‘Arthdal Chronicles’ begins final run, hopes for rebound

The final third part of the “Arthdal Chronicles” began its run on tvN last weekend.Following the end of the fantasy-romance drama “Hotel Del Luna,” “Arthdal Chronicles,” divided into three parts, has started to air its last segment. Billed to be a blockbuster fantasy drama, the series features big-name stars, such as Song Joong-ki, Jang Dong-gun, Kim Ji-won and Kim Ok-bin, as the main cast.Set in a mythical land called Arth in the early Bronze Age, more t

TelevisionSept. 8, 2019

Nexon’s new MMORPG ‘V4’ to roll out later this month

　South Korea’s biggest video games company, Nexon, is seeking to launch its new mobile role-playing game “V4” later this month. 　According to Nexon, V4 is to be released to the public on Sep. 27 with a press event for journalists and influencers. More than 100 participants will gather to watch the game’s demonstration and discuss its user interfaces, the company said Sunday.　Short for Victory Four, “V4,” is one of Nexon’s most highly anticipated massivel

TechnologySept. 8, 2019

[IFA 2019] IFA executive director says trade disputes hold back innovation

BERLIN -- Collaborative innovation loomed at the forefront of the 59th IFA 2019 in Berlin, Germany.Jens Heithecker, the IFA executive director, emphasized on the power of the approach in shaping the future, as he opened up the stage for IFA keynote speakers on Friday and Saturday. And it’s one that requires openness, which is the backbone of the annual trade fair that is a staunch supporter of freedom.“A bit over 20 years ago, listening to western media would have cost your career fo

IndustrySept. 8, 2019

[IFA 2019] LG says Samsung’s 8K TV fails internationally agreed standards

BERLIN -- LG Electronics is adamant that Samsung’s 2019 8K TV does not meet the international standards for 8K resolution and that the company is effectively deceiving consumers.LG has made similar assertions before, but this is the first time it has officially called out Samsung. “We believe Samsung’s 8K TV is not really 8K,” said Park Hyoung-sei, executive vice president at LG Electronics TV Business Operation Center. “Consumers need to know the truth and know wha

IndustrySept. 8, 2019

S. Korea's economy to expand 1.9% in 2019: KERI

South Korea's economy is expected to expand 1.9 percent in 2019 from a year earlier, a local research institute said Sunday, posting sluggish growth due to the protracted trade dispute between the United States and China.The figure marks a decrease of 0.3 percentage point from the previous outlook of 2.2 percent suggested in June, according to the Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI).The organization attributed the lackluster growth to the prolonged feud between the world's top two economies

EconomySept. 8, 2019

S. Korea working to recover from damage caused by Typhoon Lingling

South Korea is working to recover Sunday from the damage caused by Typhoon Lingling, which hit the Korean Peninsula with heavy rains and strong winds the previous day.   Lingling, this year's 13th typhoon, made landfall here Saturday, killing at least three people. Hundreds of other minor incidents, mostly uprooted trees, have also been reported throughout the nation.   Tens of thousands of homes suffered power outages, with hundreds of passenger flights at major airports can

Social AffairsSept. 8, 2019

Typhoon leaves thousands of South Korean homes powerless

Typhoon winds toppled trees, grounded planes and left thousands of South Korean homes without electricity on Saturday as a powerful storm system brushed up against the Korean Peninsula.Strong winds and rain from Typhoon Lingling caused power outages in more than 31,000 homes on the southern resort island of Jeju and in southern mainland regions, South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety said. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said there were no immediate reports of typhoon-re

Social AffairsSept. 7, 2019

S. Korea mulling PR event to mark introduction of F-35s next month

South Korea is considering holding a PR event to mark the introduction of F-35A stealth fighters into the country as part of next month's Armed Forces Day ceremonies, officials said Saturday.South Korea has so far brought in eight F-35As, beginning with two in late March, under a plan to deploy a total of 40 fifth-generation jets through 2021. But the military has dealt with the introduction in a low-key manner, sparking speculation the government is concerned about objections from North Korea.

