What the future holds for M+ as the Hong Kong museum celebrates fifth anniversary

South China Morning Post - Nov 10, 2026

It has been quite a birthday celebration. Ahead of the fifth anniversary of M+ on November 12, the directors of New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and Paris’ Centre Pompidou touched down in Hong Kong to finalise a tripartite alliance with the young museum. The formal pact will see two of the world’s pre-eminent modern art museums share collections and programming with M+ on equal footing. On October 31, it was signed, sealed and toasted with high-wattage glamour at the museum’s fundraising...

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Korea's economy is booming. Why isn't President Lee's popularity?

Korea's economy is booming. Why isn't President Lee's popularity?

On paper, Korea's economy looks strong. Fueled by a semiconductor export boom, the country's annual exports are projected to top $1 trillion for the first time this year, making Korea only the fourth country to reach the milestone, after the United States, China and Germany. Forecasts from eight major investment banks put Korea's real gross domestic product growth at an average of 3.5 percent this year, with some expecting growth as high as 4 percent. Per capita gross national income is also expected to surpass $40,000 for the first time, potentially placing Korea sixth in the world by that measure. By those numbers, President Lee Jae Myung's approval ratings should be soaring. The economy, after all, is widely regarded as one of the biggest drivers of presidential popularity. Yet that is far from the case. A Realmeter survey of 2,528 adults nationwide, conducted from Nov. 2 to Friday for the Asia Business Daily, put Lee's approval rating at just 35.9 percent. His ratings have hovered between the high 30s and low 40s since October, a sharp decline from 67 percent seven months earlier. More

String of drug busts shatters Korea's drug-free myth

String of drug busts shatters Korea's drug-free myth

A string of recent drug cases is eroding Korea’s lingering reputation as a drug-free country, highlighting how both Koreans and foreign nationals are being increasingly drawn into narcotics crime. The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police said Monday that it referred 66 foreign nationals to the prosecution between March and October on charges including violating the Narcotics Control Act, with 30 of them being held in custody. Many of the suspects were Southeast Asian students who entered the country on D-2 student visas or D-4 language training visas. Of the seven separate cases, one involved drug manufacturing plans and another smuggling, while five involved distribution, purchase and use. One suspect set up equipment in a studio apartment to make ecstasy pills from powder and other materials smuggled into Korea, but was caught before obtaining them. Six others were arrested in succession after investigators found evidence that they had smuggled large amounts of ecstasy, ketamine and other drugs into Korea through international mail in March. They operated in isolated cells and took order

N. Korea tests new torpedo, eyes early 2027 deployment

N. Korea tests new torpedo, eyes early 2027 deployment

North Korea has test-fired a new type of torpedo in the East Sea, state media reported Tuesday, saying it plans to deploy the system with its Navy in early 2027. The Academy of Defense Sciences, the Missile Administration and the Torpedo Weapon Research Bureau "verified the combat effectiveness" of the new high-speed torpedo system Monday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The test was part of the "obligatory activities" of the defense research institutes to put weapons technology "on a highly-developed basis," it added. The North gave no further details on the torpedo's specifications. Pyongyang has been pushing to strengthen its naval capabilities with a string of weapons tests. Last month, it conducted an underwater test of a new high-speed, precision-guided torpedo that uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology, calling it a "significant" change in its naval capabilities. It also fired two types of strategic cruise missiles from what was presumed to be a 3,000-ton submarine in the East Sea. In June, it commissioned the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon destroyer in the West Sea, followe

N. Korea's nuclear power recognition demand could hinder prospects for Trump-Kim summit: ex-US official

N. Korea's nuclear power recognition demand could hinder prospects for Trump-Kim summit: ex-US official

North Korea's apparent demand to be recognized as a nuclear power could complicate U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to arrange another summit with leader Kim Jong-un, a former senior State Department official said Monday. "I think my understanding, at least, is that the North Koreans have communicated to the United States that the only condition under which there could be consideration for a summit is if the United States accepted North Korea as a nuclear power," Kurt Campbell, former deputy secretary of state, said. Campbell made the remarks during a press briefing hosted by the Asia Group to preview Trump's upcoming trip to Asia, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Manila and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China. "Given the current circumstances, I think that would be almost impossible for President Trump to accept," Campbell said, noting that it could face opposition from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress. "I don't think the political circumstances make it likely for anything other than maybe just a handshake of sort

