Buying apartment in Seoul now takes 24 years of full-salary saving

Buying an apartment in Seoul has become increasingly out of reach for average workers, with average home prices soaring past 1.3 billion won for the first time, according to latest data. KB Kookmin Bank’s monthly real estate report, released Monday, showed that the average price of apartments in Seoul reached 1.3 billion won ($913,500) in April, marking a 0.98 percent increase from the previous month. That figure is 2.5 times the national average of 522 million won. Experts suggest that rising c

April 30, 2025

Why do so many Korean Gen Z still live with their parents?

Despite social pressure to leave home and “grow up,” a vast majority of Koreans in their 20s still live with their parents. A 2022 survey found that 81 percent of South Koreans in their 20s lived with their parents — the highest rate among member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. In Korea, these young adults, many of whom remain financially dependent on parents as well, are often labeled the “kangaroo tribe,” likened to baby kangaroos living in their mothers’

April 30, 2025

Myung Tae-kyun, central figure in political scandal, appears for questioning

Myung Tae-kyun, the self-proclaimed power broker and pollster at the center of a political scandal involving several politicians from the People Power Party and former President Yoon Suk Yeol, appeared for questioning at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office on Tuesday. Previously investigated only by prosecutors in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, where he lives, this marked Myung’s first summons for questioning in Seoul. Prosecutors summoned Myung as part of an investigation into allegations

April 29, 2025

Just B’s Bain thanks Hong Seok-cheon for paving way for LGBTQ+ in Korea

Bain, a member of K-pop boy band Just B who came out as part of the LGBTQ+ community last week, has expressed gratitude to Hong Seok-cheon, Korea’s first openly-gay celebrity who came out in 2000, for paving the way for the LGBTQ+ community in the Korean entertainment industry. On Sunday, Hong shared a thank-you message he received from Bain on his Instagram account. In the message, Bain expressed his deep appreciation, writing, “I read about your warm encouragement and advice in a news article

April 28, 2025

Fire drill on Han River

Seoul City conducted a fire drill on Wednedsay, simulating a blaze aboard a Hangang River Water Bus, a ferry for the Han River, in preparation for the service's official launch later this year. Approximately 105 personnel and 24 vessels from four public agencies and two private companies took part in the drill. Participants included the city government, police, fire authorities and the 119 Water Rescue Team. The simulated emergency scenario involved a fire in the battery compartment that rendere

April 23, 2025

Planet vs. plastics

Plastic waste is being processed at the Suwon Resource Circulation Center in Gyeonggi Province on Monday, a day before Earth Day on April 22. In line with Earth Day, the Ministry of Environment is hosting "Climate Change Week 2025" from Monday through Friday. This year’s campaign will emphasize continuous and daily efforts toward carbon neutrality that can prepare us for a carbon-neutral future. Various events led by local governments and civic organizations are to take place nationwide. On Eart

April 21, 2025

King Sejong statue gets annual bath

Seoul City Hall kicked off its annual cleaning of the King Sejong statue in Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, Tuesday. This year’s operation will last through Wednesday, with their four-step cleaning process including water washing and scrubbing to remove dust and grime that accumulated over the winter and early spring.

April 15, 2025

Suspect arrested in burglary of comedian Park Na-rae’s home, police say

Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a recent burglary at the home of South Korean comedian and TV personality Park Na-rae, local reports and police said Monday. According to officers at Yongsan Police Station in Seoul, the suspect has a criminal record that includes multiple theft-related offenses. Investigators suspect the individual broke into Park’s home and stole valuables. Contrary to some media reports and rumors, the suspect is not an acquintance of Park and Park does not kn

April 14, 2025

No signs of forced entry in Park Na-rae's home: reports

Police investigating the theft of property, reportedly worth tens of thousands of dollars, from comedian Park Na-rae’s residence in Seoul have found no signs of forced entry so far, local media reported Thursday. Park filed a police report Tuesday after discovering that certain valuables were missing from her home in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, the day before. According to her agency, the amount of the stolen property has not yet been determined. Investigators are looking into the possibility th

April 10, 2025

New justice takes office, finally restoring full Constitutional Court bench

Ma Eun-hyuk, regarded as liberal-leaning, begins his six-year term after a 104-day delay in his appointment by two acting presidents Newly appointed Constitutional Court Justice Ma Eun-hyuk began his six-year term on Wednesday, ending a six-month period during which the top court's bench was short-staffed. With his appointment, the Constitutional Court is now back to a full bench of nine justices for the first time since last October. Ma will serve until April 8, 2031. Although Ma was one of the

April 9, 2025