Busan film festival closes with eye on industry trends

BUSAN -- The 24th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) came to a close on Saturday, successfully keeping up with changing market trends and staying afloat after years of setbacks.    This year's BIFF, which opened on Oct. 3 for a 10-day run, screened 300 films from 85 countries and drew a total of 189,115 attendees, slightly down from the previous year's 195,081, according to organizers. Along with the opening film, "The Horse Thieves. Roads of Time," 118 films

FilmOct. 12, 2019

Supporters of justice minister to hold rally, demand reform of prosecution

Supporters of Justice Minister Cho Kuk plan to hold another rally on Saturday to express their support for his drive to reform the prosecution amid a probe into corruption allegations involving his family.The candlelight vigil is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Seocho subway station intersection where the headquarters of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office is located, according to police and organizers.     Organizers said the rally centers on criticizing the prosecu

Social AffairsOct. 12, 2019

2 Chinese boats seized for alleged illegal fishing

South Korea has seized two Chinese fishing boats on charges of illegal fishing in its exclusive economic zone in the West Sea, the coast guard said Saturday.    The 30-ton fishing boats are facing charges for trespassing in South Korea's northern sea border area, the Northern Limit Line, a day earlier, according to the Korea Coast Guard.     Eight Chinese crew from the two boats were arrested after a chase, as they refused to comply with the coast guard's order

Social AffairsOct. 12, 2019

Railway services disrupted for 2nd day amid strike

South Korea's rail services were partially disrupted or delayed Saturday, the second day of a 72-hour strike, as workers demanded better working conditions.    As of 11:00 a.m., around 76.5 percent of the country's regular rail services were operating, according to the Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.     KTX bullet trains were operating at 72.1 percent of the normal level, while subways were at around 86.7 p

Social AffairsOct. 12, 2019

Famed skater Lee Sang-hwa, singer Kangnam get married

Former South Korean star speed skater Lee Sang-hwa and singer Kangnam tied the knot on Saturday, their management agencies said.    The two held the wedding at a hotel in Seoul, according to Lee's agency, Bonboo Entertainment, and Kangnam's management, Dmost Entertainment.     They first met on SBS' reality show "Law of the Jungle" in September last year and became a couple. They confirmed their relationship in March.    "We plan t

PeopleOct. 12, 2019

[Newsmaker] BTS rocks capital of Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- The strong religious culture in Saudi Arabia couldn't stop abaya-covered fans from springing up in their seats to dance as K-pop superband BTS performed its latest mega hit, "Boy With Luv," in the country's capital, Riyadh, Friday evening.     Religious restraints and Islamic doctrine melted away as the K-pop septet took the stage of Riyadh's King Fahd International Stadium and opened up its nearly three-hour concert to a rapt audience.  

PerformanceOct. 12, 2019

2 wild boars found dead with traces of African swine fever

South Korea's quarantine authorities on Saturday found two wild boars dead with traces of African swine fever (ASF) north of Seoul, raising concerns over the spread of the deadly animal disease through wildlife in the country.    One of the boars was detected in Cheorwon, 90 kilometers north of Seoul, according to the Ministry of Environment. It was the first time traces of ASF had been found in Gangwon Province.     The other wild board was found in Yeoncheon,

Social AffairsOct. 12, 2019

Justice minister's wife summoned on corruption allegations

Prosecutors summoned the wife of Justice Minister Cho Kuk for the fourth time Saturday as part of a widening investigation into corruption allegations surrounding the minister's family.    Cho's wife, a professor surnamed Chung, faces allegations that she forged a college presidential citation to help her daughter gain admission to medical school and that her family made a dubious investment in a private equity fund.     The Seoul Central District Prosecutors'

Social AffairsOct. 12, 2019

Korea, Japan end 1st round of talks on trade row, agree to meet again

Korea and Japan on Friday ended their first round of talks on a bilateral trade dispute with an agreement to meet again for further consultations.    The two sides met in Geneva to discuss South Korea's complaint with the World Trade Organization over Japan's export controls against the South.    "We agreed that further consultations are necessary, and decided to schedule a second round of bilateral talks through diplomatic channels," Chung Hae-kwan, the c

EconomyOct. 12, 2019

Strong winds to strike east coast amid Typhoon Hagibis

South Korea will experience strong winds on its east coast on Saturday as the country comes under the indirect influence of Typhoon Hagibis, the season's 19th typhoon, the weather agency said.     With the typhoon moving northward from Japan, strong winds with speeds of 12 to 18 meters per second will strike the eastern and southern coasts of South Korea, the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA) said.     Some areas of Gangwon Province could see wind speeds of

