Korean ballet dancers from prestigious companies to perform in homecoming gala

Korean ballet dancers working abroad in prestigious international companies are set to grace their home stage, bringing a curated selection of rarely seen pieces in the country at the Korea World Dance Stars Festival this weekend. This year's festival highlights six Korean dancers, including Kang Min-ju, a first artist with the English National Ballet, making her first performance in Korea in 12 years. Joining her are An So-young from the Martha Graham Dance Company, returning after a decad

PerformanceAug. 2, 2024

[Graphic News] Vienna named world’s most liveable city

For the third year in a row, Austria’s capital Vienna has been named the “world’s most liveable city” by The Economist magazine. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s evaluation of 173 cities worldwide, Vienna achieved an impressive score of 98.4 points, with perfect scores in four out of five categories: Stability, health care, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. Following Vienna, Copenhagen in Denmark, Zurich in Switzerland and Melbou

World NewsAug. 2, 2024

[Lee Byung-jong] Espionage or public diplomacy?

The recent indictment by the US government of former CIA analyst Sue Mi Terry on espionage charges smacks of a thrilling Hollywood spy movie. As an expert on Korean affairs, she allegedly received luxury handbags and expensive meals from the National Intelligence Service, South Korea’s main spy agency. In return, she arranged meetings between officials of Seoul and Washington and provided sensitive US government information to the agency in a bid to influence US policies on the Korean Peni

ViewpointsAug. 2, 2024

3 S. Korean doubles teams eliminated in badminton quarterfinals

PARIS -- Three South Korean doubles teams were knocked out of medal contention at the Paris Olympics on Thursday with losses in the quarterfinals. In the men's doubles quarters, Kang Min-hyuk and Seo Seung-jae, the 2023 world champions, lost to Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark 2-0 (21-19, 22-20) at La Chapelle Arena in Paris. Kang and Seo had defeated the same Dane team for their world title last year, but couldn't get past them this time after a back-and-forth batt

More SportsAug. 1, 2024

Samsung's union tells members to return to work as it eyes prolonging strike

Samsung Electronics Co.'s labor union instructed its striking members Thursday to return to work by early next week, but made it clear the strike will continue for the long haul. The National Samsung Electronics Union, the largest labor union of the South Korean tech giant, made the announcement on its YouTube channel, calling on its 31,000 members to go back to work, effective immediately, and by next Monday to shift the fight to "a long-term plan." "We need a transition o

CompaniesAug. 1, 2024

S. Korea calls for restraint, diplomatic efforts to reduce Middle East tensions

South Korea expresses "deep concern" over the recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East and urges all parties to exercise restraint and seek diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions, the foreign ministry said Thursday. "Our government expresses deep concern over the recent sharp escalation of tensions in the Middle East," ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said in a commentary. "We strongly urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint and hope that diplomatic effo

Foreign AffairsAug. 1, 2024

Bank of England cuts rates from 16-year high, 'careful' on future moves

LONDON -- The Bank of England cut interest rates from a 16-year high on Thursday after a narrow vote in favour from policymakers divided over whether inflation pressures had eased sufficiently. Governor Andrew Bailey -- who led the 5-4 decision to lower rates by a quarter-point to 5 percent -- said the BoE's Monetary Policy Committee would move cautiously going forward. "We need to make sure make sure inflation stays low, and be careful not to cut interest rates too quickly or by too m

World NewsAug. 1, 2024

Shin Yu-bin reaches women's singles semifinals in table tennis

PARIS -- Shin Yu-bin advanced to the semifinals of the women's singles table tennis tournament at the Paris Olympics on Thursday, moving within a win of grabbing her second medal in the French capital. Shin, world No. 8, edged out 13th-ranked Miu Hirano of Japan 4-3 (11-4, 11-7, 11-5, 7-11, 8-11, 9-11, 13-11) in the quarterfinals at South Paris Arena 4 in Paris. Shin, who won the mixed doubles bronze medal on Tuesday, will next play world No. 4 from China, Chen Meng, in the semifinals on Fr

More SportsAug. 1, 2024

Hopes of finding more survivors in the mud and debris wane after landslides in India kill 194

WAYANAD, India — Hopes of finding more than 180 missing people alive waned as rescue workers searched through mud and debris for a third day Thursday after landslides set off by torrential rains killed at least 194 people in southern India. The rescue work was challenging in a forested, hilly area while more rain fell, said PM Manoj, a spokesperson for Kerala state’s top elected official. Nearly 40 bodies were found some 30 kilometers from the area in Wayanad district where the mai

World NewsAug. 1, 2024

PM meets Thailand's top diplomat in Seoul

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo met with Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa in Seoul on Thursday and discussed bilateral relations and future cooperation, Han's office said. The meeting took place as the top Thai diplomat paid a courtesy call on Han while on his visit to South Korea this week. In Thursday's meeting, Han expressed hope that South Korea and Thailand will further deepen their economic cooperation in areas like clean energy and smart infrastructure, the pri

