[Contribution] Tracking international fugitives: Commitment to global cooperation against cross-border crimes

By Kim Dong-kwon With the increasing globalization of crime and the ease of moving across borders, more criminals are absconding to other countries immediately after committing offenses. Furthermore, criminal organizations operate across multiple nations and quickly move their operation between countries with the intention to disrupt police investigations. In response, the Korean National Police Agency has made significant strides in apprehending and repatriating fugitives. Following the repatri

ViewpointsAug. 21, 2024

[Graphic News] No. of foreign doctors in S. Korea on rise amid medical walkout

The number of foreign medical doctors in South Korea has been on a steady increase, data showed, amid a prolonged walkout by doctors and trainee doctors here over a government-proposed spike in the medical school quota. The report comes amid plans by the Health Ministry to allow foreign medical doctors to practice medicine in the country without obtaining a local license. According to data submitted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to Rep. Kim Mi-ae of the ruling People Power Party, the n

Social AffairsAug. 21, 2024

[Kim Seong-kon] The older generation in the eyes of the young

With every generation, we see older people lament that younger people are rude and undisciplined. In the eyes of the old, young people are impudent and insolent, impetuous and impulsive, in short: “enfants terribles.” Historians say that older people have been critical of younger people for the past 2,500 years or so of human history. Nevertheless, what about the image of the older generation in the eyes of the young? To young people, older people may look hopelessly pathetic and dep

ViewpointsAug. 21, 2024

[James Coltella] Way to fruitful political discourse

My accent as an Englishman in America hasn’t protected me from the whiplash of dating and ghosting. It strikes me that many people prefer to leave silence to do the talking, rather than express an opinion that might not be well received. Yet ghosting is the epitome of bad manners. Surely as a society, we owe it to each other to be honest, giving closure rather than adding confusion? Unfortunately, it appears that ghosting isn’t just a phenomenon in dating. It’s everywhere, incl

ViewpointsAug. 21, 2024

Prospects of Japanese PM's visit to S. Korea undecided: Seoul official

Prospects of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to South Korea remain undecided, a presidential official said Tuesday, following a media report of a potential bilateral summit with President Yoon Suk Yeol next month. Japan's Kyodo News earlier reported Kishida is considering holding summit talks with Yoon in South Korea early September before stepping down from office, citing diplomatic sources. "The Japanese side has expressed an intention for Prime Minister Kishida

PoliticsAug. 20, 2024

Typhoon Jongdari passes by waters off Jeju; no reports of damage

Typhoon Jongdari passed by waters west of Jeju Island on Tuesday, the state weather agency said, with no damage reported as of yet. As of 6 p.m., a typhoon warning was changed to an advisory for southern waters far off Jeju as the typhoon traveled northward at 33 kilometers per hour about 100 km southwest of the island's southern city of Seogwipo, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Jeju received up to 99 millimeters of rain, while the maximum instantaneous wind spee

Social AffairsAug. 20, 2024

Badminton champion An Se-young unavailable for natl. federation's meeting over controversy this week

The Olympic badminton champion An Se-young will not attend a meeting organized by the sport's national federation this week to discuss problems she had raised after winning her gold medal in Paris, officials said Tuesday. Multiple officials for the Badminton Korea Association (BKA) said An's camp had informed the organization that she wouldn't be able to show up for any meeting this week, although the BKA had proposed multiple dates for An to choose from. The BKA launched an inter

More SportsAug. 20, 2024

Seoul designates mpox as infectious disease subject to border screening

Starting Wednesday, South Korean health authorities will classify mpox as an infectious disease subject to border screening and require passengers flying from eight African nations with mpox symptoms to report to officials, health authorities here said Tuesday afternoon. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said the decision comes after the World Health Organization declared mpox a "public health emergency of international concern" last week. Under the strengthened surveilla

Social AffairsAug. 20, 2024

Moon crater honors Joseon-era astronomer

In a groundbreaking moment for Korean astronomy, the International Astronomical Union has named a lunar crater after 19th-century Joseon-era polymath Nam Byeong-cheol, marking the first time a Korean name has been assigned to a feature on the moon's surface. The Danuri Magnetic Field Payload Research Team from the Department of Space Exploration at Kyung Hee University said Monday that a crater on the far side of the moon, discovered through international collaborative research, has been na

Social AffairsAug. 20, 2024

KG Mobility to sell new Actyon SUV on Naver shopping platform

Korean sport utility vehicle dark horse KG Mobility (KGM) unveiled a refreshed brand strategy Tuesday as it launched its new SUV Actyon, with eyes set on expanding its presence in the global market. “KG Mobility has a history that always pursued being the first during its 70-year-long history, including the launch of the Korando and Musso -- the beginnings of traditional SUVs -- and the Chairman, Korea’s first luxury sedan,” said KGM Chairman Kwak Jea-sun during a media event a

