[Graphic News] N. Korea ranks 193rd out of 195 countries in ability to cope with epidemic

　North Korea ranks 193rd out of 195 countries in terms of its ability to prevent, detect and respond to an epidemic, a recent global health security index showed.　The impoverished North scored 17.5 points in the index compiled by the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a US-based nonprofit organization, and the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, coming higher than only two countries -- Equatorial Guinea and Somalia.　The global average was 40.2 points.　Meanwhile, South Korea ranked 9th in the index

North KoreaNov. 14, 2019

Seoul says militaries support diplomatic efforts as Esper hints at altering joint military drills

The Defense Ministry said Thursday the military authorities of Seoul and Washington support the diplomatic efforts for the denuclearization of North Korea, while the US defense chief hinted at the possibility of adjusting the scope of joint military drills.On the plane to Seoul to attend Friday’s Security Consultative Meeting, US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Wednesday he is open to adjusting the combined military exercises with South Korea if it can provide room for diplomacy with

DefenseNov. 14, 2019

Joint probe launched into weapons lab explosion in Daejeon

Authorities are investigating an explosion at a state-run weapons development facility in Daejeon that killed one and injured six others on Wednesday.The Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency said Thursday that it has set up an on-site probe team with the fire agency, the National Forensic Service and other investigative agencies, to identify the cause of the chemical explosion at the Agency of Defense Development.  The explosion occurred around 4 p.m. on Wednesday inside the rocket fuel lab l

Social AffairsNov. 14, 2019

S. Korea calls for peaceful solution to Hong Kong protests

South Korea's foreign ministry expressed concern Thursday over the intensifying anti-government protests in Hong Kong, calling for a peaceful resolution of the situation. "South Korea and Hong Kong have a close relationship in terms of economic and people-to-people exchanges. We are paying attention to the recent situation in Hong Kong with concern," ministry spokesman Kim In-chul told a regular briefing.  "We hope that Hong Kong's situation will be resolved peacefully at an

Foreign AffairsNov. 14, 2019

Directors, producer of ‘Frozen 2’ to visit Korea

The creative minds behind the highly anticipated sequel to hit Disney animation “Frozen” (2013) will visit Korea later this month. Walt Disney Co. Korea on Monday announced that directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, producer Peter Del Vecho and animation supervisor Lee Hyun-min of “Frozen 2” will visit Korea from Nov. 25-26 to meet with fans of the film.  They are expected to take part in a press conference, a showcase and other events to promote the film, though de

FilmNov. 14, 2019

Moon not meeting Warmbier's parents due to busy schedule, Cheong Wa Dae says

President Moon Jae-in has turned down a request to meet with the parents of American college student Otto Warmbier, who died soon after being released by North Korea, due to an especially busy schedule ahead of a Busan summit with Southeast Asian nations late this month, a Cheong Wa Dae official said Thursday.Fred and Cindy Warmbier plan to attend an event hosted by Korean War Abductees' Family Union next Friday at a Seoul hotel to drum up international support for legal responses by victims of

Foreign AffairsNov. 14, 2019

S. Korea to increase budgetary support for display sector amid trade row with Japan

South Korea's industry minister said Thursday that the government will increase its budget to support the local display-making sector next year in a move to keep the country's leading position in the key industrial segment.Sung Yun-mo, minister of trade, industry and energy, said the budget hike is meant, among other things, to support the development of next-generation technologies and their performance evaluation of smaller display manufacturers. He did not provide details on the proposed budg

IndustryNov. 14, 2019

[Herald Review] Cellist-turned-conductor brings Norwegian trolls to Seoul

As Peer Gynt enters the hall of the mountain king, he is scared yet fascinated by the sight of trolls. Peer Gynt stands before the king and the trolls roar in harmony, creating echoes throughout the hall. On Wednesday night, cellist-turned-conductor Chang Han-na and the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra turned the concert hall at the Seoul Arts Center into the mountain king’s hall. They presented the Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, a collection of compositions conceived by Norwegian maestro Edvard Greig

PerformanceNov. 14, 2019

Michelin reveals new starred restaurants in Seoul

Michelin Guide Seoul’s fourth edition was released Thursday at Vista Walkerhill Seoul, despite suspected meddling with the selection process. Highly acclaimed Korean fine-dining restaurants Gaon and La Yeon kept their three Michelin stars, maintaining their stars since the Seoul guide was first published four years ago.  A total of 31 restaurants received at least one star this year.There was no new addition to the three-star list. However, two new restaurants made it to the two-star

FoodNov. 14, 2019

[Herald Interview] ‘Korea should expedite knowledge-based assets development’