Foreign AffairsAug. 1, 2024

Ruling party policy chief steps down amid internal rift

People Power Party Rep. Jeong Jeom-sig, who is considered part of pro-Yoon Suk Yeol faction within the party, announced his resignation from his post as the party's policy chief, or a member of the party's supreme council, on Thursday. Jeong, in a surprise press conference held in the afternoon, said that he had decided to do so to prevent a further "split" in the ruling party. He added that current People Power Party Chair Han Dong-hoon requested him to resign. "It was

PoliticsAug. 1, 2024

S. Korea proposes flood aid, talks with N. Korea

The South Korean government on Thursday publicly offered humanitarian aid to flood-hit North Korea, calling on Pyongyang to engage in talks to discuss the specifics and delivery of the relief assistance. "We express our willingness to swiftly provide urgently needed supplies to assist the flood victims in North Korea from a humanitarian and fraternal standpoint," Park Jong-sul, the secretary-general of South Korea's Red Cross, which works with the government on humanitarian effort

North KoreaAug. 1, 2024

Obstructive parking near Gimhae Airport sparks public criticism

A car has been illegally parked on the shoulder of one-lane road to Gimhae International Airport in Busan for days, posing threat to traffic heading to the airport’s arrival floor as of Thursday. The hydrogen fueled passenger car was first spotted on Tuesday morning. Its owner reportedly parked there as the airport parking lot was packed with the cars of those gone abroad for vacation and the owner could not find a parking space up until it was time to take their flight. Some other passeng

Social AffairsAug. 1, 2024

[From the Scene] First monument erected at border to honor N. Korean defectors

PAJU, Gyeonggi Province -- A monument titled "Courage for Freedom" was unveiled on Thursday in the border city of Paju, offering South Korean visitors a vantage point overlooking North Korean territory. The monument honors the bravery of North Korean defectors who undertook perilous journeys in pursuit of freedom and poignantly commemorates the countless North Koreans who tragically perished while attempting to escape. This monument -- the first dedicated to North Korean defectors and

North KoreaAug. 1, 2024

Olympics archer from Chad expresses gratitude for Korean fans’ encouragement

Israel Madaye, an archer representing Chad who competed against a South Korean athlete at the Paris Olympics, posted his gratitude to Korean fans via social media on Wednesday. “Thanks you corea” his post said, with a photo showing him removing his arrows from the target at the Games. That post and other older ones on Instagram had several likes and comments in Korean expressing encouragement for his endeavors. Madaye did not get past the round of 64 in his Olympic debut, as he was e

More SportsAug. 1, 2024

Have Yangyang, Samcheok lost their charm for visitors?

The number of holidaymakers in Yangyang and Samcheok, two of the popular coastal getaway spots in Gangwon Province, has decreased this year, according to the Gangwon Provincial government. While Samcheok welcomed almost 32,000 visitors from July 1 to 24, marking an 84.1 percent decrease from last year, Yangyang beckoned 42,000 visitors during the same period, a 67.5 percent decline from 2023. Though the detailed reasons for these striking drops have yet to be analyzed, the provincial government

TravelAug. 1, 2024

Seoul shares up for 2nd day on Fed's rate-cut signal

South Korean stocks increased for two straight sessions Thursday driven by the US Federal Reserve's strong signal for a rate cut next time. The local currency rose sharply against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index increased 6.99 points, or 0.25 percent, to close at 2,777.68, following a 1.19 percent rise the previous day. Trade volume was moderate at 463.9 million shares worth 10.6 trillion won ($7.75 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 632 to 247. Foreig

MarketAug. 1, 2024

US Fed’s dovish signal puts Korean rate cut on table

The US Federal Reserve's signal for a key rate cut has paved the path for the Bank of Korea to embark on an interest rate-cutting cycle soon, amid concerns about surging household debts and currency volatility. After keeping the benchmark rate unchanged at a range of between 5.25 and 5.5 percent, US Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinted the Fed could bring down the rate soon on the condition the US economy follows its expected path. Fueled by the anticipation of the Fed’s rate cut, the value

EconomyAug. 1, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] BTS’ Jimin to drop English-language version of solo song

Jimin of BTS will sing a B-side track from his second solo EP in English, according to label Big Hit Music on Thursday. He will release an English version of “Be Mine,” one of the seven tracks from EP “Muse,” on Friday. The mini album was rolled out on July 19 and hit Billboard 200 at No. 2 and topped iTunes Top Albums chart in 80 regions. Focus track “Who” claimed the No. 1 spot on its Top Songs chart in all 119 regions, as did the pre-release from EP “

K-popAug. 1, 2024