Over 1,500 reports of N. Korea's trash balloons submitted this year

South Korean authorities have received 1,567 reports of trash-carrying balloons sent by North Korea this year, according to National Fire Agency data revealed Thursday. Over 10,000 firefighters and 2,400 fire engines have been dispatched to deal with the totalitarian communist state's balloons from Jan. 1 to Aug. 13, according to the NFA data submitted to Rep. Yang Bu-nam of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea. Amid the currently icy inter-Korean relations, North Korea has been fl

Social AffairsAug. 15, 2024

BTS fans divided over Suga's drunk driving

BTS’s dedicated fanbase, known as Army, is sharply divided over the recent drunk driving by Suga. While some fans express disappointment and even call for his departure from the band, others argue that such criticism is excessive and that Suga should be given privacy to deal with the situation. Suga was booked by the police for driving an e-scooter under the influence Aug. 6, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.227 percent, one of the highest recorded levels among K-pop singers. The ne

K-popAug. 15, 2024

KBS apologize for airing opera set in Japan on Liberation Day

State-broadcaster Korean Broadcasting System issued an apology after sparking controversy by airing the opera "Madama Butterfly" on National Liberation Day. Aug. 15 is celebrated as National Liberation Day in Korea, commemorating the nation's liberation from Japan in 1945. Early Thursday, KBS aired "Madama Butterfly," a Giacomo Puccini opera set in Japan, as part of its liberal arts program, "KBS Relay Seat." The opera, set in Japan's Nagasaki shortly afte

Social AffairsAug. 15, 2024

K-pop stocks struggle amid scandals, sluggish earnings

K-pop powerhouses are grappling with a loss of growth momentum, with Hybe taking the hardest hit amid ongoing scandals. Hybe, home to K-pop sensation BTS, saw its shares plunge 4.56 percent Wednesday, closing at 163,100 won ($120), the lowest since December 2022. This marked the fourth consecutive day of declines, with the stock down 11.2 percent since Aug. 8, despite a brief rally following better-than-expected second-quarter results. Hybe reported record second-quarter sales of 640.5 billion w

IndustryAug. 15, 2024

Heat wave death toll rises to 22

A man in his 20s died on Tuesday from what is thought to be an acute reaction from extreme heat exposure, raising the nationwide death toll due to heat-related illnesses to 22 as of Thursday. Twenty-two people have died of the 2,570 who have been diagnosed with heat-related illnesses since May 20 until 4 p.m. Thursday, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's latest tally during what has been one of the most severe heat waves in recent years. The total number of peop

Social AffairsAug. 15, 2024

Removal of Dokdo models from subway stations stirs controversy

The recent removal of models of South Korea's Dokdo islets, originally installed in high-traffic Seoul Metro stations as part of an effort to educate the public and counter Japan's disputed claims to the islets, has ignited widespread controversy. Originally set up in 2010 in six Seoul subway stations -- Jamsil, Gwanghwamun, Jongno-3-ga (later moved to Anguk), City Hall, Itaewon and Gimpo Airport -- the models were part of an initiative based on a 2009 recommendation from the Seoul Met

Social AffairsAug. 15, 2024

[팟캐스트] (610) 최소 인원으로 금메달만 13개! '파리의 기적' 이룬 한국 선수단

진행자: 김혜연, Kevin Lee Selzer South Korea's Paris Olympics triumph: 13 golds secure historic success Weapon sports dominate as S. Korea achieves best summer Olympics performance in 12 years 기사 요약: 2024 파리올림픽에서 13개 금메달 획득해 '베이징·런던 올림픽 타이' 역사 쓴 선수단 [1] South Korea's Olympic team, comprising 144 athletes across 21 events, achieved at least 13 gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, placing seventh overall, with athletes in shooting, fencing and archery playing pivotal roles

PodcastAug. 15, 2024

SNU slammed over boastful bumper stickers for parents

Seoul National University, South Korea's top-ranked university, has ignited debate with its decision to distribute stickers to students' parents. The SNU Foundation, the university's official fundraising organization, announced Wednesday that it will begin distributing stickers to display on one's car as souvenirs to students' parents who sign up to receive the foundation’s newsletters. The bumper stickers revealed by the foundation have four different designs, eac

Social AffairsAug. 15, 2024

Hyundai, Kia report zero EV fires from overcharging

Hyundai Motor and Kia on Thursday said there had been no fire incidents due to overcharging their electric vehicles as the automakers emphasized the safety of their battery management system, or BMS, in the wake of consecutive EV fires spreading fears across Korea. The companies dismissed the claims that point fingers at overcharging behind the reason for EV fires, explaining that the BMS closely monitors an EV’s charging status in real-time and works in conjunction with the charging contr

