Calls for new national anthem grow amid anti-Japanese sentiment

Debate has surfaced over whether the use of South Korea’s national anthem composed by Ahn Eak-tai, whose pro-Japanese activities during Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula have come under scrutiny, should be discontinued amid the growing anti-Japanese sentiments here. On Thursday a public hearing was held at the National Assembly to initiate a public discourse on whether the national anthem, called “Aegukga,” should be replaced by a new one. The hearing was host

Social AffairsAug. 9, 2019

Former Seoul police chief convicted in death of activist farmer

An appellate court on Friday sentenced a former Seoul police chief to a fine of 10 million won ($8,260) in the 2015 death of an activist farmer who was hit by a police water cannon, reversing a lower court's judgment of acquittal.The Seoul High Court meted out the penalty to Goo Eun-soo, who served as commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency from 2014 to 2015, after convicting him of negligent homicide in the death of Beak Nam-ki, who fell unconscious after being shot directly by a p

Social AffairsAug. 9, 2019

S. Korean, US defense chiefs vow to support diplomacy for NK denuclearization

South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and US Defense Secretary Mark Esper agreed Friday to work together to support diplomatic efforts to denuclearize North Korea despite Pyongyang's saber-rattling amid stalled nuclear talks.During the defense talks held in Seoul, Esper also asked for South Korea to play a role in the US-led coalition to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz, according to officials. The two defense chiefs "reaffirmed their commitments to supporting their diplomatic effort

DefenseAug. 9, 2019

Moon, Pentagon chief discuss trilateral security cooperation with Japan: official

President Moon Jae-in and the visiting US defense secretary talked about the significance of trilateral security cooperation involving Japan during their meeting here Friday, Moon's office said. Mark Esper was on his maiden visit to Seoul as the Pentagon chief. It came at a very sensitive time for three-way security partnerships among the regional powers.Locked in a trade fight with Japan, South Korea is reviewing whether it's worthwhile to keep a bilateral accord on sharing some military inform

Foreign AffairsAug. 9, 2019

Samsung operates chip plants at full capacity despite Japan curbs

Samsung Electronics said Friday its plans to mass-produce high-end memory chips for global customers are on track so far, despite initial concerns of the possible disruption of production lines due to Japan’s trade restrictions on hi-tech materials. The company announced it has begun mass production of the world’s most capable solid-state drives for next-generation servers -- non-volatile memory express SSD PM1733 -- and DRAM modules with the largest storage capacity of up to 4 terab

TechnologyAug. 9, 2019

KIC invests $412m in Japanese firms linked to war criminals

State-run Korea Investment Corp. is found to have heavily invested in Japanese companies linked to forced wartime labor, according to sources, prompting concerns about the investment portfolio of domestic financial institutions. It is the latest revelation after the release of the National Pension Service’s investment history last month.According to Rep. Kim Kyung-hyub from the ruling Democratic Party on Friday, the KIC invested about $412 million -- as of last year -- in 46 Japanese compa

IndustryAug. 9, 2019

Betting on 5G, preorders for Galaxy Note 10 begin

Preorders for the latest Galaxy Note 10 smartphones are now available globally, raising expectations on the new race in the global mobile device market and expansion of the 5G network, according to industry sources on Friday. Samsung started taking preorders for the newest gadgets one day after its Unpacked event for electronics retailers and mobile carriers in the United States, South Korea and other countries across the world. In the US, the Galaxy Note 10 is available both on LTE and 5G netwo

TechnologyAug. 9, 2019

Antitrust regulator nominee says ‘fair economy is vital’

South Korea’s antitrust watchdog nominee Joh Sung-wook said she would keep “fair economic development” in mind, adding both conglomerate reforms and fair economy are vital. The professor at Seoul National University met with reporters on Friday afternoon shortly after President Moon Jae-in nominated her as the new chief of the Fair Trade Commission. “I feel a heavy responsibility to be nominated as the FTC head, who serves a critical role of pursuing a fair economy,

IndustryAug. 9, 2019

Bolton urges S. Korea to cough up $4.8b as cost-sharing for US troops: report

US National Security Advisor John Bolton urged South Korea to ramp up its share of costs for stationing American troops here during his visit to Seoul last month, revealing his country’s spending records, according to the Dong-a Ilbo on Friday.When Bolton met South Korean National Security Office Director Chung Eui-yong on July 28, he showed a statement with details of the US spending for stationing 28,500 soldiers here, including training fees and wages for overseas dispatch of military f

Foreign AffairsAug. 9, 2019

Kakao and Twice collaborate for new Kakao merchandise

Kakao IX, the Kakao company that oversees the characters of Kakao Friends, announced Friday the release of Kakao Friends Twice Edition, a new merchandise series in collaboration with girl group Twice. First to be released from the series are nine pin badges with pictures drawn by the members of Twice themselves.  “Twice members have been actively participating throughout the idea planning and designing processes,” Kakao IX said, with behind-the-scenes videos of the process to be

