Five more nomination forms submitted for EC election

RTHK - Oct 16, 2026

Another five nomination forms were received by returning officers for the 2026 Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections on Friday, just days before the nomination period ends. The Electoral Affairs Commission said three nomination forms were from individual candidates, while two came from designated bodies. Since October 7, 1,155 nomination forms have been submitted for the poll scheduled for November 22. Forty came from designated bodies, and the rest were submitted by individuals. The nomination period will end on October 20. Edited by Edmond Fong

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Foreign arrivals at regional airports surge 37.4 percent

Foreign arrivals at regional airports surge 37.4 percent

The number of foreign nationals entering Korea through regional airports rose by more than 37 percent in the first nine months of this year, with arrivals from Taiwan surging by 60.4 percent, according to data released by the Korea Airports Corporation (KAC). An analysis of airport-by-airport arrival figures for January through September, released by KAC on Thursday, showed that 3.24 million foreign nationals entered the country through Gimhae, Jeju, Cheongju and Daegu airports, up 37.4 percent from the same period last year. By airport, arrivals increased 59.5 percent at Cheongju International Airport, 47.9 percent at Gimhae International Airport, 27.9 percent at Jeju International Airport and 0.8 percent at Daegu International Airport. By comparison, the number of foreign arrivals through Incheon and Gimpo international airports in the Seoul metropolitan area rose by just 17.2 percent over the same period. The Korea Airports Corporation attributed the trend to a growing number of foreign tourists entering Korea directly through regional airports, bypassing the capital region. Among fore

Lee visits southeastern province to inspect pilot basic income scheme

Lee visits southeastern province to inspect pilot basic income scheme

President Lee Jae Myung visited a southeastern province Saturday to inspect a government pilot program providing a monthly basic income to residents in depopulated rural towns. Lee shared details of his unannounced trip to North Gyeongsang Province in a social media post, extending greetings to residents in Yeongyang and Cheongsong counties, located in the same province. The Lee government has introduced the basic income scheme to provide local residents with 150,000 won ($112) per month in gift vouchers. A total of 69 counties nationwide have been designated as population-declining regions, 17 of which are currently running the pilot program.

Lee says multicultural family support resulting in 'reverse discrimination' cannot be justified

Lee says multicultural family support resulting in 'reverse discrimination' cannot be justified

President Lee Jae Myung renewed his call Saturday for a review of multicultural family support programs, saying any preferential policy that can create reverse discrimination cannot be justified. Lee posted the comments on social media amid criticism after he suggested the need to revise the support programs for multicultural families in South Korea, such as priority access to low-cost public postpartum care centers. In an earlier posting on his X account, Lee questioned whether mothers from multicultural families and mothers recognized as persons of national merit deserve to be placed in the same category for reservations at government-funded postpartum care centers. The issue, which the liberal president brought forward after citing a post from a conservative online community site, has drawn backlash from the liberal bloc voicing concern that such a move amounts to inciting hatred in society. "While it is true that support for multicultural families is necessary, that cannot justify specific policies that are unreasonable or may result in reverse discrimination," Lee wrote on X. "Just b

In super-aged Korea, social isolation leaves seniors searching for connection

In super-aged Korea, social isolation leaves seniors searching for connection

Tucked away near the rear entrance of Seoul Station is a building bustling with older adults coming and going. Inside, dozens of white-haired visitors fill the space, some drinking cheap coffee while others watch television. Farther inside, two barbers cut the hair of older visitors. A narrow staircase leads down to a basement, where a small PC cafe with a row of computers and tables for "baduk" (go) and "janggi" (Korean chess) is located. Nearly every seat is occupied by an older person. “The door is always open and we don’t ask them to do anything, including pray,” said Woo Yeon-shik, a pastor who runs the center, Dream City, which also doubles as a church. Operating near Seoul Station since 2011, Dream City draws more than 300 older people each day from across the capital. For Woo, the space increasingly serves a purpose that goes beyond its original mission of helping homeless people: giving older people somewhere to go and someone to be around. That role has become more urgent as Korea, one of the world’s fastest-aging societies, grapples with high suicide rates and social i

