Most Popular
-
1
Ex-presidential official’s leaked phone call rattles conservative bloc
-
2
Man escapes DUI charges by downing bottle of soju while pulled over
-
3
Pay debate plagues foreign nanny pilot
-
4
K-pop star lip-syncing controversy flares up again
-
5
35% of S. Koreans view unification 'unnecessary'
-
6
Slew of top K-pop stars ready to return from military
-
7
S. Korea, US clinch 2026-30 defense cost-sharing deal in pre-election push
-
8
[Reporter’s Notebook] Was Netflix film opening BIFF really a bad thing?
-
9
N. Korean leader's sister derides Seoul's Hyunmoo-5 missile as 'useless'
-
10
Controversial cult leader’s sentence reduced to 17 years
-
Elder brother of Samsung Group chairman dies at 84
Lee Maeng-hee, the elder brother of South Korea's Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee, died on Friday at the age of 84 after a years-long battle with cancer. Lee Maeng-hee (Yonhap)The elder Lee, also the father of CJ Group Chairman Lee Jae-hyun, passed away at a hospital in Beijing where he was being treated for lung cancer that had spread to other parts of his body, said a CJ group official. The elder Lee "passed away from a chronic disease at a hospital in Beijing as of 9:39 a.m. (Beijing time)
Social AffairsAug. 14, 2015
-
China fixes yuan stronger vs dollar, reversing falls
China's central bank on Friday raised the yuan currency against the US dollar by 0.05%, the national foreign exchange market said, ending three days of falls after a surprise devaluation.The daily reference rate was set at 6.3975 yuan to $1.0, up from 6.4010 the previous day, the China Foreign Exchange Trade System said. The rate was also slightly stronger than Thursday's close of 6.3982 yuan.The stronger fixing for the yuan came after the People's Bank of China(PBoC) reassured financial markets
World BusinessAug. 14, 2015
-
Japan P.M. Abe to make closely watched WWII anniversary statement
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is to deliver a war anniversary statement Friday that neighboring nations, particularly China and South Korea, will scrutinize for signs of sufficient remorse over Tokyo's past militarism.The words that Abe chooses to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II carry symbolic importance and could set future relations with countries that suffered from its brutal march across Asia.Any attempt to tone down explicit apologies made by previous leaders could
World NewsAug. 14, 2015
-
N. Korea denies cyberattack on university hospital
North Korea said Friday it was not behind the latest hacking of the computer network of a Seoul-based university hospital, adding that such a claim "lacked knowledge."The remark by the North's propaganda organ Uriminzokkiri was a response to the National Police Agency, which said earlier this week that Pyongyang hacked into the central control system of the hospital in August 2014, obtaining full control over the network.Police added it didn't find any patient information leaks as the North's ai
North KoreaAug. 14, 2015
-
Hyundai's damage from Chinese explosion estimated at 160 bln won
South Korea's top carmaker Hyundai Motor is estimated to have lost 160 billion won ($136 million) from huge explosions in China's northeast port city of Tianjin, industry watchers said Friday.China Central Television said the blasts involved a shipment of explosives at the Ruihai warehouse in Tianjin, and occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The exact cause was not immediately known.Hyundai had parked around 4,000 automobiles at the site, including Genesis and Equus luxury sedans.While Hyund
IndustryAug. 14, 2015
-
Samsung pushes new phablets amid ailing handset returns
South Korea's top tech giant Samsung Electronics Co. showcased two new phablets on Thursday in the United States, with one being the larger edition of the Galaxy S6 Edge that curves on both sides, in its latest bid to revitalize its mobile business. JK Shin, president and CEO of Samsung Electronics holds the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ (left) and the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 during a presentation, Thursday at Lincoln Center in New York. (AP-Yonhap)Dubbed the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge+, the p
TechnologyAug. 14, 2015
-
Focus on Japan premier Abe's words in World War II statement
TOKYO (AP) – What's in a word? As Japan's leader prepares to issue a statement Friday to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, attention is focused on the words he will use – and the ones he won't.The phrases ``aggression,'' ``colonial rule,'' ``deep remorse'' and ``heartfelt apology'' were all part of Japan's landmark apology on the 50th anniversary of the war's end in 1995.Depending on which words he uses, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe could either further roil his country's relati
World NewsAug. 13, 2015
-
Watchdog head gets 2 yr prison sentence for taking bribe from Lone Star
SEOUL (Yonhap) – A local court sentenced the head of a private watchdog to two years in prison for taking bribes from Lone Star Funds in return for dropping protests over the U.S. firm's local deal and trying to help it settle a stock manipulation trial.The Seoul Central District Court ordered Jang Hwa-sik, the head of Spec Watch Korea, also to forfeit 800 million won (US$681,000), he received in 2011 from Yoo Hoe-won, former head of Lone Star's local unit."Despite fairness and integrity expecte
Aug. 13, 2015
-
Nepa opens new store in Chamonix, France
South Korean outdoor clothing brand Nepa has opened a new flagship store in Chamonix, France, in a bid to expand its global business.Nepa has become the first Korean outdoor brand to operate a store at Chamonix, considered as a hub of the world’s winter sports. Here, the company is looking to “develop products fit for local European customers and newly emerge as a global brand.”Nepa’s new store was established by remodeling Chamonix’s historic pub, Le Chouca ― considered as one of the city’s key
IndustryAug. 13, 2015
-
Nespresso launches new Touch Collection
