Jeans, sneakers and other casual attire will not only be allowed but recommended for national civil service job interviews in Korea, replacing the traditional expectation that applicants wear suits. The Ministry of Personnel Management issued detailed guidelines on interview attire on Friday, accompanied by example images. The new guidelines will take effect in October. The ministry provided AI-generated images to show suitable clothing for men and women. Examples included jeans and sneakers as

South Korea’s largest theme park, Everland, announced Friday that it has named its baby panda Shu Bao, coinciding with the cub’s 100th day. Last month, the theme park opened votes online to name its baby panda, with five finalists in the running. All five candidates were two-character Chinese names ending in “Bao.” The character means “treasure” and appears in the names of pandas from the same family. Voters could choose their favorite from Ju Bao (“treasured jade”), Jun Bao (“outstanding treasu

SOKCHO, Gangwon Province — For many Koreans, reading on the beach is still an unusual concept, just like seeing someone wear a bikini without a cover-up. But on a small beach in Korea, something is changing. On Aug. 26, two middle-aged women sat in beach chairs, their feet sinking into warm sand as gentle waves lapped at their toes. They both had a book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. Now and then, they looked up at the sea, then back down at the page. They had come to the Three Fe

Ahn, 37, watched “The Odyssey” at an Imax screen in Apgujeong and enjoyed the experience. She hopes to see it again at Yongsan with her husband, but they have been unable to secure tickets. As of Sunday, nearly all Imax screenings at Yongsan through Aug. 30 were sold out, except for accessibility seats. “I’m hoping to get one once the initial hype dies down,” she told The Korea Herald. But this might not happen. Although “The Odyssey” is attracting large audiences in South Korea, the country’s s

Although extreme heat has reduced South Korea's mosquito numbers this summer, health authorities caution that it is too soon to relax precautions as temperatures moderate. “As mosquito populations may increase again after the heat wave, local governments in high-risk areas should strengthen comprehensive control measures to reduce mosquito numbers,” KDCA chief Lim Seung-kwan said in a statement on Thursday. Lim urged those in high-risk areas to avoid outdoor activities at night, wear loose-fitti

A woman in her 20s was arrested on Thursday night on suspicion of damaging the entrance of YG Entertainment's headquarters with a golf club, according to local media reports Friday. Mapo police arrested the woman around 9 p.m. Thursday outside YG Entertainment's headquarters in Hapjeong-dong, Seoul. Asked about the incident, a YG Entertainment official confirmed to The Korea Herald that it had taken place but declined to provide further details. "We understand that she was handed over to the pol

South Korea will end the temporary 20 percent tax break on draft beer at the end of this year, as announced in the 2026 tax reform package. Starting next year, draft beer will be taxed at the full rate, increasing costs for bars and restaurants and likely resulting in higher prices for consumers. South Korea now taxes beer based on volume instead of price. Standard beer is taxed at 885,700 won ($600) per kiloliter, while draft beer has received a 20 percent discount since 2020, reducing its tax

Surveillance footage from Wangsimni subway station in Seoul has gone viral, showing commuters and an off-duty police officer collaborating to assist a man who collapsed during the morning rush hour. Uploaded to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's YouTube channel on Thursday, the video has been viewed over 300,000 times as of Monday. According to the police, a man in his 60s suddenly lost consciousness while riding an escalator to the platform at Wangsimni station on Seoul Subway Line No. 2. N

A South Korean tourist bitten by a monkey at India's Taj Mahal reportedly waited nearly an hour for an ambulance, prompting widespread online criticism over tourist safety after footage of the incident went viral. Videos circulating online show the woman clutching her arm as she was escorted to the site's medical center. The footage quickly sparked concern among internet users in Korea. "You have to be prepared to die before going to India," one user commented. "Waiting an hour in a situation li

Local festivals in Korea rarely attract national attention, but Cheorwon in Gangwon Province is in the spotlight after it was revealed that both BTS and the rising girl group Rescene performed there before achieving major success. "The groups that once performed on our stages have become such major stars that inviting them back now would be difficult," a Cheorwon county official reportedly said Sunday. Interest in Cheorwon's festivals has grown after videos of Rescene's performance at last year'

Daegu, traditionally known as South Korea's hottest city and nicknamed "Daefrica," is no longer the sole area affected by extreme summer heat. Scorching temperatures are now impacting North Gyeongsang Province, leading weather authorities to expand severe heat wave warnings on Sunday. "High temperatures are becoming increasingly widespread, not only in Daegu but also across inland and eastern coastal areas of North Gyeongsang Province," a Korea Meteorological Administration official said. At 11

President Lee Jae Myung welcomed Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence to Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday. This visit is Princess Anne's first trip to South Korea in eight years. She visited in 2018 for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics as a member of the International Olympic Committee. During their meeting, President Lee and Princess Anne discussed cooperation between South Korea and the United Kingdom. President Lee noted Princess Anne’s earlier visit to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' ship

President Lee Jae Myung's apartment in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, is expected to be sold, according to the presidential office on Tuesday. This follows Lee's statement at a cabinet meeting earlier in the day: "I no longer own a home," indicating the sale is nearly complete. The presidential office stated that the sale of Lee's apartment is in its final stages, with a preliminary agreement signed and the final contract expected soon. The sale is part of Lee's broader effort to address rising ho

Susu & Cra, a South Korean children's clothing brand, apologized for using a photograph owned by the smaller Korean bedding company Boni Moire without permission and modifying it with AI. The issue arose on Friday when Boni Moire accused Susu & Cra in a Threads post of using a photograph of a sleeping young boy without permission and modifying it for promotional material. "It looks like my son's photo," the post said. "I think they changed the boy's hair color, hand, and blanket. I posted the or

Prosecutors are asking for prison sentences for three men accused of shooting two dogs with BB guns at a restaurant in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province. During a hearing on Friday at the Busan District Court, prosecutors asked for two-year prison sentences for two of the men, both in their 20s, on charges that include special property damage. They requested a one year and six month sentence for the third man, also in his 20s. The three are accused of attacking two pet dogs at a restaurant on Jun