[Herald Interview] The man behind Sister Carrie

Not many people know Theodore Dreiser’s 1900 novel “Sister Carrie” in South Korea. For kids here, “Carrie eonni” or Sister Carrie who introduces toys on YouTube is the “president.” Since its YouTube launch in 2014, Carrie has become an influential figure with more than two million subscribers. Early on, CarrieSoft, the company behind Carrie and Toys -- with real-person and animation characters -- has attracted investments from NHN Entertainment and

IndustryMay 31, 2019

Rescued sister anxiously awaits news of brother aboard

A 31-year-old worker at a handicraft shop in South Korea took leave from work for a trip to Hungary with her brother.   The 28-year-old brother was happy with his first overseas trip, which was meant to help refresh him after he quit his job.They were among 33 South Koreans aboard a sightseeing boat that sank in the Danube River in Budapest on Wednesday night (local time). It capsized after being hit by another river cruise vessel.The sister is among seven rescued South Koreans, while

Social AffairsMay 30, 2019

Moon asks Hungary to do its best to rescue missing S. Koreans

South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Thursday requested that the Hungarian government continue its full support in connection with the search for more than a dozen South Koreans missing in a river boat sinking.During 15-minute phone talks with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the president thanked the Hungarian authorities for their "active rescue operations," according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Ko Min-jung.Seven South Koreans died when the sightseeing boat capsized after be

Social AffairsMay 30, 2019

[Graphic News] More climbers die on crowded Everest

　A traffic jam of climbers in Everest’s “death zone” was blamed for two of four new deaths reported Friday, heightening concerns that the drive for profits is trumping safety on the world’s highest peak.　Nepal has issued a record 381 permits costing $11,000 each for the current spring climbing season, bringing in much-needed money for the Himalayan country.　At least four of the deaths this season - the deadliest since 2015, when massive earthquakes triggered avalanches th

WorldMay 30, 2019

Sanctions have started to hit North Korea’s most vulnerable: experts

Tough sanctions slapped on North Korea have begun to adversely affect the most vulnerable people there, experts said, stressing the need for swift humanitarian action for millions of hungry and sick people. What has hurt the lives of North Korean people the most are sanctions, and the widespread impact has reached those who already could not afford food, University of North Korean Studies professor Yang Moon-soo said during a roundtable held by the state-run Korea Institute for National Unificat

North KoreaMay 30, 2019

[Eye Plus] Lake of fallen Korean War soldiers

The sun glistens in the Paroho Lake in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, exuding a sense of peace and calmness. Not many, except villagers in the nearby area, know the tragic story of this man-made reservoir. In 1952, at the height of the Korean War, this lake, then called Daemyungje, witnessed an epic battle between the South Korean and American troops against a numerically superior force of the Chinese army. Despite the odds, the former won and over 24,000 Chinese were killed. Their bodies were dump

Social AffairsMay 30, 2019

KT unveils biz roadmap for 5G-powered smart factories

 South Korea’s major mobile carrier KT on Thursday pledged to expand its network business with local corporations, with a focus on incorporating the 5G cellular network into manufacturing processes. During a press conference in downtown Seoul, KT said it would encourage local companies to adopt the 5G network in their factories and take advantage of smart factory solutions. The company vowed to expand its 5G business beyond commercial services for general consumers and to focus on sma

TechnologyMay 30, 2019

Huawei holds 5G lab launch event in Seoul with minimal fanfare

　Chinese tech giant Huawei’s event to promote its fifth-generation cellular network to South Korean customers this week remained low-key, with participation centered around smaller companies.　Huawei on Thursday held the celebration for the launch of its world’s first 5G open lab in Junggu, central Seoul. The company had decided to proceed with the ceremony despite the US pressure on its business in South Korea. 　 While SK Telecom and KT said they did not send

TechnologyMay 30, 2019

Pentagon chief contradicts Trump on NK’s missile launches

Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said Wednesday the recent missile launches by North Korea were a violation of UN Security Council Resolutions, contradicting US President Donald Trump. North Korea launched multiple projectiles on May 4 and 9 -- of which the latter involved what were officially identified as short-range missiles -- in what is seen as a protest over the deadlock in nuclear talks with the US. While Trump played down the launches, his officials have been making contradic