ILLIT's 'Break Even' debuts at 6th on Billboard 200

ILLIT's 'Break Even' debuts at 6th on Billboard 200

K-pop girl group ILLIT has landed in the top 10 of the U.S. Billboard's main albums chart for the first time. Billboard said in a chart preview released Monday (U.S. time) that ILLIT's latest EP, "Break Even," debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 for this week. It marks the group's fifth entry on the chart and its first in the top 10. The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the United States, measured by equivalent album units comprising physical and digital sales, as well as streaming and digital track downloads. "Break Even" earned 37,000 equivalent album units during the latest charting period, with 32,500 coming from album sales.

Korea, US hold combined air resupply exercise for wartime readiness

Korea, US hold combined air resupply exercise for wartime readiness

Korea and the United States conducted Tuesday a combined aerial resupply exercise aimed at bolstering their capabilities for rapid airborne logistics supply in wartime scenarios, the allies' combined forces said. The exercise, led by the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC), is designed to maintain rapid aerial sustainment capabilities using combined air transport assets when ground resupply routes are compromised during wartime, the CFC said in a release. The latest drills focused on air-drop operations delivering both heavy loads and light supplies. In particular, forces practiced cross-aerial resupply of military hardware and equipment around the clock and from varying altitudes of more than 3,000 meters, the CFC said. The exercise enhanced the survivability of transport aircraft during wartime and improved the retrieval rate of air-dropped supplies by ground units, it added. The drills brought together their key military units, including the Army Special Warfare Command, the 1st Logistics Support Command, and the Air Force Air Mobility and Reconnaissance Command from the Korean s

Top diplomats of Korea, France discuss ties, Ukraine war

Top diplomats of Korea, France discuss ties, Ukraine war

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has met his French counterpart in Paris and discussed bilateral ties and international issues, including the war in Ukraine, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday. Cho held talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday (local time) on the sidelines of a Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers' meeting, according to the ministry. The two reviewed relations that were elevated to a "strategic partnership" this year, the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties, and agreed to expand practical and mutually beneficial cooperation in high-tech industries and other areas. Cho asked France to continue its support for and interest in Korean companies doing business in Europe. The G7 ministerial meeting, the second this year, is taking place Monday and Tuesday in Marseille, southern France. It is expected to address key global challenges, including artificial intelligence (AI) and developments in the Middle East, following the G7 leaders' summit in June, according to the ministry. Also on the margins of the G7 gathering, Cho met bilaterally with Saudi Foreign Minis

N. Korea's Kim stresses importance of agriculture, vows to improve rural life

N. Korea's Kim stresses importance of agriculture, vows to improve rural life

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has emphasized the importance of agriculture and pledged to improve living standards in rural areas, state media said Tuesday. Kim spoke on Monday during a photo session with participants in the 10th Congress of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea (UAWK), the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. He praised the workers for boosting grain production and stressed the party "remains unshakable in its plan and decision to make the faithful agricultural workers enjoy the benefits of ideal society, highly civilized and prosperous, earlier than anyone else." He also called on the union to "play the role of the ideological agitator and vanguard that accelerates the rural development," describing it as the union's "primary duty." The congress, held in Pyongyang from Friday to Saturday, marked the union's 80th founding anniversary, and took place in the first year of implementing the policy direction set at the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPA) in February. The UAWK is one of North Korea's four major workers' unions, alongside the Gener

