From food to culture: South Korea hosts activities to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties with Singapore
To celebrate the occasion, a slew of activities – from food to the arts – are also being lined up to bring a slice of Singapore to Seoul.
Last month, for instance, South Koreans were treated to a performance by Singapore contemporary dance group T.H.E Dance Company at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul.
The event was put together to deepen cultural understanding between both sides, which established diplomatic ties in August 1975.
UPGRADING RELATIONS
Singapore's Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Eric Teo said the two countries have treaded a similar path without any natural resources, relying only on their people to attain success.
'We not only rank among each other's top 10 trading and investment partners, we also collaborate closely in new and emerging areas such as digital economy, artificial intelligence and startups, energy, sustainability and many other areas,' he added.
'We are looking forward to upgrading our relations to a strategic partnership this year, during the 50th anniversary."
South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik also praised the close bilateral ties, saying he plans to travel to Singapore this year.
In February, his Singaporean counterpart, Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, visited Seoul and met with Mr Woo. Both sides exchanged views about the common challenges on global developments and ways to boost inter-parliamentary ties.
"High-level exchanges are extremely important. In that sense, following the speaker's visit to Korea, my visit to Singapore and the participation of our leaders in APEC, I believe we can achieve not only progress in a single area, but development across many fields,' said Mr Woo, referring to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to be hosted in South Korea this year.
Former South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan said he believes the relations between Singapore and South Korea will be further strengthened.
"Singapore is a gateway for the Korean government as well as the Korean business circle to Southeast Asian countries,' he added.
'ASEAN is very important for Korea. So I think it's inevitable that Korea and Singapore have to cooperate with each other to strengthen our participation in Southeast Asian countries."
LOVE FOR FOOD
Also last month, the Singapore Embassy in Seoul hosted a food carnival to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations.
Ambassadors and current and former lawmakers attended the event to sample 50 Singaporean dishes including chilli crab, laksa and kaya toast.
Ambassador Teo said Singaporeans and Koreans share a love for food, 'with cuisine woven into the fabric of our daily life'.
More Singaporeans have also set up food and beverage businesses in South Korea.
Singaporean Joel Lim started his restaurant in the South Korean capital about five years ago, naming it One Degree North, after Singapore's geographic coordinates.
Business was tough in the early days, when Mr Lim first moved there in 2019 after marrying a South Korean. One Degree North started out as a delivery-only Asian roast joint during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These days, the eatery fills up fast at peak hours with patrons hungry for a taste of Singapore's hawker food like chicken rice.
The restaurant owner told CNA he takes pride in having introduced Singaporean cuisine to South Koreans.
'Especially during COVID when we started, I felt like we kind of bridged the gap and allowed Koreans to have a little mini-vacation (by) coming here to try the food,' he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Independent Singapore
an hour ago
- Independent Singapore
Is Singapore really too expensive? A closer look at the debate behind the complaints
SINGAPORE: With the city-state's recent elections, online media is bursting with feisty debates, mostly around one prickly issue — the cost of living. Among the many voices, one Redditor crossed the noise with a piercing question: 'People who are complaining that Singapore is too expensive to live in—mind sharing your financial position and why you hold such strong views?' It wasn't meant as an attack but a challenge to the mounting upsurge of frustration online. The poster admitted the escalating costs—food, housing, and everyday overheads—but also added that this situation isn't limited to Singapore. Nonetheless, what hit them most was the tenor of the discussion. 'I see a lot of rage online about the election results, people saying Singaporeans deserve the government they vote for, etc.,' the post continued. 'If you're earning S$10k a month, using CPF (Central Provident Fund) to pay off your HDB (Housing & Development Board) but are upset you can't upgrade to a condo or travel like you used to—I can't empathize as much.' That triggered an outbreak of responses, exposing a polarised public sentiment. Some commenters claimed that Singaporeans relish making complaints, even when they're comparatively prosperous. 'Nah. Singaporeans just love to complain in general… They drive their Tesla or Mercedes, then complain that a bowl of noodles is S$6,' one user stated ironically. 