North Korea unveiling uranium enrichment site a US election-conscious move: NIS

South Korea’s spy agency considers North Korea publicizing leader Kim Jong-un’s visit to a previously undeclared uranium enrichment facility earlier this month to be a “US election-conscious move,” Rep. Lee Seong-kweon of the National Assembly intelligence committee said Thursday. “Kim’s visits to facilities related to North Korea’s nuclear weapons program are rarely ever disclosed this way. The spy agency said the US presidential election was likely the

PoliticsSept. 26, 2024

Korea Inc. to invest W65tr in AI in 4 years

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday pledged to ramp up his administration's push to enhance the country's artificial intelligence capabilities through the creation of Presidential Committee on AI, as South Korea's private-sector tech companies also vowed to invest 65 trillion won ($49 billion) in AI-related projects through 2027. Companies investing in the upcoming AI projects will likely get tax benefits in return, according to Yoon's office. South Korea will also work to se

PoliticsSept. 26, 2024

Georgia Wine Festival celebrates popularity of Georgian wine in Korea

The Georgia Wine Festival, featuring high-quality wines from the country with the earliest known traces of winemaking, was held in Seoul for the first time amid increasing demand for Georgian wines in Korea, the event organizer said Thursday. Held at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in Jung-gu, central Seoul, on Tuesday, the Georgia Wine Festival featured engaging activities such as a concert by popera group Bellavoce, a buffet featuring dishes regularly paired with wines, as well as a quiz sh

CultureSept. 26, 2024

[Herald Interview] After 'Good Partner,' Jang Na-ra sees marriage as miracle

Jang Na-ra, who portrayed Cha Eun-kyung, the skilled divorce lawyer cheated on by her husband in the popular series "Good Partner," expressed that the show prompted her to reflect deeply on marriage and divorce -- and that the series led her to consider all marriages as "miracles." "Good Partner" follows the stories of divorce lawyers as they tackle a range of clients and their legal challenges. While depicting various divorces faced by modern Koreans, the series al

TelevisionSept. 26, 2024

HanmiGlobal ranks 8th in global CM/PM sales

South Korean construction management firm HanmiGlobal said Thursday that it has been ranked 8th in Engineering New Record’s top construction management and project management firms of the year. This year marks the fourth consecutive year the firm has secured a spot in the top 10. The annual ranking is determined based on global sales in the previous year, including those from the US. In 2023, HanmiGlobal posted $244.8 million in construction management and project management sales. In last

CompaniesSept. 26, 2024

Egypt offers gateway for Korean businesses in emerging markets: ambassador

Egypt's Ambassador to Korea, Khaled Abdelrahman, highlighted the growing potential for collaboration between Egypt and South Korea, particularly in investment and tourism, during the second session of the Global Business Forum Wednesday. Hosted by The Korea Herald, the forum seeks to facilitate knowledge exchange and build networks among Korean business and academic leaders to address the challenges posed by technological advancements and societal shifts. The GBF commenced its sixth edition

EconomySept. 26, 2024

Korea to offer W5m stipend to 1,000 science masters

To support the growth and development of science and technology talent, the South Korean government and the ruling party announced Thursday that it will launch a new program to provide 5 million won ($3,800) a year to 1,000 masters in science and engineering. The government and the People Power Party held a consultation meeting at the National Assembly to discuss the “Strategy for the Growth and Development of Science and Technology Talents.” According to the plan, the party will pro

PoliticsSept. 26, 2024

Hyundai Mobis wins cybersecurity certification in Europe

Hyundai Mobis has become the first automotive parts supplier in Asia to receive a cybersecurity certification from ENX Association, bolstering its chances of securing orders worldwide. According to the auto parts manufacturer under Hyundai Motor Group Thursday, it held a cybersecurity certification presentation ceremony at its technology research center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province with representatives from the European association in attendance. Members of the ENX Association include powerhouse

MobilitySept. 26, 2024

Hyundai Motor, EcoPro BM to develop LFP battery tech

Hyundai Motor Group said that it is partnering with battery materials company EcoPro BM on Thursday to develop its own lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, batteries for electric vehicles. Executives from Hyundai Motor Group, EcoPro BM and Hyundai Steel -- the carmaker’s steel manufacturing affiliate -- met Wednesday in Daejeon to discuss details on the joint research and future cooperation. With the strategic partnership, which is part of the four-year project supported by the Ministry of Trad

MobilitySept. 26, 2024

Seoul wins WHO award for age-friendly policies

Seoul has received an award from the World Health Organization for its policies dedicated to improving the management of senior health in the city, the city government said Thursday. Presented at the 10th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul from Wednesday to Friday, the Healthy Cities Recognition Award for Age-Friendly Cities highlights Seoul's commitment to promoting the health and well-being of its aging population, according to city of