IndustryAug. 9, 2019

Royal palaces, other Joseon cultural sites to waive entry fees

Joseon era royal palaces and other cultural sites of the period will waive entry fees, timed with the 74th Independence Day and the 100th anniversary celebrating the March 1 Independence Movement this year, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration.In Seoul, four royal palaces, Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung, and Jongmyo Shrine will be free for public between Aug. 10-25. It is the first time in four years that the authorities are exempting admission fees for

TravelAug. 9, 2019

[Newsmaker] Police probe ex-YG chief on gambling charges

The police said Friday that they are probing allegations that Yang Hyun-suk, former CEO and chief producer of K-pop entertainment powerhouse YG Entertainment, gambled overseas.South Koreans are prohibited from gambling at home and abroad.Upon a tip-off, the police are looking through Yang’s financial reports to investigate whether he secured his gambling funds through illegal foreign exchange transactions.Yang, 49, is already under investigation on suspicions that he procured sexual servic

Social AffairsAug. 9, 2019

Chip expert Choi Ki-young nominated to lead ICT Ministry

President Moon Jae-in conducted a major Cabinet reshuffle on Friday, nominating Choi Ki-young to lead the Ministry of Science and ICT.Choi, currently a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Seoul National University, is dubbed an expert in the fields of artificial intelligence and semiconductors. He has a bachelor’s degree in SNU, master’s from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and a doctorate from Stanford University.Within the field

TechnologyAug. 9, 2019

Investors eye leveraged, inverse ETFs amid high market volatility

Investors are flocking to high-risk leveraged and inverse exchange-traded funds in South Korea, resulting in an increase in the daily average trading volume.According to the stock market operator Korea Exchange, the combined daily average trading volume of leveraged and inverse ETFs from July 26 to Thursday amounted to nearly 1.3 trillion won ($1.1 billion). It is 81.3 percent higher compared to the corresponding figure of 701.7 billion won in June.  A leveraged ETF uses financial derivativ

MarketAug. 9, 2019

[Around the Hotels] Packages and promotions

Stylish afternoon tea time at Millennium Seoul HiltonMillennium Seoul Hilton’s Cilantro Deli presents a stylish afternoon tea set consisting of desserts that resemble fashion items.On top of their choice of coffee or tea, customers can enjoy either a blue high-heeled shoe or a pink clutch bag, both made out of chocolate, along with other miniature sweets in the shape of a lipstick, a perfume bottle and other accessories. Also included in the set are “fatcarons,” or thick macaro

FoodAug. 9, 2019

Chocolatier’s new macarons pop with flavor

The macarons crafted by chocolatier Ko Eun-su at Macaron Couture showcase palate-teasing flavor combinations like Gorgonzola and honey or truffle and Pecorino. The shells are supremely thin on the outside, folding at the slightest bit of pressure and melting away on the tongue, while the ganache fillings are nuanced, fragrant and oftentimes complex. These bite-sized desserts represent Ko’s desire to experiment with flavors and to continue a sweet-toothed culinary journey that started eight

FoodAug. 9, 2019

[Weekender] Finding balance on fast and furious water

Trying to stand on ferociously turbulent water is definitely an effective way to get an adrenaline rush. And indoor facilities allow enthusiasts to experience that all year round, amid the growing popularity of surfing here.  “In South Korea, it is hard to surf. Japan blocks the waves, so beaches do not really pick up swells. Given this, indoor surfing can be a nice option,” said Lee Sang-jun, who manages Flow House Yongin, an indoor surfing facility, at the Lotte Premium Outlet

More SportsAug. 9, 2019

[Weekender] Flying above the water

On a heat-soaked afternoon in Seoul, the placid waters of the Han River suddenly burst with energy. A figure mounted on top of what looks like a futuristic water-propelled jet pack performs energetic and acrobatic feats above the water -- just like the Iron Man. This is flyboarding, the latest water sport to hit the Han River in South Korea. Perfect for thrill-loving adventurers, it is fun, exhilarating and, according to pro rider Park Jin-min, safe and easy. “It is a misunderstanding

More SportsAug. 9, 2019

Female SNU professor nominated to head S. Korea’s antitrust watchdog

President Moon Jae-in has nominated Joh Sung-wook, a professor at Seoul National University, to lead South Korea’s antitrust watchdog, the presidential office said Friday. Joh, 55, will replace former head Kim Sang-jo, who is Moon’s chief policy secretary since June. Currently serving as professor at SNU Business School, Joh previously served as a non-executive member of the Financial Services Commission’s Securities & Futures Commission from April 2013 to April this y

IndustryAug. 9, 2019

India's Modi defends powderkeg Kashmir move

NEW DELHI (AFP) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday his powderkeg move to strip the disputed Kashmir region of its autonomy was necessary to stop "terrorism", as Pakistan voiced further outrage and the UN chief urged "maximum restraint."Modi's Hindu-nationalist government imposed direct rule on the Indian held portion of Kashmir on Monday, setting off a new crisis in one of the world's most volatile security flashpoints.Speaking for the first time since the m

World NewsAug. 9, 2019