Korea to certify 1,000 Korean restaurants abroad with expanded rating system

The Korea Times - Oct 20, 2026

As global appetite for Korean food soars beyond classic barbecued beef into everyday staples like fried chicken and "gimbap," Korea’s agricultural ministry is launching an initiative to ensure diners abroad get authentic, high-quality meals wherever they step into a Korean eatery. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs unveiled a five-year plan, Tuesday, to dramatically expand and overhaul its overseas restaurant certification system, targeting a total of 1,000 official seals of approval worldwide. The strategy comes as global awareness of Korean cuisine climbed to 68.6 percent in 2025, driven by the global fame of Korean pop culture and television dramas. Yet rapid international growth has brought quality control challenges, with some overseas venues trading on the name of Korean food despite lacking culinary expertise or proper ingredients. To bridge that gap, the ministry is overhauling its Excellence in Korean Dining program. Once limited to upscale establishments, the updated system introduces a two-tier rating structure that includes casual neighborhood spots. Resta

Read full article

More News

President Lee calls for all-out efforts to boost housing supply

President Lee calls for all-out efforts to boost housing supply

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday stressed the need to cut the time required for administrative procedures in building homes, calling for all-out efforts to boost housing supply. The president made the call during a Cabinet meeting as runaway housing prices persist despite the government's efforts to cool the market. "Stable housing is the foundation for practical improvements in people's lives," Lee said, citing a decline in housing construction permits and the supply of new land for real estate development over the past three years as reasons for disruptions in housing supply. "In order to resolve the current problems in the real estate market, created by various factors that have accumulated over the years, consistent market management policies and large-scale housing supply measures should be implemented promptly," he added. Lee instructed officials to make all-out efforts to boost housing supply by cutting the time needed to prepare land for development and granting administrative permits for house construction as quickly as possible, "without being constrained by customary practic

Lee to hold 2nd plenary meeting on deregulation this week

Lee to hold 2nd plenary meeting on deregulation this week

President Lee Jae Myung will attend a meeting this week aimed at easing regulations to help nurture advanced industries and ensure balanced development, his office said Tuesday. The second plenary meeting of the regulation rationalization committee will be held Friday following the first session in April, according to Cheong Wa Dae. The upcoming meeting is expected to discuss ways to ease regulations to support the Lee administration's development plan focusing on regional growth, as well as its push to secure absolute global leadership in cutting-edge industries. As part of the discussion, officials will present solutions to regulatory obstacles to advancing growth-engine industries, including robotics, semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, self-driving vehicles and biotechnology, the presidential office said. They are also expected to delve into discussions on rationalizing unnecessary regulations to promote the growth of venture companies. Friday's meeting will bring together officials from Cheong Wa Dae and the finance, science, interior, industry, health, labor,

Man sent to prosecutors for allegedly murdering mother-in-law, kidnapping wife

Man sent to prosecutors for allegedly murdering mother-in-law, kidnapping wife

Police on Tuesday referred a man to the prosecution for allegedly murdering his mother-in-law and kidnapping his wife, officials said. The man, identified as 26-year-old Kim Sung-woo, is accused of stabbing his mother-in-law to death at her home in southern Seoul on Oct. 11 before kidnapping his wife who had been staying there, according to the Seoul Songpa Police Station. Kim allegedly assaulted his wife in the face when she was confined in his vehicle before police rescued her and took him into custody in Yangyang County, about 150 kilometers east of Seoul, hours after the alleged murder. The police station said it recommended charges of retaliatory murder, retaliatory confinement, aggravated assault and violations of laws on stalking and domestic violence against Kim to the prosecution. Kim's wife had applied for divorce mediation in August before withdrawing it to seek an annulment of their marriage. The suspect had stalked his wife on 18 occasions between Sept. 16 to Oct. 11, waiting for her near his in-law's home, the police said. Investigators are putting weight on the possibility t

[COVER STORY] Should women serve? Korea's female conscription debate is back as troop pool shrinks

[COVER STORY] Should women serve? Korea's female conscription debate is back as troop pool shrinks

