LG Electronics sets up consortium for heat pump technology in China

LG Electronics said Sunday it has established a consortium in China to accelerate the development of the core technologies for next-generation heat pumps, adding to its research hubs in North America and Europe. Under the collaboration agreement, LG will be working with leading heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) researchers from Harbin Institute of Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Xian Jiaotong University, the company said. The company has been expanding its research a

IndustrySept. 1, 2024

Leaders of rival parties agree to launch 'livelihood' consultative body

People Power Party Chair Han Dong-hoon and Democratic Party of Korea Chair Rep. Lee Jae-myung on Sunday agreed to launch a special consultative body for livelihood policies, review issues tied to the financial investment tax policy and urge the government to establish an emergency medical system for the upcoming Chuseok holiday. The agreements came as part of a joint statement announced by the ruling and the main opposition parties as the result of the first official talks between Han and Lee. T

PoliticsSept. 1, 2024

Ex-President Moon named suspect in bribery probe

Prosecutors have identified former President Moon Jae-in a suspect in a bribery case, alleging that his former son-in-law received preferential treatment in securing a job with an airline in return for arranging a key government appointment for the politician who founded the airline, according to legal sources on Sunday. The Criminal Division 3 of the Jeonju District Prosecutor’s Office is leading the investigation into Moon's potential involvement, as detailed in a search warrant e

PoliticsSept. 1, 2024

Night out at Seokjojeon

A tour of a Joseon-era (1392-1910) palace that includes coffee and desserts as well as a mini-musical exploring the life of King Gojong, the 26th Joseon king and the first emperor of the Daehan Empire, will return for a fall edition from Sept. 24 to Nov. 2. Seokjojeon, a hall at Deoksugung designed by British architect John Reginald Harding and constructed in 1910, is known as the first Western-style stone building in Korea. A guide will start tours by introducing the history of the two-story ha

Arts & DesignSept. 1, 2024

[Herald Review] ‘Concerning My Daughter’: Learning how to love someone without understanding

Sang-ok (Oh Min-ae) is a mother in her 50s working as a caregiver at a nursing home. When Sang-ok’s 30-something daughter unexpectedly moves into her house with her girlfriend of seven years, Sang-ok is forced to live with them. “Maybe I let you study too much,” Sang-ok says to her daughter, a part-time instructor at a college. Sang-ok hurls a barrage of questions at her daughter: “What can you guys do together? Can you guys register as a married couple? What about having

FilmSept. 1, 2024

SK Speedmate launches as rebranded auto repair firm

SK Speedmate, an automotive maintenance company, announced Sunday its official launch after spinning off from SK Networks to become a top automotive aftermarket service provider in Korea. SK Networks decided to spin off the Speedmate division as part of its push to transition to an AI-centric company. The automotive maintenance business has been rebranded as SK Speedmate, and is now a full-owned subsidiary under the rental firm. SK owns 43.9 percent of SK Networks. “Utilizing our strong br

IndustrySept. 1, 2024

[Photo News] Smart ambassadors boost Hana

Hana Financial Group on Friday concluded the 18th round of its Smart Ambassador program, a three-month initiative promoting its ESG, or environmental, social and governance activities. In the photo, Vice President Lee Eun-hyung (second row, center) poses with the student ambassadors during the closing ceremony at the company's headquarters in Myeong-dong, Seoul. Since June, 50 college students have engaged in various projects such as creating public relations content, visiting Hana affiliat

EconomySept. 1, 2024

S-Oil powers Korean Air flight with local eco-friendly fuel

S-Oil will begin supplying domestically produced sustainable aviation fuel to Korean Air’s flights between Incheon International Airport and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport once a week, the company said Sunday, becoming the first refiner in South Korea to provide SAF for regular international passenger flights departing from a local airport. The first SAF-fueled flight took off last Friday, celebrated at a ceremony attended by key figures such as Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk

IndustrySept. 1, 2024

'If the flames go out; I die': Woman kills abusive boyfriend with fire

A South Korean court said it has sentenced a woman to a 12-year jail term for killing her boyfriend after being subject to years of physical abuse. The Gunsan Branch of the Jeonju District Court found the 42-year-old defendant guilty of setting fire to a home in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, on May 11, resulting in the victim's death. The investigation found that she had been physically abused by the victim repeatedly during their five-year relationship. Allegedly, on the day of the crime

Social AffairsSept. 1, 2024

Police announce crackdown on illegal drugs focused on clubs

The National Investigation Headquarters of the Korean National Police Agency announced Sunday that it has begun a strengthened crackdown on drugs at facilities in entertainment districts such as nightclubs, which will continue until end of the year. Multiple police units have been mobilized to assist existing drug investigation personnel, according to the agency. The Narcotics Investigation Unit will focus on investigating drug distribution activities in entertainment districts. The Mobile Det

