NK, US may hold nuclear working-level talks no later than early Dec.: Seoul

North Korea and the United States may hold working-level nuclear talks in November or no later than early December, Seoul's spy agency was quoted as saying Monday.The National Intelligence Service told a closed-door parliamentary audit session that it is closely watching the possibility of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un making a visit to China within this year, according to lawmakers on the intelligence panel."The NIS forecast North Korea and the US to hold their working-level talks no lat

North KoreaNov. 4, 2019

Seoul Metro Line No. 9 operates six-carriage trains, expands services

Six-carriage trains have begun to run on Seoul Subway Line No. 9, operating more frequently starting Monday, amid complaints over crowdedness on the line during rush hour. Previously, some trains had four carriages and others six, which was a source of confusion for passengers. The number of rail services on Line No. 9 will increase from 37 a day to 40, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.  By employing six-carriage trains on all services, the crowd was expected to decrease by 19

Social AffairsNov. 4, 2019

Daesan Literary Awards announces four winners

The Daesan Foundation announced the four winners of the 27th annual Daesan Literary Awards on Monday. Poet Oh Eun won for his book of poetry titled “I Have a Name” (translated); Cho Hae-jin for her novel “Simple Sincerity” (translated); and Yun Sun-young and Philipp Haas for their joint German translation of “Nana im Morgengrauen” written by Park Hyoung-su. The Daesan Foundation decided not to make an award in the drama category after a long discussion, saying

BooksNov. 4, 2019

Local public art project rethinks urban redevelopment and sustainability

Sitting at the center of Pyeongchon Central Park in the city of Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, is Daan Roosegaarde’s giant outdoor purifier “Smog Free Tower.” Roosegaarde’s seven-meter tall outdoor air purifier is designed to filter about 30,000 cubic meters of air per hour using little electricity. The tower at the park will capture particulate matter and release clean air for the next two years.The Dutch artist’s large-scale air purifier has been installed as part of

Arts & DesignNov. 4, 2019

[Newsmaker] Government mulls banning photos of celebrities on alcohol bottles

Korean liquor manufacturers may no longer be allowed to use photos of celebrities on their beverage packaging.The Ministry of Health and Welfare said Monday it would come up with measures banning the images of celebrities on alcohol bottles to discourage the drinking culture.The move follows Rep. Nam In-soon’s exhortation during a parliamentary audit of the ministry last month that featuring celebrities on alcohol beverages may induce more consumption, especially among teenagers, and shoul

TechnologyNov. 4, 2019

[Jean Pisani-Ferry] The great wealth tax debate

In 1990, 12 advanced economies had a tax on household wealth. Now only four do, after French President Emmanuel Macron scrapped his country’s version in 2017. Yet, a fierce debate has erupted in the United States over the proposal by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a leading Democratic presidential candidate, to introduce a tax of 2 percent on the wealth of “ultramillionaires” (and 3 percent on that of billionaires).In a new book, economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman of the Unive

ViewpointsNov. 4, 2019

[Pankaj Mishra] Democracy is on the march

Across the world, from Hong Kong to Ecuador, Sudan to Iraq, angry protesters are filling urban streets and squares, clashing with police, smashing shops and burning tires. They do not have a clear leadership. Yet, even in hopelessly sectarian Lebanon, demonstrators seem defiantly united against their rulers. And they have claimed three major scalps already: the leaders of Sudan, Algeria and Lebanon. Their immediate motivations differ. Public rage was stirred in Lebanon by a proposed tax on Whats

ViewpointsNov. 4, 2019

[News Focus] Stalled Kumgangsan tours raise thorny questions for South Korea

Once regarded as a symbol of inter-Korean cooperation, tours to Kumgangsan in North Korea are on the brink of losing their South Korean touch, as the North seeks to transform the scenic mountain into an international tourism attraction for global visitors. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un last month ordered the demolition of South Korea-funded facilities at the resort complex by the mountain north of the inter-Korean border. Alarmed by the announcement, the South Korean government proposed workin

North KoreaNov. 4, 2019

Moon, Abe agree to seek resolution to trade issues

President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed Monday to resolve a trade fight and other issues between the two sides through dialogue, Cheong Wa Dae said, as the leaders had their first official one-on-one “conversation” in more than a year.They sat down together for 11 minutes right before the ASEAN Plus Three summit at the IMPACT Forum in Bangkok.They agreed that Seoul-Tokyo relations are of importance and reaffirmed the principle of resolving pending bilatera

Foreign AffairsNov. 4, 2019

Prosecutors to summon ex-Justice Minister Cho

Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk will likely face prosecutors’ questioning over corruption allegations no later than Nov. 11, the final day of detention for his wife, Chung Kyung-shim, who was taken into custody Oct. 23.   Cho’s alleged crimes are threefold.  He is accused of influencing his wife to purchase shares in battery firm WFM at a price lower than their market value, while he worked as a senior presidential secretary.  Choi is accused of complicity in other a

