‘Staunch patriot, close friend’: Beijing official hails Tung Chee-hwa’s legacy

South China Morning Post - Sep 20, 2026

Hong Kong’s first post-colonial leader, Tung Chee-hwa, has been lauded as a pioneer of “one country, two systems”, a staunch patriot and a close friend of the Communist Party who also contributed to Sino-US relations, according to a eulogy delivered by a senior Beijing official. In his remarks at Tung’s state funeral on Sunday, seen by the South China Morning Post, Shi Taifeng – a Politburo member and first vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) – also...

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Girl group Fin.K.L to resume full-group activities after 21 years

Girl group Fin.K.L to resume full-group activities after 21 years

Fin.K.L, one of the late 1990s' most influential K-pop acts, is set to resume full-group activities for the first time in 21 years, the group's agency said Monday. Gemstone E&M announced that all four original members — Lee Hyo-ri, Ock Joo-hyun, Lee Jin and Sung Yu-ri — have reunited under the Fin.K.L name and that preparations are underway for group activities. "This time, it is a new start for activities as Fin.K.L beyond a one-off reunion," the agency said in a news release. The quartet last performed together as a full group in 2005 with the digital single "Forever Fin.K.L." Although the members briefly reunited in 2019 for the JTBC variety show "Camping Club," releasing a new song tied to the show, that effort was viewed as a project linked to the program rather than a resumption of full group activities. Debuting in 1998, Fin.K.L helped define the early K-pop girl group era with hits including "Blue Rain," "To My Boyfriend" and "Eternal Love."

NMIXX rides grand prize triumph into dynamic new era with 'Strange Muse'

NMIXX rides grand prize triumph into dynamic new era with 'Strange Muse'

Coming off their first-ever grand prize at a major music awards ceremony, K-pop girl group NMIXX is poised to turn the global music stage into its personal canvas with the release of its sixth EP, “Strange Muse,” arriving Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. The six-member group enters this next chapter backed by undeniable momentum, capitalizing on the career milestone with an atmospheric, dreamy comeback tailored for the autumn season. JYP Entertainment said Monday that the six-track mini album marks an artistic leap forward for the ensemble. Beyond its anticipated lead single, “Birthday Wish” and energetic group tracks like “Kerosene” and “RudE TaLK,” the project represents a milestone for NMIXX: its first album to feature dedicated subunit songs. Vocal standouts Lily and Haewon team up for the haunting “Sing to the Moon,” Sullyoon and Bae join forces on “Hot ’n Unbothered,” while Jiwoo and Kyujin deliver the high-octane track “WHIP.” More than just a showcase of dynamic pairing, “Strange Muse” places creative authority directly into the hands of the performers themselv

PM vows to make seamless preparations to launch Global AI Hub

PM vows to make seamless preparations to launch Global AI Hub

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Monday the government will make seamless preparations to realize the country's "Global AI Hub" initiative, including selecting the best location for the envisioned hub through fair and transparent procedures. In May, Korea unveiled its vision to launch the Global AI Hub in the country in an effort to bring together the artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities of global organizations to address challenges, such as disease control and climate change. The envisioned hub seeks to promote cross-border cooperation in the AI sector with nine global organizations and five multilateral development banks and is expected to serve as a platform to provide AI-based solutions to pending issues under the vision of "AI for All, AI to Solve Global Challenges." "The time has come for us to take action beyond declaration," Han said during the first meeting of the preparation committee. "The government will make seamless preparations to launch the Global AI Hub by swiftly establishing a dedicated support system and selecting the optimal location through fair and transpar

N. Korea urges timely rice harvest to meet economic targets

N. Korea urges timely rice harvest to meet economic targets

North Korea on Monday urged its people to complete the rice harvest at the right time as part of a broader push to meet targets under its five-year national economic plan. The Rodong Sinmun, the country's most widely read state newspaper, devoted its front page to articles and a commentary on the harvest. Describing the agriculture industry as "the first sector that shows the results of the year's business," the paper said a successful harvest would "inspire the people with confidence and optimism and reinvigorate the nation's economy." "There is no task more important or urgent than the fall harvest," it said, urging people to throw themselves into the effort. The paper also struck an upbeat note on this year's harvest, crediting growing mechanization in the field. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced the country's new five-year economic plan during a key party congress in February, stressing agricultural mechanization to increase crop output.

