Latest news with #Seoulites
Korea Herald
25-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seoul sees net inflow of young residents for third consecutive year
For the third year in a row, more young adults moved into Seoul than left it in 2024, city data showed Wednesday. According to a report released Wednesday by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, about 260,000 people aged 19 to 39 newly registered as Seoul residents in 2024, surpassing as the 245,000 people of the same age group who left the city during the same period. This marks the third consecutive year of net inflow, following increases of 32,000 in 2022 and 28,000 in 2023. As of 2023, Seoul had 2.86 million residents aged 19 to 39, accounting for 30.5 percent of the city's total population, which dropped from 3.18 million in the same age group recorded in a 2016 survey. Nearly half of the new young residents of the metropolis said the move was due to work (46.4 percent), followed by family (18.7 percent), and education (15.3 percent). When the under-40s who moved out of Seoul were asked the same question, 34.9 percent cited family, while 28.5 percent said it was due to work and 20.8 percent said it was due to housing. Many of younger Seoulites living alone As of 2022, there were 1.2 million households headed by a person from the 19-39 age group, accounting for 29.3 percent of all households in the city. Of these households, 64.5 percent were single-person households. Only 26.8 percent of households headed by someone under the age of 40 were living in apartments — down from 30 percent in 2016. Detached house-residing families dropped from 33.3 percent to 28.3 percent in the same period. Instead, an increasing number of under-40s were living in alternate housing forms such as "officetel" — a small residential unit inside a commercial-residential building, usually a studio — which increased from 11.8 percent in 2016 to 18.5 percent. As of 2023, 2.08 million under-40s were economically active, which refers to a status of either working or actively looking for a job. About 1.98 million of them were actually working, with 58 percent of them working as employees of a company.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
First dibs: Top picks at Korea's cult-favourite Standard Bun pop-up in SG
For just 2 months, Korea's hottest bakery — Standard Bun — is bringing its viral bakes to town! The pop-ups will be located at Suntec City (4 Jun to 3 Aug) and Bugis Junction (10 Jun to 13 Jul). Famed for their mocha buns that see Seoulites queuing down the block, this is your chance to experience Korea's bakery culture without hopping on a plane. Even the king of K-POP, G-Dragon, is a fan! You may be wondering, 'Isn't the mocha bun just an overpriced Rotiboy?' I also had my doubts, so we tried 8 out of Standard Bun's 25 flavours, and here's our verdict. The signature Mocha Bun (S$3.90) boasts a lightly dense, chewy centre with a crispy, fragrant mocha crust. But what sets Standard Bun's bakes apart is their house-aged maple butter — a rich, savoury layer with a hint of mellow sweetness from the maple that lingers after every bite. You can purchase the spread individually at S$2.90 for 50g and S$19 for 300g. Although that didn't blow us away, we absolutely adored the Salt Mocha Bun (S$4.20) (left). I'd best describe it as the love child of a coffee bun and a shio pan, 2 of the best breads in the world. Compared to its sweet counterpart, it's slightly fluffier with a crispy, salty underside that contrasts with it perfectly. Savoury bread lovers should definitely get the Garlic Cream Cheese Bun (S$5.50), which tastes as good as it looks. The filling was a decadent mix of slightly sweetish, garlicky, cheesy goodness that was rounded out with its creamy texture. For my dessert lovers, I'd recommend the Milk Cream Bun (S$5.80) that transported me straight to Korea. It was packed to the brim with a rich milk cream that had a cloud-like texture, ensuring that it doesn't get too jelak. It was pleasantly sweet, but not at all cloying. Paired with the fluffy bun, I simply couldn't put it down. Some notable mentions are the Apple Cinnamon Bun (S$5.60) and Jambon Bun (S$7.50). Both had the same base of a mocha bun, but I felt that the innovative flavour combinations here took it to the next level. Also, just look at those thick slabs of butter! Although it's just a pop-up, Standard Bun is going all the way by offering coffee and ice cream on the menu for the full cafe experience. And if there's one thing Koreans nail, it has to be their innovative dessert coffee selection. Pair your bakes with their signature Ice Cream Latte (Iced) (S$8.50) and Almond Mocha Java (S$7.50). In my humble opinion as a self-proclaimed bread connoisseur, Standard Bun is above the standard, for sure. Ppalli head down to Standard Bun to try them for yourself! Butter Town: Assorted buttery shio pan & decadent sourdough cakes from hawker stall The post First dibs: Top picks at Korea's cult-favourite Standard Bun pop-up in SG appeared first on
Korea Herald
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
With weight of crisis, Korea votes with renewed resolve
Korean voters face task of 'saving nation,' seeking new leader to restore order, mend deep societal divisions On a radiant Tuesday morning, the schoolyard of an elementary school in Jongno, central Seoul, momentarily resembled a scene of carefree family life, as a couple swung their young daughter by her arms, laughter echoing across the grounds. But this was no ordinary school visit — the family came to cast their ballots in a critical by-election to choose Korea's next president. The vote follows a tumultuous chapter in the nation's political history. Six months earlier, then-President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, a controversial decision that derailed his presidency and plunged the country into political and social paralysis. On April 4, the Constitutional Court upheld the National Assembly's impeachment, irrevocably removing Yoon from office and triggering this irregular presidential election. After two days of early voting on Thursday and Friday, Election Day arrived Tuesday, as voters across the country turned out to choose between the six candidates vying to lead a divided nation. 'I cast my vote in the hope of seeing a leader emerge who can mend the deep divisions in Korean society, whether of wealth, gender, generation or religion, where people clash rather than seek understanding and peace,' said Yoo, a man in his 50s at the elementary school with his wife and daughter. Yoo added that extreme divisions in society harm the nation's interests in key areas such as national security and the economy. 'When assessing what benefits our country, we shouldn't dismiss things as simply bad or good, but rather approach them with a clearer perspective.' Across the capital, many Seoulites were eager to make their voices heard as early as possible through their votes. At the district office of Dongjak-gu in southern Seoul, around 30 people were lined up to vote at 5:57 a.m., just before voting was to officially open at 6 a.m. 'I didn't expect to see so many people waiting in line,' said a 50-something woman surnamed Kim, the first in line at the polling station. 'It's clear that many people, like me, are deeply interested in this presidential election. I hope the new leader will work to build a nation that serves the broader interests of the people.' Seated on the office sofa was a woman in her 70s, who remarked she had come to the polling station despite her sore knees, believing that voting was akin to "saving the nation." Her sentiment echoed that of many early-morning voters, especially in the wake of the recent political turmoil from which the country is only beginning to recover. 'Last time, we saw a narrow margin that completely changed the outcome,' said Kim, a man in his early 30s in Wangsimni, Seongdong-gu, referring to the 2022 presidential election, where a 0.73 percentage point difference determined the winner. His friend, standing next to him, added, 'Most people around me said they're voting this time. I came today realizing that my vote carries much more weight than I had thought.' Some were hard-liners, like a man in his 70s who completed voting at 7:25 a.m. at a high school in Apgujeong-dong, southern Seoul, fuming that this election was about saving the country from 'thieflike' criminals. At the same polling station, a 63-year-old businessperson warned the nation could not afford to be lost to 'anti-government forces' engaged in illegal activities. While voting carries the mission of endorsing a particular candidate, some simply longed for a return to stability. Lee, a senior university student, voiced hopes for a better economy under the new administration: 'I'm currently preparing for the job market, but recent news only seems to worsen the employment outlook. I hope the economy improves, boosting job prospects.' Another 24-year-old university student called for the country to shift its focus from broad political discourse to the smaller, everyday issues that truly matter to people. 'Please give us hope that we can do better,' she pleaded to the future leader. minmin@ yeeun@ forestjs@
Korea Herald
04-05-2025
- Korea Herald
In South Korea, you can shop, dine and even see a doctor underground. But risks may lurk beneath
Not just subway stations, evolving underground retail has become part of urban life for Koreans, but safety concerns grow Beneath Express Bus Terminal Station, a major transfer hub for Seoul Subway Lines 3, 7 and 9, a massive labyrinth of underground shops unfolds, rivaling the scale of a department store. Known as GOTO Mall, this 880-meter-long underground shopping center, which begins at Exit 8-1, houses around 630 stores and is recognized as one of Seoul's three largest underground malls, alongside those at Gangnam and Jamsil Stations. The underground mall offers a wide selection of goods, from clothing and shoes to home decor items and flowers, making it a go-to destination for shoppers. Its vast selection and affordable prices have turned it into a popular hotspot for foreign tourists as well. Rachel Chua, 27, a tourist from Malaysia who always shops for cosmetics and accessories when visiting Korea, said, "I like how easy it is to move from one shopping mall to another just by taking the subway." "Malaysia has underground spaces attached to malls or supermarkets, but not full-scale shopping towns beneath subway stations like in Seoul," she said. City under the city Beyond shopping, Seoul's vast underground network has evolved into a vital part of daily life for city dwellers. At many major subway stations across the capital, commuters can grab a meal, shop for groceries or even visit a clinic — without ever stepping above ground. Franchise restaurants and cafes are a common sight, often equipped with standing tables to accommodate the fast-paced lifestyle of Seoulites in transit. Eight stations, including Jongno 3-ga, Yeoksam and Hapjeong, host medical clinics offering services from internal medicine to dermatology, alongside pharmacies. Fruit vendors also populate key locations near ticket gates and transfer stairways at stations like Hapjeong, Seongsu, Sadang and Bangbae, serving office workers and other individuals on the move. The rise of uncrewed retail is also witnessed underground, as a growing number of such stores have been filling underground spaces. Ten stations, including Soongsil University, Eungam and Myeongil, have 24-hour uncrewed pet supply shops, while nine stations, including Sinyongsan and Sangsu, host staffless print shops for document services. According to Seoul Metro, the number of uncrewed stores inside the city's subway stations generally increased over time, rising from 15 in 2022 to 28 in 2023, with a slight dip to 27 as of September last year. Seoul's underground commercial spaces trace back to the rapid urbanization of the 1970s and 1980s. With soaring land prices and limited surface area, city planners and developers began turning to underground spaces to meet commercial demand. 'In other major global cities like Tokyo, New York and London, underground spaces were initially developed to improve transit connectivity or serve as emergency shelters,' said Cho Won-chul, professor emeritus of civil engineering at Yonsei University. 'In contrast, Seoul prioritized commercial development to keep pace with its economic boom.' Today, these underground malls have become a critical revenue stream for financially struggling transit operators. In a city of daily commuters, bus and subway fare hikes are politically sensitive, often viewed by the public much like tax increases. As such, Seoul Metro, which operates the city's majority of subway lines, has been increasingly turning to commercial development within its stations to offset its mounting deficits, leasing retail space to vendors, he added. The subway operator recorded a net loss of 724.1 billion won ($536.4 million) at the end of last year, a nearly 40 percent jump from 517.3 billion won in 2022. Sinkholes, ground safety concerns While underground retail helps revitalize the local economy and offer added convenience for consumers, they also come with growing concerns over ground stability, according to Kim Jae-gwan, professor of urban engineering at the University of Seoul. "When many commercial facilities are built inside subway stations, they significantly increase the overall structural load placed on the ground below. This added weight can put extra stress on the underlying soil, particularly in areas with soft ground or high groundwater levels," Kim explained. "At the same time, they can disrupt the natural flow of groundwater, which could lead to uneven soil conditions, drying out some areas while saturating others. This ultimately weakens the stability of the ground." He also noted that building underground facilities often requires changing or expanding existing structures, which can interfere with the natural flow of groundwater. When this happens, groundwater may be blocked or begin to accumulate in certain areas. Then some parts of the soil can become overly dry, while others may become overly saturated. This kind of imbalance can weaken the ground over time, the professor added. Concerns about ground stability heightened recently in major cities after a series of sinkhole incidents. On March 24, a motorist was swallowed by a major sinkhole measuring 20 meters wide and 18 meters deep that opened suddenly at an intersection near an elementary school in Gangdong-gu, eastern Seoul. He was later found dead. Another large sinkhole measuring 5 meters wide and 4.5 meters deep opened up under a pedestrian crossing near a subway construction site in Sasang-gu, Busan on April 14. No injuries were reported. While there is no direct evidence linking the development of underground facilities to sinkholes, poor management during construction can contribute to their formation, said professor Park Chang-geun of the civil engineering department at Catholic Kwandong University. "Sinkholes are primarily caused by faulty construction practices, such as improper excavation, inadequate soil stabilization or poor backfilling," Park said. Backfilling refers to the process of refilling an excavated area with soil, sand, gravel or other materials to prevent ground collapse. "In a country with limited land, the development of underground commercial facilities is not only an efficient but also an inevitable solution. Still, without careful management during construction, the risk of ground instability remains a serious concern."
Korea Herald
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Stroll across Han River in car-free Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival
Popular 'space-out competition' to take place on May 11 at 4 p.m. The annual Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival returns this month, inviting Seoulites to unplug from their routines and enjoy car-free strolls across the Han River. Organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the festival will run every Sunday from May 4 to July 22 near Jamsu Bridge and Banpo Hangang Park, both in Seoul. Each Sunday, approximately 1.1 kilometers of Jamsu Bridge -- the submersible bridge spanning the Han River -- will be closed to traffic from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., transforming the space into a pedestrian-friendly zone. This year's theme, 'Painting a romantic walk with two feet," encourages visitors to enjoy the lush riverside scenery and embrace slow living through leisurely walks and curated activities. A crowd favorite, the 'space-out competition,' will return on May 11 at 4 p.m. Participants will compete to see who can stay most relaxed and idle -- a playful challenge in doing absolutely nothing. On June 1, Jamsu Bridge will host its first-ever sports match above the Han River, as the fencing team under the Seoul City Hall holds an exhibition game on the bridge -- shaped uncannily like a fencing piste. Additional highlights include a meditation session set to gugak, or traditional Korean music, and a sunset yoga class, scheduled for second and third Sundays of June, respectively, on Jamsu Bridge.
