Over 4,300 more faculty members needed amid med school quota hike

Thirty-two medical schools have requested from the government 4,301 additional faculty members over the next six years, in order to address an anticipated faculty shortage in light of the state's plan to expand the medical school enrollment quota across the country. The medical schools slated for a quota increase next year submitted their requests for the thousands of additional faculty members to the Education Ministry in March, according to the report compiled by Rep. Jin Sun-mi of the

Social AffairsAug. 14, 2024

Korean Air, L3Harris convene to advance aerial surveillance capabilities

South Korea's flag carrier Korean Air and US defense company L3Harris Technologies co-hosted an Industry Day event Tuesday to discuss ways to bolster aerial surveillance and monitoring capabilities. The gathering brought together executives and officials from over 30 domestic and international defense firms, including Israel Aerospace Industries, ELTA Systems and LIG Nex1 at the Air Force Hotel in Seoul. The event comes as the Korean Air Force looks to ramp up its surveillance and reconnais

IndustryAug. 14, 2024

Seoul shares up for 4th day on hopes for rate cuts by Fed

South Korean stocks closed higher for the fourth consecutive session Wednesday as cooler-than-expected US producer price data soothed concerns and boosted investors' sentiment. The local currency sharply rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 23 points, or 0.88 percent, to close at 2,644.50. Trade volume was a little slim at 321.4 million shares worth 8.6 trillion won ($6.3 billion), with winners outnumbering losers 649 to 234. Foreigners purchased

MarketAug. 14, 2024

Merck boasts materials know-how at K-Display

Merck Korea, the Korean subsidiary of German science and technology juggernaut Merck, has showcased its materials intelligence with its participation at K-Display 2024, South Korea’s largest display exhibition. Merck enhances data interpretation and transmission by utilizing intelligence technologies, such as data processing and artificial intelligence, leading the advancement of the digital environment. It plays a crucial role in connecting users with data through display technologies. Un

IndustryAug. 14, 2024

Can South Korea, Japan move beyond historical disputes?

Seventy-nine years after Korea's liberation from Japan's colonial rule (1910-1945), the lingering scars of that turbulent history continue to cast a shadow over bilateral relations, complicating efforts to build future-oriented ties. Although historical disputes between South Korea and Japan remain unresolved, recent efforts by the Yoon Suk Yeol and Fumio Kishida administrations aim to move beyond the past and work towards the future, despite ongoing public debate over these initiative

Foreign AffairsAug. 14, 2024

SK Square’s new CEO vows to up semiconductor investment

Han Myung-jin, the new chief executive officer of SK Group’s investment arm SK Square, took office Wednesday, pledging to build a more chip-central business portfolio. SK Square shareholders approved the appointment of Han during a meeting held in central Seoul on Wednesday, where he won 99.4 percent of the votes. Han officially took the post as the chief of SK Square at a board meeting, the company said. The inauguration comes more than a month after he was nominated to the post on July 3

IndustryAug. 14, 2024

[KH Explains] Are China-made batteries being fairly criticized for Mercedes EV fires in Korea?

“Our Mercedes-Benz customers are upset, and some are canceling their EV reservations. They’re saying, ‘How can you use cheap Chinese batteries in a luxury car?’ They’re angry because they feel betrayed,” said a manager at a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Korea. This backlash stems from the revelation that the battery in a Mercedes electric vehicle that led to a major fire in an Incheon apartment underground parking lot on Aug. 1 was made by Farasis Energy, a rela

MobilityAug. 14, 2024

[Hello India] Korean investors flock to India's booming stock market

More South Korean investors are eyeing lucrative opportunities in the booming Indian market with its equity funds yielding more returns than those comprising US and Japanese stocks. In June, India’s total stock market value reached the $5 trillion milestone, making it one of the world’s biggest markets, following those of the US, China, Japan and Hong Kong. With remaining hurdles in foreign direct investment regarding registration and taxation, local retail investors are choosing to

MarketAug. 14, 2024

[Hello India] Korean firms seek to indulge India's K-food craving

South Korea has seen a rise in food exports to India in recent years, capitalizing on the growing popularity of Korean culture and foods, which also aligns with the efforts of Korean food companies to expand their presence there, drawn to the country's large population and growth in income levels. According to data compiled by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., or aT, Korean food exports to India -- including agricultural produce, food additives, convenience foods, and both al

IndustryAug. 14, 2024

'Foundation Day' controversy resurfaces

The controversy over Korea's national day has resurfaced in the past week, after the Yoon Suk Yeol administration appointed a conservative professor accused of supporting a political movement that wants the country’s founding to be recognized as happening in 1948, instead of liberation in 1945. Kim Hyoung-suk, who took office as the new director of the Independence Hall of Korea earlier this month, has been accused by the liberal bloc and some descendants of Korean independence fighte

