North Korea has staged a weapons demonstration featuring suicide attack drones, cruise missiles and a super-large multiple rocket launcher, state media reported Friday. The demonstration was held Thursday in connection with an exhibition on unmanned aerial technology attended by leader Kim Jong-un, according to the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The event took place on the same day that South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) detected around 10 short-range ballistic missiles launched from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea. The exhibition featured various types of strategic and tactical multipurpose drones, suicide attack drones and other combat systems, while the weapons demonstration involved tactical suicide attack drones, cruise missiles and a 600-millimeter multiple rocket launcher unit, KCNA said. The agency claimed that air-to-ground missiles launched from suicide attack drones and multipurpose drones, along with cruise missiles, struck an island target with 100 percent accuracy. It also said the 600-mm multiple rocket launcher, known as the "Sniper," was publicly de

A rice bowl, a pair of scissors and a notebook with vehicle numbers might seem ordinary. In Lee Ye-eun’s photographs, however, they became the faces of a border village between the two Koreas. Her outdoor exhibition, “People of Baegyeon-ri,” presented as part of “DMZ Open Exhibition: Staging,” brings together belongings lent by residents of a village in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Also known as Tongil-chon, or Unification Village, Baegyeon-ri lies just south of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), within a military-controlled area where civilian access is restricted. Established in 1973 to showcase South Korean agriculture to the North, the village is defined by its unusual geopolitical position. But Lee wanted to look beyond that distinction to the people who live and work there — growing crops, preparing meals and tending flowers. “Tongil-chon sounds like somewhere very special, but Baegyeon-ri sounds like a village you might find anywhere,” she said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. “These aren’t extraordinary people. They’re ordinary people working hard to make

In 2024, a team of physicists in Gwangju used an ultra-intense laser to demonstrate a phenomenon that could reshape our understanding of environments near neutron stars and black holes. The scientist who led the experiment, Mohammad Mirzaie, is now a Korean citizen — one of 30 foreigners granted nationality this year through a special program for outstanding talent. Mirzaie, an Iranian-born senior research fellow at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), was approved for special naturalization in July in recognition of his contributions to basic science. He has lived in Korea since 2019 and as his children grew up here, what began as a research posting became a permanent home. "I wanted to take a step of becoming a Korean citizen and make a long-term commitment to the country where our family had established lives," he said in an interview with The Korea Times. The breakthrough that helped earn him citizenship was years in the making and far from a solo effort. Working with fellow physicists and laser experts, Mirzaie successfully demonstrated all-optical nonlinear Compton scattering

The global popularity of Korean culture continues to grow, with K-pop, dramas, food and beauty products reaching audiences around the world. For some foreign nationals, that appeal goes beyond consumption. An increasing number of foreign entrepreneurs are turning their interest in Korean culture into business opportunities, finding new ways to bring the country's cultural assets to global markets. Yet starting a business in a foreign country comes with challenges, from unfamiliar administrative systems to differences in business culture. The Korea Times spoke with foreign entrepreneurs behind two businesses seeking to bring Korean culture to global markets, exploring the opportunities and challenges they have encountered along the way. Bringing K-dramas to European audiences French nationals Christophe Diez and Jeanne Dubresson are working to connect Korean content producers with overseas viewers through the streaming app Kyool. Diez's interest in Korea began in 2015, when he came across a Korean romantic comedy series while developing new stories. The project led him to explore Korean cul

Korea offers a special route to citizenship for foreigners with exceptional achievements in fields ranging from science and technology to business, arts and sports. Since the system was introduced in 2011, a total of 458 people have acquired Korean citizenship through special naturalization or nationality restoration for outstanding talent, according to Ministry of Justice data obtained by The Korea Times. The figure includes 203 foreigners granted special naturalization and 255 former Korean nationals whose citizenship was restored as of October this year. The number of recipients reached 62 in 2023, 54 in 2024 and 51 last year. Another 30 acquired citizenship in the first 10 months of 2026. 2 pathways Special naturalization is available to foreigners whose abilities and achievements are considered likely to benefit Korea. Nationality restoration, meanwhile, allows former Korean citizens who acquired foreign nationality to regain Korean citizenship if they meet the same outstanding-talent criteria. Unlike naturalization applicants, recipients under the outstanding-talent system can retai

