SK Enmove secures iodine supply from Chile’s SQM

SK Enmove, a lubricant subsidiary of SK Innovation, has secured a stable supply of iodine by partnering with SQM, the world’s largest iodine producer based in Chile, in efforts to take the lead in the next-generation automotive refrigerants market, the company said Thursday. As iodine is a crucial material for producing high-efficiency automotive refrigerants, SK Enmove plans to develop advanced refrigerants that offer superior cooling and heating performance in comparison to the existing

CompaniesOct. 3, 2024

SK On to raise W1tr via rights offering

SK On is looking to raise 1 trillion won ($755 million) through a rights offering as the battery maker continues efforts to improve its financial structure amid ongoing losses due to the sluggish growth of the electric vehicle market. Parent company SK Innovation announced in a regulatory filing on Wednesday that it plans to issue about 18 million new shares of SK On at a price of 55,458 won. The rights offering will take place in the form of a price return swap, through which a business guarant

CompaniesOct. 3, 2024

Korea, EU to hold joint study to combat climate-led food crisis

South Korea's forest agency said Thursday that a research project submitted by its affiliate, the Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute, aimed at addressing the climate-driven food crisis through crop wild relatives, has been selected for a part of an R&D program promoting cooperation with the European Union. Crop wild relatives, also known as CWRs, are recognized for their ability to adapt to extreme environments and their high genetic diversity, making them crucial for improving future

IndustryOct. 3, 2024

Lotte ups outreach for children and women

Lotte Corp., the South Korean holding company of Lotte Group, is strengthening its corporate social responsibility campaigns, placing particular focus on children, women and military personnel. Since 2017, the company has been supporting local community centers dedicated to after-school care for children, creating garret-style shelters equipped with cultural and interactive materials, it said. To date, Lotte Corp. has supported 87 centers nationwide, with plans to expand to areas including Daegu

CompaniesOct. 3, 2024

K-pop star lip-syncing controversy flares up again

As K-pop stars continue to gain global popularity and greater recognition in the music industry, fans have come to hold higher expectations for their live performances. Many K-pop fans now expect impressive vocal performances during live shows, with little tolerance for lip-syncing. However, music insiders explain that it is nearly impossible for K-pop idols to sing perfectly while performing dynamic choreography. The challenge lies in how well they combine prerecorded vocals with live singing o

K-popOct. 3, 2024

[What to Watch] 3 Korean films to look out for at BIFF

The 29th Busan International Film Festival kicked off Wednesday, screening a total of 279 films from 63 countries. Though this year’s edition has taken the unusual step of opening with a Netflix movie, “Uprising,” it has also established a new competition section for documentaries. As Asia’s largest film festival, it continues to attract films from around the world, many of them Asian or Korean premieres. Here are three movies that The Korea Herald recommends. The 29th BI

FilmOct. 3, 2024

G-Dragon to make talk show debut on tvN’s ‘You Quiz on the Block’

G-Dragon of the legendary K-pop group Big Bang is set to make his talk show debut on tvN’s “You Quiz On The Block” in time for his much-anticipated comeback this month. According to tvN, the episode featuring G-Dragon was recorded Wednesday and is scheduled to air later this month. In this episode, he will share insights about his journey as a member of Big Bang, his experiences as a solo K-pop artist and his long break from music. He is also expected to address the illegal dru

K-popOct. 3, 2024

Man escapes DUI charges by downing bottle of soju while pulled over

A Daegu court said Thursday it has cleared a 60-year-old man of drunk driving charges, ruling that his consumption of alcohol after stopping his car made it impossible to determine if he had been intoxicated while driving. The man was initially suspected of driving 2.4 kilometers in Daegu with a blood alcohol content of 0.128 percent. He was stopped by police in the city’s Jung-gu district on Sept. 16 at 11:38 p.m. and his breath was tested by police 40 minutes later. The driver was charge

Social AffairsOct. 3, 2024

German envoy calls for innovation, collaboration in world in flux

German Ambassador to Seoul Georg Schmidt highlighted the growing complexities and opportunities in a world in flux during a session of the Global Business Forum on Wednesday. Addressing the weekly forum of local CEOs and leaders from various fields, the diplomat touched upon a wide array of pressing issues — from Germany’s energy revolution and the rise of artificial intelligence to demographic shifts and global security, as he emphasized the need for innovation and international col

Social AffairsOct. 3, 2024

PM vows to complete medical reform

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo vowed Thursday to complete a medical reform, saying the reform drive is an essential choice to ensure the safety of people and protect future generations. Han made the remark at a ceremony commemorating National Foundation Day, although the monthslong walkout by trainee doctors against the government's medical reform has showed little signs of progress to resolve the standoff. "We will surely complete essential medical reform to protect the lives and safety