'Yet they have no qualms feeding their high-SES lifestyle.' What this user is saying is that most of the grievances come from those who are not really economically stressed or struggling to survive but are upset by their failure to sustain what they have or to elevate to a more comfortable lifestyle. However, others disagreed with the idea that it's all pure grumbling. Among the most reverberating points was articulated by a user who clarified that while Singapore may not be unbearable to survive in, it has become excessively expensive to enjoy. 'SG isn't expensive to survive in, but SG is expensive if you want to enjoy having nice things,' the user wrote. 'I don't even mean luxury goods—just things like convenience, aesthetics, and comfort. A cozy café to read a book and sip coffee? That'll cost you quite a bit.' The problem, the user claimed, lies in Singapore's lack of space and the commercialisation of every available nook. On the contrary, the same user noted going overseas shows just how reachable comfort and quality of life can be somewhere else for a lesser amount of money. Another reaction focused on expectations. According to this netizen's view, many Singaporeans are rushing to a standard of living that they may no longer be able to pay for. 'A big chunk of this demographic doesn't live within their means,' a user weighed in. 'They expect lifestyles that now align more with the upper middle class. But for every couple that doesn't get a BTO (build to order), there's one that did—and they're laughing all the way to the bank.' Other voices talked about the bigger picture. One commenter recognised Singapore's extraordinary economic advancement but doubted its significance to the ordinary citizen's everyday existence. 'Yes, the country's economy is thriving, but what's the point of a thriving country when its people can't enjoy any of it?' the commenter asked. 'Are we building this country to impress the world or to serve the people who live here?' All of this discussion ties in with politics, and many found the chance to echo the election results. Many voiced discontent with the present circumstances, but others contended that Singaporeans are calling for better change and not just any kind of change. See also SingFirst's reply to CNA on PM Lee's speech 'The fact that PAP is still being voted in, including in younger GRCs, says a lot,' one experienced voter said. 'People want quality change. Not emotional speeches or promises of free vouchers. Real policies. Real solutions.' The netizen named candidates like Jeremy Tan as illustrations of the kind of grounded, policy-driven direction that reverberates. 'He focused on the specifics. I would've voted for him if I was in Mountbatten,' the commenter added. So, is Singapore too expensive? That hinges on what you're trying to measure – comfort, aspiration, or survival. What's clear is that Singapore's affluence and accomplishment do not touch everyone and that the path forward, economically and politically, will demand more than just GDP growth or sleek global standings. It will necessitate confidence, distinction, and leaders prepared to pay attention and listen beyond the noise.
Online Citizen
an hour ago
- Online Citizen
Singapore sees 7% drop in marriages in 2024; more elderly living alone as family dynamics shift
SINGAPORE: The number of marriages registered in Singapore in 2024 fell by 7 per cent compared to the previous year, according to a report released by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) on 7 July 2025. A total of 26,328 marriages were recorded last year, down from 28,310 in 2023, based on data from the Department of Statistics (SingStat) featured in MSF's latest family trends report. The drop was most notable among civil marriages, which declined across nearly all age groups. The steepest falls were seen among those aged 25 to 34. In 2024, 15,213 brides in this age bracket were married, an 8.9 per cent decline from 16,707 the previous year. Similarly, 13,615 grooms aged 25 to 34 tied the knot, down 9 per cent from 14,956 in 2023. Out of the total marriages, 21,144 were civil unions, compared to 22,914 in 2023. Muslim marriages also dipped slightly, from 5,396 in 2023 to 5,184 in 2024. This decline was attributed to fewer unions involving grooms aged 30 to 34 and 45 and above, and brides aged 30 to 34 and 40 to 44. The overall trend aligns with the increasing median age at first marriage over the past decade. In 2014, the median age for first marriages was 30.2 years for grooms and 28.2 years for brides. By 2024, these figures had risen to 31.1 and 29.6 years respectively. Divorce and annulment cases see a slight rise There was also a modest increase in the number of divorces and annulments. In 2024, 7,382 marriages ended in dissolution, a 3.7 per cent rise from 7,118 in 2023, SingStat reported. The median age at divorce increased to 44.4 years for men and 40.9 years for women, up from 42.6 and 38.4 years respectively in 2014. Marriages ending in divorce lasted a median of 11.1 years in 2024, compared to 10.4 years a decade earlier. Couples married for five to nine years accounted for the highest share of divorces, comprising 29 per cent in 2024. Marriage stability improving among recent cohorts Despite the increase in annual divorces, long-term marriage stability has improved. MSF highlighted that the cumulative proportion of divorces before the 10th wedding anniversary declined from 17 per cent for couples married in 2005 to 14.4 per cent for those married in 2013. 