Most Popular
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Who's lying? Hybe vs. Min conflict continues to intensify
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Seoul should engage Kim Jong-un’s elites for change, ex-North Korean diplomat says
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Most teen sex offenders get away with slap on wrist
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Ex-Trump official calls for S. Korea to raise defense spending to 3 or 3.5% of GDP
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Thousands rally in Seoul to call for Yoon resignation
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Man sentenced to 1 year, 8 months for stealing from elementary school classrooms
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FM champions multilateralism, stresses S. Korea's vision as 'global pivotal state'
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Same-sex couple denied insurance clearance despite landmark ruling
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Panmunjom tours for select Korean nationals may resume in October
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Young Poong says no better offer for Korea Zinc
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Gov't push to directly compensate companies forced out of Kaesong
South Korea's government is pushing to directly compensate firms that were forced out of the inter-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex following the spike in cross-border tensions, an official source said Sunday.The government is considering direct compensation for finished goods and materials left behind by South Korean companies, instead of providing loans, the official said, declining to be identified.On Feb. 10, the Seoul government ordered the shutdown of the industrial park just north of the
Social AffairsApril 24, 2016
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Test indicates improved N.K. SLBM tech
North Korea on Sunday claimed it had successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile, after which the South Korean military said Pyongyang has made “considerable progress” in developing the advanced weapon system, which could be deployed within the next three to four years. The Seoul government condemned the SLBM launch, and called it a clear violation of the U.N. Security Council resolution.”The (South Korean) government has warned multiple times that North Korea will face a more
North KoreaApril 24, 2016
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Police, prosecutors to intensify crackdown on drunk driving
South Korean authorities said Sunday they will cut the high number of alcohol-related driving accidents by implementing harsh measures, such as confiscating vehicles of habitual drunk drivers or those who cause fatal accident while under the influence of alcohol. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office (SPO) and the National Police Agency (NPA) said the measures, which will begin Monday, include confiscating vehicles of habitual offenders and strengthening punishment on fellow passengers.Prosecutors sa
Social AffairsApril 24, 2016
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Household debts owed to nonbanking sector spike
South Korean households' debts owed to the nonbanking sector spiked over the past two months, suggesting that those with low credit ratings opted to borrow money despite relatively higher interest, central bank data showed Sunday.According to the data by the Bank of Korea, the outstanding household debts owed to the nonbanking sector stood at 252.86 trillion won ($221.2 billion) as of end-February, up about 4.2 trillion won from what was tallied at the end of last year. The nonbanking sector inc
April 24, 2016
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It is not time to talk about dialogue with N. Korea: unification minister
South Korea's unification minister said Sunday now is not the time to talk about dialogue with North Korea, stressing the need to keep the pressure and sanctions on the North over its nuclear and missile provocations.Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo said that more extensive pressure should be put on North Korea to make the reclusive nation change its course toward denuclearization."For our goal of peaceful unification, now is the time to maintain sanctions and pressure if we want to move towar
North KoreaApril 24, 2016
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Manufacturing sector has most indebted companies
More than half of heavily indebted companies that fail to make earnings enough to make interest payments come from the manufacturing industry, which has been leading job creation in recent years.According to a report by the Korea Employment Information Service, 52.2 percent of 17,841 companies with an interest-coverage ratio failing to reach 1 for a third consecutive year during the period of 2005-2014 were manufacturers.An ICR going below 1 means the firm is not making earnings enough to make i
IndustryApril 24, 2016
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N. Korea deploys 300 new MLRS along front line: sources
North Korea has deployed some 300 new multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) along its front line with South Korea, which can hit Seoul and surrounding areas, military sources said Sunday.Local sources, citing intelligence findings, said Pyongyang has placed the 122 millimeter rocket launchers north of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates the two Koreas. These weapons systems have an estimated range of some 40 kilometers that can place large areas in and around the capital city within stri
North KoreaApril 24, 2016
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Shippers first to go under the knife
The shipping industry looks set to become the first under the knife for government-led corporate restructuring in what experts see as a test of how Korea will fix its ailing industries that have been hurt by global overcapacity and fierce competition. This week, Financial Services Commission chairman Yim Jong-yong will meet with vice ministers from economy-related ministries to check on the progress of the restructuring of five industries -- shipping, shipbuilding, construction, steelmaking and
April 24, 2016
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Bae Yong-joon slanderers slapped with W30m fine
The CEO and internal director of a ginseng product company who called hallyu star Bae Yong-joon “crazy for money” were slapped with a fine of 30 million won ($26,000) for defamation, Sunday. The Seoul Central District Court said the two were responsible for maliciously defaming a well-known celebrity to gain public attention and influence the court decision on then-ongoing lawsuits with Bae’s former food brand Goshire. (Bae Yong-joon's Instagram)The court said, “Although Bae was not the person d
