[From the Scene] Naming of Jeju Olle course marks evolving ties of Korea, ASEAN

JEJU ISLAND -- As South Korea's relationship with ASEAN marked a new high in its 35th year of dialogue relations by signing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, South Korea on Friday unveiled a new concrete bench near the shoreline of the southern part of Jeju Island. The structure sits in the middle of Jeju Olle Trail No. 8 in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, where trekkers come across tourist attractions such as Jusangjeollidae -- a cliff formed by volcanic rocks -- and where those staying in large

PoliticsNov. 11, 2024

[Herald Interview] Actor Ryu Seung-ryong says ASEAN-Korea trail could be new Hallyu highlight

JEJU ISLAND -- There was a surprise guest at Friday's dedication ceremony for a segment of the Jeju Olle Trail named in honor of newly elevated ties between South Korea and ASEAN this year. Describing himself as an avid trekker on the Jeju Olle Trail for more than 10 years, Korean actor Ryu Seung-ryong was in attendance. Ryu, who starred in megahits like the comedy film "Extreme Job," said he hopes to see many Hallyu enthusiasts coming to the new Olle trail, adding that it could b

PoliticsNov. 11, 2024

[팟캐스트] (635) '퐁퐁남'이 고조시킨 2030 젠더 갈등

'Pongpongnam' row exposes South Korea's gender divide 진행자: 최정윤, Chelsea Proctor 기사 요약: 네이버 웹툰 공모전에서 여성을 비하하고 성차별을 강화하는 혐오 표현을 담은 웹툰이 1차 심사를 통과하면서 논란, "퐁퐁남"이라는 개념어가 남편의 경제력에 ‘무임승차’하려고 결혼한 여성에게 배신당한 서사, 일명 ‘설거지론’에 쓰이면서 여성의 모든 행동에 성적인 혹은 이기적인 의도가 있다는 왜곡된 사고와 편견을 부채질한다는 비판 일어 [1] While expressing disparagement of the opposite sex in a show of hatred has long ailed South Korea, the severe gender conflict took a turn for the worse after a cartoon rec

PodcastNov. 11, 2024

Push for Seoul getting own nuclear arms gains steam after Trump win

Former US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House has South Korean conservatives pushing to secure nuclear capabilities to deter the threat posed by North Korea. Rep. Yu Yong-weon, who sits on the National Assembly defense committee, on Monday hosted a seminar attended by some dozen ruling party lawmakers to discuss Korean Peninsula nuclear policy against the backdrop of a second Trump presidency. Speaking at the seminar, Han Dong-hoon, the People Power Party chair, said Trump w

PoliticsNov. 11, 2024

LG eyes footing in aerospace with possible SpaceX deal

LG Energy Solution has reportedly forged a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to supply its cylindrical lithium-ion batteries, further strengthening its partnership with Tesla and advancing its footprint to the global aerospace sector. According to industry sources on Monday, the Korean battery-maker has started developing batteries for the power supply units of SpaceX’s next-generation Starship launch vehicle, the world's first reusable rocket, as soon as next year. This marks SpaceX

MobilityNov. 11, 2024

Seoul shares fall over 1% on chip slump amid US uncertainties

South Korean shares declined more than 1 percent Monday as Samsung Electronics fell to an over two-year low amid rising uncertainties over the new Trump administration's trade policies. The local currency sharply fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 29.49 points, or 1.15 percent, to close at 2,531.66, following a 0.14 percent drop on Friday. Trade volume was heavy at 565.2 million shares worth 11.1 trillion won ($7.96 billion), with losers far out

MarketNov. 11, 2024

What is South Korea’s 4B movement?

The South Korean "4B" movement has gained attention in the United States following President-elect Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 election. Emerging around 2018, the "4B" movement is a voluntary female celibacy movement, encouraging women to refuse heterosexual marriage, childbirth, dating or sex with men. The term "4B" comes from bihon (no marriage), bichulsan (no childbirth), biyeonae (no dating) and bisekseu (no sex), with "bi," or "B,&quo

Social AffairsNov. 11, 2024

Ruling party head calls for fair trial for main opposition leader

With a Seoul court scheduled to deliver a verdict later this week on charges that the main opposition leader violated the Public Official Election Act, ruling People Power Party Chair Han Dong-hoon on Monday called for the judicial authorities to carry out a fair trial, saying that “the nature of the crime is very severe.” “I request South Korea’s judicial authorities to make judgments in accordance with the law, no more nor no less, than how it does with the ordinary cit

PoliticsNov. 11, 2024

[Photo News] Bitcoin hits new high

A screen shows bitcoin trading at over $80,000 at local crypto exchange Upbit's headquarters in southern Seoul, Monday morning. The price of bitcoin hit an all-time high, marking a nearly 17 percent rise over the past week. Bitcoin traded as high as $81,784 on Upbit, as of press time. The recent surge was largely driven by US President-elect Donald Trump's victory, after he stressed his will to ease crypto-related regulations. (Lim Se-jun/The Korea Herald).

