[Newsmaker] Main opposition floor leader accuses Moon administration of abusing democracy

Main opposition Liberty Korea Party Floor Leader Na Kyung-won has accused the Moon administration of “abusing democracy to achieve absolute power,” continuing the conservative bloc’s attack of President Moon Jae-in.“I can’t erase the thought that the Moon administration is abusing democracy to achieve absolute power rather than standing for citizens’ freedom and basic rights. This coincides with what the Economist referred to as ‘new dictatorship,’

PoliticsJuly 4, 2019

Incheon National University joins drive to innovate university ranking system

Incheon National University has joined prominent universities around the world in efforts to create a new university ranking system that better measures universities’ efforts to drive innovation in Industry 4.0.At a joint press conference, Cho Dong-sung, president of Incheon National University, said the traditional university ranking systems work in favor of research-focused universities. “A new university ranking system that focuses on innovation in the ‘fourth industrial rev

Social AffairsJuly 4, 2019

[Charles A. Kupchan, Sinan Ulgen] US still needed in Syria

 While the world frets about a possible conflict between the United States and Iran, the bloodshed in Syria is escalating once again. Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime has intensified its onslaught against the remaining opposition stronghold in Idlib province, which is home to some 3 million people, including many who have been internally displaced. To avoid a new humanitarian nightmare and another mass exodus of refugees, the US must renew its peacemaking efforts.Since a US-back

ViewpointsJuly 4, 2019

[Lionel Laurent] Trump’s tariff barrage forces EU into a corner

Is there any method to Donald Trump’s madness on trade?Politicians and investors are all struggling to make sense of the US president’s tendency to stop, go and reverse course in his dealings with China and Europe. Financial traders went to sleep Monday basking in the glow of a trade truce with Beijing. They woke up Tuesday to news that the Americans had expanded a list of European products that may be whacked by tariffs (under the guise of the long-running state subsidy dispute betw

ViewpointsJuly 4, 2019

Prosecution confirms death of ex-head of Hanbo Group in Ecuador

The prosecution concluded Thursday that Chung Tae-soo, former head of the now-defunct Hanbo Group, died in December in Ecuador, where he was hiding after fleeing South Korea while standing trial on embezzlement charges.His death came to light as Chung Han-keun, a son of Chung, was extradited to South Korea in June after he was captured in Panama following 21 years of living overseas to escape a corruption charge.The prosecution said the Ecuadorean government had confirmed as authentic a document

Social AffairsJuly 4, 2019

[News Focus] Transition to farming loses luster for city dwellers

SEJONG -- Over the past decade, a growing number of urbanites in South Korea have moved to rural areas to tap the agriculture industry, helped on their way by various government-led benefits for new farming households.A large proportion of them were in their 40s, 30s and 20s, and quit salaried jobs in big cities to take up farming.But the situation has changed. Many of them have failed to accommodate themselves to the rural life and farm work.Among their troubles are difficulty getting along wit

Social AffairsJuly 4, 2019

[Herald Interview] Chef without restaurant but 1 million diners

Though she does not have a restaurant, there are still nearly 1 million diners who enjoy Gabriela Kook’s food around the globe. 　More widely known as Kook Gabie, or Gabie Kook, Kook, 30, is a content creator, who shares her life via YouTube. Her videos have diverse subjects from lifestyle to beauty, but she is most well-known for her recipe videos. “Everything led me to cooking and eating,” Kook said during an interview held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on Wednesday as a part of th

PeopleJuly 4, 2019

[Herald Interview] Drag queen singer opens up new future for traditional Korean music

Korean singer Lee Hee-moon sometimes goes onstage in gender-bending attire. Wearing a curly wig and high heels, Lee commands the stage, backed by a rock band.The music, however, is inspired by traditional Korean music. 　Though gugak -- Korean traditional music -- singers are usually associated with an old-fashioned image, Lee sets himself apart with his music, manner and appearance. The Korea Herald met with the 44-year-old singer for an interview at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on Wednesday. He was a

PeopleJuly 4, 2019

S. Korea warns of retaliatory steps against Japan’s export curbs

　South Korea on Thursday delivered a stern warning to Japan regarding restrictions on exports of high-tech materials to Korea, calling Japan’s decision a breach of international law and vowing “corresponding steps” if necessary. 　“Japan’s export restrictions are a form of political retaliation that violate international law,” the National Security Council of the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.　In the meeting, chaired by Presidential

