Ripple CEO slams SEC chair to win back Korean investors

Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of San Francisco-based Ripple Labs, on Tuesday sharply criticized US Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler over the recently concluded legal tug-of-war with the regulator. Reflecting on Ripple’s recent legal win against the SEC, Garlinghouse doubted Gensler’s tenure would continue regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election, saying, "I'll make a gentleman's bet that won't happen," during a press conference

IndustrySept. 3, 2024

As MCM gets functional, designer focuses on story

Lasting designs communicate a story behind objects that is unexpected but familiar on second look, said Alberto Biagetti and Laura Baldassari, founders of the design studio Atelier Biagetti, ahead of presenting their collection at MCM Haus in Seoul. The exhibition “MCM Wearable Casa Collection,” first shown during Milan Design Week in April and now on show at MCM Haus in Seoul, features seven pieces of furniture that double as clothing and accessories by designer Biagetti and artist

Arts & DesignSept. 3, 2024

BMW’s Korean expansion driven by local sourcing, innovation

BMW Group emphasized Tuesday it has been actively involved in South Korea for the past three decades, focusing on sourcing parts from local companies, investing in infrastructure and contributing to corporate social responsibility initiatives. The company’s activities in the region reflect its commitment to maintaining and expanding its presence in the Korean market, the group said. In 2023, BMW Group purchased parts worth 6.53 trillion won ($4.86 billion) from Korean companies. This fig

MobilitySept. 3, 2024

Seoul opens first dog-friendly campground

Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Tuesday that it would open a dog-friendly campground for dog owners at Noeul Park in Mapo-gu, western Seoul, as part of the city government’s initiative to establish a pet-friendly culture in the city. The city government will operate a trial run of its new service after taking reservations from 64 groups starting Wednesday at 3 p.m. After monitoring the trial run, the city government will officially begin running the dog-friendly camping sites fr

Social AffairsSept. 3, 2024

Yoo Ah-in sentenced to one year in prison for drug abuse

Actor Yoo Ah-in was sentenced to one year in prison by the Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday for repeated drug use. The court ordered Yoo's immediate detention after handing down the sentence, which included a one-year prison term, a 2 million won fine ($1,489) and a surcharge of 1.54 million won. Yoo was ordered to pay a surcharge for the value of items obtained illegally. "Prescription narcotics, like propofol, are tightly controlled because of their potential for dependence an

Social AffairsSept. 3, 2024

Samsung rolls out artwork subscription service for premium TVs

Samsung Electronics introduced Tuesday an annual artwork subscription service for The Frame, the company’s premium TV, offering access to more than 2,500 pieces of art in a vivid 4K QLED display all year round. Samsung Art Store is the company’s digital curator service, delivering 4K-quality artworks from the most distinguished artists, museums and industry tastemakers. The subscription service is available on The Frame, the lifestyle TV that doubles as a digital canvas. It displays

IndustrySept. 3, 2024

Fu Bao experiencing ‘pseudopregnancy’ amid health concerns

Fu Bao, a beloved giant panda born in South Korea and now living in China, has entered the “pseudopregnancy” stage, according to the Chinese panda center, amid growing concerns about her health. The four-year-old Fu Bao has recently been seen displaying unusual behaviors, decreased appetite and lower activity levels since August in videos, sparking concerns from local fans that the panda may have health problems due to China’s extreme heat or that she may be mistreated in the c

Social AffairsSept. 3, 2024

Foreign nannies start service with 'clarified guidelines'

A total of 100 Filipina domestic workers began providing services on Tuesday for 142 families across Seoul, following the introduction of detailed job guidelines designed to clarify their role, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The city government and the Ministry of Employment and Labor have been advancing a project to introduce foreign caregivers in response to the declining number of local domestic workers, amid an aging population and the rising costs of child care. The start o

Social AffairsSept. 3, 2024

Coupang pledges over 10,000 hires to boost local economy

South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang announced Tuesday that it will recruit more than 10,000 new personnel as part of its initiative to expand logistics facilities across the nation. This decision follows the company's March announcement of its plan to invest over 3 trillion won ($2.23 billion) in expanding its logistics operations, primarily focused on fulfillment centers, to enhance its one-day delivery service nationwide. The new fulfillment centers in Daejeon and Gwangju, expected to b

CompaniesSept. 3, 2024

Loossemble unveils dynamic love story, US tour

Loossemble returned with a third mini-album “TTYL,” only four months after the group dropped its second mini-album “One of a Kind.” The new album with the theme “We have endless love for you,” embraces a wide range of emotions and thoughts. “The lyrics contain a lot of push-and-pull dynamics in love, and we wanted to express the keyword ‘diversity’ through the various forms of love and emotions that arise from it. We wanted to include a broad