Social AffairsOct. 12, 2019

S. Korean business lobby asks for exemption from possible US auto tariffs

WASHINGTON -- The chief of a major Korean business lobby said Friday he has asked the US to exempt South Korea from any future tariffs on autos.    Huh Chang-soo, GS Group chairman and head of the Federation of Korean Industries, was in Washington for a regular meeting of businessmen from the two countries.     Speaking to reporters, he said he also met with officials at the US State Department and Commerce Department to "actively" seek South Kor

IndustryOct. 12, 2019

S. Korea to come under Typhoon Hagibis' indirect influence over weekend

South Korea will come under the indirect influence of Typhoon Hagibis, the season's 19th typhoon, over the weekend, which will bring strong winds to the southern regions of the country, the weather agency said Friday. Typhoon Hagibis is expected to affect areas including the southern resort island of Jeju and South Jeolla Province on Saturday, the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA) said.      Many regions in the south will experience winds of up to 12 to 18 meter

Social AffairsOct. 11, 2019

Ku Hye-sun says she will stop writing about Ahn Jae-hyun

Ku Hye-sun said Friday she would stop writing posts about Ahn Jae-hyun on social media amid a monthslong online feud between the high-profile couple, who are in the middle of a divorce. Ku has been revealing their marital problems on social media, highlighting Ahn's faults. “It is really strange. He was not committed to our marriage, there were situations that made me doubt his fidelity, and he became violent when drunk ... yet people still think I am the one who made him go

PeopleOct. 11, 2019

[Photo News] Fortress festival kicks off

Children pose for pictures with a contraption used for punishment in the Joseon era during the Haemieupseong Fortress Festival in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, on Friday.  The “juri” punishment, often featured in period dramas set in the era, involves breaking a person’s legs by tightening two pieces of wood.  Running through Sunday, the festival introduces folk culture and the history of the fortress through performances and hands-on activities.The old Army pos

CultureOct. 11, 2019

Seoul, Tokyo begin consultations over WTO dispute

South Korea and Japan launched their bilateral talks on Friday in Switzerland to discuss the ongoing trade row between the two Asian neighbors, the first step toward resolving the dispute at the World Trade Organization (WTO).    The meeting, held in Geneva, came after Japan implemented regulations on the export to South Korea of three industrial materials vital for the production of chips and displays.     Last month, South Korea formally filed a complain

EconomyOct. 11, 2019

FM Kang stresses co-prosperity in preparations for Nov. summit with ASEAN

    Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha on Friday reiterated co-prosperity as a key element in South Korea's preparations for its summit with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) slated for November.    The minister presided over the fourth session of an inter-agency government committee tasked with preparing for the special summit scheduled to take place in the southeastern port city of Busan on Nov. 25 and 26.      The gathe

Foreign AffairsOct. 11, 2019

Busan film fest runs smoothly but makes less-than-expected buzz

Leaving buzzing and hectic days behind, the 24th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is wrapping up its 10-day run Saturday.    The festival, one of the largest in Asia, opened Oct. 3 in the southern port city of Busan, 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul, featuring 303 films from 85 countries. Among the invitations, 120 films, including 97 feature-length movies, were world premieres.    Although its pre-opening event was canceled due to a typhoon, the curtain ro

FilmOct. 11, 2019

S. Korea to tighten measures to prevent spread of African swine fever

South Korea's agricultural ministry said Friday it plans to purchase all pigs from a town bordering North Korea that suffered two outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF), in line with efforts to contain further spread of the virus.    Under the decision, the ministry will purchase all pigs in Yeoncheon, where the country's 14th confirmed ASF was reported on Wednesday.     The pigs will be slaughtered and released in the market for consumption after being in

Social AffairsOct. 11, 2019

Riyadh abuzz with excitement ahead of BTS concert

    RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Major landmarks in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, were lit up in purple late Thursday as the city welcomed global K-pop act BTS and its upcoming concert here.     The septet arrived in Riyadh early Thursday for their historic "Love Yourself: Speak Yourself" concert in the Middle Eastern city's King Fahd International Stadium, set for Friday evening.     One day before the first-ever stadium concert by non

PerformanceOct. 11, 2019

SK Telecom's esports JV with Comcast Spectator sets sail

SK Telecom Co., South Korea's leading mobile carrier, said Friday that its esports joint venture with U.S. sports and entertainment company Comcast Spectator has been officially launched as it looks to expand its presence in the fast-growing gaming market.     SK telecom CS T1 Co.'s global headquarters office will be in Seoul, according to the South Korean telecommunications giant. SK Telecom is the largest shareholder of the joint venture with a 55 percent stake.   

BusinessOct. 11, 2019