Samsung to widen gap with Chinese rivals with AI TVs

Samsung Electronics said it is confident in maintaining its No. 1 position in the global TV market by widening the gap with Chinese rivals with its advanced artificial intelligence technology. “We believe that AI TVs will be a unique differentiator that other companies do not offer, as it is not just a TV but a platform that can connect various devices customers own,” Yong Seok-woo, president and head of visual display business at Samsung Electronics, said during a press conference i

TechnologyAug. 22, 2024

SK chief embraces AI for future growth at Icheon Forum

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won stressed the importance of adapting business strategies to the evolving AI ecosystem at the closing session of Icheon Forum 2024, SK Group's annual strategy meeting of top executives, which ended Wednesday. "Artificial intelligence presents us with numerous opportunities," Chey said. "Leveraging this trend effectively and embracing change swiftly will be crucial for thriving in the AI ecosystem." The chairman emphasized that while adapting

IndustryAug. 22, 2024

Famous child model Ella to debut as member of The Black Label's first girl group

The Black Label announced Thursday that Ella Gross, a child model-turned-K-pop trainee, will debut as a member of its first girl group MEOVV to be launched in September. The agency dropped an introduction clip of the member, who goes by Ella, on its official YouTube channel Wednesday. The two-minute clip highlights Ella’s authentic looks and the chic mood radiating from her. The clip includes a quote from Ella, “I remember nothing but the destination I was heading to. Which is why I

K-popAug. 22, 2024

BOK keeps rate at 3.5%, cuts growth projection to 2.4%

The Bank of Korea kept the base rate steady at 3.5 percent Thursday while slashing the projection for economic growth by 0.1 percentage point to 2.4 percent due to slow domestic demand. All members of the monetary policy board agreed on the rate freeze. Of the six members, excluding BOK Gov. Rhee Chang-yong, four suggested leaving room for a rate cut within the next three months, according to Rhee. With the rate decision, the BOK has kept the rate steady for the 13th straight time since it raise

EconomyAug. 22, 2024

SK chief, partner ordered to pay W2b to estranged wife

A Seoul court on Thursday ordered SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and his live-in partner to pay 2 billion won ($1.50 million) in alimony to his estranged wife and the director of Art Center Nabi, Roh Soh-yeong. The Seoul Family Court ordered in a lawsuit seeking damage, filed by Roh against Chey’s partner Kim Hee-young, who is serving as the chair of T&C Foundation, that the defendant should jointly pay 2 billion won to the plaintiff along with the SK chief. “Based on the submitt

IndustryAug. 22, 2024

Opposition chief isolates over COVID-19, cancels key events

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chairperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, tested positive for COVID-19 and went into self-isolation Wednesday, the same day he was due to meet with former President Moon Jae-in. The Democratic Party said in an announcement to reporters that Lee had tested positive for COVID-19 and canceled his public itinerary to keep in line with government guidelines that recommend at-home isolation until a day after symptoms go away. His COVID-19 diagnosis delayed highly anticipated me

PoliticsAug. 22, 2024

Young Posse showcases bold ambitions with new EP 'Ate That'

Rising K-pop girl group Young Posse, less than a year old, showcased their ambition to conquer the K-pop industry with their latest release, "Ate That," at a Seoul event on Wednesday. After successfully debuting with their first EP "Macaroni Cheese" in October last year and raising the bar with their second EP "XXL," released in March, the group's third album represents their ambition to take over the K-pop scene with “Ate That," according to group l

K-popAug. 22, 2024

Celebrities on photo line: walk of shame or equal treatment?

Suga of BTS not showing up for his first round of police questioning Thursday reignited debates over whether high-profile figures are unfairly targeted by being made to face the media on the photo line when they are under investigation. The star of the mega-hit K-pop group faces accusations of driving an electric scooter under the influence earlier this month. Reports initially indicated that he would appear for questioning at Yongsan Police Station for the first time on Thursday, drawing dozens

Social AffairsAug. 22, 2024

Harsher punishment sought for illegal driving of e-scooters, in light of related accidents

Lawmakers are seeking to impose stricter penalties for illegal operation of electric-powered scooters, on the coattails of safety concerns sparked by a series of accidents, including one involving K-pop superstar Suga. The controversy surrounding what are legally defined as electric-powered bicycles and electric kick scooters erupted earlier this month, when the BTS member was caught driving an e-scooter while under the influence of alcohol. The incident fueled ongoing concerns over the safety o

Social AffairsAug. 22, 2024

Hana empowers aspiring women leaders

Hana Financial Group is spearheading female empowerment with its program designed to unlock the potential of women's talents and to nurture them as leaders shaping the future of the group. The financial conglomerate, with subsidiaries of a retail bank, credit card and insurance firms, among others, under its wing, said it launched the fourth edition of Hana Waves, an annual in-house program that has nurtured 98 future female leaders since its establishment in 2021. Hana Waves -- Women

