Lawyers slam human rights commission probe of NK waitresses’ case

A group of South Korean lawyers said Tuesday it would challenge the National Human Rights Commission probe on 12 North Korean waitresses who reportedly defected here in 2016. The public human rights watchdog said Monday it found insufficient evidence to suspect state agencies intervened in the mass defection.Lawyers for a Democratic Society, more widely known by the Korean acronym Minbyun, had filed a petition with the human rights body Feb. 8 to look into the actions of South Korean authorities

Social AffairsSept. 10, 2019

Three foreign workers dead, another in coma after accident

Three migrant workers were found dead, and another one is in a coma, following an accident inside an underground tank at a fishery products processing factory in the eastern county of Yeongdeok on Tuesday, local fire authorities said. The four -- three Thais and one Vietnamese -- were found at the bottom of the tank at 2:30 p.m., according to the North Gyeongsang Province Fire Service Headquarters. The workers, whose names have yet to be made public, are believed to have suffocated while do

Social AffairsSept. 10, 2019

LG–SK dispute over job poaching extends to patent war

The months-long legal dispute between two South Korean electric vehicle battery makers over alleged poaching of employees with trade secrets is unfolding as an intellectual property battle with LG Chem preparing to file a countersuit against SK Innovation in the United States, according to industry sources Tuesday. LG Chem is currently mulling a lawsuit against its rival accusing it of infringing its patents related to EV batteries. This follows SK Innovation’s recent patent lawsuit agains

TechnologySept. 10, 2019

[Newsmaker] N. Korea’s short-range projectiles possibly ‘super-large MRLS’ or ATACMS: experts

North Korea on Tuesday fired two short-range projectiles from its northwestern area toward the East Sea, its 10th launch this year, South Korea’s military said. According to Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pyongyang fired the projectiles from Kaechon, South Pyongan Province, at 6:53 a.m. and 7:12 a.m., with one of the projectiles flying 330 kilometers east. The JCS did not provide further details such as the altitude and speed of the projectiles launched, saying it is analyzing the in

North KoreaSept. 10, 2019

The art of silk threads, sheet metal

Yeol, the Korean Heritage Preservation Society, will hold an exhibition inspired by traditional craftsmanship at Yeol Bukchonga in the neighborhood of Bukchon, central Seoul, from Sept. 18 to Oct. 18.Since 2013, Yeol has led an annual project that supports a master artisan and a young artist, showcasing their work in an exhibition. Silk thread master Lim Keum-hee and young metal artist Kim Sang-hoon were picked this year.  Lim, an artisan with 30 years of experience, practices dahoe, the tr

Arts & DesignSept. 10, 2019

Lawmaker’s son grilled in DUI case; man booked for allegedly helping him flee

Chang Yong-jun, the 19-year-old son of opposition Liberty Korea Party Rep. Chang Je-won, admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol and attempting to pretend someone else was driving the vehicle, according to his lawyer on Tuesday.Chang, a rapper who performs under the name NO:EL, was booked and questioned by the police Monday for allegedly crashing his car into a moving motorcycle while driving under the influence of alcohol. The motorcyclist was reported to have sustained minor injurie

Social AffairsSept. 10, 2019

[News Focus] Young, moderate voters show signs of turning away from ruling party

The impact of the government’s appointment of Cho Kuk as justice minister is likely to be seen at next year’s general election, as the younger generation and moderate voters are showing signs of turning away from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, political analysts said Wednesday.Amid fierce resistance from opposition parties and the public’s disapproval, President Moon Jae-in appointed Cho as justice minister Monday.Cho had been portrayed as a figure on the front line of p

PoliticsSept. 10, 2019

Overseas Joseon era paintings on display at National Palace Museum

Joseon era paintings that are currently in possession of institutions outside of South Korea will be revealed to the public via a special exhibition, the Cultural Heritage Administration said Tuesday. Titled “Restoring the Legacy of Korean Paintings,” the exhibition will run from Wednesday through Oct. 13 at the National Palace Museum of Korea, showcasing a total of nine paintings and three embroidery screens dating from the early Joseon era (1392–1897) to the early 20th centur

CultureSept. 10, 2019

[Kim Seong-kon] Korea in the eyes of a lawyer/historian

Recently, I came across a book by Lee Seog-yeon, a famous Korean lawyer and civil rights activist, entitled “Sima Qian’s Korea Travelogue.” Sima Qian was a legendary Chinese historian of the Han Dynasty (206 BC to AD 220) who wrote the celebrated book “Records of the Grand Historian,” compiling Chinese history covering approximately 2,000 years. In his intriguing book, Lee, the Korean lawyer, perceives and interprets modern Korea through the eyes of Sima Qian, who e

