White House sends positive signal to Pyongyang with 'relationship transformation' message, Seoul official says

The White House has made clear its resolve to "transform" relations with North Korea, effectively sending a strong signal to Pyongyang ahead of the envisioned resumption of working-level nuclear talks, a South Korean government official has said.He was briefing foreign correspondents here on Friday on the outcome of the New York summit between President Donald Trump and President Moon Jae-in earlier this week.Cheong Wa Dae earlier said Moon and Trump "exchanged views on how to ach

North KoreaSept. 28, 2019

S. Korea is not free-riding on alliance with US: ex-US ambassador

Former US Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert on Friday rejected the notion that South Korea is free-riding on the United States' troop presence in the country, saying the two nations are "very, very strong allies."Lippert, who served as the last US ambassador to Seoul under former President Barack Obama, made the remark as negotiations on renewing a burden-sharing deal between South Korea and the US got under way this week. US President Donald Trump has made clear that he want

North KoreaSept. 28, 2019

Seoul shares forecast to remain in tight range next week

South Korean shares are expected to remain in a tight range next week as investors take to the sidelines amid ongoing political uncertainties in the United States, analysts said Saturday.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index closed at 2,049.93 points on Friday, down from 2,091.52 points a week earlier. The index started strong on Monday as investors were buoyed by hopes on the upcoming US-China trade talks.The index then dropped by more than 1 percent on Wednesday, ending a run of

MarketSept. 28, 2019

FM Kang meets UNDP chief, holds talks on NK projects

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha met with United Nations Development Programme chief Achim Steiner in New York for talks on issues of mutual interest, including support for North Korea, her ministry said Saturday.During the meeting held on Friday (New York time), the two sides exchanged views on such issues as the various ongoing joint projects between South Korea and the UN body, the UNDP's projects regarding North Korea and the implementation of reform measures for the UN development system, ac

North KoreaSept. 28, 2019

Cho Kuk scandal brings forth ideological clash

The political ideological clash in South Korea appears have heightened following the alleged impropriety of Justice Minister Cho Kuk’s family with rival groups set to hold simultaneous rallies in Seoul on Saturday. The joint action of people supporting the government’s efforts to fight judicial injustice said they will hold their seventh candlelight vigil on 6 p.m. in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul.On the same day, protesters demanding his resignation w

PoliticsSept. 27, 2019

SK Innovation to sell stakes in two Peruvian gas fields for $1b

SK Innovation Co., South Korea's leading refiner, said Friday it will sell all of its stakes in two Peruvian gas fields for 1.25 trillion won ($1.05 billion).    SK Innovation said its board of directors approved the plan to sell its 17.6 percent stakes in two Peruvian gas fields -- Block 88 and Block 56 -- to Argentine oil firm Pluspetrol.    The Korean refiner said it will use the cash to diversify its portfolio in other promising energy sectors, including battery and m

IndustrySept. 27, 2019

A journey to find memories, origins

Global silver reserves are shrinking fast and may run out as early as 2029 if we continue to mine the metal at the current rate without finding any new deposits, according to some experts.Korean-French artist Daphne Nan Le Sergent recalled reading reports about diminishing silver supplies earlier this year and worrying if the depletion of silver would mean the disappearance of traditional photography.Sergent’s exhibition “Silver Memories: How to Reach the Origin” at Atelier Her

Arts & DesignSept. 27, 2019

[From the scene] Korean students join global climate strike

Some 500 students on Friday took to the streets in central Seoul to demand bolder measures to mitigate climate change, joining the global movement triggered by Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg.Some of the students skipped classes and others came with their classmates, teachers and parents. They called for action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as scrapping plans to build new coal fired power plants in Korea and abroad by 2020, and transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy by 205

Social AffairsSept. 27, 2019

[Herald Review] Send in the clowns: ‘Joker’ pokes where it hurts for a fiendish joke

This film is f---ing intense. I apologize for the vulgarity, but there is just no other way to put it. There are films that push you to the limit, have you on the edge, and then there’s “Joker,” starring the brilliance of Joaquin Phoenix.Unlike films like “Requiem for a Dream” -- for which honestly I don’t even know “intense” is the right word -- director Todd Phillips’ new film doesn’t have a lot of extreme in-your-face moments. That i

FilmSept. 27, 2019

US court dismisses 8b euro lawsuit against Woori Bank

A court in New York dismissed an 8-billion euro ($8.7 billion) lawsuit by AJ Energy LLC against South Korea's Woori Bank over an alleged failure in bank transfer, the bank's parent Woori Financial said Friday.  Little-known AJ Energy, which is reportedly registered in Nevada, filed the lawsuit in March last year, claiming that Woori Bank failed to transfer the money. AJ Energy claimed that the money was allegedly transferred to Woori Bank from the US firm's foreign investors, but Woori Bank

