Byeon Woo-seok embroiled in controversy for overzealous security team

South Korean actor Byeon Woo-seok has become embroiled in controversy over excessive measures taken by his security team against fans and other travelers at Incheon Airport. Police have said they are considering an investigation into whether the measures undertaken by the actor’s private security were violent or constituted obstruction of business. The incident surfaced online following Byeon’s departure for Hong Kong on Friday for his final Asian fan meeting slated for Sunday. A lar

TelevisionJuly 17, 2024

Nile Rodgers to hold first Seoul concert

Legendary guitarist and singer-songwriter Nile Rodgers will be performing his first solo concert in Korea this September. Concert organizer Live Nation Korea announced that Nile Rodgers & CHIC will hold a concert on Sept. 24 at the Olympic Hall in Olympic Park, Seoul. CHIC, formed by Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards, is an iconic 1970s funk and disco band. The band has released numerous hits including "Dance, Dance, Dance," "Everybody Dance" and "I Want Your

PerformanceJuly 17, 2024

Suspect of 16-year-old unsolved robbery-murder apprehended

A man in his 40s has confessed to a 2008 robbery and murder case in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, local police said Wednesday. The suspect told investigators that he had been the one who stabbed a supermarket owner on Dec. 9, 2008 in Siheung, 26 kilometers southwest of Seoul. "I stabbed him. I'm sorry," was what he said, according to Siheung Police Station. The suspect has not elaborated on his motive for the crime. Authorities have been questioning the suspect since apprehending

Social AffairsJuly 17, 2024

Perpetrator in Miryang gang rape case apologizes after info made public

One of the alleged perpetrators in the notorious 2004 Miryang gang rape case recently posted a video apologizing to the victim, continuing controversy surrounding the 20-year-old case. Forty-four male high school students were accused of subjecting a middle school girl to months of sexual and physical assault. "I want to say I am so sorry to the victim, who would have been living in unimaginable pain since 2004. ... I know no apology would absolve me, but I sincerely would like to apologi

Social AffairsJuly 17, 2024

Jannabi to hold concerts in Seoul, Busan

Jannabi, known for its emotional, lyrical songs, will be back on stage with standalone concerts. Jannabi announced through its official social media that it will hold four performances of “Fantastic Old Fashioned 2024: Movie Star Rising” at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul Aug. 31, Sept. 1, Sept. 7 and Sept. 8. The band will then travel to Busan where it will perform at the Bexco Auditorium on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15. This is Jannabi’s first concert series since its nationwide

PerformanceJuly 17, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Monsoon days

Find the answer at the bottom. Before Korea succumbs to blistering summer heat, it experiences a period of wet weather known as the "jangma." Typically spanning from late June to July, this season is marked by heavy rainfall, high humidity and overcast skies. During these days, heavy rains can lead to flash floods, mud slides and the disruption of daily activities, while the pervasive humidity thickens the air, creating a sticky and uncomfortable atmosphere. Korean language has

Hashtag KoreaJuly 17, 2024

Yoon delays regional trip amid heavy rain

President Yoon Suk Yeol postponed his planned trip to the southern region Wednesday due to heavy rain, sources said. Yoon was scheduled to attend a meeting on regional cooperation in South Chungcheong Province, but the presidential office, mayors and governors agreed to delay the schedule to focus on measures against the heavy downpour, sources said. "The president is receiving real-time reports on damage across the nation and has urged the heads of each local government to concentrate reco

Social AffairsJuly 17, 2024

Kia EV3 boasts array of new technologies for mass-market EVs

Kia on Tuesday presented the most cutting-edge technologies applied to craft the automaker’s latest all-electric vehicle EV3 to auto journalists in Seoul, showcasing several new technologies developed to make the car a leader in popularizing EVs amid slowing EV growth. The EV3 has been equipped with the i-Pedal 3.0, which offers different levels of regenerative braking to allow more flexible ways to slow down the vehicle. Unlike the automaker’s previous i-Pedal technology which only

MobilityJuly 17, 2024

Heavy rain watch issued across northern Gyeonggi Province

A heavy rain watch was issued across parts of northern Gyeonggi Province on Wednesday, with 100 millimeters of rain per hour pouring in the border city of Paju, the state weather agency said. As of 7 a.m., heavy downpours of 100.9 mm per hour had been pounding Munsan, a town in Paju, 37 kilometers northwest of Seoul, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. The accumulated precipitation was recorded at 342.5 mm in the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom, 202 mm in Namyangju, 18

Social AffairsJuly 17, 2024

SK Innovation, SK E&S set to hold board meetings on merger plan

SK Innovation Co. and SK E&S Co., two major energy affiliates of SK Group, are set to hold separate board meetings Wednesday to discuss a proposed merger of the two companies, industry sources said. If the merger is approved, it will create the biggest energy company in South Korea, with combined assets of 106 trillion won ($76.5 billion). The merger of SK Innovation, SK Group's energy subholding company, and SK E&S, a privately owned recycled energy firm, is part of the group'

