defense burden. Under such an arrangement, Korean forces would take the lead in conventional defense against North Korea, while U.S. forces would provide complementary capabilities in areas where Seoul remains relatively weak, i

Lee calls for unity at dinner meeting with DPK leaders

Nov 12, 2026

Lee calls for unity at dinner meeting with DPK leaders

President Lee Jae Myung called for unity between the government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) as he held a dinner meeting with DPK leader Kim Min-seok and floor leader Han Byung-do on Wednesday, his office said. During the dinner at Cheong Wa Dae, Kim asked the government for bold and swift measures to overcome polarization and boost consumption, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing. In response, Lee stressed the need for the party and the government to "move as one" in order for the people's lives to improve, and asked that the party and the National Assembly extend their active support to get the government's 2027 budget proposal passed, Kang said. Lee also asked his chief of staff, Lim Kwang-hyun, and senior political affairs secretary, Choi In-ho, to closely communicate with the National Assembly at all times. Lim and Choi were among the dinner participants. Though there had been speculation Lee and the party leaders could discuss controversial issues, such as real estate taxes and a special counsel bill on alleged fabricated indictments,

Korea opens final 2026 round of foreign worker permits

Nov 12, 2026

Korea opens final 2026 round of foreign worker permits

Korea will accept its final round of applications this year for foreign worker visas starting Nov. 23, offering 6,699 new permits to help businesses ease persistent labor shortages while introducing incentives for employers who complete human rights and labor law training, the Ministry of Employment and Labor said Thursday. The five-day application window, running through Nov. 27, covers nonprofessional employment visas, known as E-9, across five major sectors. Manufacturing accounts for the lion’s share of the quota with 4,510 slots, followed by agriculture and livestock with 954, fisheries with 897, construction with 198 and services with 140. Should employer demand exceed sector caps, officials said they will tap into a flexible reserve pool of 10,000 additional permits. The announcement underscores Korea’s growing reliance on overseas labor to sustain its export-driven factories, farms and fishing fleets amid one of the world’s fastest-aging populations and lowest birthrates. Over the past several years, the government has steadily expanded its Employment Permit System, which

Korean researchers shrink augmented reality lenses to fit everyday eyewear

Nov 12, 2026

Korean researchers shrink augmented reality lenses to fit everyday eyewear

Researchers in Korea have developed an ultrathin optical lens system that keeps digital images bright and legible even in direct sunlight, overcoming one of the main engineering hurdles preventing augmented reality glasses from looking and feeling like ordinary eyewear. The joint team from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and Samsung Research built a prototype featuring a 1.5-millimeter-thick waveguide—the transparent channel that guides light from a tiny projector into the wearer’s eye—using engineered nanostructures called metasurfaces. The findings were published Thursday in the journal Nature, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT. For years, technology giants from Meta and Apple to Google and Samsung have raced to build lightweight smart glasses capable of overlaying turn-by-turn directions, translations and messages onto the real world. However, engineers have struggled with a stubborn trade-off: widening the viewing zone so a user can glance around without losing the image typically causes light to scatter and leak out of the lens, leaving displ

Lee's disapproval rating again outruns approval rating: poll

Nov 12, 2026

Lee's disapproval rating again outruns approval rating: poll

President Lee Jae Myung's disapproval rating rose to 47 percent this week, surpassing his approval rating, a survey showed Thursday. In a survey of 1,001 adults nationwide conducted Monday through Wednesday, positive assessments of Lee's job performance fell 2 percentage points to 44 percent from two weeks earlier, according to the National Barometer Survey (NBS). Negative assessments rose 3 percentage points to 47 percent. Lee's disapproval rating had remained higher than his approval rating for several weeks before the trend reversed in the previous poll. The survey also showed that 51 percent of respondents said Lee should scale back his use of social media to directly communicate with the public on his policy direction, citing concerns that remarks made "without sufficient deliberation" could cause confusion. Another 42 percent supported his use of social media for communication. Support for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea fell 1 percentage point to 35 percent, while that of the main opposition People Power Party remained unchanged at 25 percent. The poll has a margin of error of p

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