[Graphic News] Cocaine production hit new record in 2017: UN

　Global cocaine production reached an all-time high in 2017, breaking the previous year’s record by 25 percent, the UN drugs and crime agency said in its annual report, as production soars in post-conflict Colombia.　The report said the jump in production “was mainly driven by increases in cocaine manufacture in Colombia, which produced an estimated 70 percent of the world’s cocaine.”　In the decade to 2017, there was a 50 percent increase in manufacture, reaching a record

World NewsJuly 9, 2019

Nam June Paik Art Center looks at ecosystems, up close

A tree welcomes visitors to the Nam June Paik Art Center’s latest exhibition, but it doesn’t produce any oxygen. Paik’s “Apple Tree,” made using 33 TV monitors, emits only electronic images. Exhibition “Ecological Sense” at Nam June Paik Art Center questions how we should perceive our current ecological system. The museum also noted that the exhibition aims to make the audience more sensitive to the changes in our ecological system.It features works by 1

Arts & DesignJuly 9, 2019

Olympic speed skating champion Lee Seung-hoon suspended for 1 yr over assault allegations

Two-time Olympic speed skating gold medalist Lee Seung-hoon has been suspended for a year over allegations of physically assaulting teammates.The Korea Skating Union announced its penalty on the 31-year-old on Tuesday, saying it had gathered sufficient testimony from witnesses to conclude that Lee assaulted two younger teammates on multiple occasions.Lee may appeal the decision with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee. Assault allegations against Lee first surfaced in May last year followin

SportsJuly 9, 2019

[Lee Jae-min] Checks and balances key to ‘prosecution-police’ debate

Should police be permitted to terminate a criminal investigation on their own? This question is at the core of a long-standing debate between the prosecution and police over the adjustment of investigative power. There are many other issues, but this one has become very symbolic. The prosecution opposes it, while the police treat it as the lynchpin of the whole debate. National Assembly deliberation this fall will finalize the adjustment. As expected, it was also a hot topic at the confirmation

ViewpointsJuly 9, 2019

[Kim Seong-kon] Why do we need common sense?

When a society lacks common sense, absurd and irrational things can happen and, as a result, chaos and social disruption will prevail. What, then, is common sense? Common sense is widely known as “good sense and sound judgment in practical matters.” If so, we need to ask ourselves, “Do we have good sense and sound judgment? Are we practical?” Unfortunately, the answer is “No.” Oftentimes, Koreans seem to have neither good sense nor sound judgment not only in d

ViewpointsJuly 9, 2019

Prosecutor-general nominee under fire for alleged false testimony

The ruling and main opposition parties on Tuesday continued to clash over Prosecutor-General nominee Yoon Seok-youl, with the opposition honing in on his alleged false testimony in his confirmation hearing. The ruling Democratic Party continued to defend Yoon, saying he is fit to lead the prosecution and to continue a reform drive. It added that the confirmation hearing on Monday did not reveal any crippling allegations or evidence against the nominee.  The main opposition Liberty Korea Par

PoliticsJuly 9, 2019

Government to seek funds for materials industry

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said Tuesday the government will propose additional funding to foster South Korea’s industrial materials production. He emphasized the urgency of nurturing the industry, referring to a recent trade dispute with Japan, as he presided over a weekly Cabinet meeting. “(The government) plans to ask the National Assembly (to approve) the additional funding necessary for that in the extra budget this time,” Lee said.In April, the government proposed a 6

PoliticsJuly 9, 2019

Korean stocks roiled by Japan’s export controls, lower odds of US rate cut

South Korean stocks suffered extended losses Tuesday, likely the result of Japan’s decision to place export restrictions on key semiconductor materials along with the growing possibility that the US Federal Reserve will leave interest rates unchanged this month. The benchmark Kospi closed 0.59 percent lower from the previous trading at 2,052.03, despite opening higher. It fell more than 2 percent Monday, the worst decline in two months, amid a strong mood of lowered anticipation of an aggr

MarketJuly 9, 2019

[News Focus] Working-age population falls to 2013 level

SEJONG -- South Koreans have expressed significant fears about the nation’s workforce and growth potential in the coming decades, and it appears that recent demographic changes lend weight to those concerns.Two or three years ago, people aged between 15 and 64 began declining in number after a long period of continuous growth.People in this age group are classified as members of the working-age population, according to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development criteria. At pres

Social AffairsJuly 9, 2019

[Herald Interview] ‘We can also become something’: Congolese refugee

For anybody, living in a foreign country as a migrant or refugee far away from home is challenging enough. For a refugee woman in South Korea, it is a constant struggle to fight prejudice, isolation and a lack of opportunities. 　“Living in Korea, for men, I think it is easier to find a job. But for women, they cannot do or learn many things, especially when they have children to take care of,” said “Miyah,” head of EcoFemme, during an interview with The Korea Herald last