Leading coffee machine brand Nespresso has launched a new collection of premium coffee mugs designed by renowned Berlin-based design studio Geckeler Michels.Made with black ceramic surrounded by a soft silicone ring, the new cups were designed not only for aesthetic appeal but also shaped to enhance and express the aroma and flavor of Nespresso coffees, the company said.“The inner shapes are conceived to guarantee a fluid flow of coffee into the cup and a beautifully refined ‘crema’ every time,”
IndustryAug. 13, 2015
-
MCM opens pop-up store in Hongdae
MCM, a German luxury leather goods brand, has opened a new pop-up store in the bustling neighborhood of Hongdae in Seoul, aiming to become a leader in not only fashion but also cultural promotion.The store is housing MCM’s culture and arts project, aka the Kunst Project, until December. The first two floors will sell the brand’s products while the third floor has been transformed into a space displaying the works of star photographer Oh Joong-suk.Since its opening on Aug. 7, the store has attrac
IndustryAug. 13, 2015
-
Twosome Place introduces new premium desserts
Twosome Place, a coffee franchise operated by CJ Foodville, is introducing its premium dessert lineup across all its stores nationwide.The new desserts consist of three types of mini cakes and three types of fruit tarts, including the Petit Mango Cake ― made by layering mangos, passion fruit, raspberry and custard cream ― and the Chocolate Cheesecake, wedged in with cream cheese and caramel.Popular tartes include the Strawberry Yogurt Tarte ― made with fresh cream, Greek yogurt mousse and strawb
IndustryAug. 13, 2015
-
Sulwhasoo launches brightening cushion foundation
Leading South Korean cosmetics company AmorePacific’s Sulwhasoo has launched a special deluxe edition of its popular Perfecting Cushion Brightening introduced in March. The newly-introduced edition consists of the original cushion product plus two refills, and was launched as a value pack for the summer season when cushion foundations are used more frequently, according to the company. The foundation uses magnolia and nacre extracts as its core ingredients, helping to brighten the skin tone for
IndustryAug. 13, 2015
-
Park pardons SK chairman
President Park Geun-hye on Thursday granted special pardons to thousands of Koreans convicted of minor crimes and millions who received administrative penalties as part of efforts to achieve national unity ahead of the Aug. 15 Liberation Day.The president also exercised her special power to pardon 14 high-profile businessmen including SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won who was imprisoned for more than two years for embezzlement. The list of 13 other businessmen included Hanhwa vice chairman Kim Hyun
PoliticsAug. 13, 2015
-
‘Starbucks RTD not a spinoff anymore’
Starbucks Ready-to-Drink products clearly targeted people who wanted a sip of Starbucks coffee when they are not around the outlets.However, it has grown into an independent category, earning heaps of fans who want to enjoy quality coffee at home, work or outdoors. Though the company declined to disclose the individual sales volume in 39 countries selling Starbucks RTD, the total sales of Channel Development Business – which includes the RTD portfolio-- amount to $1.5 billion and keeps growing.
IndustryAug. 13, 2015
-
BOK braces for currency volatility
South Korea’s central bank chief assumed a cautious stance Thursday over China’s dramatic depreciation of its currency for the third consecutive day, claiming that the consequences for the nation’s economy could be complex.Lee Ju-yeol, governor of the Bank of Korea, also said that China’s financial uncertainty, together with the volatility of the global market and the instability of emerging countries, will act as risks to the Korean economy this year.“We will keep a close watch on the market (w
Aug. 13, 2015
-
LG Chem, Samsung SDI team up for Audi's new electric SUVs
The nation's top two battery-makers LG Chem and Samsung SDI said Thursday that they would work together with German luxury carmaker Audi to develop battery-powered sports utility vehicles that could travel up to 500 kilometers on a single charge. Releasing separate announcements on the day, the two firms said they would supply batteries for Audi’s next-generation electric cars.“The partnership on Audi’s new project for EVs indicates the firm’s leadership in the EV battery market has been recogni
BusinessAug. 13, 2015
-
[Newsmaker] New momentum has KAI flying high
Korea Aerospace Industries is flying high. The country’s sole aircraft manufacturer is enjoying its best ever year, with solid first-half earnings and its share price up 150 percent since January, and analysts forecast a positive outlook for the second half. This is the result of a profit increase in the firm’s exports of military planes, production of aircraft components and winning of various defense deals, which are the three pillars of the company’s revenue sources, analysts said Wednesday.
IndustryAug. 13, 2015
-
McDonald’s offers customizable gourmet burger
McDonald’s Korea is getting a makeover with a customizable gourmet burger and how it is ordered and served in a bid to attract customers who seek a new dining experience, the fast food restaurant chain said on Wednesday.The new menu item dubbed “Signature Burger” offers customers options to build their own burger with over 20 ingredients. A McDonald’s Korea staff member serves the new “Signature Burger” to customers at its Sinchon store in Seoul, Wednesday. (McDonald’s Korea)“The signature burge
IndustryAug. 13, 2015
-
Assembly approves motion to arrest ex-NPAD lawmaker
The National Assembly on Thursday approved a motion seeking the arrest of a former opposition lawmaker suspected of taking illegal political funds worth 350 million won. Of the 298 attending lawmakers, 139 voted in favor of Rep. Park Ki-choon’s arrest while 89 disapproved and five abstained in the secret vote. Five votes were counted as invalid. The lawmaker was under investigation for allegedly receiving designer bags and luxury watches from a local businessman in exchange for business favors.
NationalAug. 13, 2015