[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Lantern festival in Namyangju Sandulsori Botanical Garden in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, is holding a lantern festival through the end of April next year. The botanical garden, open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., will give visitors lanterns to hold as they stroll around the compound that has a restaurant, bakery and cafe. Admission is 8,000 won for all ages except children two years old and younger. Outside food and pets are not allowed. Parking is free. For more information, visit sandulsori.co.k

TravelSept. 20, 2024

[Well-curated] Vintage lights, soul food and films at subway station

Delve into charming vintage lights For vintage enthusiasts, especially those who have a keen understanding of the effects of lighting, Big Sleep Shop is a space worth checking out. Located up a brick staircase in a narrow alley, the shop specializes in vintage lighting and lamps. As you step inside, you’ll find a harmonious display of vintage lamps from various countries including France and Germany. The shop offers housewares made of glass, porcelain and plastic, and showcases lamps of al

CultureSept. 20, 2024

Seoul chastises predatory pricing claims over Czech nuclear export deal

PRAGUE -- The presidential office denounced claims by opposition parties that the South Korean consortium, which became a preferred bidder to build at least two nuclear power units in the Czech Republic in July, had proposed an extremely low bidding price that could waste taxpayers' money following a rise in construction costs. The administration instead claimed that the pricing of the South Korean consortium, led by the state-run Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power, was made at a reasonable level. It

PoliticsSept. 20, 2024

Presidential office rejects liberal agenda of peaceful existence of two Koreas

PRAGUE -- President Yoon Suk Yeol's office on Thursday denounced liberal politicians' emphasis on the peaceful coexistence of two Koreas, reiterating the conservative administration's goal of achieving ultimate peace through reunification as enshrined in the "Unification Doctrine" in August. Contrasting reunification of the separated nations with coexistence, an official of the South Korean presidential office said in Prague on condition of anonymity that the peaceful reunification of

PoliticsSept. 20, 2024

[Andrei Hagiu] Why and how all businesses should consider turning their products into platforms

In the current digital era, businesses are constantly seeking ways to innovate, grow, and maintain a competitive edge. One increasingly popular strategy is transforming products into platforms. This approach involves expanding existing products and services to also enable interactions among customers or between customers and external third-parties. With some creative thinking and careful implementation, this strategy can generate new revenue streams and enhance competitive advantage via network

ViewpointsSept. 20, 2024

Leaders of S. Korea, Czech Republic agree to discuss nuclear energy push

PRAGUE -- President Yoon Suk Yeol and Czech President Petr Pavel agreed to strengthen diplomatic, economic and security ties between the two countries, at a time when South Korea is working to finalize the contract with Czech authorities over its 24 trillion won ($18 billion) nuclear export deal. "(To jointly counter global crisis and threats of authoritarianism), our two countries have decided to bolster cooperation in key areas including politics, economy, culture, technology, diplomacy a

PoliticsSept. 20, 2024

3.9 magnitude earthquake hits northwestern N. Korea: KMA

A 3.9 magnitude earthquake struck North Korea's northwestern province bordering China on Thursday, which is believed to be a natural one, the South Korean weather agency said. The quake struck an area 7 kilometers northeast-east of Ryongrim in Jagang Province, at 7:41 p.m., according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. The epicenter was at a latitude of 40.54 degrees north and a longitude of 126.75 degrees east, the KMA said. The quake is believed to have occurred naturally, it adde

Social AffairsSept. 19, 2024

Parliamentary subcommittee passes bill to toughen punishment for digital sex crimes against teens

A parliamentary subcommittee passed a bill Thursday that calls for tougher punishment for digital sex crimes using deepfake technologies against children and teenagers. During a subcommittee legislative review session, the National Assembly's gender equality and family committee made the bipartisan decision to pass the revision of the act on the protection of children against sex crimes. The proposed bill calls for sentencing of at least three years imprisonment for blackmailing young people usi

PoliticsSept. 19, 2024

Number of ER patients drops 32% during Chuseok holiday

The number of patients who visited hospital emergency rooms dropped 32 percent during the Chuseok holiday, the health ministry said Thursday, assessing that there were no major disruptions in emergency care. A prolonged walkout by trainee doctors had fueled concerns about potential disruptions at hospital emergency rooms during the holiday, prompting the government to ask patients with mild illnesses to visit community hospitals. The average number of patients who visited emergency rooms stood a

Social AffairsSept. 19, 2024

Yoo Ah-in cleared of sexual assault allegation due to lack of evidence

Charges have been dropped and the case closed against actor Yoo Ah-in for alleged sexual assault, due to insufficient evidence, local police said Thursday. Seoul Yongsan Police Station decided not to transfer the case to the prosecution. The police had begun an investigation on July 15 after the 38-year-old actor was accused of sexually assaulting a man in his 30s in an officetel flat in the district. The police had questioned the plaintiff and Yoo, but stated they could not find sufficient evid