ViewpointsSept. 10, 2019

[Robert J. Fouser] Politics in age of hysteria

On my way to Seoul in late August, I was looking forward to a break from the Trump-induced hysteria of American politics. My hopes were dashed, however, as the hysteria over Cho Kuk, President Moon Jae-in’s nominee for minister of justice, spread. News about Cho and his family captivated the nation for weeks. In the end, the president decided to approve Cho’s nomination, Monday. The hysteria over Cho says as much about Korea as the hysteria over Donald Trump in the US. In both cases,

ViewpointsSept. 10, 2019

Assembly opens hydrogen-refilling station

The first hydrogen-refilling station in the world to be built in a national legislature opened in Seoul on Tuesday, marking a step forward in the nation’s vision of creating a hydrogen economy.It is the first commercial hydrogen facility built in central Seoul, as well as the first case of the regulatory sandbox that lifted administrative hurdles to promote the use of hydrogen as traffic fuel, Hyundai Motor said in a statement.The H2 station was built by the South Korean carmaker, dubbed a

MobilitySept. 10, 2019

Samsung SDI showcases innovative battery solutions in Frankfurt

Samsung SDI said it showcased a slew of innovative battery solutions at the International Motor Show that kicked off in Frankfurt on Tuesday. The battery affiliate of Samsung exhibited its core materials for high-nickel batteries and silicon-based anodes. It also introduced a battery cell, module and pack for electric vehicles that enables a driving range of 600 to 700 kilometers on a single charge.  Samsung held the exhibition under the theme of “Charged for Auto 2.0,” which ca

TechnologySept. 10, 2019

New chief says FTC will crack down tech behemoths' dominant market position

The new head of South Korea's antitrust regulator on Tuesday said the agency will crack down on tech companies over their abuse of monopoly power and dominant market position.Joh Sung-wook, the chairwoman of the Fair Trade Commission, said in her inaugural speech that the move is meant to facilitate market innovation, but she did not elaborate. She said last month that the antitrust regulator has been looking into alleged unfair trade practices by two US tech giants -- Google Inc. and Apple Inc.

EconomySept. 10, 2019

Hyundai Motor’s Palisade receives Top Safety Pick+ award

Hyundai Motor’s sport utility vehicle Palisade has earned the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the US. The vehicle received the highest grade, “good,” from the IIHS in terms of crash protection in six categories, including the driver-side and passenger-side small overlap, roof hardness and seat safety. Its front collision avoidance system was rated as “advanced.” The Palisade is Hyundai Motor’s 13th vehicle to earn

MobilitySept. 10, 2019

North Korea hints at detailed security assurance plan from US

North Korea gave the United States its long-awaited response Tuesday on the revival of denuclearization talks, but warned that without any concessions there could be another stalemate. Hours after the announcement, the regime fired two unidentified projectiles toward the East Sea, inviting speculation as to its intentions. The North’s First Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui said Monday that the country is willing to have comprehensive discussions with the US in late September at a time an

North KoreaSept. 10, 2019

SK Siltron acquires Dupont’s wafer division

　SK Group’s semiconductor component maker, SK Siltron, has acquired a wafer division from US chemical giant Dupont as the South Korean company aims to raise its profile in the global semiconductor component market. 　According to SK Siltron on Tuesday, the company’s board of directors agreed to purchase Dupont’s silicon carbide wafer business unit for $450 million. The acquisition is expected to be finalized by year-end after the necessary government approvals are obtained. 

TechnologySept. 10, 2019

Delta increases stake in Korean Air's parent firm

Delta Air Lines, Inc. said Tuesday it has increased its stake in Hanjin KAL, the parent company of Korean Air Lines Co., in what it called a long-term investment.  In a report to the main bourse operator Korea Exchange, Delta said its stake in Hanjin KAL rose to 9.21 percent from 5.13 percent.  "The purpose of the investment is not aimed at affecting the management rights," the report said.  Last month, Delta jacked up its interest in Hanjin KAL to 5.13 percent from

IndustrySept. 10, 2019

Heavy rains forecast for central region

More than 200 millimeters of rain is expected to hit the country's central region between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, a state-run weather agency said. As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, some parts of the region had already seen rain due to a stationary front, the Korea Meteorological Administration said."A precipitation zone is expected to form at night as the front is forecast to clash with dry air approaching from the west," the agency said.  As a consequence, 30-50 mm of rain per

Social AffairsSept. 10, 2019

‘Madness drug’ yaba hits record high in S. Korea

Yaba, a psychotropic narcotic referred to as the “madness drug,” has shown a steep rise in the amount trafficked to Korea, reaching its highest known figure, prosecution data showed. According to the prosecution on Tuesday, this year, 10.015 kilograms of yaba had been smuggled into South Korea by July. The number is almost a sevenfold increase from 1.267 kg in 2013, and almost double the 5.465 kg brought in the same period last year.The illegal substance, sold in tablet form, is a co

Social AffairsSept. 10, 2019