'This signifies greater marriage stability among recent cohorts of married couples,' the ministry stated. The largest improvement was noted in Muslim marriages. Although divorce rates among Muslims remain higher than those of civil unions, the gap has significantly narrowed over the years. Later parenthood and persistently low fertility rate Singaporeans are also delaying parenthood. In 2024, the median age of first-time fathers rose to 33.6 years, up from 32.9 in 2014. For first-time mothers, the median age increased from 30.4 to 31.9 over the same period. Despite these shifts, the country's total fertility rate remained at a historic low of 0.97 in 2024 — its second consecutive year below the replacement rate of 1.0. Growing uptake of paternity leave and infant care facilities The uptake of government-paid paternity leave has risen gradually. In 2023, 56 per cent of eligible fathers took paternity leave, compared to 53 per cent the previous year. Maternity leave uptake has remained high, with 74 per cent of mothers making use of it in both 2022 and 2023. To support working parents, full-day infant care places have nearly tripled over the past decade. According to data from the Early Childhood Development Agency, available spots grew from 5,628 in 2014 to 16,207 in 2024. Enrolment also increased from 3,506 to 11,265. Full-day childcare places similarly expanded from 104,066 in 2014 to 200,847 in 2024. More elderly living alone despite strong family support values Singapore's ageing population continues to grow. The number of residents aged 65 and above living at home increased from 466,300 in 2014 to 767,900 in 2024. While 80 per cent still live with a spouse or children, the number living alone doubled over the past decade — from 42,100 in 2014 to 87,200 in 2024. A 2023 MSF survey showed that more than 80 per cent of respondents considered family the top source of support for elderly relatives. Additionally, 90.4 per cent of respondents agreed on the importance of maintaining close ties between grandparents and grandchildren. 'This shows that family members continue to be the key line of support for elderly,' MSF said.
New Paper
2 hours ago
- New Paper
Up to $1,300 in GSTV cash and MediSave top-ups in August for eligible Singaporeans
More than 1.5 million eligible Singaporean adults will receive up to $850 cash via the GST Voucher scheme, and about 690,000 seniors will receive up to $450 in MediSave top-ups in August. They will receive $850 in cash if they are 21 or older in 2025, have an assessable income of up to $39,000 in the latest assessment year, and own at most one property whose annual value is up to $21,000 in 2024. Those who meet this same age and income criteria but whose property's annual value is over $21,000 but no more than $31,000 will get $450 instead. Singaporeans who own more than one property are not eligible for the payout. Eligible recipients will automatically receive their payments via PayNow from Aug 6 if they have previously linked their NRIC to PayNow via their bank, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said in a release on July 7. Those who opted for Giro will receive their payments from Aug 15, while those who chose GovCash will get theirs from Aug 22. They will also be notified via SMS after the benefits have been credited. Those who do not have a Singpass-registered mobile number will be informed through a letter sent to the address on their identity card. The permanent GST Voucher scheme was introduced by the Government in 2012 to help lower- and middle-income Singaporeans offset some of their GST expenses. The ministry said the assessable income threshold for this round of cash payouts was raised from $34,000 to $39,000 from August to maintain the coverage of the scheme, given that the incomes of these Singaporeans have improved. For the MediSave top-ups, the amount to be credited depends on the age of the person and the annual value of their property. The highest amount of $450 will be credited to those aged 85 or older in 2025 who own at most one property with an annual value of up to $21,000 in 2024. The top-ups will be automatically credited into their Central Provident Fund MediSave accounts from Aug 11. MOF said: "A total of $1.5 billion will be disbursed under the GSTV - Cash and GSTV - MediSave schemes, as part of the permanent GST Voucher scheme this year. This is on top of the other support that Singaporeans will receive in financial year 2025." The ministry added that the SMS notification from " will inform Singaporeans only of their benefits. They will not be asked to reply to the message, click on any links or provide any information to the sender. Government officials will also never ask anyone to transfer money or reveal bank login details over the phone, MOF said. In February, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled a record $143.1 billion Budget that includes SG60 vouchers and a new round of CDC vouchers. He also said that he expected a surplus of $6.8 billion, or 0.9 per cent of the gross domestic product, for the 2025 financial year.