MarketNov. 11, 2024

[Photo News] Sharing love with kimchi

Hana Financial Group Chair Ham Young-joo (fourth from left) and other company executives join a "gimjang" or kimchi-making event at the group's headquarters in Seoul on Monday as part of the 2024 Modu Hana Day campaign. Some 300 people, including representatives of Hana's partner firms, participated in the annual event to donate 11,111 heads of kimchi to disadvantaged households. (Hana Financial Group)

IndustryNov. 11, 2024

Blackpink’s Lisa nabs 2 trophies at 2024 MTV EMA

Blackpink’s Lisa took home two trophies at Europe’s biggest music awards ceremony, the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards, held Sunday at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. The Thai K-pop singer won Biggest Fans and Best Collaboration for “New Woman,” her work with the Spanish pop star Rosalia. Jimin of BTS nabbed Best K-pop, an award previously won by his group member Jungkook in 2023 and by BTS in 2021. Jimin’s second solo album “Muse” and its main track &

K-popNov. 11, 2024

Young Poong's violations cast doubt on Korea Zinc bid

Young Poong, the world’s sixth-largest zinc smelter, has been ordered to close down its refinery facility for two months for discharging polluted wastewater without authorization, posing a possible setback in its attempt to take ownership control of Korea Zinc, its affiliate and the world’s largest zinc producer. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court dismissed Young Poong’s request to nullify an administrative order to shut down its Seokpo refinery in North Gyeongsang Provinc

IndustryNov. 11, 2024

Former Yoon aides, lawmakers join team to court Trump

In a strategic bid to navigate the complexities of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term, South Korea is seeking inroads by strengthening personal ties with Trump and his inner circle, mobilizing figures from President Yoon Suk Yeol to his former key aides and lawmakers in an attempt to build a network of influence. Since Trump’s victory, Yoon has expressed a strong commitment to meeting with the US President-elect at the earliest possible date, aiming solely to establish rappor

Foreign AffairsNov. 11, 2024

Seoul to begin UAM demonstration services in 2025

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will officially begin the demonstration of the urban air mobility service -- or transportation system that uses aircraft to move people and cargo within urban areas -- by 2025, according to Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Monday. During the city government’s conference on new technologies such as UAM, artificial intelligence and quantum technology, Oh announced the city government’s upcoming plans to officially launch the future public transportation servi

Social AffairsNov. 11, 2024

Hyundai Motor plays down missed IRA incentives for Georgia plant

Hyundai Motor has missed out on the United States tax incentives for its new $7.6-billion manufacturing plant -- Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America -- in Bryan County, Georgia, but said the credit did not affect its investment in the plant. According to industry sources Monday, Hyundai Motor did not make the list of companies that will receive tax incentives in the second round allocations of the Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit, or 48C, which is an allocated tax credit funded by Pre

CompaniesNov. 11, 2024

Dialogue launches without junior doctors, main opposition

A consultative body, comprising the government, medical sector, and ruling party, was launched on Monday to seek a resolution to the standoff that began in February and deliver tangible results by year-end. It was held with opposition from the main opposition party and striking junior doctors and students against the expansion plan boycotting the meeting. The move comes after ruling People Power Party Chair Han Dong-hoon proposed the formation of a four-way consultative body in early September t

Social AffairsNov. 11, 2024

Simon Edelmann of Germany wins top prize at KNSO conducting competition

The second edition of the Korea National Symphony Orchestra's International Conducting Competition announced its winners Sunday, ending the five-day competition. The first prize went to German conductor Simon Edelmann, who conducted the first movement of Brahms' Symphony No. 4, the third movement of Rachmaninoff's “Symphonic Dances,” and the first movement of Debussy's “La Mer” in the final round. Edelmann currently serves as the conductor of the Vogtl

CultureNov. 11, 2024

Seoul Opera to present 'La Boheme' for first time

The Seoul Opera Company, celebrating its 40th anniversary next year, will present its first-ever production of Puccini’s “La Boheme” next week. Though it is the debut performance of the classic work for the Seoul Metropolitan Opera, the production will be directed by Eom Sook-jeong, who has staged around 10 versions of the opera. The cast boasts a star lineup of Korean opera singers, including top sopranos Seo Sun-young and Hwang Su-mi, the latter of whom was “shocked&rdq

CultureNov. 11, 2024

Daewoo E&C chairman discusses expansion plans in Turkmenistan

South Korean builder Daewoo Engineering & Construction said Monday that Chairman Jung Won-ju recently visited Turkmenistan to attend CIET2024, an annual event focusing on the country’s construction, industrial and energy sectors. During the event, which took place in the capital Ashgabat from Nov. 3 to Nov. 5, Jung met with key officials to discuss Daewoo’s plans for local business growth, building on the company’s recent win of a mineral fertilizer plant project in Turkmen

CompaniesNov. 11, 2024

KT&G pledges to up shareholder returns

South Korea's top tobacco company KT&G unveiled a new program designed to enhance its corporate value, primarily focused on increasing shareholder returns, Monday. The program centers on improving profitability, optimizing asset efficiency and streamlining financial operations to reach a return-on-equity target of 15 percent by 2027. To drive profitability, KT&G will focus on its three core business areas: overseas cigarette sales, next-generation products and healthy functional foo

CompaniesNov. 11, 2024