EconomyJuly 4, 2019

[Breaking] 2 injured from wall collapse at construction site near Sinsa Station

Part of a building under construction near Sinsa Station in Seoul collapsed Thursday afternoon, crumbling on to cars parked nearby.  According to Seoul Seocho Fire Station, the exterior wall of a five-story building undergoing demolition suddenly crumbled around 2 p.m. that day. Two people were injured as the concrete wreckage fell on to several cars parked nearby. They have been transported to a nearby hospital.Local fire fighters are investigating for further damage and injuries. By Choi

Social AffairsJuly 4, 2019

[Newsmaker] Hanmi shares plummet after Janssen ceases clinical research

Hanmi Pharmaceutical shares nose-dived nearly 30 percent Thursday, following news that Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals has decided to return development and global commercialization rights of Hanmi’s diabetes treatment. Hanmi shares closed at 301,500 won ($258), down 27.26 percent or 113,000 won from a day earlier. Janssen, based in Belgium, had inked a license agreement for Hanmi’s investigational drug HM12525A in November 2015, for which Hanmi receive

IndustryJuly 4, 2019

N. Korea appears to have picked former Amb. to Vietnam as new chief nuke envoy: source

North Korea appears to have picked a former ambassador to Vietnam as its new chief nuclear envoy, a diplomatic source said, indicating the regime has effectively rounded out its team for upcoming working-level talks with the United States.During the impromptu summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on Sunday, Pyongyang notified Washington of the makeup of its team to be led by Kim Myong-gil, the source said.Kim Myong-gil, well

North KoreaJuly 4, 2019

WINNER stages seven-city tour in Japan

Four-piece K-pop boy band WINNER has started its sixth Japanese tour that will take it to seven cities, its management agency said Thursday.As the first leg of its "WINNER Japan Tour 2019," the group held a concert at Nakano Sun Plaza Hall in Tokyo on Wednesday, according to YG Entertainment. During the two-hour concert, WINNER performed 25 songs, including its latest number "Ah Yeah," "Really Really" and "Everyday.""We want to show our maturity on th

PerformanceJuly 4, 2019

2nd inter-Korean summit set precedent for DMZ meeting: Kim

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said that his second summit with President Moon Jae-in had set a precedent for his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the DMZ on Sunday, it was revealed Thursday. The comments by Kim were captured on video after his meeting with Trump on Sunday in Panmunjom.  In the video, Kim is heard saying to President Moon Jae-in that the North “referred to the precedent of meeting with the South without being constrained by formalities and location.” M

North KoreaJuly 4, 2019

Kolon Life Science apologizes for Invossa mislabeling, but insists drug was safe

The chief of Kolon Life Science on Thursday reiterated the safety of the now-banned joint inflammation treatment Invossa, while apologizing for the market confusion and credibility depreciation.　“As top representative, I deeply apologize on behalf of the company for causing worries and confusion to patients, investors and the medical circles,” said KLS CEO Lee Woo-suk in a press conference held at the Korea Press Center in downtown Seoul.　The disputed mislabeling of the substance in

IndustryJuly 4, 2019

Apple to take voluntary action to correct unfair practices in Korea

Apple has offered to take voluntary action to correct its business practices in the local telecom market, South Korea’s top antitrust watchdog said Thursday, after having previously accused the tech company of abusing its superior position and harming local mobile carriers. Apple applied for a consent order June 4, the Fair Trade Commission said, meaning the company has initiated a process to close a case early by voluntarily agreeing to take corrective action to restore order to the marke

IndustryJuly 4, 2019

Labor advocates boycott council for social dialogue, prevent vote from going ahead

A presidential council for social dialogue has been crippled due to boycotts by some of its members representing labor, halting discussion on a number of agenda items. The Economic, Social and Labor Council said Thursday that the mandates of four of its committees would expire this month.The committees responsible for improving the social safety net and for ensuring industrial safety and health will stop operating July 11 and 16, respectively. The other two committees, one responsible for improv

Social AffairsJuly 4, 2019

Prime minister: Detained Australian leaves North Korea

Australia's prime minister says an Australian student has been released from detention in North Korea.Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Parliament on Thursday that Alek Sigley had left North Korea and was "safe and well.''The 29-year-old Pyongyang university student lost contact with family and friends in Japan and Australia on Tuesday last week.Morrison's announcement was the first confirmation that he had been detained. (AP)

North KoreaJuly 4, 2019

Australian student released from North Korea in 'good spirits'

An Australian student who was detained in North Korea has been released and has safely left the country, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday.Alek Sigley, 29, who was studying in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, had been missing since June 25. Alarm was raised when the normally active social media user ceased all communication. Morrison interrupted Parliament to confirm that Sigley had been freed. He later said in a statement that Swedish authorities had helped secure the stud

North KoreaJuly 4, 2019