Foreigners' card spending tops 2 trillion won for 1st time last month SEOUL, June 17 (AJP) - Monthly card spending by foreign tourists in South Korea surpassed 2 trillion won (US$1.33 billion) last month for the first time, according to an analysis released by the Korea Tourism Organization on Wednesday. The KTO said foreign tourists spent 2.12 trillion won in May, up 67.1 percent from 1.27 trillion won a year earlier. Cumulative spending for the first five months of this year reached 7.98 trillion won, up 47.3 percent from the same period last year June 17, 2026

Lee's approval falls below 50%, down 16 points in a month SEOUL, June 17 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating fell below 50 percent for the first time since taking office last June, extending a five-week slide that has erased more than 16 percentage points of support in just over a month, a new poll showed Wednesday. According to a survey conducted by polling firm Cho Won C&I on behalf of Straight News from June 13 to 15 among 2,001 adults nationwide aged 18 and older, Lee's approval rating st June 17, 2026

Beyond 'Teach You a Lesson': Why Korean teachers say real life can be more tragic SEOUL, June 17 (AJP) - Netflix's hit K-drama "Teach You a Lesson" may depict elite inspectors restoring order in dysfunctional schools, but teachers in South Korea say the most unsettling aspect of the series is not its violence. It is how accurately it captures their sense of abandonment. The methods may be exaggerated. The stakes, they argue, are not. In fact, real life is often more tragic. Unlike television, there is rarely a dramatic resolution when sch June 17, 2026

Why 'Teach You a Lesson' is resonating around the world — and beyond the screen SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - The latest Netflix K-drama "Teach You a Lesson" is taking the world by storm because, quite literally, classrooms around the world may be in need of a figurative whipping of their own. Forbes recently called it one of the best dramas of the year despite criticism over excessive violence, racism and some over-exaggerated acting, because it ultimately offers "a hopeful perspective on justice in a corrupt world." For teachers actually wor June 16, 2026

Rival parties agree to launch parliamentary investigation into disruptions in local elections SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - Major rival parties agreed on Tuesday to launch a parliamentary investigation into disruptions caused by a shortage of ballot papers during the June 3 local elections earlier this month. Lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) met in Seoul to discuss the matter, as a growing number of protesters have been holding rallies in southern Seoul for nearly two weeks since election day, chanting that their votin June 16, 2026

Kookmin University partners with FISU to launch sports master's program SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - Kookmin University has signed an agreement with the International University Sports Federation (FISU) to operate a new graduate-level master's degree program focused on global sports education. The partnership aims to cultivate professionals in the international sports sector, Kookmin University said Tuesday. The agreement was signed Monday, June 15, 2026, at the university campus in Seoul, South Korea. Officials from both organizations attended the cere June 16, 2026

Fresh debate heats up over insurance coverage for hair-loss treatment SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - Amid a growing number of younger people seeking treatment for hair loss, the government has recently hinted at expanding public health insurance coverage for hair-loss treatment from the second half of this year, quickly igniting a fresh debate over how limited healthcare resources should be allocated. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, a nationwide forum is scheduled for early next month to gather public opinion on expanding medical coverag June 16, 2026

Thailand bets on medical field and startups to deepen Korea ties SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - Thailand is placing the medical field, startups and cultural exchange at the center of its partnership with South Korea, unveiling a series of initiatives aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation into healthcare, innovation and other future growth industries. The plans were outlined Tuesday during a media briefing hosted by Tanee Sangrat, Thailand's ambassador to South Korea, at the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul's Yongsan district. The embassy announce June 16, 2026

Occupation Jamsil moves to political forefront in Korea SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - What began as a citizen-led protest over ballot shortages has become one of South Korea's most contentious political flashpoints after the opposition leveraged the Jamsil demonstrations to advance a revote campaign. The 12-day demonstration outside the Handball Stadium at Seoul's Olympic Park escalated Tuesday when police and Korea Sport & Olympic Committee officials failed to enter the building after protesters blocked access. June 16, 2026

Police withdraw after forced entry to Jamsil vote venue fail SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) -Police withdrew Tuenday after an unsuccessful attempt to help employees of sports organizations re-enter Seoul's Olympic Handball Gymnasium, where protesters have blocked access to workplaces for 12 straight days since demonstrations over ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections began. Employees affiliated with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee arrived at the venue in Seoul's Songpa district shortly after 9 a.m. and tried to n June 16, 2026