IndustryJuly 17, 2024

S. Korea, India hold fresh round of trade talks

South Korea's industry ministry said Wednesday it held a fresh round of trade talks with Indian officials to improve a bilateral partnership agreement. Director General of FTA Negotiations Ryu Peob-min and his Indian counterpart, Anant Swarup, started the three-day session in Seoul to discuss the agenda, including goods, services and investment, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. South Korea and India implemented the CEPA in 2010 and have been carrying out negotiations

EconomyJuly 17, 2024

[영어답게 표현하기] 유용한 비즈니스 영어 표현들

이번 회에는 저희 책 Advanced Vocab에서 소개한 중상급 영단어들을 알려드립니다. 단어의 우리말 뜻을 기억하는 데에 그치지 않고, 난이도 있는 단어를 실제로 활용하는 단계까지 나아가 보기 바랍니다. 〈전략, 계획, 술수〉 1. herring [hériŋ] 청어, 미끼 물고기 ‘청어’를 뜻하지만, red herring이라고 하면 decoy와 마찬가지로 ‘관심을 분산시키기 위한 미끼’라는 의미가 된다. 청어를 훈제하면 붉은색을 띠고 냄새가 매우 강해지는데, 이것을 사냥개들을 훈련시킬 때 사용한 데서 유래했다고 한다. Some of the details in the beginning of the movie were red herrings meant to cast doubt on the murderer's true identity. 영화 도입부의 자세한 내용은 살인자의 실체를 의심해보기 위한 미끼였다. ●

English EyeJuly 17, 2024

[Pressure points] Choose for your kids: AI textbooks or classic physical books?

South Korea's planned leap into the era of artificial intelligence-powered learning has hit resistance, primarily due to parents' concerns about potential digital overload. In a petition posted on the National Assembly’s online platform in May, one such voice requested that the planned introduction of AI digital textbooks in schools starting next year be shelved. Citing the "numerous negative effects of smart devices," the petition called for scientific research to ensu

Hashtag KoreaJuly 17, 2024

Seoul shares open lower on tech, auto losses

Seoul shares opened lower Wednesday as investors locked in profits following a two-session winning streak despite overnight Wall Street gains. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 2.17 points, or 0.08 percent, to 2,863.92 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, Wall Street shares rose on rising expectations for a rate cut by the Federal Reserve. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 1.9 percent to hit a fresh high, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite gained 0.2 pe

MarketJuly 17, 2024

S. Korea taking administrative steps against Saudi airline over flight suspension

The government is taking administrative action against Saudi Arabian airline Saudia for suspending its direct flights to South Korea without permission from aviation authorities, according to officials Wednesday. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport issued a prior notice of administrative measure to Saudia on Monday. Saudia has been asked to submit their reasons for the suspension and their future plans by July 30. The ministry will convene an administrative review committee to dis

Foreign AffairsJuly 17, 2024

Ex-Trump official voices hope for S. Korea to make 'big' contribution for defense

A former US national security advisor said Tuesday he is looking forward to a "big" contribution by South Korea in reference to ongoing negotiations between Seoul and Washington over the cost sharing for stationing the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea. Robert O'Brien, who served as national security advisor for then President Donald Trump from 2019-2021, made the remarks as the allies have been engaging in negotiations over a new cost-sharing deal, called the Special Measures Agreeme

Foreign AffairsJuly 17, 2024

[Graphic News] Japan tops global IQ rankings, South Korea ranks fifth

According to Wiqtcom, a Finnish intelligence testing agency, the smartest country in 2024 is Japan, with an average Intelligent Quotient of 112.30. Wiqtcom’s “2024 World’s Most Intelligent Country Ranking” is based on the test results of 109 countries. Hungary (111.28), Taiwan (111.20), Italy (110.82) and South Korea (110.80) are within the top 5, after Japan. The global average is 99.64. The United States placed 77th with 96.57 and other advanced nations of Germany (10

World NewsJuly 17, 2024

[Jean Pisani-Ferry] Finding a new French majority

French President Emmanuel Macron was first elected in 2017 on a promise to end the often-artificial divisions between left and right. France had become tired of theatrical posturing between adversaries who overplayed their differences during electoral campaigns, only to end up, once in power, governing in fairly similar ways. Macron’s brand of radical centrism was meant to end the grandstanding, draw on good ideas from both sides of the political spectrum and govern accordingly. It intende

ViewpointsJuly 17, 2024

[Kim Seong-kon] Our precious things can be 'Gone With the Wind'

Today, South Korea is enjoying worldwide popularity thanks to the Korean Wave and its reputation as a country of economic success and democratization, all of which it has accomplished in a relatively short span of time. In addition, South Korea is also a global center of cutting-edge technology, represented by Samsung, LG and Hyundai. For these reasons, the people of South Korea are now well off and living comfortably in “a fully developed, advanced country.” Therefore, few Koreans

ViewpointsJuly 17, 2024