Seoul to turn Gwanghwamun into space for peace, democracy

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday that it will turn Gwanghwamun Square into a nationally symbolic space that represents free democracy and world peace, based on opinions and ideas submitted by civil society and experts. The city government’s recent announcement comes after its initial announcement on building a nationally symbolic space raised criticism and controversy two months ago. In late June, Oh made an announcement during a meeting with veterans of the 1950-53 Korean Wa

Social AffairsAug. 20, 2024

Seoul shares rebound ahead of Fed chief's speech this week

South Korean stocks rebounded on Tuesday following a rally in the US market ahead of this week's Jackson Hole symposium. The local currency gained against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 22.27 points, or 0.83 percent, to close at 2,696.63. Trade volume was moderate at 473 million shares worth 8.69 trillion won ($6.52 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 644 to 245. Foreigners bought a net 254.2 billion won worth of shares, while individuals offload

MarketAug. 20, 2024

Opposition slams Yoon aide as 'traitor' over Japan remarks

Seoul's presidential office is facing mounting pressure as controversial remarks regarding Japan by President Yoon Suk Yeol's foreign policy aide have prompted criticism from the opposition for bringing humiliation to South Korea. Labeling the aide's remarks as carrying the intention of a "pro-Japanese traitor" -- or "chinil" in Korean, describing those overly favorable to Japan to the extent of betraying national interests -- the liberal main opposition Democratic Party of K

PoliticsAug. 20, 2024

SK in talks to sell specialty gas unit

SK Group, the country's chip-to-energy conglomerate, is considering the sale of its gas supplier SK Specialty, amid the massive reshuffle across its affiliates to focus on future growth drivers. The company is "considering diverse strategies, including the sale of a stake in SK specialty" but "nothing has been decided in detail yet," SK Inc. said through a regulatory filing made Tuesday. SK Inc., the holdings company behind SK Group, owns a 100 percent stake in the gas u

IndustryAug. 20, 2024

As Daum sinks in search, experts doubt AI is solution

Daum, once solidly the No. 2 player in the online search market in Korea, has lost ground to foreign rivals here. Its parent company Kakao is betting heavily on artificial intelligence to revive the ailing portal site, but industry watchers remain skeptical of its strategy, which has yet to be made public. According to web log analysis site Internet Trend on Tuesday, Daum ranked No. 4 in the domestic web search market as of Friday, with its market share falling from 4.41 percent a year ago to 3.

IndustryAug. 20, 2024

[Herald Interview] Jeep Avenger looks to repeat European success in Korea

Jeep is launching its first all-electric vehicle, the Avenger, in Korea next month. “The Avenger was the first Jeep nameplate offered with an all-electric power train. It marks the Jeep’s brand entrance in the (battery electric vehicle) arena in Korea,” said Matt Nyquist, vice president of global product planning at the Jeep brand, in an online interview with a group of reporters Tuesday. The Jeep official pointed out that the country’s sports utility vehicle segment was

MobilityAug. 20, 2024

Govt., ruling party look to expand budget for improving livelihoods

The government and ruling party on Tuesday said they plan to allocate over 5.5 trillion won ($4.14 billion) for measures to improve people’s livelihoods here, including bigger discount coupons for small businesses and subsidies for electric vehicle users. The announcement comes as the Democratic Party of Korea has upped the ante in its pledges and policies to improve people’s livelihoods, with the main opposition’s Rep. Lee Jae-myung reelected as the party's leader in a landsli

PoliticsAug. 20, 2024

Dementia twice as likely in middle-aged women with depression: study

Women with depression between the ages of 40 and 60 are twice as likely to develop young-onset dementia, largely driven by declining estrogen levels and female sex hormones as they experience menopause, a recent study showed Tuesday. Young-onset dementia is when a person develops any form of dementia before the age of 65. The likelihood of developing dementia at an early stage was 2.5 to 2.7 times higher for women in their middle adulthood diagnosed with depression when compared to their peers w

Social AffairsAug. 20, 2024

Growing influence of Thailand in K-pop industry

As K-pop continues to impact the global music scene, it's clear that success isn't driven solely by the bands and their music. Fans around the world play a crucial role in propelling K-pop artists forward, with their unwavering support and engagement. Traditionally, the US, Japan and the UK have been seen as the most important markets due to their size and impact on the global music industry. However, the rise of digital platforms like TikTok and Instagram is shifting this dynamic, all

K-popAug. 20, 2024

Exhibition juxtaposes iron, glass -- two products of intense heat

A bowler-turned-blacksmith, Jeong Hyeong-goo finds it surreal to hear people call him an artisan, a description he says he will probably get used to by the time the two-month exhibition of his metal works ends in October. “The Craft of Temperature and Sound: A Guide to the Four Seasons,” which opens Thursday at the Yeol Korean Heritage Preservation Society showroom, is this year’s annual showcase of works by the Yeol artisan of the year and Yeol young craftsperson of the year,

