Police set to launch intensive drug crackdown at clubs

Starting from Aug. 1, police will launch an intensive crackdown on drugs for three months, with their main focus on targeting drug use in clubs to combat narcotics circulation via entertainment venues. The Korean National Police Agency's National Office of Investigation on Monday said the action comes amid concerns that drugs could be widely distributed and used in clubs at popular vacation spots across the nation. Under the scheme, officials plan to intensify their efforts in collecting de

Social AffairsJuly 22, 2024

Ultium Cells halts construction of Michigan plant amid market slump

Ultium Cells, the joint electric vehicle battery venture between LG Energy Solution and General Motors, has suspended the construction of its third electric vehicle battery plant in the US. This decision comes in response to rising economic pressures, including high interest rates and inflation, as well as a slowdown in the demand for EVs. The $2.6 billion facility in Lansing, Michigan, broke ground in 2022 and was scheduled for completion by the end of this year. Once operational, the plant was

MobilityJuly 22, 2024

LG Innotek unveils new digital key solution for cars

LG Innotek said Monday that it has developed a more advanced digital key solution for smartphone-based vehicle control. The technology uses wireless communication to connect with smartphones, allowing users to unlock and start their vehicles without carrying a key, thus reducing the risk of key loss and enhancing security. Since launching its first automotive digital key module in 2021, the company has continued upgrading the technology. The new next-generation solution combines the previous mod

TechnologyJuly 22, 2024

S. Korean actor quits UNHCR goodwill ambassador due to 'political attacks'

Popular South Korean actor Jung Woo-sung told a local media outlet that he recently resigned as a goodwill ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency due to a barrage of politically charged attacks against him. Speaking with local Hankyoreh newspaper, the 51-year-old said he had been accused of using the post for political reasons. He was named UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador for South Korea in 2015. "There had been unrelenting political attacks against both the organization and myself, implying that

PeopleJuly 22, 2024

Korean Air's first Boeing 787-10 to take off for Tokyo

Korean Air said Monday that it will launch the first flight of the newly acquired Boeing 787-10 (B78X) on the Incheon-Narita route on Thursday. The Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner is the largest and most advanced in the 787 series, with contributions from the nation's flag carrier in the 787 series' design and production. With a fuselage length of 68.3 meters -- approximately five meters longer than the previous 787-9 model -- the 787-10 can transport 15 percent more passengers and cargo. How

IndustryJuly 22, 2024

'Minari' director's 'Twisters' sees biggest opening for natural disaster film in North America

"Twisters," the latest disaster film from multiple-award-winning "Minari" director Lee Isaac Chung, achieved the biggest opening for a natural disaster film in North America, according to an online box office analysis service, Monday. According to Box Office Mojo, a US online box office analysis service, "Twisters" amassed $80.5 million in ticket sales during its opening weekend in North America. In Box Office Mojo's terms, North America includes the gross box-

FilmJuly 22, 2024

[Photo News] New engine on display

Hanwha Aerospace said Monday that it will unveil the prototype of a 15,000-pound-thrust-class turbofan engine for the first time at this year's Farnborough International Airshow taking place in the United Kingdom throughout this week. The engine will power South Korea's KF-21 fighter jets and uncrewed combat aircraft in the future. Along with Hanwha Aerospace's latest development, Hanwha Systems will exhibit its active electronically scanned array, or AESA, radars for different ty

CompaniesJuly 22, 2024

[Bills in Focus] Vehicle recording mandates, chip incentives

Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Motor Vehicle Management Act Proposed by Rep. Lee Hun-seung (People Power Party) ● Recently, nine people have lost their lives in front of Seoul City Hall due to an acceleration accident with an unclear cause. The driver attributed the incident to a sudden unintended acceleration, but there are no definitive means to support this claim or to prove driver error. In the Fair Trade Commission’s Status Research Report on the Operation of the Product Liab

PoliticsJuly 22, 2024

'Morning Dew' singer Kim Min-gi, founder of iconic Hakchon, dies at 73

Singer-songwriter Kim Min-gi, founder of the iconic small theater Hakchon in Daehangno, died on Sunday at the age of 73. Kim had been undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with stomach cancer last fall. Kim began his music career in 1970 while studying art at Seoul National University, forming the folk duo Dobidu with his friend Kim Young-se. In 1971, he released his debut solo album featuring the popular song "Morning Dew." This song, better known through singer Yang Hee-eun&#

PerformanceJuly 22, 2024

N. Korea slams US-S. Korea joint military drills ahead of 71st anniversary of armistice signing

North Korea said Monday the United States and South Korea have never stopped their joint military drills against the North since the signing of the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War, claiming that they are crossing a red line of a new nuclear war. The Rodong Sinmun, the North's main newspaper, raised public awareness against the US ahead of the 71st anniversary of the signing of the armistice on July 27, celebrated as Victory Day in North Korea. "The enemies' madness of