South Korea’s decade-old debate over female conscription resurfaced during a National Assembly audit this month, amid growing concerns that a shrinking draft-eligible population could undermine military readiness. During a National Assembly defense committee audit on Oct. 12, opposition lawmakers raised the issue, arguing that the time has come for a public discussion as the eligible male population continues to fall. Defense ministry data shows the pool of 20-year-old men eligible for service dropped from 332,000 in 2019 to 257,000 in 2022, and is projected to fall further to 228,000 by 2035 and 120,000 by 2043. Rep. Yoo Yeong-ha of the main opposition People Power Party said, "Now, we must officially put female conscription on the table. This will also require broad societal consensus." Rep. Chun Ha-ram of the Reform Party used the term “gender-equal conscription” — meaning mandatory service for both men and women — to call for a broader discussion on reforming the system. “If we continue wringing a dry towel without even considering gender-equal conscription as an option,

Unification ministry urges N. Korea to halt armistice violations, respond to dialogue efforts

Unification ministry urges N. Korea to halt armistice violations, respond to dialogue efforts

The unification ministry on Tuesday urged North Korea to refrain from escalating tensions along the inter-Korean border and respond to Seoul's efforts to resolve issues related to the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). The appeal came a day after Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, threatened to deploy more tactical weapons near the southern border and consider resuming loudspeaker broadcasts targeting South Korea in response to the South Korean military's warning shots and broadcasts over North Korean troops' repeated crossings of the MDL. "To fundamentally resolve tensions and the risk of clashes related to the MDL, the two sides need to reconcile their positions on the MDL and establish a communication system for its peaceful management as soon as possible," the ministry said. The ministry also called on Pyongyang to respond to efforts "to prevent unnecessary escalation and achieve an effective resolution of the issues," stressing that North Korean acts violating the Armistice Agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War must cease immediately. In a state

Key gov't-led DMZ projects remain stalled as UNC denies clearance over safety risks

Key gov't-led DMZ projects remain stalled as UNC denies clearance over safety risks

Several government-led environmental and historical initiatives inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) have been stalled for over two years as the U.S.-led United Nations Command (UNC) continues to withhold clearance, citing safety risks, Seoul officials said Tuesday. South Korea launched a series of DMZ initiatives in 2020, ranging from ecological and forestry studies to the recovery of lost villages and exploring potential UNESCO World Heritage candidate sites, to implement a 2018 inter-Korean summit agreement to transform the tense border area into a peace zone. The projects had proceeded throughout the years, except for the winter seasons, and continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the projects were suspended in May 2024 after the UNC, which holds authority over DMZ entry control under the Armistice Agreement — a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War — refused to give clearance, citing changes to the security situation along the heavily fortified border. Tensions had flared up between the two Koreas at the time, triggered by South Korea-based civic groups' sending of anti-

N. Korea's Kim tours light industry expo, touts regional policy achievements

N. Korea's Kim tours light industry expo, touts regional policy achievements

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited a garment and footwear exhibition, highlighting achievements in light industry production under his signature regional development policy, state media reported Tuesday. Kim toured the 2026 National Garment and Footwear Exhibition the previous day and expressed satisfaction that products on display showed "rapid and substantial" development in light industry, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). According to photos published by the state media, Kim was accompanied on the tour by his daughter, Ju-ae, and his wife, Ri Sol-ju. On display were more than 70,700 items of clothing of over 30 types and more than 170,000 pairs of shoes of over 60 kinds, produced at light industry factories across the nation under Kim's regional development policy, according to the report. "This is a clear demonstration of the validity and vitality of the Party's policy aimed at eliminating the differences between the central and local areas and between urban and rural areas and achieving simultaneous and balanced development of the whole country," the Nort

Lee Chang-dong's 'Possible Love' wins Korean film critics award

Lee Chang-dong's 'Possible Love' wins Korean film critics award

Korean auteur Lee Chang-dong's Venice-winning film "Possible Love" was named the best film of the year by an association of Korean film critics on Tuesday. Jeon Do-yeon, one of the film's leads, was also named best actress, according to the list of winners for this year's Korean Association of Film Critics Awards. "Possible Love," Lee's first feature film in eight years, follows the intertwined lives of a laid-off worker and his wife, and a documentary maker and her affluent husband. The film won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival. Director Na Hong-jin's sci-fi blockbuster "Hope" clinched three awards in the categories of best director, best actor for lead Zo In-sung and best cinematography. Also among the winners were Park Ji-hoon, who won best new actor for his performance in "The King's Warden," which has become the most-watched film in Korea this year, and Seo Su-bin, who won best new actress for "The World of Love." In addition to "Possible Love" and "Hope," the films "The Assassin(s)," "The King's Warden," "The World of Love," "Sal

