Kazakh worker killed as concrete ceiling collapses at Seoul construction site

The Korea Times - Sep 29, 2026

A Kazakhstani worker died Tuesday after part of a concrete ceiling collapsed on him at an apartment construction site in southern Seoul, authorities said. The man, in his 30s, was waiting to begin cleaning inside a unit on the 23rd floor of the site in Seoul's Seocho district when part of the concrete ceiling fell and hit him at around 9:45 a.m., according to the labor ministry. The ministry said it immediately suspended work at the site and began an investigation into the incident with police and construction safety authorities. Police and the labor ministry plan to investigate the cause of the accident and look into whether the companies involved violated workplace safety laws.

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Young Koreans use digital placebos to curb spending

Office worker Lee Joo-hyun, 25, opens a mobile app when hunger strikes, even though she is trying to lose weight. Lee browses the menu, selects food and hits the order button. A notification pops up notifying her that the food is being prepared, followed by a real-time map tracking a delivery driver picking up the meal and moving toward her home. The food, however, never arrives. Lee is not charged, either. The platform Lee used is not a standard delivery service but "FoodNeverArrives" — an application designed to simulate the ordering process. Instead of a meal, Lee receives a virtual receipt tallying the money and calories saved. "Looking at the numbers written on the receipt makes me proud. I'm happy even without eating the food," she said. As inflation remains high, digital placebos that curb impulse spending through virtual consumption are gaining popularity among budget-conscious consumers. The simulations provide a sense of satisfaction and amusement without costing money or raising health concerns. For people in their 20s and 30s who self-deprecatingly joke that "only breathin

Young Koreans use digital placebos to curb spending

Newly elected officials report average assets of 1.35 billion won

Officials newly elected in June's local elections reported average assets of 1.35 billion won ($996,500), according to Government Ethics Committee data released Tuesday. The committee disclosed the personal assets of 1,259 individuals, including 563 local governors, mayors, councilors and education chiefs elected in the June elections. The others are 586 people who retired from elected offices and 110 appointed public officials. The average assets of the newly elected people amounted to 1.35 billion won per person. The heads of large local governments averaged 1.99 billion won per person in assets while small local government heads declared an average 1.69 billion won of wealth. Among the heads of small local governments, Bonghwa County Mayor Choi Gi-young reported the largest assets at 34.9 billion won, while Yoon Yu-jin, a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, topped the wealth list among newly elected members of large local councils with 15.64 billion won, according to the data.

Newly elected officials report average assets of 1.35 billion won

What's holding back innovation among Korean startups?

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What's holding back innovation among Korean startups?

Lee calls for thorough probe of mine blast, vows necessary measures

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for a thorough investigation into a mine blast that injured three South Korean soldiers inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) last week, saying he will take necessary measures in line with the results. Lee made the remark during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, a day after the military announced preliminary findings that the explosion likely had been caused by North Korean mines. "The military authorities must transparently reveal the truth behind the case by carrying out a swift and thorough investigation in close cooperation with the U.N. Command (UNC)," he said. "In accordance with that truth, we will take necessary measures." The explosion occurred last Monday during an operation to clear a path for a joint inspection by the South Korean military and the UNC to verify Seoul's suspicions that Pyongyang illegally buried land mines across the border in violation of the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War. Lee had wished the injured troops a swift recovery in a message on his social media account shortly after the incident but it marked

Lee calls for thorough probe of mine blast, vows necessary measures

Cheong Wa Dae denies military inspection of mine blast site connected to Lee's UN remarks

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Cheong Wa Dae denies military inspection of mine blast site connected to Lee's UN remarks

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Korea's overseas direct investment up 32% in Q2

Korea's overseas direct investment rose 32.3 percent in the second quarter of 2026 from a year earlier, data showed Tuesday, led by the financial and communication sectors. Overseas direct investment by Korea totaled $20.52 billion in the April-June period, up from $15.5 billion from the same three month period in 2025, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The figure has posted on-year growth since the third quarter of 2025. By sector, overseas investment in the financial and insurance industry jumped 33.4 percent to $10.48 billion. The finance ministry attributed the increase to Korean businesses' efforts to diversify their global portfolios. Overseas direct investment in manufacturing rose 3.2 percent on-year to $3.57 billion. Investment in the information and communication sector more than tripled to $2.73 billion, the data showed. By destination, investment in the United States rose 53.6 percent to $8.86 billion, followed by Japan at $2.46 billion, sharply up from $300 million a year earlier. Investment in Luxembourg rose 14.2 percent to $1.59 billion, the latest findings sh

Korea's overseas direct investment up 32% in Q2

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FTC chief vows to 'restore justice' as court clears way for Coupang probe

Jeonbuk National University offers AI training for Lotte Energy Materials employees

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Jeonbuk National University offers AI training for Lotte Energy Materials employees

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Celltrion to seek new drug, CDMO partners at int'l pharmaceutical exhibition in Milan

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