Fishing boat catches fire off west coast, all 22 rescued

Fishing boat catches fire off west coast, all 22 rescued

INCHEON — A fishing boat caught fire off the West Sea island of Yeongheung on Saturday and all 22 people aboard were rescued, with two of them taken to a hospital for inhaling smoke, officials said. The fire broke out on the 9.77-ton charter fishing boat in waters 0.9 nautical mile south of the island at 6:51 a.m. After receiving a distress call from the boat, the Coast Guard sent patrol and rescue boats to the scene, put out the fire and rescued all aboard. Two of them, including the boat's skipper, were taken to a hospital for inhaling smoke. Two Coast Guard officers also inhaled smoke and planned to receive medical treatment. The Coast Guard plans to investigate the exact cause of the fire and the extent of damage based on witness statements that sparks and smoke came from the boat's passenger cabin.

No drug-related violations found in special crackdown on eve of Halloween

No drug-related violations found in special crackdown on eve of Halloween

Police said Saturday they have found no drug-related violations during a joint crackdown the previous night on nightlife districts in Seoul on the eve of Halloween. Police carried out inspections at eight clubs in nightlife districts in Gangnam, Seocho and Yongsan on Friday night as part of a special drug crackdown that has been under way since August in cooperation with fire and municipality authorities. "Ahead of Halloween, we conducted crackdowns focusing on clubs, entertainment venues, and areas with high concentrations of foreigners, where large crowds are expected," a police official said. "We will continue to strengthen inspections and crackdown activities in vulnerable areas." Police urged the public to actively report drug-related crimes, saying they will guarantee the anonymity of informants and rewards will be provided.

Ruling party lawmaker issued US visa, days after refusal

Ruling party lawmaker issued US visa, days after refusal

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N. Korea slams multination statement backing anti-Pyongyang sanctions as 'strategic failure'

N. Korea slams multination statement backing anti-Pyongyang sanctions as 'strategic failure'

North Korea blasted Saturday a joint statement recently issued by the United States, South Korea and other partner nations calling for continued enforcement of sanctions against Pyongyang's nuclear and weapons programs, branding the move as a "strategic failure." A spokesperson from the North's foreign ministry issued the criticism in a statement, after 11 countries and the European Union (EU) released the joint statement earlier this week reaffirming their commitment to monitoring the North's activities in violation of U.N. Security Council (UNSC) sanctions resolutions. The joint statement also highlighted the findings of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) on the North's illicit activities and welcomed fresh independent sanctions imposed by the U.S., Australia and the EU over the North's cyberactivities and dispatch of its workers overseas to finance its nuclear weapons and missile programs. "This is another case that reminds us that the hostile forces' bad habit of denying the constitutional status of our state," the spokesperson said in the statement carried by the Nor

N. Korea reports on Swiss FM's visit following opening of diplomatic office

N. Korea reports on Swiss FM's visit following opening of diplomatic office

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S. Korean, US, Japanese FMs reaffirm 'resolute commitment' to complete denuclearization of NK

S. Korean, US, Japanese FMs reaffirm 'resolute commitment' to complete denuclearization of NK

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Late Korean TV icon Choi Bul-am requested documentary chronicle his life amid illness

Late Korean TV icon Choi Bul-am requested documentary chronicle his life amid illness

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Pianist Lim Dong-hyek to perform Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in Seoul

Pianist Lim Dong-hyek to perform Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in Seoul

Pianist Lim Dong-hyek will perform one of the most beloved works in the piano repertoire when he performs Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 under the baton of creative conductor Adriel Kim this November. Having scaled back his recent concert appearances, Lim will perform the concerto for the first time in four years, making the occasion a particularly meaningful encounter with audiences. The concert marks the first collaboration between Lim and Orchestra The Original. Audiences will be watching to see how Lim’s delicate touch and Kim’s meticulous conducting combine to create a distinctive musical dialogue. At the heart of the program is Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Written after the composer overcame a period of profound despair and regained his creative confidence, the work has remained a favorite among audiences for its lyrical melodies and sweeping emotions. Lim’s return to the concerto after four years adds another layer of anticipation, with listeners eager to hear how his interpretation has evolved over time. The concert’s title, “Reboot,” further undersc

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