IndustrySept. 27, 2019

Philippines eyes 2 million Korean tourists by year-end

The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Korea announced a recent jump in the number of Koreans visiting the country, saying it aims to attract 2 million Korean tourists by the end of the year.“Last year, we were able to achieve 1.6 million (Korean) tourists. Because of that we aim to work for 2 million Korean tourists this year of 2019. By the end of 2019, in December, I will be proud to say we achieved 2 million. I look forward to that,” Ambassador Noe Albano Wong, who too

TravelSept. 27, 2019

S. Korea, Bulgaria to strengthen partnerships on nuclear energy, ICT

The leaders of South Korea and Bulgaria agreed Friday to bolster strategic partnerships between the two nations in various fields, including nuclear energy, ICT and arms production.The accord came at summit talks here between President Moon Jae-in and visiting Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, according to Cheong Wa Dae.Moon began the Cheong Wa Dae summit by expressing his gratitude for Sofia's help in the search for missing South Koreans in a May river cruise boat sinking on the Danube River in Bu

Foreign AffairsSept. 27, 2019

Moon stresses human rights, reform amid investigation of justice minister

President Moon Jae-in on Friday stressed the importance of reforming the prosecution, Cheong Wa Dae said. According to spokesperson Ko Min-jung, Moon emphasized that whether Cho is responsible for any wrongdoings will be determined according to the law and that he should be allowed to conduct his official duties regardless of the investigation in the meantime. “The duties of the prosecution should be left to the prosecution, and state affairs should be allowed to continue,” Moon

Social AffairsSept. 27, 2019

Man arrested for fatally beating stepson for 20 hours

A South Korean man in his 20s has been taken into custody on suspicion of beating his stepson to death. On Friday, the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency revealed it is seeking an arrest warrant for the 26-year-old suspect, who allegedly beat his 5-year-old stepson to death.  The man is accused of tying up the victim with cable ties and beating him with a wooden bar for around 20 hours starting Wednesday afternoon and into the next day at their home in the Michuhol district of Incheon. Arou

Social AffairsSept. 27, 2019

Russia detains N. Korean fishing vessels, 262 crew for poaching - Ifax

MOSCOW (Reuters) -- Russian border guards detained three North Korean fishing vessels and 262 crew members for poaching in waters that Moscow considers its exclusive economic zone, the Interfax news agency reported on Friday. The vessels have been delivered to Russia's port of Nakhodka and border guards have seized 30,000 squid as well as illegal fishing equipment, the report said.It is the second such incident this month. Russia on Sept.17 detained two North Korean boats in Russian territorial

North KoreaSept. 27, 2019

As North Korea expands arsenal, Japan's missile defense shield faces unforeseen costs - sources

TOKYO (Reuters) -- Additional tests may add at least $500 million to Japan’s price tag for two US-built ballistic missile interceptor stations that could struggle to shoot down the latest North Korean missile types, four government and defense sources said.“Japan is waiting to hear back from the US Missile Defense Agency about what tests will be required,” said one of the sources. “Those tests haven’t been budgeted for.”As part of a major defense upgrade, Japa

North KoreaSept. 27, 2019

SK Innovation, EVE Energy to build EV battery plants in China

　SK Innovation said Friday it will establish a joint venture with Chinese battery maker EVE Energy to build electric vehicle battery plants in China. 　The project will involve $525 million to build factories capable of producing 20 to 25 gigawatt-hours. 　Established in 2001, EVE Energy is a leading Chinese lithium battery maker. Earlier this month, the company won a contract to provide EV batteries for Hyundai Motor.  　To seize opportunities in the Chinese EV market, SK Innovation has been

IndustrySept. 27, 2019

No kidding: Japan airlines offer seat maps to avoid tots

TOKYO (AFP) -- Fed up with finding yourself next to a screaming child on a long-haul flight? On some Japanese airlines a seat map will warn you where potentially bawling babies are sitting.The facility, offered as part of Japan Airlines' "Smile Support" travel service for those with infants, is not new, but lit up the internet after a Twitter user praised it."Thank you, @JAL_Official_jp for warnings me about where babies plan to scream and yell during a 13 hour trip. This really o

World NewsSept. 27, 2019

GS Caltex partners with Petrolimex Saigon for gas station operations

GS Caltex said Friday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam’s Petrolimex Saigon to share its expertise in operating gas stations. State-run oil business Petrolimex runs more than 5,200 gas stations in Vietnam, with a presence in all 63 provinces of the country. It launched Vietnam’s first self-service gas station in Ho Chi Minh City in January. Under the agreement, GS Caltex will share its know-how on gas station operations in terms of technology and services,

IndustrySept. 27, 2019

[Herald Interview] ‘Take the burden off our children’

In the eyes of Song In-soo, South Korea is a cruel place for schoolchildren. After official school hours are done, they sit for several more hours in “shadow schools.” At hagwon, as they are more commonly known, elementary school students learn middle school subjects. Middle school students may even be expected to complete the entire high school math curriculum before they start high school. “Parents come home from work in the evening, but their kids aren’t home from hagw

Social AffairsSept. 27, 2019