North KoreaMay 30, 2019

Korean deep-sea divers to take part in rescue operation in Hungary

A 12-man South Korean rescue team was to leave for Hungary on Thursday night to participate in the search operation for missing Korean tourists who boarded a cruise boat that capsized on the Danube River in Budapest, a government agency said.The National Fire Agency said its rescue team comprising nine deep-sea divers and three officials will leave Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, at 8 p.m. for the Eastern European country.It will be the first time for NFA divers to participate in a

Social AffairsMay 30, 2019

[Herald Interview] Korean aviation market important, but has room for regulatory improvement: IATA CEO

Although the South Korean aviation market has strength as a transport hub, contributing $47.6 billion to the country’s GDP with 838,000 people working in the industry, the director general and CEO of the global airlines association noted there is still scope for growth if regulations are brought in line with global standards.Alexandre de Juniac, director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association, is in Seoul for IATA’s 75th annual general meeting and the World Ai

IndustryMay 30, 2019

USITC decides to open probe amid fierce rivalry among Korean battery makers

The United States International Trade Commission on Thursday announced its decision to institute an investigation into a complaint filed by South Korea’s LG Chem against its domestic rival SK Innovation over alleged misappropriation of trade secrets involving lithium-ion battery technologies. The decision highlights the rivalry among three Korean battery makers, including Samsung SDI. Competition has grown fiercer in the past couple of years, as the global electric vehicle market is set to

TechnologyMay 30, 2019

[Weekender] Korean cinema: 100 years in the making

Last Saturday, renowned Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite” became the first South Korean film to win the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. As the auteur said, it was a “timely gift” to commemorate the centennial anniversary of Korean cinema, which has grown in leaps and bounds to become the fifth-largest player in the world film industry by the number of box office admissions, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Although the box offi

FilmMay 30, 2019

[James Stavridis] Abe failed to sway Trump on NK

The essence of sumo wrestling is simple: two enormous men struggle to throw each other out of a ring. On Sunday, Donald Trump attended a major sumo tournament in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, awkwardly awarding the newly invented “President’s Trophy” to the winner. The metaphor was obvious: Throughout his state visit, Trump was like a sumo wrestler who Abe desperately wanted to move on key policy positions, but the president wasn’t budging. The most impor

ViewpointsMay 30, 2019

[James Gibney] Japan’s path to WWII shows risks of Trump’s Huawei ban

The strategic rivalry between China and the US has incited an outbreak of historical analogies -- Athens versus Sparta, the UK versus Wilhelmine Germany, or the US versus the Soviet Union. But the fracas over the US actions against Huawei Technologies recalls another antecedent: the pre-World War II US pressure campaign against Japan.Once again, the US faces an aggrieved Asian power seeking to claim its place in the geopolitical sun, displace the US from Asia, transcend its economic dependency o

ViewpointsMay 30, 2019

Ultra Korea finalizes this year’s lineup

Ultra Korea 2019 has finalized its lineup of artists for this year’s event, consisting of 107 teams, including recently united Swedish House Mafia.The organizers of the annual event confirmed the list encompassing world-famous DJs, dance teams and graffiti artists. Other headliners include Jamie Jones, Knife Party, Martin Garrix, Skrillex, Underworld and Virtual Self.Supporting artists are Art Department, Eats Everything, Hot Since 82, Infected Mushrooms, Kayzo, Nghtmre, YG, Zeds Dead, and

PerformanceMay 30, 2019

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Parasite(Korea)Opened May 30Drama, Black ComedyDirected by Bong Joon-hoThe Kims, a poor, jobless family of four, find their way into the wealthy glamorous Park family by landing jobs through deceitful means. They earn the affection of the Parks, who are worlds apart from them and yet are somewhat alike. Their new way of life is turned upside down when an unexpected visitor comes knocking on the door, kicking off a series of unexpected events.The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil(Korea)Opened May 15Cr

FilmMay 30, 2019

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Everland Rose FestivalLaunched in 1985, the long-running Everland Rose Festival opens every year in May. This year it continues until June 16. At a 20,000-square-meter rose garden, visitors can see various kinds of flowers while enjoying the amusement park.It is held inside Everland, South Korea’s largest theme park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and is open to visitors of all ages.To find out more about the event, including admission fees and how to get there, visit everland.com for inform

TravelMay 30, 2019