All posts tagged: Seoul

South Korea nominates Han Seongsook to be next prime minister

South Korea nominates Han Seongsook to be next prime minister

Published by Sam Flores

Election officials sort through ballots at a counting station for the local elections in Seoul on June 3, 2026. (Photo by Pedro Pardo / AFP via Getty Images) Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has chosen Han Seongsook, the country’s minister for small and midsize businesses and startups, to be prime minister, the presidential office said on Sunday. If approved by parliament, Han would become South Korea’s first female prime minister in 20 years. Han, who had also previously served as chief executive of South Korean internet giant Naver, is expected to lead the country’s AI transformation, South Korea’s presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said at a press briefing. “Han will be able to transform South Korea’s economic growth – driven by the semiconductor boom and rising exports – into inclusive growth that reaches everyone, including small and medium-sized enterprises,” Kang said. The role of prime minister is largely ceremonial and administrative under South Korea’s presidential system. Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never …

Long awaited South Korean Centre Pompidou branch opens in Seoul

Long awaited South Korean Centre Pompidou branch opens in Seoul

Published by Sam Flores

The Centre Pompidou Hanwha in South Korea opens its doors to the public on Thursday, with an exhibition on Cubism featuring the work of 54 artists. It is part of the Centre Pompidou Paris’ Constellation programme, through which the cultural centre is loaning its works to museums and cultural centres across the world while it is closed for a five years of renovation works. Source link

South Korea Lee’s Ruling Party Sweeps Local Elections, but Loses Seoul Mayor Race

South Korea Lee’s Ruling Party Sweeps Local Elections, but Loses Seoul Mayor Race

Published by Sam Flores

By Kyu-seok Shim and Joyce Lee SEOUL, June 4 (Reuters) – South Korean President Lee ⁠Jae ⁠Myung’s ruling Democratic Party swept most major local ⁠races in elections held on Wednesday, but suffered a symbolic setback as the opposition conservative incumbent ​Oh Se-hoon won another term as Seoul mayor. The Democratic Party won 12 of the 16 major mayoral and provincial contests nationwide, while the conservative People Power ‌Party won four, a result that gives ‌Lee’s party broad control of local governments a year into his presidency. The loss of Seoul, South Korea’s largest city and its most politically prized ⁠mayoralty, however, tempered ⁠the ruling party’s victory and gives conservatives a key foothold as they seek to rebuild ​after the scandal over former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed 2024 martial law bid and subsequent impeachment. Speaking on the one-year anniversary of his inauguration, President Lee said the government would “humbly accept the will of the people”, and work actively with local governments regardless of their party affiliation. Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae thanked voters ​for what …

Seoul court hearing set for YouTuber over claims against top actor

Seoul court hearing set for YouTuber over claims against top actor

Published by Sam Flores

SEOUL: A YouTuber accused of using AI-generated material to falsely claim a top South Korean actor dated a late actress while she was a minor is due in court next week, the court’s spokesperson told AFP on Saturday (May 23).  YouTuber Kim Se-eui allegedly used manipulated screenshots of messenger conversations and AI-generated audio files to make false claims about actor Kim Soo-hyun, according to South Korean media reports.  The reports said prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for the YouTuber at the request of police over allegations he illegally circulated fabricated material. A spokesperson for the Seoul Central District Court told AFP that YouTuber Kim’s warrant hearing is scheduled for 10:30 am (0130 GMT) on May 26.  YouTuber Kim, a former TV journalist widely regarded as a far-right figure, shared on his YouTube channel what he said was the prosecution’s arrest warrant. The document shared to Kim’s channel said that the YouTuber had publicly played an AI-manipulated audio file using the deceased actress’s voice.  It also said actor Kim was currently receiving psychiatric treatment due to …

North Korea will deploy new artillery guns targeting Seoul : NPR

North Korea will deploy new artillery guns targeting Seoul : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

In this photo provided on May 8, 2026, by the North Korean government, its leader Kim Jong Un, center, visits the destroyer Choe Hyon to review its maneuverability off North Korea’s west coast, Thursday, May 7, 2026. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: “KCNA” which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/via AP hide caption toggle caption Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/via AP SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea said Friday it will deploy new long-range artillery systems this year that are capable of striking South Korea’s capital region and will commission its first naval destroyer in coming weeks. The announcement comes days after South Korea said North Korea’s newly revised constitution drops all references to Korean unification, in line with leader Kim Jong Un’s vows to terminate ties with …

