S. Korea on alert over potential spread of swine fever via wild boars

South Korea's quarantine authorities remained alert on Sunday over the potential nationwide spread of African swine fever after wild boars were found dead with traces of the disease north of Seoul.The quarantine authorities said Saturday two wild boars, found dead in Cheorwon, 90 kilometers north of Seoul and bordering North Korea, were tested positive for the deadly animal disease, marking the first time traces of ASF had been found in Gangwon Province.South Korea has confirmed 14 cases of ASF

Social AffairsOct. 13, 2019

Two dead as Typhoon Hagibis batters Japan with 'unprecedented' rain

TOKYO (AFP) -- Powerful Typhoon Hagibis barrelled through Japan Saturday, killing at least two people and lashing large parts of the country with "unprecedented" rain that caused floods, landslides and emergency disaster warnings.Around 7.3 million people were given non-compulsory evacuation orders, 90 were injured -- four seriously -- and several others reported missing as flooding hit many towns and cities.Even before making landfall, Hagibis wrought havoc on two major sporting event

World NewsOct. 13, 2019

S. Korean prime minister to attend Japanese emperor's enthronement event

South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon is expected to visit Tokyo next week to attend the Japanese emperor's enthronement event in an apparent move to mend soured relations between the two neighbors over trade and shared history, sources said Sunday. Lee will visit Japan from Oct. 22-24 for the ceremony. The prime minister's office is set to announce further details later in the day, according to the sources.Last week, a Cheong Wa Dae official said President Moon Jae-will not attend the event,

Foreign AffairsOct. 13, 2019

Justice minister's wife summoned on corruption allegations

Prosecutors on Sunday ended the overnight questioning of Justice Minister Cho Kuk's wife as part of a widening investigation into corruption allegations surrounding the minister's family.The questioning that started around 9 a.m. Saturday at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office finished at 1:50 a.m. Sunday. It was the fourth time prosecutors had questioned Cho's wife, a university professor surnamed Chung. The actual interrogation finished before 6 p.m. Saturday, but the session extend

Social AffairsOct. 13, 2019

Seoul stocks to advance further this week on US-China trade deal

South Korean stocks are expected to build further gains as the United States and China reached a partial deal to end their trade war and as the Bank of Korea's rate decision comes under focus.On Friday (Washington time), US president Donald Trump unveiled the first phase of a deal with China to end their yearlong trade row that has roiled the global financial market and suspended a planned tariff hike.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index closed at 2,044.61 Friday, up 1.2 percent from

MarketOct. 13, 2019

Korean shippers set to join hands to win huge LNG shipping orders from Qatar

South Korean shippers are considering joining hands to win massive liquefied natural gas transportation orders to be placed by Qatar, industry sources said Sunday. Five bulkers -- reportedly Korea Line Corp., Pan Ocean Co., SK Shipping Co., Hyundai LNG Shipping Co. and H-Line Shipping Co. -- are set to form an alliance and hold a presentation together in Doha on Monday to explain their plans for Qatar's LNG project, according to the sources.  Qatar Petroleum, the world's largest LNG produce

IndustryOct. 13, 2019

Trump again touts partial trade deal with China

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- President Donald Trump on Saturday touted his partial, unsigned trade deal with China as a major achievement and the best deal US farmers have ever secured."WOW, the Farmers really hit pay dirt," Trump tweeted.Friday's initial agreement, which marks a halt in the 18-month trade war, calls for a huge increase in China's purchases of US farm products.It also covers intellectual property, financial services and currencies. Trump said Friday evening the deal calls

World NewsOct. 13, 2019

Four dead in New York shooting

NEW YORK (AFP) -- At least four people died and three were wounded in a shooting at an unlicensed private social club in New York early Saturday, police said.No one has been arrested over the early morning shooting in Brooklyn, and the motive and exact circumstances are not known, a New York police official told AFP.The shooting on the borough's major artery Utica Avenue took place at the Triple A Aces Private & Social Rental Place, what NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea called "an i

World NewsOct. 13, 2019

Busan film festival closes with eye on industry trends

BUSAN -- The 24th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) came to a close on Saturday, successfully keeping up with changing market trends and staying afloat after years of setbacks.    This year's BIFF, which opened on Oct. 3 for a 10-day run, screened 300 films from 85 countries and drew a total of 189,115 attendees, slightly down from the previous year's 195,081, according to organizers. Along with the opening film, "The Horse Thieves. Roads of Time," 118 films

FilmOct. 12, 2019

Supporters of justice minister to hold rally, demand reform of prosecution

Supporters of Justice Minister Cho Kuk plan to hold another rally on Saturday to express their support for his drive to reform the prosecution amid a probe into corruption allegations involving his family.The candlelight vigil is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Seocho subway station intersection where the headquarters of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office is located, according to police and organizers.     Organizers said the rally centers on criticizing the prosecu