MobilityAug. 15, 2024

Tesla Korea keeps mum about battery suppliers

Tesla, the biggest electric vehicle importer in Korea, is keeping mum about releasing the information about their cars’ battery makers despite the government’s recommendation to do so following a recent series of EV fires. After two EV fires -- one in a Mercedes EQE and the other in a Kia EV6 -- broke out earlier this month, the government on Tuesday decided to recommend domestic automakers and importers to disclose the information of their battery suppliers. Korean automakers Hyunda

MobilityAug. 15, 2024

Yoon unveils unification vision in split celebration of Liberation Day

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday unveiled a new vision for unification, stressing that "complete liberation remains an unfinished task" as long as the Korean Peninsula remains divided, during his speech commemorating Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. However, his vision for a unified Korea, presented at the 79th Liberation Day ceremony, was overshadowed by internal discord within South Korea. Independence activist groups and opposition parties

PoliticsAug. 15, 2024

Samsung faces tougher SE Asia challenge from China

Samsung Electronics has retained its leading position in Southeast Asia’s major smartphone markets, but faces fiercer competition from Chinese rivals with cheaper pricing, according to an industry report Thursday. In the April-June period, Samsung held an 18 percent market share in five major countries -- Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia -- according to the report by market tracker Canalys. The figure was down by 2 percentage points compared to a year ago, clo

IndustryAug. 15, 2024

[Photo News] AI boost for Samsung sales

Samsung Electronics said Thursday its artificial intelligence-powered home appliances hit 1.5 million unit sales in the January-July period this year. The Bespoke AI Combo washer-dryer and the Bespoke AI Steam robot cleaner were the two top sellers driving up overall sales. (Samsung Electronics)

IndustryAug. 15, 2024

Nighttime tours, programs for tropical nights

Popular travel destinations around the country beckon visitors with nighttime programs and festivals to entertain those planning short trips or weekend getaways to escape the scorching summer heat. Jinju, a city in South Gyeongsang Province, has organized Jinju Culture Night, running from Thursday to Saturday at Jinjuseong. Every corner of the fortress offers historical and cultural experiences, including a night market, musical performances and a nighttime stroll along the fortress walls. The h

TravelAug. 15, 2024

Seoul condemns Yasukuni visit as an 'anachronistic act'

South Korea's Foreign Ministry on Thursday strongly condemned the Japanese defense minister's tribute at the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which Seoul views as glorifying Japan's militaristic past, calling it an "anachronistic act" and unfathomable behavior. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara's visit to the shrine in Tokyo occurred on the same day Korea commemorated its liberation from Japan’s illegal colonial rule, which lasted from 1910 to 1945. "Our gover

Foreign AffairsAug. 15, 2024

COVID-19 surge fuels fears of hidden spread, with less data, fewer tests

The recent surge in COVID-19 infections is stoking concerns of hidden, unchecked community spread, intensified by reduced data collection from Korean government agencies and a decline in testing rates. Health authorities are reporting a steady rise in cases since the beginning of July as part of a summertime wave that is expected to peak later this month. That peak would coincide with the end of the vacation season and the return of students to schools. The number of patients hospitalized with

Social AffairsAug. 15, 2024

[Photo News] OLED lights up Vietnam

Media art walls, featuring LG Electronics' latest OLED TVs, are displayed at a shopping center in Vietnam on Wednesday. The media art, themed on intelligence and freedom, is a creation by prominent Vietnamese artist group Fustic Studio. The exhibition comes as part of the Korean tech giant's premium marketing push in Southeast Asia. (LG Electronics)

TechnologyAug. 15, 2024

[Herald Interview] Cheeze shifts from lovable to chilling for summer song

Cheeze, a one-person band known for vocalist Dalchong's lovely and clear voice, has returned with a hair-raising summer song. "Many people know me for my bright and lovely image, but I have various sides, including ballads and melancholy songs. I wanted to show that this image is also part of Cheeze," said Dalchong, the vocalist and producer of Cheeze during a group interview on Aug. 5. The band Cheeze, which debuted in 2011, started out as a quartet but has been a one-person band

K-popAug. 15, 2024

Documentary on BTS Jungkook's solo journey to open next month

A documentary film on BTS Jungkook’s journey as a soloist, “Jung Kook: I Am Still,” is to hit theaters next month. The film, featuring inside stories of Jungkook’s solo album preparation, unreleased interviews and scenes behind the stages, is the 10th BTS film presented by Hybe. It encapsulates the eight-month journey of Jungkook since his solo debut in July 2023. In Korea, the movie will be exclusively released at CGV theaters starting Sept. 18. It will be available worl

K-popAug. 15, 2024

Many in Korea deem sexual communication with partner necessary

A considerable number of South Koreans believe that sex-related conversations between romantic partners are necessary, a recent survey indicated. In a survey conducted by local matchmaker Duo with 500 unmarried men and women between ages 25 and 39, 69 percent of the respondents answered that such talks are essential in a romantic relationship. Of those responding such, 69 percent said it was because they believe sex is an area in which both sides should take efforts to adjust to the other. Twe

Social AffairsAug. 15, 2024