It was October 1991, and I was teaching English at ELS, a private English language institute in Seoul, when a rather unusual confrontation took place just outside my classroom. One of the institute’s cleaning women stopped at the classroom door and stared into the trash can. For a moment, she didn’t say anything. Then she looked at my students, looked at me and began speaking rapidly in Korean. I understood enough of what she was saying to know that it had nothing to do with cleaning. Her tone alone was enough to send chills down my spine. It was all over a pumpkin. Or, more precisely, what had once been inside it. I was nearing the end of my first year teaching English in Korea, and Halloween was still something of a novelty. Most of my students had never heard of trick-or-treating, carving a jack-o’-lantern or dressing up as witches, ghosts and monsters. For English teachers, that made the holiday a wonderful opportunity to introduce a little Western culture into the classroom while giving everyone a break from grammar drills and pronunciation exercises. As Halloween approached,

NEW YORK — A potentially historic drop for Alphabet’s stock is dragging the U.S. market lower Thursday after the company behind Google and YouTube reported weaker growth for the summer than analysts expected. The report underscored worries about whether all its huge investments in artificial-intelligence technology will pay off. The S&P 500 fell 0.6 percent toward its first loss in four days, even though the majority of stocks within the index and across Wall Street were rising. The Nasdaq composite tumbled 1.6 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 269 points, or 0.5 percent. Alphabet is one of the most influential stocks on Wall Street because it’s one of the largest, and its loss of 12.8 percent had it heading toward its worst day since it began trading more than 20 years ago. The tech giant had been under pressure to at least meet analysts’ expectations for growth amid concerns about how much it’s spending to invest in AI. Alphabet said late Wednesday that it burned through more cash during the latest quarter, according to a measure called free cash flow, aft

WASHINGTON — The United States posted strong economic growth in the third quarter, but the Fed's preferred inflation gauge also accelerated, the Commerce Department said on Thursday, in a mixed economic bag for U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of key midterm polls next week. Real GDP increased at an annual rate of 3.4 percent in the third quarter, the department's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) said in a statement, beating market expectations. "The contributors to the increase in real GDP in the third quarter were increases in investment, consumer spending, and government spending that were partly offset by a decrease in exports," the BEA said in a statement. The U.S. Federal Reserve's preferred gauge for inflation — the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index — rose by 3.6 percent year-on-year in September, an increase from the previous month. Trump's handling of the economy is a key issue for voters heading into midterm elections on Tuesday, where Democrats are seeking to wrest control of both houses of Congress from the president's Republican Party. The U.S.-Israe

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump would prefer that voters not worry about inflation. But it's hard for them to ignore. Filling up a basic Ford F-150 truck now costs about $100, up $30 from a year ago. Mortgage rates have jumped to levels that have depressed home sales. And for the past 12 months, consumer prices have risen faster than paychecks, making the average family poorer. One week before midterm elections that will serve as a referendum on his second term, Trump is struggling to deliver on his campaign promise to bring down costs, even as he insists the country has entered an economic “golden age." The same frustration that powered his comeback two years ago could now cost Republicans control of Congress. “Our nation is doing better now than ever before,” Trump insists while campaigning, vowing that interest rates and oil prices will plunge once the war with Iran — which he started — comes to an end. The word “affordability,” he says, is nothing but “a con job by the Democrats," adding that “it doesn’t mean anything to anybody.” Trump's rosy rhetoric meet

Hershey on Thursday warned that increased pressure on shoppers due to high inflation and interest rates could impact how much consumers spend on candy this Halloween. U.S. consumer sentiment hovered near record lows in October as Americans head into the holiday season with their budgets under strain from high gas prices as a fallout of the U.S. war in Iran. Hershey lowered its annual organic net sales growth target to about 3 percent, citing weakness in channels such as convenience stores, where customers were budgeting for higher gas prices. The Milk Duds maker was banking on last-minute shoppers looking for bulk packs of candy ahead of Halloween on Saturday, October 31, executives said on a post-earnings call. "Now we need consumers to show up, we need them. The last few days are really critical," said Hershey CEO Kirk Tanner. A 51.03-ounce pack of Hershey assorted Halloween candy with 165 pieces cost about $23.87 on Walmart's website as of Thursday morning. "Halloween participation is expected to be in line with 2025, though financial pressures could shape final purchase decisions," Tan