TelevisionApril 24, 2016
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School swindles part-time teacher with offer of full employment
A private school administrator who took money from a staff member using a promotion as bait was sentenced to a year in prison with two years probation, Sunday. Changwon provincial court said the 63-year-old identified by his surname Jeon had convinced a part-time teacher to give 100 million won ($87,000) “for the school chairperson’s son’s business” in 2011, in return for which he promised a promotion to a full-time position. Changwon provincial court (Yonhap)Jeon’s influence peddling continued
Social AffairsApril 24, 2016
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[Photo News] Samsung Gear VR Adventure
TechnologyApril 24, 2016
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‘Okja’ begins shooting in Seoul, Steven Yeun joins cast
Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s upcoming monster-fantasy flick began shooting in Seoul last Friday, according to Netflix Korea, while another actor member -- Korean-American Steven Yeun -- has joined the film’s eclectic cast, reports say. The film, set to be released by Netflix in 2017, is the most recent project of director Bong, whose previous feature “Snowpiercer” achieved worldwide critical acclaim. “I wanted to tell a story about the beautiful friendship between humans and animals and the fe
FilmApril 24, 2016
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Air purifier market soars on yellow dust concerns
The nation’s air purifier market is soaring as concerns grow over yellow dust, the seasonal wave of dust storms originating from China and Mongolia that now seems to stretch all throughout the year. Last year, the market surged to 600 billion won ($520 million) in sales. The figure is expected to exceed 1 trillion won this year and 2 trillion won in 2017. About 1 million devices are estimated to be sold or rented every year. Korea is a unique market that has grown based on rental services. Coway
TechnologyApril 24, 2016
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LG tops front-load washer sales in U.S.
LG Electronics has topped front-load washer sales in the U.S. in the first quarter, paving the way for it to grab the No. 1 position in the all-important market for the 10th consecutive year. According to market research firm Stevenson Company, LG recorded a 26.4 percent market share in the first three months of this year. In the $900-plus premium category, it also topped the list with a 34.2 percent share. Since topping the list first in 2007, the Korean tech giant has continued to be the best
TechnologyApril 24, 2016
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1 in 6 younger people paid below minimum wage last year: report
About 1 out of 6 young workers in South Korea were paid less than the country's minimum wage last year, a private think tank said Sunday, pointing to tough working conditions facing young adults already struggling with high unemployment.According to the report by the Hyundai Research Institute, some 635,000 people aged between 15-29 were paid less than the minimum pay. The figure was much higher than the 449,000 people categorized in the same group for 2011.The minimum pay in 2015 was set at 5,5
April 24, 2016
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E-mart, SM Entertainment announce joint concert
Supermarket chain E-mart and K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment announced Sunday that they would be giving a joint concert this Tuesday.The concert will feature SM artists and overseas DJs alongside Electro Man, the mascot of Emart’s electronics brand Electro Mart. Electro Man (E-mart)To fit the dynamic image of Electro Mart, the concert is more specifically a collaboration with SM’s electronic dance music label ScreaM Records.The announcement marks an upgrade in the collaborative efforts betwe
IndustryApril 24, 2016
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Hyundai Heavy likely to post profit in Q1: sources
(Yonhap)Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., a major South Korean shipyard facing a large-scale corporate restructuring, is expected to have posted a profit during the first quarter of the year, brokerage and industry sources said Sunday.According to the sources, Hyundai Heavy Industries will likely post a profit ranging from 78 billion won ($68.2 million) to 270 billion won during the January-March period. The shipyard is scheduled to disclose its earnings on Tuesday.Its smaller rivals -- Samsung Heav
IndustryApril 24, 2016
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Taxi driver gets 3 years for sexually assaulting mentally disabled passenger
A taxi driver who sexually assaulted a mentally disabled female passenger was sentenced to three years in prison Sunday by the appeals court, a year shorter than the original sentence of four years.(Yonhap)According to the Daegu high court, the driver, who is in his 60s, sexually assaulted his passenger in her 20s after realizing her condition when she failed to clearly state her destination. She had a second-degree mental disability, the second most severe category. People in the second-degree
Social AffairsApril 24, 2016
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Rival parties agree to pass economic bills
The ruling and opposition parties announced an agreement Sunday to prioritize passing economic bills related to the livelihoods of the public and youth employment before the current parliament session ends next month.The floor leaders of the ruling Saenuri Party, the main opposition Minjoo Party and the splinter People's Party also vowed to pass bills pending in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee without any issues during the 19th National Assembly's extraordinary session set to run till Ma
PoliticsApril 24, 2016
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N. Korea will strive to break up int'l sanction regime: observer
North Korea will strive to drive a wedge in the international sanction regime as sweeping punitive measures start to bite, requiring South Korea and its allies to actively counter such strategies, a Pyongyang observer said Sunday."The North is likely to implement an 'oblique strategy' that can get China to bolt from carrying out sanctions by fueling Sino-U.S. friction and cause internal discord within South Korea, as well as the Seoul-Washington alliance," said Chung Sung-yoon, deputy director o
North KoreaApril 24, 2016