Cortis Experience Seduces Fans to Seoul as Airbnb Doubles Down on K-pop Strategy

Cortis Experience Seduces Fans to Seoul as Airbnb Doubles Down on K-pop Strategy

Published by Daniella Wilson

K-pop has not only conquered the world, it has brought the world to South Korea. That was the somewhat unsurprising headline finding of a new research study commissioned by Airbnb as part of its ongoing collaboration with some of the country’s biggest music stars. Last week, Airbnb threw open the doors to a neon-lit, fully immersive experience created in partnership with K-pop boy band Cortis. At the same time, the company quietly dropped an in-depth report titled “Korea Calling: How K-Culture Is Driving a New Generation of Travelers into Korea.” While the Cortis experience lit up social media as fans flocked to central Seoul in hopes of getting a glimpse of one of K-pop’s fastest-rising groups, the research study laid bare the savvy strategy behind the global travel brand’s growing efforts to align its identity in Korea with the country’s greatest cultural exports. Airbnb’s report, which was based on a survey of several thousand international guests to Korea, found that 94 percent of visitors and prospective travelers to the country say K-culture influenced their interest …

Gladstone Gallery to Relocate in Seoul, Doubling Exhibition Space

Gladstone Gallery to Relocate in Seoul, Doubling Exhibition Space

Published by Jenni Sidey

Gladstone Gallery will move its Seoul location to the city’s Hannam-dong neighborhood later this year. Designed by Minsuk Cho of Seoul-based firm Mass Studies, Gladstone’s new outpost will take over two floors of the 739-28 Hannam Building at Yongsan. Across the street is Pace Gallery’s Seoul location and down the street is the Leeum Museum of Art. The space is scheduled to open in the late summer, ahead of Frieze Seoul in September. A solo exhibition for Ed Atkins, his first in the city, will inaugurate the space. Related Articles “Gladstone has always approached its program from a global perspective, creating opportunities for our artists to reach audiences across different regions and cultural contexts,” Gladstone senior partner Max Falkenstein said in a statement. “The opening of our new space marks an important milestone for the gallery and strengthens the international platform through which we engage with leading institutions, private collectors, and arts enthusiasts worldwide.” Gladstone opened in Seoul’s Gangnam district in 2022, as part of a wave of Western galleries, such as Thaddaeus Ropac, setting …

BTS concerts boost South Korean economy by £27m as foreign fans flock to band’s reunion

BTS concerts boost South Korean economy by £27m as foreign fans flock to band’s reunion

Published by Daniella Wilson

On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch South Korea recorded nearly £28m in spending by foreigners attending concerts by K-pop group BTS, who recently returned to the stage after four years. Figures released by the credit card company Hana Card showed that some 30,000 overseas visitors spent about 55.5bn won on airfare, accommodation, food, and retail during the three days that BTS performed at Goyang Stadium earlier this month, according to The Korea Times. The band composed of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook had been on a hiatus since 2022 while the members completed their country’s compulsory military service. The members pursued solo projects during that time but returned as a group last month with their new album Arirang. The comeback was marked by a free concert at the historic Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on 21 March. They launched the accompanying Arirang World Tour on 9 April in Goyang, just outside …

North Korea Working on Carbon-Fibre ICBM for Multi-Warhead Delivery, Seoul Says

North Korea Working on Carbon-Fibre ICBM for Multi-Warhead Delivery, Seoul Says

Published by Sam Flores

SEOUL, April 6 (Reuters) – North Korea’s test ⁠of ⁠a solid-fuel rocket engine ⁠is intended for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) built with ​carbon fibre to extend range and allow for delivery of heavier ‌and possibly multiple warheads, ‌South Korean lawmakers said on Monday. In March, North Korea ⁠conducted a ⁠ground test of a solid-fuel rocket engine that analysts ​believe is being developed for its latest ICBM. The new engine likely has greater thrust than the previous model it tested in 2024, which ​was already assessed as capable of striking anywhere in the ⁠mainland ⁠United States, they said. North ⁠Korea ​has conducted all its longer-range missile launches at a lofted trajectory to ​splash down the ⁠projectiles in the ocean off its east coast or to the east of Japan to test them without flying them for a distance they are designed for. North Korean media showed ⁠the airframe of the missile at the new engine test that ⁠was built with carbon fibre, which is lightweight while strong, allowing the projectile to carry multiple warheads, member of …

BTS thrills K-pop fans in Seoul with first concert in nearly four years

BTS thrills K-pop fans in Seoul with first concert in nearly four years

Published by Sam Flores

SEOUL — BTS is back, and the K-pop boy band’s fans have taken over the city. Seoul’s landmarks were lit red, the signature color of the band’s new album. Restaurants and shops decorated their storefronts purple, the color associated with its fandom. Coffee shops and cocktail bars emblazoned their drinks with the logo of the band’s new album. Fans cheered as a drone show displaying the seven band members’ faces lit up the sky over the Han River. Source link