Taiwan content agency partners with 'The Roundup' producer at Busan film festival

Taiwan content agency partners with 'The Roundup' producer at Busan film festival

Taiwan’s state content agency signed a partnership with the Korean production house behind “The Roundup” crime-action franchise during the 31st Busan International Film Festival, as part of a push to expand film and TV cooperation between the two sides. The Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), established in 2019 under Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture to support the production, financing and overseas expansion of Taiwanese films, series, music, comics and games, signed a memorandum of understanding with B.A. Entertainment on Oct. 12 at the Paradise Hotel Busan, the agency said. B.A. Entertainment also produced “The King’s Warden,” which drew 16.9 million moviegoers this year, and “The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil.” Under the agreement, the two will cooperate on co-planning and co-producing content, talent development, financing and international distribution. “Building international partnerships and connecting resources is essential for Taiwanese content to reach the global market,” TAICCA Chairperson Sue Wang said. The agreement will help Taiwan’s original stories

Illit's 'Magnetic' becomes fastest debut song by K-pop group to reach 900 mil. streams

Illit's 'Magnetic' becomes fastest debut song by K-pop group to reach 900 mil. streams

Girl group Illit's "Magnetic" has surpassed 900 million streams on Spotify, becoming the fastest K-pop group debut song to reach the milestone on the world's largest music streaming platform, its agency said Tuesday. The track reached the milestone on Sunday, about two years and seven months after its release in March 2024, according to Belift Lab. "This is the shortest time taken among the debut songs of K-pop groups that have reached the same number of streams on Spotify," the agency said in a release. Blending Pluggnb and house genres, the dance track "Magnetic" compares the feelings of being drawn to a crush to a magnet. The song achieved widespread popularity following its release, sweeping top spots on local music charts while also entering the U.S. Billboard's Hot 100 main singles chart and the British Official Singles Chart Top 100.

Inside EJAE's Seoul wedding: 'KPop Demon Hunters' singer unveils bridal photos

Inside EJAE's Seoul wedding: 'KPop Demon Hunters' singer unveils bridal photos

New wedding photos of EJAE, the singer-songwriter behind the global "KPop Demon Hunters" phenomenon, are drawing attention after offering a closer look at her tying the knot in Seoul — from a custom bridal gown to a traditional Korean wedding ceremony. Vogue unveiled photos from EJAE's wedding to producer Sam Kim on its website and social media accounts Tuesday, giving fans a glimpse inside the celebration held Saturday at Stage28 in Seoul's Gangdong District. In the newly released photos, EJAE wears a strapless custom Danielle Frankel wedding gown featuring voluminous layers of tulle and a dramatic silhouette. Kim appears alongside her in a custom tuxedo. Other images capture the couple taking part in "pyebaek," a traditional Korean wedding ceremony in which newlyweds pay respects to their families. The couple later celebrated with guests at a reception held in a glass greenhouse-style space. The wedding venue also carried a personal connection for EJAE. She is the granddaughter of veteran Korean actor Shin Young-kyun, and Stage28 is a place where she spent time with her maternal gran

'KPop Demon Hunters' singer-songwriter EJAE ties knot with producer Sam Kim

'KPop Demon Hunters' singer-songwriter EJAE ties knot with producer Sam Kim

Korean American singer-songwriter EJAE, who gained attention for "Golden" from the original soundtrack of the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," has married music producer and composer Sam Kim. The couple held an outdoor wedding ceremony on Saturday at a multipurpose cultural space that sits on the former residence site of EJAE's maternal grandfather and veteran actor Shin Young-kyun, the U.S. fashion magazine Vogue reported Monday (U.S. time). The pair had originally planned to hold the ceremony in California next month, but moved the location to Korea and advanced the date by about a month. The couple tied the knot after four months of preparation, having temporarily postponed their wedding plans due to promotional schedules and award show appearances following the success of "KPop Demon Hunters." "It was hectic and a little stressful, but it was real teamwork, and everything has fallen into place perfectly," EJAE told the magazine regarding the preparation process. EJAE and Kim first met during a music session in 2017, and continued their relationship as musical colleagues and

Recommended

Asia Viral News

Asia Viral News features the latest and most trending news from Asia. Get ready to immerse yourself in the daily engaging topics with share-worthy news only in Asia Viral News.

ABOUT US
Newsletter

Copyright © 2015 - 2026 Asia Viral News. All Rights Reserved.