North KoreaJuly 22, 2024

Seoul shares open lower on battery, energy stock losses

Seoul shares started lower Monday as most blue chips across the board retreated, led by battery and energy-related stock losses. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dipped 5.57 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,789.89 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Leading battery firm LG Energy Solution dropped 2.75 percent following news that it has recently suspended construction of its joint US plant with General Motors amid stagnation in growth of the electric vehicle market. Smaller rival Samsu

MarketJuly 22, 2024

Hospitals set to begin hiring trainee doctors as med professors warn of boycotting training programs

Hospitals were set to begin hiring about 7,700 trainee doctors on Monday, although medical professors have warned of boycotting their training programs in protest of the government's push for accepting the resignations of striking trainees. Monthslong standoffs with trainee doctors over the medical school admission quota hikes have shown no end in sight, as trainee doctors have been unresponsive to the government's appeasement steps, including a plan to abandon all punitive steps again

Social AffairsJuly 22, 2024

Kakao founder set to attend arrest warrant hearing over alleged stock manipulation

Kim Beom-su, the founder of Kakao Corp., was to attend a court hearing Monday on an arrest warrant requested for him over alleged stock price manipulation related to the firm's takeover of K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment last year. The Seoul Southern District Court was scheduled to hold a hearing for Kim around 2 p.m., two weeks after prosecutors questioned the tech tycoon about his alleged involvement in the manipulation of SM shares. The court is expected to decide whether to issue an a

Social AffairsJuly 22, 2024

Exports rise 18.8% during first 20 days of July

South Korea's exports rose 18.8 percent on-year in the first 20 days of July, data showed Monday, on the back of the robust performance of chips and cars. Outbound shipments reached $37.17 billion in the July 1-20 period, compared with $31.2 billion tallied a year earlier, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service. Imports grew 14.2 percent on-year to $37.2 billion during the period, resulting in a trade deficit of $50 million. By sector, outbound shipments of semiconductors jump

EconomyJuly 22, 2024

Biden drops out of presidential race, endorses Harris as successor

US President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race Sunday as his poor debate performance last month exacerbated concerns about his old age and touched off unrelenting calls to end his reelection campaign. Biden, 81, made the announcement, bowing to mounting pressure from Democratic lawmakers, donors and voters. He officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic Party's nominee to take on former President Donald Trump in the Nov. 5 general election. It is u

Foreign AffairsJuly 22, 2024

[Graphic News] 2024 Paris Olympics: A centennial celebration of the Summer Games

The 2024 Paris Olympics marks the 33rd edition of the Summer Games, returning to Europe for the first time in 12 years. This event also brings the Olympics back to France 32 years after the 1992 Albertville Winter Games. Notably, it celebrates 100 years since Paris last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1924. The Games will take place from July 26 to Aug. 11. In a break from tradition, the opening ceremony will be held on the River Seine, while the closing ceremony will take place at the Stade de

More SportsJuly 22, 2024

Biden, stubborn president who fought a battle too far

Joe Biden wanted to save the "soul of America" from Donald Trump, but his stubborn defiance of the march of time threatened to clear his rival's path back to power. Biden caved in to growing pressure Sunday and announced he is dropping out of the presidential race, amid concerns over his mental acuity and ability to beat Trump and serve four more years. His decision saw him hailed as a "patriot of the highest order" by his one-time boss, former president Barack Obama. Bu

World NewsJuly 22, 2024

Biden exit offers opportunities, pitfalls for Democrats

Joe Biden's withdrawal from the US election offers Democrats the precious opportunity for a late reset in a campaign that was going badly -- but ushers in an uncertain few weeks that will make or break their chances against Donald Trump. Grassroots voters will hope to be better served than they were during the initial nomination race, when Democrats put up no serious competition to the 81-year-old president's candidacy despite worries over his age. "Remarkable leadership shown by

World NewsJuly 22, 2024

Biden drops out of 2024 race after disastrous debate inflamed age concerns, VP Harris gets his nod

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about the incumbent's fitness for office. The unprecedented announcement, delivered less than four months before the election, immediately upended a campaign that both political parties view as the most consequential in generations. The president — intent on serving out the remainder of his term

World NewsJuly 22, 2024

[Yoo Choon-sik] Safe choice not always best policy

The Bank of Korea governor’s news conference on its monetary policy, held early this month, was largely successful by signaling to the markets that it would not rush to begin lowering interest rates despite a slump in domestic demand. However, it was less successful in providing clear guidance on conditions under which it might begin doing so. There is nothing wrong with the long-standing practice of South Korea’s central bank avoiding making explicit promises about the future course

ViewpointsJuly 22, 2024