MobilityAug. 20, 2024

[Herald Interview] Traveling to ‘see the human side of North Korea’

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- When British traveler Zoe Stephens, 30, decided to tour North Korea for the first time in 2017, she didn’t think she would be doing it for a living. “I went to North Korea as a tourist first, pretty much the same way as everyone else. I realized it’s nothing like what the media says,” she told The Korea Herald. She said “the real North Korea” took her by surprise and charmed her. “So I decided that I wanted to start doing tours to show

North KoreaAug. 20, 2024

Jeju on typhoon alert

A typhoon warning has been issued across Jeju Island as of 2 p.m., Tuesday, as the Korea Meteorological Administration expects Typhoon Jongdari to get close to the western coast of the island around 6 p.m. the same day. The KMA forecast heavy rain, ranging from 30 to 50 millimeters per hour, accompanied by thunder and lightning, to fall on Jeju Island from Tuesday afternoon into the evening. Until Wednesday, the island can expect to see up to 30 to 80 mm of rain, while heavily hit areas such as

Social AffairsAug. 20, 2024

Korea to strengthen e-scooter regulations

With regulations and laws regarding e-scooters still in their infancy despite growing popularity and accidents, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced Tuesday that the public and private sectors are working together to strengthen safety management measures to prevent further accidents. The announcement comes after the government signed a business agreement with related organizations in July, including ten major personal mobility rental companies; the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure a

Social AffairsAug. 20, 2024

Man arrested for stabbing coworker to death

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his coworker, police said Tuesday. The suspect, who was identified as a Thai national in his 30s, is believed to have stabbed a fellow Thai coworker in his 60s in the neck in a foundry dormitory in Mungyeong, North Gyeongsang Province around 10:40 p.m. on Monday. The two workers were found to be living and working in South Korea unregistered. The victim was fatally stabbed in the neck and died while receiving emergency medical treatment at a near

Social AffairsAug. 20, 2024

Why Korean Air, Asiana Airlines in rush to shed unused mileage points

South Korea's top two airlines, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, are recently ramping up efforts to encourage their passengers to use up their mileage in an apparent move to ease financial burdens ahead of their planned merger later this year. Korean Air recently announced a strategic partnership with GS Retail, a local retailer operating GS25 convenience stores, to allow customers to use their Korean Air points at GS25 outlets. Asiana Airlines also plans to launch an online shopping site ex

IndustryAug. 20, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] SHINee’s Taemin tops iTunes chart in 38 regions with 5th solo EP

Taemin of SHINee landed atop the iTunes Top Albums chart in 38 regions with his fifth solo EP "Eternal." The EP rolled out on Monday to celebrate his 10th debut anniversary as a solo musician. Both promoted tracks, “Sexy In The Air” and “Horizon,” claimed the top spots on real-time music charts at home, and all seven tracks from the new album made the top 10. Taemin will perform each of the two songs on television music chart shows for the first time on Saturd

K-popAug. 20, 2024

International acts across genres to thrill Korean music fans

As the hot summer slowly comes to an end, several international artists announce their concerts in Korea. On Aug. 28, Emotional Oranges, a California-based duo, will hold their first concert in Korea at the Yes 24 Live Hall, Seoul. Emotional Oranges was formed in 2017 in California, by audio engineer Azad Right and vocal coach Vali. The group has gained a large following in Korea, particularly for tracks from their second album, such as "West Coast Love" and "Sundays," which

PerformanceAug. 20, 2024

Percentage of younger employees drops at major Korean companies: report

Major South Korean companies are seeing an increase in the percentage of employees aged 50 or older, while that of employees in their 20s is declining, a recent report by corporate analysis firm Leaders Index showed Tuesday. The firm analyzed 2021-23 data of 141 companies among the top 500 in the country in terms of sales, compiling the report on 123 companies that also revealed the ages of their employees. The total number of employees at those companies went from 1.38 million in 2021 to 1.42 m

EconomyAug. 20, 2024

Seoul to turn Gwanghwamun into space for peace, democracy

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday that it will turn Gwanghwamun Square into a nationally symbolic space that represents free democracy and world peace, based on opinions and ideas submitted by civil society and experts. The city government’s recent announcement comes after its initial announcement on building a nationally symbolic space raised criticism and controversy two months ago. In late June, Oh made an announcement during a meeting with veterans of the 1950-53 Korean Wa

Social AffairsAug. 20, 2024