PoliticsOct. 3, 2024

S. Korean, US officials tout 'ironclad,' 'unwavering' alliance at Korean national day event

South Korean and US officials on Wednesday expressed strong confidence over the present and future of the two countries' evolving alliance, calling it "ironclad" and "unwavering," as they celebrated the Korean National Day and Armed Forces Day in Washington on Wednesday. Their paean for the decadesold alliance came as Seoul and Washington have been stepping up security cooperation amid a series of regional and global security challenges, including North Korea's evol

PoliticsOct. 3, 2024

FIFA warns S. Korean football body of possible sanctions due to investigation by sports ministry

FIFA has warned the Korea Football Association (KFA) of possible sanctions for violating its obligation to operate independently, in light of an ongoing probe by the sports ministry. A FIFA official confirmed to Yonhap News Agency on Thursday that the global football body had sent a letter to the KFA, referring the South Korean member association to "its statutory obligation to manage its affairs independently and to ensure that its own affairs are not unduly influenced by any third parties

SoccerOct. 3, 2024

[해커스 TOEIC] 토익 점수 Up 단어, Part 5 문제

2) 파트 5 3문제 1. The assistant manager said she ------- the furniture in the office to give the staff more privacy. (A) arrange (B) arranging (C) had been arranged (D) would arrange 해석 그 부지배인은 직원들에게 좀 더 사생활을 주기 위해 사무실에 가구를 배치할 것이라고 말했다. 해설 동사 자리 채우기 문제 ‘she ------- the furniture ~ more privacy’ 절에 동사가 없으므로 동사인 (A), (C), (D)가 정답의 후보이다. 주어(she)와 동사(arrange)가 ‘그녀가 가구를 배치하다’라는 능동의 의미 관계이고, 주어가 3인칭 단수이므로 (D) would arrange가 정답이다. 준동사 (B)는 동사 자리에 올 수 없다. 어휘 assistant manag

English EyeOct. 3, 2024

Pianist Lim Yunchan double winner at Gramophone Awards

South Korean pianist Lim Yunchan won the Gramophone Classical Music Award in the piano category, becoming the first Korean pianist to receive the prestigious award. The 20-year-old pianist won the piano category with his album "Chopin: Etudes" and also received the young artist of the year award. Established in 1977, the Gramophone Classical Music Award is one of the most significant accolades in the classical recording industry. Another album by Lim, "Yunchan Lim -- Liszt: Transc

CultureOct. 3, 2024

Yoon, Ishiba to have summit in Laos next week: NHK

New Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba plans to have his first summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on the margins of annual regional gatherings in Laos next week, Japan's broadcaster NHK reported Thursday. The two leaders will have their first in-person meeting since Ishiba took office on Tuesday, the Japanese public broadcaster said, as both plan to participate in a series of meetings involving the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Laos. The plann

PoliticsOct. 3, 2024

Senior US diplomats to visit S. Korea next week for workshop on NK human rights violations

Two senior US diplomats will travel to South Korea next week to attend a workshop on human rights violations in North Korea and other events, the State Department said Wednesday. During their trip from Monday to Oct. 11, Special Envoy for North Korean human rights Julie Turner and Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack plan to co-host a high-level strategic workshop centering on accountability for human rights violations in the North, according to the department. Organi

Diplomatic CircuitOct. 3, 2024

[Wang Son-taek] Taking domestic politics into account in Middle East conflict

As Israel proceeds with a ground offensive against Hezbollah, the situation in the Middle East is deteriorating day by day. The prospects for ending the war are dim, while the loss of lives, including innocent civilians, and property damage continues to mount. In the past, during such crises, the United States would intervene to manage the situation. However, such interventions seem absent this time. The elements that guaranteed global peace and stability have suddenly vanished. Has the internat

ViewpointsOct. 3, 2024

[Shang-Jin Wei] To reform UN Security Council

As world leaders convened in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, the prospect of reforming the Security Council emerged as a major topic of discussion. A key question is whether the council should add more permanent members. Proponents of expansion argue that adding countries like India, Brazil or Japan would make the Security Council more representative of the UN’s membership. Critics, however, warn that adding more permanent members with veto power could cripple the council

ViewpointsOct. 3, 2024

Yoon, Ishiba discuss cooperation on N. Korea in 1st phone talks

President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held their first phone conversation Wednesday to discuss bilateral ties and cooperation on countering threats posed by North Korea, Yoon's office said. During the call, Yoon and Ishiba agreed to work on enhancing both bilateral cooperation and trilateral collaboration involving the United States to address North Korean issues. "The leaders agreed on the need for South Korea, Japan and the United States to make

Foreign AffairsOct. 2, 2024