K-popSept. 3, 2024

Oct. 1 Armed Forces Day designated as temporary holiday

Armed Forces Day, which is celebrated annually on Oct. 1 to honor the country’s military, has been designated by the government as a temporary holiday this year to boost awareness of the new security challenges on the Korean Peninsula, officials said Tuesday. In the afternoon, President Yoon Suk Yeol approved the Cabinet's decision in the morning to pass the motion to designate Oct. 1 as a temporary holiday, according to the presidential office. "Oct. 1 is when (UN troops) crosse

PoliticsSept. 3, 2024

Innocean to sponsor Pharrell William’s auction event

Innocean, a South Korean marketing communications agency under Hyundai Motor Group, announced Tuesday that it will serve as the main sponsor for the South Korean debut of Joopiter, the digital auction platform founded by global music and fashion icon Pharrell Williams. An exhibition of its latest online auction “Nothing But a ‘G’-Thang: The Art & Archive of G-Dragon” will offer an exclusive look into the personal archives of the K-pop icon G-Dragon’s career, fea

CompaniesSept. 3, 2024

Hyundai Motor to sponsor Korea-US-Japan leadership forum

Hyundai Motor Group announced Tuesday that it will sponsor the second Trilateral Executive Dialogue, or TED, a leadership seminar between South Korea, the United States and Japan, set to take place at Grand Hyatt Seoul on Wednesday. TED, which held its first gathering in San Francisco last year, aims to explore opportunities for democracy and shared prosperity through in-depth discussions on expanding the trilateral ties’ comprehensive mutual benefits such as economic development and natio

MobilitySept. 3, 2024

[Photo News] Kia showcases defense vehicles in Poland

Kia is bringing its latest military innovations to the European stage at the MSPO International Defense Industry Exhibition 2024, being held from Tuesday to Friday in Kielce, Poland. The centerpiece is the European debut of the Kia Medium Tactical Vehicle (on the right). The KMTV excels in rugged terrain, with features like a 60 percent slope climb and 1-meter water fording. Kia is also displaying its Kia Light Tactical Vehicle bare chassis (on the left), featuring mine-resistant floors, which

IndustrySept. 3, 2024

[Photo News] US navy ship arrives for overhaul in Geoje

The USNS Wally Schirra, a critical US Navy logistics ship, is docked at Hanwha Ocean's Geoje facility on Monday for a three-month maintenance overhaul. The 210-meter vessel, which delivers supplies like ammunition and fuel to warships, will receive comprehensive maintenance, including engine repairs and hull inspections. This project marks Korea's first US warship maintenance deal. (Hanwha Ocean)

IndustrySept. 3, 2024

[Community Discovery] Yangcheon out to become Korea's top education, innovation hub

Yangcheon-gu, a densely populated residential area in southwestern Seoul, is home to Mok-dong, one of the city's largest hagwon districts. This area is known for its thriving private education industry, with many children aspiring to gain admission to prestigious colleges. According to district Mayor Lee Ki-jae, Yangcheon aims to expand its presence in the education sector by transforming into a comprehensive educational hub that caters to all learning needs, from toddlers to seniors. "

Social AffairsSept. 3, 2024

Producer Teddy’s girl group MEOVV to debut Friday

K-pop agency The Black Label’s first girl group, Meovv, is set to debut on Friday. The agency announced the date of the group’s debut on its official social media by dropping Meovv’s debut trailer Monday evening. The trailer shows all five members of Meovv walking in chic black outfits like models on a runway, toward a stage in the middle of nowhere. Meovv has signed a partnership agreement with Capitol Records, a renowned label under Universal Music Group, raising expectations

K-popSept. 3, 2024

Only 5.5% of online sex crime suspects detained

  Over 7,000 people were investigated for online sex crimes between 2021 and 2023, but only 5.5 percent of them were detained, police data showed Tuesday. A total of 9,864 such crimes occurred in that period, according to National Police Agency data submitted to Democratic Party Rep. Hwang Jung-a. A total of 3,295 of them were related to child pornography -- accounting for 43.8 percent -- followed by 2,415 cases involving illegally filmed content and 1,563 cases involving other illegal porn

Social AffairsSept. 3, 2024

CJ to host K-culture gathering

South Korean food and entertainment giant CJ Group said Tuesday that it will host a celebratory event on Wednesday to mark the return of Frieze Seoul, the Korean franchise of the international art fair. This year, Frize Seoul is being held Wednesday to Saturday at Coex in southern Seoul. On the first day, CJ will invite some 400 global cultural figures from home and abroad to a special gathering. Participants include foreign and domestic art professionals such as curators from art galleries and

CompaniesSept. 3, 2024

[Herald Interview] An unwanted guest, chaos and solace in 'The Frog'

The director of Netflix's original thriller "The Frog" said he aimed to offer solace to viewers by sharing the stories of those who encounter sudden calamities and suffer deep isolation, their plight ignored by those around them. "The Frog" is an 8-part mystery thriller centered on Young-ha (Kim Yun-seok), who operates a pension in the woods. Seeking a quiet life away from the world, Young-ha's peace is shattered by the arrival of a mysterious guest, Sung-ah (Go Min

TelevisionSept. 3, 2024