Arts & DesignAug. 20, 2024

[Herald Interview] Finding inspiration in school life

Eleven-year-old singer and content creator Seo Eve rapidly rose to stardom with her debut digital single “Malatanghulu” released in April which went viral on Instagram and TikTok. Seo proved she had the talent to be a singer by writing the lyrics to her songs and choreographing her dance, belying her age. “I wrote the lyrics based on my school life. ‘Malatanghulu’ is about asking someone I like to take me out on a hot pot date as hot pot is one of the most popular f

K-popAug. 20, 2024

[Herald Interview] Kim Seon-ho says he was scared to take on entirely different character in 'The Tyrant'

Actor Kim Seon-ho described taking on the role of a cold-hearted elite agent in "The Tyrant" as a "scary" experience, but said he is eager to face more challenges that will help him become a versatile actor across genres. "The Tyrant" follows the story of individuals vying to secure the last sample vial of the Tyrant Project, which endows living organisms with immense powers. Kim portrays Director Choi, the hard-hearted head of the National Intelligence Service, w

TelevisionAug. 20, 2024

Qxpress to split from cash-strapped Qoo10

Singapore-based logistics company Qxpress is set to separate from its financially troubled parent, Qoo10 Group. According to the local investment industry Tuesday, private equity firms that have invested in Qxpress are reportedly gearing up to convert their holdings of exchangeable bonds and convertible bonds into common stock on a large scale, initiating the procedure to take over management control of the logistics subsidiary from Qoo10 to restore normal operations. Investments totaling approx

IndustryAug. 20, 2024

Nexon founder's family sells W670b stakes to settle tax burden

The family of Nexon's late founder, Kim Jung-ju, has sold a significant portion of their shares in the company's holding firm, NXC, to help cover the hefty inheritance taxes following his death. On Monday, NXC announced it had bought back shares from Kim’s widow, Yoo Jeong-hyun, who chairs NXC’s board, and their two children. The family sold a total of 125,288 shares -- 649.9 billion won worth (approximately $488 million). Additionally, NXC purchased 3,122 shares in Wisekid

CompaniesAug. 20, 2024

LG Energy Solution targets 2028 for full rollout of cost-saving dry electrode process

LG Energy Solution said Tuesday that it is on track to complete a pilot line for its advanced dry electrode process at its Ochang Energy Plant by the end of this year, with the goal of scaling to full production by 2028. The dry electrode process is a cutting-edge method of making batteries that could transform the way they’re produced. Traditionally, most batteries are made using a wet process. This involves mixing active materials with organic solvents to create a slurry, which is then c

IndustryAug. 20, 2024

Amorepacific's Hera debuts in Thailand

South Korean cosmetic giant Amorepacific announced Tuesday that its high-end beauty brand Hera has entered the Thai market. Hera opened its first store in Central Chidlom, a stylish 7-story department store in Bangkok, earlier this month. Over 200 guests, including media representatives and influencers, were invited to celebrate the debut at an event that also introduced the brand’s signature makeup and beauty routines. Alongside the store opening, Hera hosted a pop-up event at Central Chi

CompaniesAug. 20, 2024

Supreme Court grants custody of dog to owner, not person who raised dog for years

A year-long custody battle for a golden retriever ended with South Korea's top court ruling in favor of the woman who purchased the dog, not the woman who raised the dog for several years. In the civic case involving the transfer of corporeal movable -- a legal term for assets other than immovable ones like real estate -- a woman challenged her son's former girlfriend for custody of the dog. Despite the ex-girlfriend having legal ownership, she claimed ownership on the grounds that s

Social AffairsAug. 20, 2024

Police probe online sex crime at Incheon university

Incheon police said Tuesday they are investigating a recent case of pornographic content created using deepfake technology being shared in a mobile group chat, involving an as-yet-unspecified number of college students. In the case, pornographic images of at least 30 former and current students of the Incheon-based Inha University were created using deepfake technology, and the images were shared in a Telegram group chat. The group chat is said to have operated since 2020, and have about 1,200 m

Social AffairsAug. 20, 2024

Viral sharpshooter Kim Ye-ji lands Louis Vuitton campaign

Viral Korean sharpshooter Kim Ye-ji, who won a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, is set to appear in a one-time magazine photo shoot wearing Louis Vuitton, her agency said Monday. While the shoot is a one-off, the agency, Plfil, said they plan to continue supporting Kim’s modeling career. Several companies in Korea, from startups to established brands, have expressed interest in making her their brand ambassador, they added. “Nearly 20 brands want to use her in advertisement

More SportsAug. 20, 2024

Autopsy shows woman died of heat after getting trapped in empty police car

The death of a woman found in the back of a police vehicle in Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province, on Saturday was likely due to heatstroke from being in the hot car for up to 36 hours, police said Tuesday. The Hadong Police Station unveiled initial autopsy results from the National Forensic Service that suggested a high likelihood that the woman’s death was related to hyperthermia -- a life-threatening condition caused by an excessively high body temperature. The woman in her 40s was foun

Social AffairsAug. 20, 2024