PoliticsNov. 4, 2019

[Foreign Execs in Korea] Taking Korean defense technology to the world

The decadeslong standoff between the two Koreas has presented a struggle for Asia’s fourth-largest economy, but it has, ironically from a business perspective, ensured the continuous development of its defense industry. One of the driving forces that has led the development of South Korea’s defense technology is Hanwha, a conglomerate that started as a gunpowder supplier in the then war-torn country 67 years ago. It has since evolved into an energy-to-chemicals empire, but the defens

IndustryNov. 4, 2019

[ASEAN-Korea summit] From BTS to Netflix and beyond, culture offers key to future in Asia

Technology may spearhead the progress of mankind, but with so many around the world mesmerized by Walt Disney, who can underestimate the power of the mouse? The ASEAN-ROK Culture Innovation Summit, a forum to discuss and celebrate cultural contents as a driving force for growth, are set to be held later this month on the sidelines of the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit in Busan.The host nation of South Korea and the participating Association of Southeast Asian Nations members will talk about how

CultureNov. 4, 2019

Lee Young-ae returns to big screen with ‘Bring Me Home’

Lee Young-ae is not the most prolific of actresses, but she has left lasting impressions with memorable characters in her few works, such as “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance” (2005), “One Fine Spring Day” (2001) and “Joint Security Area” (2000)“I expect and want this (film) to be a turning point (in my career) as much as ‘Sympathy for Lady Vengeance’ had been,” Lee said at a press conference for upcoming mystery thriller “Bring Me Hom

FilmNov. 4, 2019

KB Kookmin Bank enters telecom biz with cheaper subscription plans

　Seeking to diversify its portfolio, South Korea’s KB Kookmin Bank said Monday it has launched a low-cost subscription plan for telecom services. 　Smartphone users here can register for the company’s LiveM subscription plan on a trial basis. It plans to provide full-fledged, nationwide services next month. 　Subscribers can also enjoy the ultrafast 5G wireless services on compatible smartphones such as Galaxy Note 10, according to KB Kookmin Bank. 　“We expect the convergence of

IndustryNov. 4, 2019

KT plans to innovate IPTV with AI curation, VR contents

Korean telecom giant KT on Monday pledged to transform its internet TV service with the technologies of artificial intelligence and virtual reality to improve the company’s standing in the paid TV market. During its press conference held in downtown Seoul, KT announced a plan to overhaul its IPTV platform to meet the consumers’ changing needs. According to KT, the innovation plan for IPTV service consists of three components: an AI-based recommendation system, VR-assisted streaming o

IndustryNov. 4, 2019

Search continues for 5 missing victims of chopper crash near Dokdo

Five days have passed since a rescue helicopter carrying seven people fell into the East Sea near the Dokdo islets, and the authorities are continuing search efforts for the remaining five victims.The Korea Coast Guard said Monday, in a joint effort with the Navy and the fire agency, 14 boats and six helicopters have been mobilized to look for the bodies of the victims. The authorities have also mobilized two drones and 10 police and fire officers at the shoreline.  Underwater rescue operat

Social AffairsNov. 4, 2019

Tax cut more effective for growth than fiscal spending: think tank

A business-friendly think tank here suggested Monday that tax reduction is more effective for economic growth than fiscal spending, raising objections to the government’s expansionary policies.According to a recent report from the Korea Economic Research Institute, South Korea’s gross domestic product would on average climb 102 won ($0.09) for every 100 won in tax reduction.The institute, affiliated with the nation’s largest business lobby, Federation of the Korean Industries,

EconomyNov. 4, 2019

[ASEAN-Korea summit] Concert to promote South Korea-ASEAN ties through music

Ahead of the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit, a celebratory concert will be held in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province. As culture is a valuable asset that helps nations build bridges, various cultural events are set to take place before the summit such as a fashion show, a K-beauty festival and food demonstrations. One of these events is the music festival “ASEAN Fantasia,” which will be held Nov. 24 in Changwon. The aim of the concert is to promote harmony between South Korea

PerformanceNov. 4, 2019

BTS’ Jungkook involved in car crash after traffic violation

Jeon Jung-kook, better known as Jungkook of K-pop boy band BTS, was involved in a car accident Saturday.Big Hit Entertainment issued an official statement Monday, saying, “As the case has not been closed yet, further details cannot be revealed, but Jeon was involved in a car accident due to his mistake. Both Jeon and the victim (other driver) did not suffer a major injury.” “After the accident, Jeon immediately admitted that he violated the traffic law, made his statement

PeopleNov. 4, 2019