Seongbuk District hosts Latin American Festival

Seongbuk District hosts Latin American Festival

The 13th Latin American Festival was held with the participation of 15 Central and South American countries' embassies on Saturday at the Baram Madang plaza area of Seongbuk District Office in northeastern Seoul. Launched in 2011 and marking its 13th edition this year, the festival was organized by Seongbuk District Office. About 22 booths offered sales and hands-on experiences, inviting visitors to enjoy Latin American foods such as arepas, empanadas, tacos and pupusas — as well as traditional hats, musical instruments, accessories and local specialties. A variety of cultural performances, including traditional Mexican Jalisco dance, Argentine tango, Ecuadorian traditional and popular music, Salvadoran traditional dance, Peruvian Latin music and Colombian traditional dance also provided entertainment during the festival. Angie Shakira Martinez Tejera, ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Korea, said the event offered an opportunity to introduce different sides of her country. The embassy brought her country's music, dance, food, crafts and baseball culture to Seoul as part of the

Over 1,300 overseas Koreans to gather in Songdo for World Korean Week

Over 1,300 overseas Koreans to gather in Songdo for World Korean Week

More than 1,300 members of the Korean diaspora are set to converge in Incheon’s Songdo district next week for a five-day program bringing together political, business, cultural and community events. The Overseas Koreans Agency said Monday that World Korean Week will begin Sunday and run through Oct. 1 at Songdo Convensia, ahead of Oct. 5 World Korean Day. The program links the World Korean Association Leaders Conference, World Korean Business Convention, Future Leaders’ Conference and Korean Festival in one week. Participants include Korean community leaders and professionals working in business, culture, science and education, with organizers seeking to connect generations and industries while creating opportunities for dialogue with residents in Korea. The World Korean Association Leaders Conference will open Sunday and run through Tuesday, bringing community leaders from around the world together to discuss regional issues and share operating practices. For the first time, a private-sector steering committee representing the overseas Korean community will oversee planning and opera

University of Seoul, George Washington University launch graduate credit-transfer partnership

University of Seoul, George Washington University launch graduate credit-transfer partnership

The University of Seoul has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with George Washington University (GWU) to establish an academic and credit-transfer partnership for students seeking admission to graduate business programs. The University of Seoul said the MOU was signed by the two institutions at George Washington University on Sept. 15 as part of efforts to strengthen academic cooperation. The agreement will enable University of Seoul students to apply for GWU’s Preferred International Partnership program for international graduate students through academic and curricular collaboration between the two universities. Under the partnership, eligible University of Seoul students can take graduate-level courses at the university before enrolling in a graduate program at GWU. If they earn a grade of B or higher in those courses, up to six credits can be transferred toward their GWU graduate program. Students who enter a GWU graduate program through the credit-transfer arrangement can complete their master’s program at GWU and receive a degree upon fulfilling all graduation requireme

Kookmin University partners with German research institutes, Volkswagen Group Korea foundation

Kookmin University partners with German research institutes, Volkswagen Group Korea foundation

Kookmin University has joined forces with German research institutes and a Volkswagen Group Korea-affiliated nonprofit organization to nurture global talent in future automotive software, the university said. On Sept. 3, Kookmin University, together with Ajou University, Inha University and Chungbuk National University, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Niedersachsisches Forschungszentrum Fahrzeugtechnik (NFF) and the Institute of Automotive Engineering (IAE), both affiliated with TU Braunschweig, Germany’s oldest technical university, to launch the Automotive Future Talent Fostering Program. The Volkswagen Group WE: Foundation was also a signatory to the MOU. The signing ceremony was attended by Kookmin University President Jeong Seung-ryul; Till Scheer, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group Korea and chairman of the Volkswagen Group WE: Foundation; and Roman Henze, director of the IAE. The partnership aims to cultivate future mobility talent with international research experience and interdisciplinary practical skills. The initiative comes amid rapid changes across t