SEATTLE — For Lee Min-ha, a 46-year-old Korean living near Seattle, eating out has become a luxury her household can no longer afford. "Everything has gotten so expensive that eating out is completely out of the question," Lee said. "I've been buying groceries almost exclusively on sale for quite some time now. Living in America is getting harder and harder, and every day I wonder how things got this bad." A meal at a casual Korean restaurant can easily cost a family of four more than $100 once taxes and tips are included, making even an occasional family outing an increasingly expensive proposition. Lee's frustration reflects a widespread concern among Korean voters ahead of Tuesday's U.S. midterm elections. The 2026 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Voter Survey, conducted by Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote and AAPI Data, found that 86 percent of Korean American registered voters considered inflation and the cost of living very or extremely important in deciding how to vote. The figure was 90 percent among Asian American respondents overall, underscoring the importance

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted to bar all Chinese labs from testing electronic devices including smartphones, cameras and computers for use in the US, expanding a previous agency action targeting Beijing. The FCC said it will prohibit test labs and certification bodies in countries including China that deny reciprocal treatment to US-based test labs. The FCC prohibitions are slated to take effect in December 2028. FCC Chair Brendan Carr said that in 2025, 82 percent of electronics were tested in China, which does not have an agreement with the US. "These labs are a critical gateway into American communications infrastructure -- and their privileged role gives them access to sensitive and confidential information about electronic products often months before the devices enter the market," Carr said, adding they could "allow insecure gear into the U.S. market, disrupt communications networks, or even steal intellectual property." The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In 2025, the FCC banned testing of

Veteran actor Choi Bool-am, beloved across generations, passed away on Oct. 29. He was 87. Choi died at around 10 p.m. Thursday at a hospital in Gangseo District, Seoul, where he had been receiving medical treatment, according to media reports Friday. Choi underwent spinal disc surgery in March last year and subsequently experienced mobility issues. This led to his departure from KBS TV's long-running food documentary program "Korean Cuisine and Dining," which he had hosted for 14 years since 2011. Although he actively engaged in rehabilitation, his health deteriorated rapidly in recent days. Choi was born Choi Young-han in Incheon in 1939. His birth was officially registered in 1940 in family records. Choi graduated from Seorabeol University of Arts and Hanyang University's Department of Theater and Film. Initially dreaming of becoming a director, he made his acting debut in 1959 with a production of "Hamlet" before joining the National Theater Company of Korea in 1965 as an actor. He made his television debut in 1967. Choi solidified his status as a national icon through several seminal

JERUSALEM — Final election results are expected Thursday evening or Friday in Israel, where neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’s bloc nor the opposition — unless it partners with Arab-led parties — is on a path to a majority in parliament. Weeks of negotiations to build a majority coalition and name a prime minister likely lie ahead. One scenario sees Jewish and Arab-led parties opposed to Netanyahu joining forces. Another sees some parties that campaigned on ousting Israel’s longest-serving prime minister teaming up with him instead. Both possibilities have prompted bitter debate in an already deeply divided country. Here’s what to know about what comes next: Results will kick off weeks of negotiations The election was widely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu , even though Israelis vote on parties, not individuals. His party, Likud, received the most votes overall, but lost support compared with the previous election in 2022. Voter turnout was 77 percent, the highest since 1999. Support for far-right parties in Netanyahu’s coalition dropped significantly, putting his

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace in a year in the third quarter, shrugging off higher oil prices stemming from the conflict in the Middle East as consumers maintained robust spending and businesses doubled down on investment in AI. The better-than-expected increase in gross domestic product last quarter reported by the Commerce Department on Thursday was in stark contrast to households' downbeat assessment of the economy, reflected in President Donald Trump's record-low approval ratings and deterioration in consumer sentiment. The advance GDP report was published less than a week before Tuesday's midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. Economists said the strong growth, together with other data on Thursday showing inflation accelerating and broadening out in September, bolstered the argument for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates in December. The U.S. central bank on Wednesday left its benchmark overnight interest rate in the 3.75 percent-4.00 percent range while acknowledging that inflation "remains elevated." "The consequences of an

