Visitors to the Seoul K-Medi Center in Yangnyeongsi Market enjoy the garden at the entrance of the health and cultural complex on May 5. (Photo by Saul Latham) Medical tourism, an industry that had been growing year by year, was one of the hardest-hit sectors during the pandemic. The Ministry of Health and Welfare revealed on April 24 that in 2019 almost half a million medical tourists received treatment in Korea. Due to the pandemic, the number dropped significantly to just 145

Trays loaded with the “1,000 Won Breakfast” at a Korea University student cafeteria on March 29, 2023. (Korea Times photo)  Who could possibly contest the health benefits of breakfast? Yet in this ultra-modern age, a growing number of people in Korea are opting to skip it. The trend is more visible among young adults; a 2021 government report showed 53 percent of Korean college students skip breakfast. Demanding academic requirements and rising li

  Members of the BIE Enquiry Mission respond to a crowd gathered in front of Busan Station to welcome them on April 4. The delegation arrived from Seoul to inspect the southeastern port city’s ability to host World Expo 2030. (Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul)   Even before the eight-member delegation from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Enquiry Mission arrived on April 4, the citizens of Busan who had gathered to greet them were in a festive mood.

For global fans of Korean pop culture who travel to Korea, visiting the locations where their favorite movies, series and/or music videos were filmed is a must. But it is not easy to locate the sites or find out how to get there.   To facilitate their trips, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) issued a guidebook called  Hallyu wiki  that lists Korean culture fans’ 14 most sought-after courses. The following are some guidebook highlights. The complete 154-page book with

Munbaeju, a traditional Korean liquor made of grains, including non-glutinous millet and red sorghum (Courtesy of KOCIS)   Amid rising interest in Korean culture and food, traditional Korean alcohol is also gaining attention.   Soju, the clear liquor that comes in an iconic green bottle, is an inseparable part of daily life in Korea. It is consumed everywhere and appears often in Korean dramas where characters enjoy shots with samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly).