10/05/2026

theSunday Special XI ON SUNDAY MAY 10, 2026

S EOUL: Under hazy spring sunshine on May 2, hundreds of young Seoulites turned up at a park by the Han River at the invitation of the city government to try to do something many overworked South Koreans never get enough of – sleep. The Seoul Metropolitan government staged its third annual spring event from 3pm, dubbed “Power Nap Contest”, under a refreshed set of admission requirements for would-be participants – wear outfits befitting either a sleeping beauty or prince, come tired and with a full belly. For a metropolis that famously runs on 24-hour shopping malls, competitive hustle and iced coffee, the underlying exhaustion on the lawn was palpable. “Between exam prep and part-time jobs, I survive on three or four hours of sleep a night, patching it up with desk naps during the day,” said Park Jun-seok, who showed up draped in the silken, crimson robes of a Joseon Dynasty monarch. “I’m here to show off my napping skills, and to demonstrate exactly how a king sleeps,” said Park, a 20-year-old university student. Nearby, Yoo Mi-yeon, 24, an English teacher from Ilsan stood out in a plush, oversized koala-themed onesie. “I’ve always suffered from insomnia, I struggle to fall asleep, and wake up easily. “Koalas are famous for their deep slumber. I came dressed as one hoping to borrow a little of their magic,” she said. Now in its third consecutive year, the sleep competition underscores a chronic issue for South Koreans. Data shows South Korea is one of the most overworked and

Data shows South Korea is one of the most overworked and sleep-deprived nations among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development members, where its citizens record among the lowest number of sleep hours. – REUTERSPIC

‘Power Nap Contest’ draws exhausted Seoulites

Annual event underscores sleep deprivation in South Korea

“I was completely drained, having done night shifts often on top of going to work everyday, plus I also drive a lot for work. When I saw the contest, I was determined to sleep to fully recharge amid the river breeze, and I’m very happy to be placed second.” – Reuters

measure the heart rate of participants to make sure they had a stable reading – an indicator of deep, peaceful sleep. The winner of the contest was a man in his 80s. Hwang Du-seong, a 37-year-old office worker, was runner-up.

sleep-deprived nations among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development members, where its citizens record among the lowest number of sleep hours. As the clock struck three and eye masks descended across the park, officials went around to

A participant wearing a Minecraft character costume sleeps during the contest. – REUTERSPIC

Nepalis turn to EVs to avoid fuel shocks KATHMANDU: As global fuel markets reel from the Middle East war, motorists in Nepal are turning to the electric vehicle (EV) option, with high demand putting a strain on dealerships. Electric microbus driver Purushottam Adhikari said he was now shuttling more passengers along the 300km journey between his town in Chitwan district and the capital Kathmandu.

that up to 60% of microbuses entering the city from key routes are now EVs. Customs department spokesman Kishor Bartaula said the number of EVs would rise further, with hundreds awaiting clearance at Nepal’s ports. Concerns that ongoing conflict in the Middle East could prolong global fuel uncertainty are also influencing consumer behaviour. Shraban Bhattari, 49, who recently bought a BYD Atto-2, said the Chinese-made car is saving him daily fuel expenses. “I no longer need to go to the petrol pump,” he said. In April, the government approved a legal framework to allow people to convert their petrol and diesel vehicles into electric ones, known as “retrofitting”. However, EV dealers said they were struggling to meet demand as many motorists were trading in fuel vehicles for EV vans as the price of diesel continues to rise. – AFP

have cost “more than US$66”. An expanding network of charging stations along major highways has made long-distance electric travel increasingly viable. Boarding Purushottam’s van, 20-year-old Susmita Bishowkarma said she prefers to travel in EVs because they are “environmentally friendly, comfortable and comparatively cheap”. Buoyed by a surge in hydropower generation and a greener electric grid than neighbouring India and Bangladesh, Nepal has emerged as one of the world’s fastest adopters of EVs. The Himalayan nation imported more than 13,500 EVs between mid-2024 and mid-2025, double that of petrol vehicles and a sharp rise from just seven a decade ago, government data shows. Fume-free taxis and cars manufactured in China are a common sight in Kathmandu, with traffic officials estimating

“My profession is not affected (by the conflict),” said the 48-year-old, who drives his 18-seater Chinese-made e-van along Nepal’s highways daily. “In fact, more people are choosing EVs.” Soaring global oil prices and fuel supply disruption since Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz have led to long queues at gas stations in countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan, but Nepal has largely avoided the worst of the crisis. “One of the main reasons is the increased penetration of electric vehicles on Nepal’s

Purushottam charging his vehicle at an EV station in Kathmandu. – AFPPIC

war began in February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Purushottam said while transport fares have gone up, his prices remain unchanged at 700 rupees (US$4.60) for a one-way trip in his Joylong A6, which costs US$8 for a full recharge. He added that a full tank for a similar diesel vehicle would

roads,” alternative energy expert Govind Raj Pokharel told AFP. The country of 30 million has an estimated 50,000 EVs, still a small fraction of the total 6.2 million motor vehicles, but a figure officials expect would keep increasing. The price of petrol in Nepal, which imports all of its gasoline, has nearly doubled since the