Amid the tough business environment and deteriorating trade situation following worldwide conflicts, South Korea should expedite the development of knowledge-based assets and increase independence in related technologies to compete globally, according to the intellectual property office chief. “Advanced countries have been bolstering their industry dominance based on knowledge-based assets. Especially, a growing number of foreign companies have been preoccupying patents that are close

IndustryNov. 14, 2019

Korea’s top IP office to support materials sector via big data

The Korean Intellectual Property Office said Thursday it plans to help boost competitiveness of the local materials, parts and equipment sectors and reduce their reliance on foreign technologies through its system of IP big data. According to the nation’s top IP office, its plan involves four goals: cut back foreign dependency of materials, parts and equipment-related technology; innovate South Korea’s research and development system to a more IP-centered one; bolster IP competitiven

EconomyNov. 14, 2019

[News Focus] Meager birthrate expected to undermine Korea’s GDP

SEJONG -- The number of South Koreans aged 14 or under accounted for only 12.5 percent of the total population as of October 2019, according to the Ministry of Interior and Safety.The demographic database held by the ministry includes classification into three groups -- those aged up to 14, those aged 15-64 (called the working-age population) and those aged 65 or over (the senior population).The data showed that the percentage of the youngest generation has continued to fall over the past decade

Social AffairsNov. 14, 2019

[News Focus] Concerns mount over 52-hour workweek at SMEs

Pressure is mounting on the Moon Jae-in administration and the National Assembly to tweak the mandatory 52-hour workweek regulation for companies, especially by small and medium-sized companies which are “not yet ready” to embrace it. From January next year, companies with less than 300 employees will have to abide by the new workweek regulation. Large firms with more than 300 workers have been following the rule since July 2018. If a company violates it, the employer can face up to

IndustryNov. 14, 2019

[Newsmaker] Koreans sit for national college entrance exam

Nearly half a million people sat for the annual state-administered college entrance exam Thursday, with the number of test-takers marking an all-time low.   The College Scholastic Aptitude Test, locally known as Suneung, began at 1,185 exam venues across the country at 8:40 a.m. and ended at 5:40 p.m.　A total of 482,348 people had sat for the exam for academic year 2020 as of 2:20 p.m. A total of 548,734 people applied to take the nine-hour back-to-back exams, down 46,190 from the

Social AffairsNov. 14, 2019

Naver says Japanese affiliate Line in talks for merger with Yahoo Japan

Naver Corp., South Korea's No. 1 internet portal, said Thursday that its Japanese chat app Line and internet portal Yahoo Japan have been in talks for a potential merger in a move that could form Japan's largest internet platform.Naver, which holds a 73 percent stake in Line, said it and Japanese telecom giant Softbank, which owns 45 percent of Yahoo's parent company Z Holdings, have been discussing a merger deal."Line has been considering various proposals to boost business competitiveness

IndustryNov. 14, 2019

Toss operator converts shares to nonredeemable

Viva Republica, operator of mobile financial service Toss, said Thursday that it has converted all of its redeemable convertible preferred shares to convertible preferred shares, in a move to enhance capital stability.Redeemable shares, or RCPS, refer to preferred stocks that the issuing company may trade for cash, while convertible shares, or CPS, allow the shareholder to exchange for common stocks. The latter is recognized as capital under both Korean Generally Accepted Accounting Standards (K

MarketNov. 14, 2019

LG Chem seeks USITC’s default judgement against SK Innovation

In the latest development of dispute between two South Korean battery makers, LG Chem said Thursday it had requested court intervention by the US International Trade Commission, alleging that SK Innovation attempted to destroy key evidence.“Circumstances show that SK Innovation, ever since it has filed suit, has continued systematic attempts to destroy evidence, such as sending out email instructions to employees to destroy related evidence,” LG Chem said in a statement.The company s

IndustryNov. 14, 2019

Hanwha president named PR person of the year

Choi Sun-mok, president and the head of the communications committee at Hanwha Group, was on Thursday named the public relations person of the year by an association of publicists in Korea. Choi was given the award for his work of implementing a series of events including a Hanwha symphony festival and the annual firework festival, the organization said, adding that such events have helped Hanwha raise its profile and expand communication channels with the public.The president also led the compa

MobilityNov. 14, 2019

Moon calls for 'K-beauty' strategy in biotech innovation project

President Moon Jae-in instructed his economy team Thursday to explore ways to develop South Korea's cosmetics industry in connection with the initiative to innovate the biotechnology sector, according to his office.Moon told Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki to map out related measures, receiving a regular report on economic affairs and policies. Hong doubles as deputy prime minister for economy.  The minister briefed Moon on current economic situations, next year's policy direction and accompli

IndustryNov. 14, 2019