South Korea’s pilot program for overseas domestic workers is now hanging in the balance, with no clear path forward after months of delays, labor disputes, and a new administration that had voiced skepticism about the system in the past. The Ministry of Employment and Labor had pledged to finalize a long-term version for the program by mid-2025, but nothing has been put forward. Vice Labor Minister and acting Minister Kim Min-seok said last Sunday that it "won't be easy" to expand beyond the pil

In Seoul, you can call a city hotline at 3 a.m. just to say you feel lonely. You can walk into a “Maeum (Korean for 'heart') Convenience Store” to eat free ramyeon and talk with someone about the emptiness you’ve been carrying for months. These are not gimmicks. They are part of a sweeping five-year, 451.3 billion won ($330 million) effort by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to confront a crisis few cities have dared to name outright: loneliness. South Korea is facing a growing epidemic of soci

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Sunday that newlyweds who register their marriage in the city will be offered 1 million won ($685) in cash, or an equivalent amount of cash points that can be used in local communities, starting from October. The plan is to support the newlyweds with subsidy in purchasing living appliances and furniture needed as they move into the house together, the city government said. Authorities said that they are currently in talks with the Ministry of Health and Wel

A symbolic space dedicated to honoring veterans and countries that participated in the 1950-53 Korean War will be built in Gwanghwamun Square by December 2025, Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday. Called the “Garden of Gratitude,” the new project aims to remember the sacrifices of veterans who “laid the foundation for South Korea’s prosperity” and “create a space that conveys gratitude for their contributions,” according to the city government. The city government's design plan features th

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the extension of its pet-friendly pilot program that allows residents to walk their dogs along a designated 4.1-kilometer section of the Cheonggye Stream. The pilot program, launched Sept. 30, 2024, was initially set to wrap up around the end of last year, but the deadline was extended to June 30, 2025. The city government cited the need to collect more data on dog owners' use of the Cheonggye Stream area. The extended program will maintain its origina

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon delivered his New Year’s address Tuesday, the last day of 2024, outlining his administration’s achievements in the last year as well as ambitious goals for 2025. The mayor emphasized his vision of transforming crises into opportunities and building a more livable, globally admired city, while stressing deregulation as the key to revitalizing Seoul’s economy and society. In his speech, Oh reflected on how Seoul has weathered various crises and positioned itself as a resilie

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, regarded as a likely presidential contender from the conservative bloc, said he was contemplating his next political steps amid the nation's ongoing political turmoil, while stressing that he feels obligated to complete his four-year mayoral term. “I feel the responsibility to complete my term as Seoul mayor. On the other hand, there are calls for me to use my abilities for the greater good of the nation on a larger scale. These two great responsibilities are in conflict

The iconic seasonal ice skating rink at Seoul Plaza is set to reopen Friday and operate until Feb. 9 next year, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday. The city government has opened an ice rink every winter since 2004, except during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rink operates every day -- 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from Sunday to Friday with hours extended until 11 p.m. on Saturdays and holidays. The entrance fee has remained unchanged at 1,000 won (70 cents) for 20 years, covering skate rental,