Social AffairsSept. 1, 2024

Isabelle Huppert set for Asian premiere of play 'Mary Said What She Said' in Korea

Award-winning French actress Isabelle Huppert will make her first stage appearance in Korea this November. Huppert will star in the one-woman play “Mary Said What She Said,” which is set to have its Asian premiere at the Seongnam Arts Center Opera House in Gyeonggi Province, Nov. 1-2. Written by Darryl Pinckney and based on the letters of Mary, Queen of Scots, the monologue in three parts follows Mary as she confronts the forces shaping her fate while, accused of treason by Elizabeth

PerformanceSept. 1, 2024

SM Entertainment and LG Uplus to create AI-based content for virtual artist naevis

SM Entertainment formed a strategic partnership with LG Uplus, one of the nation’s top telecom carriers, Thursday to collaborate on AI-driven content creation and joint branding efforts for its first virtual artist, Naevis. The partnership involves using LG Uplus’s generative AI technology, ixi-GEN, to create a wide array of content for Naevis, including music videos, short visual clips and concept images. Naevis was originally introduced in aespa's digital universe, Kwangya, an

K-popSept. 1, 2024

Markswoman Kim Ye-ji exudes ‘main character energy’ in Louis Vuitton shoot

South Korean sharpshooter Kim Ye-ji, whose effortless cool-heroine vibe catapulted her to internet fame, has seamlessly transitioned from Olympic medalist to high-fashion model. Korean fashion magazine W Korea released a photo shoot online Sunday featuring Kim in Louis Vuitton garments, complemented by props like shooting glasses and air pistols that help maintain her sharpshooter persona in her debut modeling gig. In a set of 10 photos, the 31-year-old embodies the "main character energy

More SportsSept. 1, 2024

Korea suffers longest streak of tropical nights in history

This year marked the longest streak of tropical nights in South Korea's recorded history, with regions across the country averaging 20.2 tropical nights so far, the state-run weather agency said Sunday. The total number of tropical nights this year surpassed 16.8 in 1994 and 16.7 in 2018 -- years that are infamous among residents for being among the hottest years, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. An average of 11.3 tropical nights was recorded in the month of August, ma

Social AffairsSept. 1, 2024

[AtoZ into Korean mind] Patriarchal values lose hold: Korean fathers want to change but lack role models

  Oh Yoon-suk, a 43-year-old office worker in Busan, addresses his father -- but not his mom -- using honorifics. “I call my mother ‘eomma,’ but with my father, it’s always been ‘abeoji,’” he explained. “Eomma” is a less formal term for “mother,” while “abeoji” is a more respectful way of saying “father.” It’s similar to saying “father” instead of “dad.” Oh’s linguis

Hashtag KoreaSept. 1, 2024

Banks tighten curbs on mortgage loans amid worries over rising home prices in Seoul

Banks in South Korea started tightening curbs on mortgage loans on Sunday, officials said, amid concerns over rising housing prices in Seoul and household debts. The move came as the Financial Services Commission asked banks to toughen screenings for new mortgage borrowers and to reduce the size of loans available under the tightened criteria. The stress debt service ratio (DSR), which measures how much a borrower has to pay for principal and interest in proportion to their yearly income, serves

EconomySept. 1, 2024

Exports of Hyundai, Kia hybrid vehicles jump 35.2%

Exports of hybrid cars by Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Corp. jumped 35.2 percent on-year in the first seven months of this year, industry data showed Sunday. Hyundai Motor and Kia exported a total of 222,818 hybrid vehicles between January and July, compared with 164,851 units for the same period last year, according to data from the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association. Hyundai Motor, in particular, saw its exports of hybrid vehicles soar 58.3 percent on-year to 141,032 units.

MobilitySept. 1, 2024

Exports rise for 11th straight month in August on strong chip demand

South Korea's exports extended their on-year gains for the 11th straight month in August, driven by strong demand for semiconductors, data showed Sunday. Outbound shipments rose 11.4 percent on-year to $57.9 billion last month, according to data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Imports increased 6 percent on-year to $54 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $3.83 billion. South Korea has maintained a trade surplus for 15 consecutive months. By sector, exports of ch

EconomySept. 1, 2024

Leaders of ruling, main opposition parties set to hold 1st official talks

Leaders of the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party are set to hold their first official talks Sunday, party officials said. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon is scheduled to meet with Lee Jae-myung, who was reelected as the chief of the DP in August, at the National Assembly at 2 p.m. Sunday for a 90-minute meeting. They are expected to discuss various issues, including a special counsel probe into a young Marine's death and a new investment tax policy. Han and Lee will dis

PoliticsSept. 1, 2024