WASHINGTON — Senior Democrats demanded Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump preserve records of any official exchanges with artificial intelligence chatbots, raising questions about whether Elon Musk's Grok influenced sensitive military decisions. In a letter dated Wednesday and first obtained by Politico, congressmen Jamie Raskin and Robert Garcia said questions submitted by Trump and White House aides — and the chatbots' answers — constituted presidential records that must be preserved under federal law. They requested a closed-door briefing by November 11 covering the president's use of AI, security safeguards and whether outside companies could access sensitive conversations. "If the American President is relying on the policy advice of a Musk-designed, Hitler-friendly chatbot with a predilection for child pornography in order to carry out his official duties, Americans have a right to know," they wrote. The language alludes to past controversies over Grok generating antisemitic statements and sexualized images of children. The letter follows reports that Trump spent hours

ENA’s Monday-Tuesday drama “Between Steps,” which portrays the awkward romance and growth of young people, is quietly gaining critical acclaim. It has ranked No. 1 in Korea and No. 5 globally in the Disney+ TV show category, according to FlixPatrol. The series is the final work of director Ahn Pan-seok, who died in August this year. His signature approach to romance of moving viewers through everyday words and glances, without rich corporate heirs or fantasy elements remained unmistakably his to the very end. Min-jae (Choo Young-woo), a doctoral student in robotics, is a guarded man who has never been in a relationship. Having lost a leg to bone cancer more than a decade ago and been forced to give up his dream of becoming a swimmer, he pretends to be unaffected but is full of thoughts and deeply afraid of being hurt. Yu-jin (Kim So-hyun), a junior researcher in his lab, boldly pursues him. Min-jae initially pushes her away, saying, “You’re too hot, like the sun,” but eventually decides to approach her. “Once I swallow something, I never spit it back out. I have to see it

First Kim Go-eun, then Park Bo-young and now, Kim You-jung. GOT7's Jinyoung is building a reputation as one of K-drama's most reliable romantic leads, repeatedly winning viewers over with his chemistry opposite some of Korea's best-known actresses. Jinyoung is currently starring in tvN's weekend drama "100 Days of Deception" as Sato Hideo, an elite interpreter working for the Japanese colonial government, who is also an ethnic Korean named Kim Tae-woong. Hideo lives as a Japanese man while carrying his Korean roots and struggles with a complicated inner conflict. He longs for the approval of his adoptive father, Sato Shinichi, played by Jin Sun-kyu, while rarely allowing his true emotions to surface. Jinyoung conveys both Hideo's cold exterior and hidden wounds through restrained expressions and subtle changes in his gaze. But around Lee Ga-gyeong, played by Kim You-jung, glimpses of tenderness emerge beneath his seemingly indifferent demeanor, creating a simmering romantic tension between the two. In one scene, Hideo notices bruising on Ga-gyeong's wrist and quietly brings her ointment, r

President Lee Jae Myung and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday agreed to further strengthen the two countries' cooperation as they held phone talks, Lee's office said. The phone call took place at the request of the Saudi side, with Lee expressing deep sympathy for Saudi casualties from the ongoing war in the Middle East, according to a written briefing by presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. "The two leaders agreed that they look forward to developing bilateral ties to a higher level, even in a grave situation posed by the war, through close communication and cooperation," she said. "In particular, they agreed to further solidify mutually beneficial and substantive cooperation in various areas as 'future-oriented strategic partners.'" They additionally agreed to continue discussions on ways to develop bilateral ties by meeting in person, she added.

GWANGJU — The Samsung Lions blasted two home runs and scored late runs to defeat the Kia Tigers 6-4 and move within a win of reaching the South Korean baseball championship series. Lewin Diaz and Ryu Ji-hyuk each smoked two-run homers, while Park Seung-kyu and Koo Ja-wook delivered RBI hits in the seventh inning to break a 4-4 tie in Game 3 of the second round in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in the southwestern city of Gwangju. The Lions now lead this best-of-five series 2-1. They can close out the Tigers with a win in Game 4 at 6:30 p.m. Friday and punch their ticket to the Korean Series. The Tigers also slugged two home runs, but their starter Keisho Shirakawa and eight relievers that followed could not hold up their end of the bargain. For the Lions, starter Choi Won-tae lasted only 1 2/3 innings after allowing two runs, but the five relievers limited the damage to two runs over the final 7 1/3 frames.