Social AffairsSept. 19, 2024

FM Cho to attend UN General Assembly in New York next week

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul will fly to New York next week to attend the annual United Nations General Assembly, where he is expected to discuss key international issues and highlight South Korea's efforts toward sustainable peace, his office said Thursday. During the six-day visit starting Monday, Cho will deliver a keynote speech at the general debate of the high-level gathering to reaffirm South Korea's commitment to ensuring global peace and prosperity, foreign ministry spokespers

Foreign AffairsSept. 19, 2024

Coldplay to perform in Korea next April

Coldplay returns to Korea in April next year, with what is expected to be the largest-ever performance by an overseas artist in the country. The band's last performance in Korea took place eight years ago. The band will hold four concerts on April 16, 18, 19 and 22, 2025, at Goyang Stadium, which can accommodate some 40,000 spectators per show. Coldplay, consisting of Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion, has sold over 100 million records worldwide since its debut in

PerformanceSept. 19, 2024

[What to Stream] Get ready for sweater weather with these fall films

As the heat fades and breezes turn chilly, throw yourself into some well-crafted content perfectly suited to sweater weather. Stay cozy with these films and shows that stir sentimentality and reflection while setting the ideal mood for fall's arrival. "Late Autumn" on Coupang Play "Late Autumn," starring Tang Wei and Hyun Bin, captures the fleeting beauty of an intercultural romance, making it an ideal film to usher in autumn's reflective atmosphere. The film tel

weekenderSept. 19, 2024

Average of 127 children, disabled and dementia patients reported missing daily

An average of 127 missing persons reports involving children are filed each day in Korea, government data showed Thursday. The data also reveal that more than 70,000 adults disappear every year, with over 1,000 of them being found dead. According to data from the National Police Agency, submitted to Rep. Han Byung-do of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, 73,423 children under the age of 18 were reported missing from 2021 to 2023. In the same period, 23,950 people with intellectual, a

Social AffairsSept. 19, 2024

Hyundai Motor officially becomes KT’s largest shareholder

Hyundai Motor Group has officially become the largest shareholder of KT, one of the three main mobile carriers in Korea, the government said Thursday. After months of review, the Ministry of Science and ICT decided to approve the change in KT's largest shareholder, concluding that it does not harm the public interest. In March this year, the National Pension Service, the former biggest shareholder of KT, sold about 2.88 million shares of KT to lower its stake to 7.51 percent from 8.53 perce

CompaniesSept. 19, 2024

Assembly passes special counsel bill to probe first lady

South Korea's National Assembly on Thursday passed three contentious bills pushed ahead by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, including one that mandates a special counsel probe into multiple allegations against first lady Kim Keon Hee. The special counsel probe bill passed 167-0 by the opposition-led parliament during Thursday's plenary meeting is an updated version of the one vetoed by President Yoon Suk Yeol in January. The previous version focused on appointing a specia

PoliticsSept. 19, 2024

Bank of Korea eyes rate cut after US Fed's historic pivot

Following the US Federal Reserve's historic half-point rate cut, expectations are rising that South Korea may follow suit, while closely monitoring its overheated real estate market and soaring household debt. On Wednesday, following a two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting, the Fed cut its benchmark rate by 50 basis points, marking its first reduction in over four years since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in 2020 and the first half-point cut since the 2008 global financial crisis.

EconomySept. 19, 2024

[Herald Interview] Violinist Kavakos on masterful pairing of Bach and Shostakovich for 2025 Classic Revolution

Greek Violinist Leonidas Kavakos, who performed with the KBS Symphony Orchestra earlier this month as part of the annual Classic Revolution, is set to return to Korea next year. When he returns, it will be as the new artistic director of the classical music festival organized by the Lotte Foundation for Arts. For next year, the violinist, who is also pursuing a career as a conductor, said that he will focus the music of Bach and Shostakovich. He explained that the inspiration for the 2025 pr

CultureSept. 19, 2024

Seoul shares end higher after Fed's rate cut

Seoul shares ended higher Thursday as investors cheered the US Federal Reserve's first rate cut in more than four years. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) rose 0.21 percent, or 5.39 points, to close at 2,580.80. Trading volume was moderate at 378.78 million shares worth 12.6 trillion won ($9.5 billion), with gainers exceeding decliners 497 to 371. The Fed cut its overnight lending rate to a range of 4.75 percent to 5 percent a

MarketSept. 19, 2024