Thailand's 'Festival of Lights' in Seoul

Thailand's 'Festival of Lights' in Seoul

Thai Ambassador to Korea Tanee Sangrat, sixth from left, poses with participants during the first Loy Krathong Myeongdong with Hana Bank event in Seoul, Saturday. The cultural gathering, celebrating Thailand's traditional festival of lights, was held to promote Thai culture and showcased performances, cuisine, music and tourism. Courtesy of Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul

K-pop's 'bone-thin ideal' leaves idols traumatized, hospitalized

K-pop's 'bone-thin ideal' leaves idols traumatized, hospitalized

How many kilograms a K-pop singer loses is a frequent talking point. As thin physiques become the standard of beauty and appearance-based target weights become widespread, an obsession with weight loss continues to affect not only celebrities but the younger generation. In a recent video posted on RESCENE member Woni's Youtube channel, fellow members Minami and Liv revealed how much weight they lost ahead of their debut. Looking back on wardrobe fittings and high-intensity training, Minami said she cried nearly every day. She also disclosed that she suffered severe psychological strain from the massive weight loss. Minami later addressed the video on a fan platform. "Honestly, an idol's diet talk is so fun, isn't it? If I were in your shoes, I think I'd find it entertaining too," she said, but added that while the subject is "presented lightheartedly," it was a "highly traumatic and stressful" ordeal for her. She added that while there is pressure to maintain one's appearance and weight as an idol, no one should ever be harassed over their looks. She emphasized that inner character matter

Veteran actress Yoon Mi-ra recalls 'sponsor' offers in Korean entertainment

Veteran actress Yoon Mi-ra recalls 'sponsor' offers in Korean entertainment

Veteran actress Yoon Mi-ra has opened up about what she says were once widespread “sponsor” offers in Korea’s entertainment industry, recalling that she repeatedly received proposals from men offering financial support — and that two men once even showed up outside her home. Yoon shared the stories in a video uploaded Thursday to her YouTube channel, titled “I went out for sashimi and ended up falling for someone.” In Korea, the term “sponsor” has sometimes been used in the entertainment industry to describe arrangements in which wealthy or influential individuals provide money, expensive gifts or other support to celebrities in exchange for an intimate relationship. Yoon recalled receiving such an offer at a time when mobile phones were not yet common and families relied on landlines at home. “Back then, there were no cellphones, and we had a white telephone at home,” Yoon said. “One day, my mother answered the phone, and someone said there was a person who wanted to ‘support’ me. My mother said, ‘Is my daughter a gisaeng?’ and hung up.” A gisaeng was a pr

Ex-military commanders get severe prison terms for martial law roles

Ex-military commanders get severe prison terms for martial law roles

A Seoul court on Monday sentenced five former military commanders to heavy prison terms after finding them guilty of playing key roles in an insurrection under former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed 2024 martial law bid. The Seoul Central District Court handed out an 18-year prison term for Yeo In-hyung, former commander of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, and a 15-year term for Lee Jin-woo, former chief of the Capital Defense Command. It also gave a 12-year term for Moon Sang-ho, former commander of the Defense Intelligence Command, a 10-year term for former Army Chief of Staff Park An-su, who served as the martial law commander, and a nine-year term for Kwak Jong-keun, former commander of the Army Special Warfare Command. The court found the defendants guilty of multiple charges, including sending troops to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission and organizing and operating arrest teams for politicians after Yoon's martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team had sought 30-year terms for Yeo and Lee, a 25-year term for Park, a

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