From NYC to Tokyo: aespa, RIIZE lead Seoul's international tourism push

From NYC to Tokyo: aespa, RIIZE lead Seoul's international tourism push

Seoul is taking its tourism pitch to some of the world's busiest streets, with K-pop stars leading an international advertising campaign spanning seven cities, including New York, Tokyo and Bangkok. The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Tourism Organization said they are rolling out large-scale outdoor advertisements for their global campaign, "Absolutely in Seoul," featuring Karina and Winter of girl group aespa, along with boy band RIIZE, at prominent commercial and tourist destinations overseas. Built around the concept of "Seoul Syndrome," the campaign presents Seoul as a place where ordinary experiences become extraordinary, capturing the lasting impression the city leaves on visitors and their desire to return. New York's Times Square is the centerpiece of the international push, with campaign videos running on large outdoor screens through Nov. 29, reaching tourists and local residents in one of the world's busiest commercial districts. In Tokyo, advertisements are appearing around Shibuya Scramble through Nov. 20, while Bangkok began displaying the campaign Nov. 1, with scr

Stray Kids take 'Run It' tour global with 25 new dates in Japan, North America, Europe

Stray Kids take 'Run It' tour global with 25 new dates in Japan, North America, Europe

K-pop boy band Stray Kids will play 25 more shows in 23 cities across Japan, North America and Europe next year, extending its “Run It” world tour to 46 shows in 31 cities, the group’s agency JYP Entertainment said Tuesday. The eight-member group announced the new dates Monday on its social media channels and released a new tour poster. The new leg opens with two shows each in Yokohama on April 24 and 25 and Osaka on May 4 and 5. Stray Kids will then play 14 North American dates from May 16 to June 29. The stops are in Seattle; Vancouver, Canada; Santa Clara, San Diego and Los Angeles in California; Arlington and Houston in Texas; Atlanta; Miami and Orlando in Florida; Chicago; Baltimore; Toronto; and East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York City. The European run goes from July 9 to 31, with shows in Paris, London, Munich, Vienna, Barcelona, Arnhem in the Netherlands and Milan. All dates are local time. The agency said many of the shows will be solo concerts at major stadiums. Stray Kids launched the tour with five sold-out concerts in July and August at KSPO Dome, an indoor arena

TXT to turn Lotte World into 'Magic Land' for 1,000 fans

TXT to turn Lotte World into 'Magic Land' for 1,000 fans

K-pop group TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) is taking over Seoul’s Lotte World Adventure later this month, shutting down the theme park to host an exclusive comeback celebration for 1,000 fans. The five-member group announced Monday that it will host “TOMORROW X TOGETHER in MAGIC LAND” on Nov. 30 to celebrate the release of its ninth mini album, “PERFECT STORM.” The event will welcome members of MOA, the group's official fandom, to Lotte World Adventure in Jamsil, southeastern Seoul, for a two-part program combining live music and theme park attractions. Part one will feature a performance by TXT, while part two will give participants access to the indoor amusement park facilities. Adding to the occasion, all five members will take on roles as theme park cast members, allowing them to interact more closely with fans and share the experience. Fans unable to attend in person will also be able to watch the first-part performance through livestreams on the group's official YouTube channel and Weverse, its global fan community platform. The event announcement was released at 5:53 p.m. Monda

Students from 30 countries gather in Seoul to learn Korean language and culture

Students from 30 countries gather in Seoul to learn Korean language and culture

Ninety-two students and teachers from 30 countries wrapped up a five-day immersive camp hosted by the Ministry of Education. A group of 92 secondary school students and teachers from 30 countries completed a five-day immersive journey into Korean language and culture, concluding a nationwide youth camp organized by the Ministry of Education. To mark the end of the 2026 International Korean Education Youth Camp, the ministry and the International Korean Education Foundation held a celebratory ceremony Tuesday evening at Sarangjae, a traditional guest house on the National Assembly grounds in Seoul. Running from Friday to Tuesday across Seoul and Incheon, the camp brought together students enrolled in Korean language classes at their home schools. This year’s cohort welcomed its first-ever participant from Mexico, alongside students from Malaysia and Uzbekistan who were recently featured in a KBS documentary aired on Hangeul Day, the Oct. 9 national holiday celebrating the Korean alphabet. During the program, participants engaged in level-tailored Korean lessons leveraging artificial int

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