Social AffairsSept. 26, 2024

Financial firms turn to carbon trading for growth, ESG goals

The local carbon trading market is set for a boost early next year, with an influx of financial firms joining as players and securities firms expanding their roles as transaction brokers. Effective Feb. 7, 2025, the government has amended the Enforcement Decree on the Allocation and Trading of Greenhouse Gas Emission Permits, allowing financial institutions -- such as asset managers, banks and insurers -- to participate. These firms will be required to trade through brokers. The revision also es

EconomySept. 26, 2024

Posco International joins global efforts for biodiversity

Posco International, the trading and energy arm of Posco Group, said Thursday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership to join forces for biodiversity. Under the agreement signed Wednesday at the Songdo Posco Tower in Incheon, Posco will partner with the EAAFP to carry out projects that preserve domestic and foreign habitats of black-faced spoonbills. EAAFP, established in 2006, is an international organization dedicated to the conserva

IndustrySept. 26, 2024

Bus driver helps wheelchair user stranded in crosswalk

South Korean internet circles have been buzzing over a heartwarming tale of a bus driver who rushed to help a man in a wheelchair stranded in the middle of a crosswalk on a rainy night. Several citizens during the Chuseok holidays posted online compliments about the driver of Seoul bus No. 470 for his actions in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul, at around 9:40 p.m. on Sept.13. A man on a self-propelled wheelchair was wheeling himself across the crosswalk when the light changed and he was barely halfw

Social AffairsSept. 26, 2024

University student council catches suspect in knife attack threat

After police caught a man who warned of a knife attack at the Kangwon National University festival on Tuesday, it was revealed that members of the school's student council had played a crucial role in apprehending the suspect. The suspect -- who was revealed to be a 21-year-old student of the school -- posted on his Instagram page at 6:50 p.m. Tuesday that he would attack those at the student-run bar at the festival on the university's main campus in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. He w

Social AffairsSept. 26, 2024

[Photo news] Faker Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz Korea presented a custom Mercedes-AMG SL 63 4Matic+ to esports star Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok on Thursday, celebrating his induction into the League of Legends Hall of Legends. Tailored through the bespoke Manufaktur program, the one-of-a-kind roadster features Faker’s signature and Hall of Legends detailing. Powered by a 4.0-liter V8 engine with 585 horsepower, the car is intended to mirror Faker’s agility and precision in gameplay. Mercedes-Benz Korea CEO M

MobilitySept. 26, 2024

[Contribution] Turkmenistan celebrates the 33rd anniversary of its Independence

This year Turkmenistan celebrates the 33rd anniversary of its Independence and marks the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea. Thirty-three years ago, the Constitutional Act on the independence and state structure of Turkmenistan was adopted, according to which Turkmenistan was proclaimed as an independent democratic state. From the date of its independence, under the wise leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Turkmenistan has confiden

PoliticsSept. 26, 2024

CJ's Miky Lee honored with Global Citizen Award

Miky Lee, vice chair of CJ Group and its entertainment and media subsidiary CJ ENM, made history as the first Asian female entrepreneur to receive the Global Citizen Award at the Atlantic Council’s ceremony in New York on Monday. “Entertainment may not have the power to end wars, but it does have the power to build bridges. Bridges of compassion, hope and empathy,” Lee told over 700 influential attendees at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, emphasizing the transformative power of culture,

CompaniesSept. 26, 2024

Incheon Airport tops ACI ratings for 3rd year in row

ATLANTA -- Incheon International Airport Corporation has reaffirmed its status as a global leader in airport services by maintaining its top ranking in the Airports Council International's service evaluation for three consecutive years. At the sixth Customer Experience Global Summit held in Atlanta on Wednesday, Incheon Airport received both the Airport Service Quality "Best Airport" award and the "Most Enjoyable Airport" award, on top of the ACI's Customer Experien

IndustrySept. 26, 2024

Household debt poses risk to financial stability: BOK

South Korea's financial system remains relatively stable, but rising household debt and home prices may increase potential financial instability, a central bank report showed. In its report on financial stability, the Bank of Korea said there are high expectations about monetary easing as household debts and home prices do not show signs of drastically slowing down. The central bank warned of high chances of financial imbalance growing due to a rise in home prices and household debts. The a

EconomySept. 26, 2024

Regulator vows zero tolerance for illegal transaction of virtual assets

The country's top financial watchdog warned against illegal transactions of virtual assets, calling on cryptocurrency exchanges and other virtual asset firms to strictly follow rules. The warning came about two months after the country enacted the new Virtual Asset Users Protection Act, allowing the maximum penalty of life imprisonment for financial gains of more than 5 billion won ($3.75 million) through illegal transactions of virtual assets. "The financial government will continue t

EconomySept. 26, 2024