DefenseSept. 7, 2019

Hurricane Dorian's death toll in Bahamas rises to 43: media

MARSH HARBOUR, Bahamas (AFP) -- The death toll from Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas has risen to 43, media outlets said late Friday, and was expected to grow "significantly."US network CNN and Bahamas newspaper The Tribune cited Health Minister Duane Sands as confirming the new toll, up from 30. "Forty-three is the official count, many missing and this number is expected to grow significantly," Erica Wells Cox, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, told NBC News.Dor

World NewsSept. 7, 2019

Main opposition urges president to withdraw nomination of justice minister

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party again lashed out at Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk on Saturday, calling on President Moon Jae-in to withdraw his nomination of Cho.The call came hours after Cho was grilled in his parliamentary confirmation hearing that ended close to midnight over various allegations involving his wife and daughter.Cho's wife was formally charged by the prosecution Friday on suspicion of forging a school certificate for the couple's daughter that many believe may have p

PoliticsSept. 7, 2019

Korean won likely to further ascend on eased trade tensions, hope of US rate cut

The South Korean won is expected to further advance against the US dollar for some time on what analysts called long-awaited but unanticipated positive developments that helped remove some uncertainties facing Asia's fourth-largest economy.The local currency closed at 1,196.90 won to the greenback on Friday, up 3.30 won from Thursday's close, extending its gains to a third consecutive session. It marked the first time since Aug. 1 that the won-dollar exchange rate breached the 1,200-won mark.Fri

EconomySept. 7, 2019

Hong Kong braces for airport protests after overnight unrest

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong authorities were limiting airport transport services and controlling access to terminals Saturday as they braced for a second weekend of disruption following overnight demonstrations that turned violent.Express train service will run from the station in downtown Hong Kong direct to the airport, skipping all stations in-between and only those with flight tickets can enter the terminals, airport officials said. Bus services will also be adjusted to ensure smooth tr

World NewsSept. 7, 2019

Seoul shares to further advance on abated trade tensions

South Korean stocks are expected to gain further ground next week as market sentiment remains upbeat over planned trade talks between Washington and Beijing, analysts said Saturday.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index closed at 2,009.13 points on Friday, up 2.1 percent from a week ago, on growing hopes that the world's two largest economies may find a compromise in their drawn-out trade talks. This month, the US imposed 15 percent import duties on a wide range of Chinese consumer good

MarketSept. 7, 2019

Pompeo acknowledges N. Korea's right to defend itself

WASHINGTON -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo acknowledged Friday that North Korea has the right to defend itself and assured Pyongyang of Washington's security guarantees should the regime dismantle its nuclear weapons program.In an interview with KCMO radio in Kansas City, Missouri, Pompeo said the US is committed to continuing denuclearization negotiations with North Korea and hopes the regime will return to the table as agreed during a June meeting between US President Donald Trump and Nor

North KoreaSept. 7, 2019

US envoy calls on N. Korea to halt hostility, return to talk

WASHINGTON-- US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun called on the North on Friday to halt its demonstrations of hostility and return to denuclearization talks.In a speech at the University of Michigan, the top US envoy to North Korea negotiations said both countries must work together to ensure progress on denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula.His remarks came as dialogue has stalled despite an agreement between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim

North KoreaSept. 7, 2019

3 dead amid hundreds of accidents due to Typhoon Lingling

At least three South Korean were reported killed and dozens of others were injured Saturday as Typhoon Lingling made landfall here, bringing heavy rains and strong winds that also caused hundreds of minor accidents throughout the nation.A woman in her 70s died after she was knocked over by strong winds gusting at 39 meters per second or 140 kph in Boryeong, some 150 kilometers southwest of Seoul, according to rescue officials there. In Incheon, 40 kilometers est of the capital, a bus d

Social AffairsSept. 7, 2019

South Korea's only mountain-themed film festival opens in Ulju

This year's Ulju Mountain Film Festival kicked off on Friday for a five-day run in the southeastern county of Ulju, with 31 movies from 20 countries set to be screened.Under the slogan of "The Road Together," the fourth edition of the mountain-themed film fest runs from Sept. 6-10 in the county near the eastern coastal city of Ulsan."Piano to Zanskar," a British documentary film by Michal Sulima, will open the festival, according to organizers. It depicts an attempt by a reti

FilmSept. 6, 2019

CJ Group scion arrested on drug charges

The heir apparent of South Korea's food and entertainment conglomerate CJ was arrested Friday on drug charges.The Incheon District Court issued an arrest warrant for Lee Sun-ho, the eldest son of Chairman Lee Jay-hyun, saying that he may try to flee or destroy evidence. Lee, 28, was caught Sunday attempting to smuggle liquid marijuana in cartridges into the country via Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. He also tested positive for the banned substance.Prosecutors, however, releas

IndustrySept. 6, 2019

Local governments of S. Korea, Russia vow to boost cooperation

Local governments of South Korea and Russia's Far East agreed Friday to enhance cooperation in a wide range of areas at an annual forum in Vladivostok, Seoul's foreign ministry said.Representatives from six South Korean and 11 Russian local governments participated in the Korea-Russia Local Cooperation Forum, which was established last year following an agreement between President Moon Jae-in and Russian President Vladimir Putin.In the second annual meeting, they adopted the "Vladivostok De

Foreign AffairsSept. 6, 2019