Social AffairsJuly 9, 2019

Lotte chief visits Tokyo amid anti-Japanese sentiments in Korea

The chief of South Korean retail giant Lotte Group -- with deep family roots in Japan -- is attempting to douse the flames following a diplomatic row between Tokyo and Seoul early this month that will hamper operations of domestic conglomerates.Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin has embarked on a trip to the neighboring country amid the spat over Japan’s decision to restrict shipments of key materials used by Korean chipmakers and display makers, according to the firm. The chairman, along w

IndustryJuly 9, 2019

Half of Korean firms say anti-bullying act ambiguous: survey

With the new anti-office bullying act coming into force next Tuesday, over half of surveyed companies in South Korea said the regulations are ambiguous and that voluntary change within each firm should come before legal measures.According to a poll of 300 Korean firms conducted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry last week, most large conglomerates said they had made due preparations, while some 20 percent of small and midsized businesses said they were not yet ready. Almost all, or

IndustryJuly 9, 2019

[Herald Review] What’s ahead for ‘Arthdal Chronicles’?

Though the tvN drama series “Arthdal Chronicles” has left viewers with many questions to ponder, one thing is for sure. It hopes do better in the final third of its 18-episode run. Two-thirds of the series has aired so far, leaving six episodes for fans to look forward to. Those episodes will air in September, after the new drama “Hotel Del Luna” finishes its run. The unusual schedule gave rise to rumors that tvN might be thinking of extending the drama for a second seaso

TelevisionJuly 9, 2019

LG Chem CEO vows to make firm global top 5 chemical biz

Shin Hak-cheol, vice chairman and CEO of LG Chem, vowed Tuesday to make the company one of the world’s five biggest chemical companies in the next five years by doubling its revenue by 2024.  “LG Chem will reach 30 trillion won ($25.4 billion) in sales this year for the first time and 59 trillion won by 2024, becoming a global top five company,” Shin said during his first press conference since he took office in February. Shin is the first CEO of LG’s petrochemical a

TechnologyJuly 9, 2019

Kim Jong-un’s sister among 10 most powerful in NK

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister Yo-jong appears to have become the ninth most powerful person in the country.The seating arrangements at the memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the death of North Korea’s founder, Kim Il-sung, Monday at Pyongyang Gymnasium showed her current political status.She was seated just four places to the left of her brother, after vice chairmen of the central committee of the ruling Workers’ Party Pak Pongju, Ri Man-gon and Ri Su-y

North KoreaJuly 9, 2019

HHI signs $49m deal with India for nuclear plant engines

Hyundai Heavy Industries said Tuesday it has signed a $49 million deal with Indian firm Powerica to supply emergency generators for nuclear reactors.The generators include 10 units of the 6.3-megawatt HiMsen propulsion system developed by HHI. They will be supplied to Unit 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, by 2022. The generators help stabilize maintenance of a nuclear reactor by supplying power to a circulating water pump during emergencies.

IndustryJuly 9, 2019

Posco issues ESG bonds worth $500m

Posco said Tuesday it has become the world’s first steelmaker to issue $500 million worth of environmental, social and governance-related bonds.ESG bonds are issued to finance sustainable outcomes within three categories -- environmental friendliness, social responsibility and improvement in governance. Posco has issued ESG bonds including green bonds that finance eco-friendly projects and social bonds that help alleviate social issues such as job creation.“The funds raised from the

IndustryJuly 9, 2019

[Newsmaker] ‘Other men are same’: Korean man accused of beating wife

A Korean man in police custody for assaulting his Vietnamese wife told reporters on Monday that he believes “other men are the same.”“Things began weighing on my mind since (my wife and I) speak different languages, and so we think differently. But I believe other men are the same,” he told the press, adding that he hopes such circumstances are taken into consideration. The 36-year-old suspect, identified only by his surname Kim, made the comments as he was escorted

Social AffairsJuly 9, 2019

Record-high 42 million passengers used airports in first half of 2019

A record-high 42.6 million passengers used Gimpo Airport and 13 other provincial airports in the first half of the year, Korean Airports Corp. data showed Tuesday, mainly due to low-cost carriers’ new international routes. According to KAC, the total number of passengers who used 14 provincial airports -- excluding Incheon Airport -- inched up 4.1 percent compared to the previous year, breaking the previous year’s record of 40.9 million passengers. The airports were located

IndustryJuly 9, 2019