IndustryAug. 22, 2024

Coway outpaces rivals in filter technology

Korean home appliance-maker Coway has retained its No. 1 position in the nation’s water purifier market for almost three decades with its unrivaled filter technology. “Since the very beginning of our water purifier business, we have put intensive effort into enhancing the quality of water filters, one of the key components. Unlike most competitors, we can produce the products' main water filters on our own,” said a company official. With constant efforts to enhance the qua

IndustryAug. 22, 2024

Seoulites eat less fruit, more meat than decade ago: study

The eating habits of people living in Seoul have shifted towards consuming more meat, fewer vegetables and less fruit in the past decade, a study by the city-funded Seoul Institute showed Thursday. Seoul residents were eating 33.2 percent less fruit and 26.2 percent more meat in 2021 compared to in 2012, according to the study. Specifically, fruit consumption fell from 181.4 grams a day per person to 12.8 grams a day, while meat consumption rose from 110 grams per day per person to 149.1 grams a

Social AffairsAug. 22, 2024

[Test Drive] Casper Electric: a small, yet full package

The Casper Electric, Hyundai Motor’s newest all-electric sub-compact sport utility vehicle, might look unassuming but it wins consumers' hearts with a big surprise inside. The Korea Herald got to check out the EV model of the Casper, known as the Inster in overseas markets, in a test drive in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province on Wednesday. The first impression of the EV was the distinguished adorableness featuring harmless-looking circular headlights with pixel-style eyebrows on the front s

MobilityAug. 22, 2024

Porsche unveils K-edition Taycan in Seoul

Porsche Korea launched the new Taycan on Thursday, the brand’s upgraded all-electric sports sedan, as the German sports car-maker aims to keep building on the success of the EV here. “Since (the Taycan’s) launch in 2020, the demand for (our) first fully electric sports car has exceeded our expectations,” said Holger Gerrmann, CEO of Porsche Korea, during the launch ceremony at Grand Hyatt Seoul. “Last year, the Taycan accounted for a 16 percent share of sales as the

MobilityAug. 22, 2024

Seoul increases translations of local laws for growing foreign community

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Thursday that it is expanding translations of its local self-government laws, a crucial service for foreign nationals living, studying or working in the city, who now account for nearly 5 percent of the total population. Local self-government laws are sets of ordinances and regulations issued by local councils in addition to citywide laws. This initiative to provide local self-government laws in foreign languages began in 2010 during Mayor Oh Se-hoon&#

Social AffairsAug. 22, 2024

Hyundai Motor previews new tech to beat heat waves

Amid one of South Korea’s hottest summers on record, Hyundai Motor Group hosted the Heat Tech Day event on Thursday in Seoul to preview three advanced climate control technologies to improve passenger comfort in both scorching summers and harsh winters. The three technologies introduced at the event include a nano-cooling film that significantly lowers cabin temperatures during the summer, a radiant heating system that quickly warms passengers in winter and a metal-coated heated glass that

MobilityAug. 22, 2024

'Influencer' winner disqualified from W300m prize for leaking outcome

Korean YouTuber Oh Byeong-min, better known as Oking, the winner of Netflix TV competition "The Influencer," will not be eligible to claim the 300 million won ($225,000) prize after leaking information about being the final winner, according to Netflix on Thursday. "Maintaining confidentiality before a title's release is essential in order to ensure that the efforts of everyone involved in the production are rewarded and that the intended enjoyment is fully delivered to the a

TelevisionAug. 22, 2024

LG Chem leads growth hormone market with award-winning app

LG Chem is leading the nation's growth hormone market with its award-winning mobile app, EuDi. According to the company, EuDi won the iF Design Award 2024 in the user experience category in March. It was the only pharmaceutical company to win the honor among 521 winners since 2021, in an arena traditionally dominated by consumer electronics, telecoms and automotive sectors. Launched in 2019, the EuDi app was designed to streamline daily injections for children and their caregivers. The app

TechnologyAug. 22, 2024

Court of appeals orders Japan firm to compensate forced labor victim's children

A Seoul court of appeals, reversing a ruling by a district court, ordered Japan's Nippon Steel Corp. on Thursday to pay compensation of 100 million won ($74,750) to four children of a deceased South Korean victim of Japan's wartime forced labor. The appellate division of the Seoul Central District Court made the ruling in a lawsuit filed by the descendants of the victim, surnamed Jeong, who demanded 200 million won, claiming he was forcibly mobilized to work for the Japanese company�

Foreign AffairsAug. 22, 2024

S. Korea will expand free trade deals with emerging markets: PM

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Thursday that South Korea will push to expand free trade agreements (FTAs) with emerging markets in Asia and Africa to boost the export-driven economy and enhance supply chain resilience. Han unveiled the trade policy road map during a ministerial meeting to address challenges from the rapidly changing global trade environment and supply chain disruptions. "We will expand the FTA network in major emerging markets, including Asia and Africa, to support local

EconomyAug. 22, 2024