Social AffairsOct. 12, 2019

2 Chinese boats seized for alleged illegal fishing

South Korea has seized two Chinese fishing boats on charges of illegal fishing in its exclusive economic zone in the West Sea, the coast guard said Saturday.    The 30-ton fishing boats are facing charges for trespassing in South Korea's northern sea border area, the Northern Limit Line, a day earlier, according to the Korea Coast Guard.     Eight Chinese crew from the two boats were arrested after a chase, as they refused to comply with the coast guard's order

Social AffairsOct. 12, 2019

Railway services disrupted for 2nd day amid strike

South Korea's rail services were partially disrupted or delayed Saturday, the second day of a 72-hour strike, as workers demanded better working conditions.    As of 11:00 a.m., around 76.5 percent of the country's regular rail services were operating, according to the Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.     KTX bullet trains were operating at 72.1 percent of the normal level, while subways were at around 86.7 p

Social AffairsOct. 12, 2019

Famed skater Lee Sang-hwa, singer Kangnam get married

Former South Korean star speed skater Lee Sang-hwa and singer Kangnam tied the knot on Saturday, their management agencies said.    The two held the wedding at a hotel in Seoul, according to Lee's agency, Bonboo Entertainment, and Kangnam's management, Dmost Entertainment.     They first met on SBS' reality show "Law of the Jungle" in September last year and became a couple. They confirmed their relationship in March.    "We plan t

PeopleOct. 12, 2019

[Newsmaker] BTS rocks capital of Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- The strong religious culture in Saudi Arabia couldn't stop abaya-covered fans from springing up in their seats to dance as K-pop superband BTS performed its latest mega hit, "Boy With Luv," in the country's capital, Riyadh, Friday evening.     Religious restraints and Islamic doctrine melted away as the K-pop septet took the stage of Riyadh's King Fahd International Stadium and opened up its nearly three-hour concert to a rapt audience.  

PerformanceOct. 12, 2019

2 wild boars found dead with traces of African swine fever

South Korea's quarantine authorities on Saturday found two wild boars dead with traces of African swine fever (ASF) north of Seoul, raising concerns over the spread of the deadly animal disease through wildlife in the country.    One of the boars was detected in Cheorwon, 90 kilometers north of Seoul, according to the Ministry of Environment. It was the first time traces of ASF had been found in Gangwon Province.     The other wild board was found in Yeoncheon,

Social AffairsOct. 12, 2019

Justice minister's wife summoned on corruption allegations

Prosecutors summoned the wife of Justice Minister Cho Kuk for the fourth time Saturday as part of a widening investigation into corruption allegations surrounding the minister's family.    Cho's wife, a professor surnamed Chung, faces allegations that she forged a college presidential citation to help her daughter gain admission to medical school and that her family made a dubious investment in a private equity fund.     The Seoul Central District Prosecutors'

Social AffairsOct. 12, 2019

Korea, Japan end 1st round of talks on trade row, agree to meet again

Korea and Japan on Friday ended their first round of talks on a bilateral trade dispute with an agreement to meet again for further consultations.    The two sides met in Geneva to discuss South Korea's complaint with the World Trade Organization over Japan's export controls against the South.    "We agreed that further consultations are necessary, and decided to schedule a second round of bilateral talks through diplomatic channels," Chung Hae-kwan, the c

EconomyOct. 12, 2019

Strong winds to strike east coast amid Typhoon Hagibis

South Korea will experience strong winds on its east coast on Saturday as the country comes under the indirect influence of Typhoon Hagibis, the season's 19th typhoon, the weather agency said.     With the typhoon moving northward from Japan, strong winds with speeds of 12 to 18 meters per second will strike the eastern and southern coasts of South Korea, the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA) said.     Some areas of Gangwon Province could see wind speeds of

Social AffairsOct. 12, 2019

S. Korean business lobby asks for exemption from possible US auto tariffs

WASHINGTON -- The chief of a major Korean business lobby said Friday he has asked the US to exempt South Korea from any future tariffs on autos.    Huh Chang-soo, GS Group chairman and head of the Federation of Korean Industries, was in Washington for a regular meeting of businessmen from the two countries.     Speaking to reporters, he said he also met with officials at the US State Department and Commerce Department to "actively" seek South Kor

IndustryOct. 12, 2019

S. Korea to come under Typhoon Hagibis' indirect influence over weekend

South Korea will come under the indirect influence of Typhoon Hagibis, the season's 19th typhoon, over the weekend, which will bring strong winds to the southern regions of the country, the weather agency said Friday. Typhoon Hagibis is expected to affect areas including the southern resort island of Jeju and South Jeolla Province on Saturday, the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA) said.      Many regions in the south will experience winds of up to 12 to 18 meter

Social AffairsOct. 11, 2019