Social AffairsAug. 14, 2024

Samsung, LG unveil new OLED tech to widen gap with Chinese runner-ups

The nation's top two display-makers, Samsung Display and LG Display, unveiled Wednesday their latest cutting-edge organic light-emitting diode display technologies involving artificial intelligence and new form factors, in an apparent move to widen the gap with their Chinese runner-ups. At the K-Display Industry trade show taking place in Seoul this week, Korea Display Industry Association Chairman Choi Joo-sun underscored how Korean display-makers will keep ahead of Chinese rivals in the c

IndustryAug. 14, 2024

Free after-school programs to run nationwide

The Education Ministry announced Wednesday that care programs for elementary schools driven by the state will begin in the second semester of the 2024 academic year, benefiting more than 6,300 schools nationwide. Dubbed "Neulbom school" which directly translates to "always caring" in Korean, the policy is a comprehensive after-school management system that integrates various educational resources from the school, the community and universities in the area in addition to regul

Social AffairsAug. 14, 2024

Korea unveils items linked to independence activists

Documents, books and a plaque shedding light on Korean independence activists who fought against Japan’s 1910-45 colonial occupation were disclosed Wednesday, a day before National Liberation Day. Thirteen documents written between 1851 and 1909 show how independence fighters organized a militia and how Japanese police cracked down on them. It’s the first time the 13 original documents have been made public, the Korea Heritage Service said, noting they were repatriated from Japan las

CultureAug. 14, 2024

South Korea’s 1st spy satellite fit for combat

South Korea’s first military reconnaissance satellite has been declared fit for combat and is to be tasked with full-scale missions within this month, according to the country’s arms procurement agency on Wednesday. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said on the same day the spy satellite -- a key surveillance and reconnaissance asset of the country’s “kill chain” -- was deemed to be suitable for combat by the Ministry of National Defense. The ministry c

DefenseAug. 14, 2024

Ador CEO claims sexual misconduct allegation orchestrated against her

What began as a power struggle between Hybe and Min Hee-jin, CEO of its subsidiary Ador, over her alleged attempt to seize management rights has now escalated to accusations of sexual misconduct with Min possibly suggesting that Hybe is behind this latest allegation. The sexual misconduct accusation against Min emerged last month amid the ongoing conflict between her and Hybe. A local media outlet reported Ador's internal feud, citing sources believed to be connected to Hybe. The report all

K-popAug. 14, 2024

Why has S. Korea seen no typhoons this month?

While Japan is grappling with record rainfall from Typhoon Maria and bracing for three more typhoons, South Korea is experiencing the opposite -- intense heat, heat wave warnings and tropical nights. In the past, after the roughly monthlong monsoon season in July, Korea would see heat waves last to mid-August, accompanied by typhoons and rain after, lowering overall temperatures to ease into fall. However, instead of typhoon warnings and heavy rain this year, Korea has seen more heat wave warn

Social AffairsAug. 14, 2024

157 families chosen for foreign nanny pilot

A total of 157 households in Seoul, primarily dual-income families, have been selected to participate in the newly introduced foreign nanny program, according to the Seoul city government. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday it had received 751 applications by the deadline of Aug. 6, meaning there was significantly more demand than could be met by the pilot program. The city government chose the successful applicants by prioritizing single-parent households, pregnant women, families

Social AffairsAug. 14, 2024

View Seoul’s iconic palaces from above

Exploring Seoul’s iconic cultural heritage sites like Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung and Jongmyo is one of the must-do activities while visiting South Korea. A light stroll along the stone walls of the palaces and taking in centuries-old "hanok," or traditional Korean houses, makes many fans feel like they've wandered into a Korean period drama. But, tourists can take a step back from these crowd-packed spots and enjoy a different view of Seoul's historical landmarks from ne

CultureAug. 14, 2024

Number of COVID-19 pediatric patients jumps as summer wave spreads

The number of COVID-19 child patients in South Korea jumped this month, as the nation saw a surge in cases amid a summer wave, hospital data showed Wednesday. At 42 pediatric hospitals, there were 1,080 child patients with COVID-19 on Aug. 5-9, compared with 387 child patients on July 22-26, according to data compiled by the Korea Children's Hospital Association. In particular, the number of COVID-19 child patients stood at 301 on Aug. 5-9 in Chungcheong provinces, compared with 54 on July 22-26

Social AffairsAug. 14, 2024

[Hello India] Telangana: Gateway for Korean companies to access India's market

Revanth Reddy, the chief minister of Telangana, a southern-central state in India with a population of nearly 40 million, in line with its "Future State" project, an urban development initiative focused on transforming the state into a smart, technologically advanced hub. Key projects under this initiative include the development of an AI City and Net Zero City, which are set to revolutionize urban living, he said as he sat down for an interview with The Korea Herald in Seoul on Monday

Foreign AffairsAug. 14, 2024