Supreme Court rules teacher pulling student's arm not child abuse

A teacher who was accused on charges of child abuse for scolding and pulling a student’s arm has been ruled not guilty, the court announced Monday. South Korea’s Supreme Court overturned a lower court’s ruling that had imposed a fine of 1 million won ($730) on the teacher, identified only by the surname Choi, for child abuse charges and sent the case back to the Uijeongbu District Court for review. The incident occurred on March 14, 2019, when the teacher allegedly shouted at a

Social AffairsNov. 4, 2024

In 2nd year under van Zweden, SPO's 2025 season to focus on collaboration

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, led by music director Jaap van Zweden, will celebrate its 80th anniversary next year under the theme “Collaboration.” Building on the 2024 season’s focus on "Exploration" and strengthening its core repertoire during the conductor's inaugural year, the SPO’s 2025 season will broaden its scope across genres through first-time collaborations with renowned global artists and institutions. Among the 2025 season’s highlight

CultureNov. 4, 2024

[Legal updates in Korea] Preventing repeat DUI offenses

● Updated law: Road Traffic Act What it does: Requires repeat drunk driving offenders to install car breathalyzers or in-car alcohol monitoring systems Took effect: Oct. 25 Punishment: Imprisonment up to 1 year or a fine up to 3 million won, driver's license revoked for failure to use the devices. South Korea has been making decisive moves in recent years to prevent drunk driving accidents and fatalities. Many celebrities and politicians have made headlines after being charged with drivin

Social AffairsNov. 4, 2024

Ruling party leader condemns North Korea troop dispatch as crime against humanity

Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the ruling People Power Party, on Monday condemned North Korea for participating in Russia’s war in Ukraine. At a meeting of the party's leadership, Han said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sending troops to Russia was a “serious challenge to international peace” and a “crime against humanity.” “The Kim Jong-un regime, with its decision to enter the war, has made it seem like the Korean Peninsula has something to do with the o

PoliticsNov. 4, 2024

Seoul shares snap 3-day fall on move to scrap financial investment tax

South Korean stocks soared nearly 2 percent Monday to snap their three-day decline as the main opposition party agreed to scrap a planned tax on financial investments. The local currency sharply rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 46.61 points, or 1.83 percent, to close at 2,588.97. Trade volume was a little slim at 367.8 million shares worth 7.9 trillion won ($5.8 billion), with winners outnumbering losers 619 to 254. Foreigners and institutions purc

MarketNov. 4, 2024

Netflix's 'Mr. Plankton' to offer solace to 'plankton' of society

Known for his work exploring the lives of isolated individuals in modern society, director Hong Jong-chan returns with a new, feel-good romantic comedy series with a touching message. Netflix original “Mr. Plankton,” with its first episode to be released Friday, follows the story of Hae-jo (Woo Do-hwan), who was raised in an orphanage and suddenly discovers that he has limited time due to a brain tumor. Symbolically likened to plankton — tiny microorganisms that drift without s

TelevisionNov. 4, 2024

‘Children have the right to great stories': Head of Astrid Lindgren Award stands firm against book ban

Speaking out against book bans, Asa Bergman, head of office at the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, expressed strong opposition to banning books at school libraries, emphasizing that “access to literature for children and young adults will always be a precondition for democracy and openness.” “I’m against book bans of any kind, anywhere,” Bergman told The Korea Herald on Thursday in Seoul, following her lecture on the prestigious children’s literature award and

BooksNov. 4, 2024

SK chief vows to tackle AI bottleneck along with Nvidia, TSMC

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won renewed his commitment to building a robust artificial intelligence ecosystem and vowed to overcome bottlenecks in the process with AI pioneers and key partners Nvidia and TSMC. Speaking at SK AI Summit 2024, held in Seoul on Monday, Chey listed a number of difficulties the burgeoning AI industry faces and reaffirmed his ties with tech leaders, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, TSMC CEO C.C. Wei and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. In prerecorded videos, the CEOs deli

IndustryNov. 4, 2024

After opposition U-turn, Korea to repeal plan for financial capital gains tax

Korea’s main opposition party reversed its plan to introduce capital gains taxes on financial investment income on Monday, putting an end to a four-year stalemate with the ruling party as the underperforming domestic stock market struggles to make a breakthrough. “We decided to agree to the abolishment of the capital gains tax, which the government and the ruling party have been pushing for,” said Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, during

EconomyNov. 4, 2024

Korean luxury e-boutique Jente launches global service

South Korean luxury e-boutique Jente has launched a global service to spur its business expansion overseas. The company said Monday the website is now available for shoppers in North America, Asia and Europe, with plans for expansion in the Middle East by 2025. Established in 2020, Jente has gained traction in the nation’s competitive luxury market by directly sourcing luxury goods from boutiques, ensuring authenticity and exclusivity. In 2022, its sales reached 48.8 billion won ($35.6 mil

TechnologyNov. 4, 2024

South Korea and Central Asia set stage for first summit

South Korea and five Central Asian countries -- all former Soviet republics -- are gearing up for their first-ever summit, aiming to forge a synergistic partnership that leverages shared strengths and foster regional peace amid escalating tensions fueled by illicit military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul convened the 17th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum in Seoul on Monday, bringing together foreign ministers, vice foreign ministe

Foreign AffairsNov. 4, 2024

KMA hosts int'l symposium on numerical weather forecasting

Weather researchers from around the world came together Monday to discuss more measures that can be taken to improve weather forecasting in the era of climate change, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration on Monday. The three-day event, hosted by the Korea Institute of Atmospheric Prediction Systems, a research institute affiliated with the KMA, has been held annually since 2012, after South Korea established its own numerical weather prediction tool in 2011. Known as the Korean I

Social AffairsNov. 4, 2024

Temperatures to drop by more than 10 C Tuesday morning

South Korea will begin to see hints of winter weather, as temperatures are expected to drop significantly from Tuesday, with some regions seeing cold wave alerts issued in the morning, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration on Monday. According to the KMA, average temperatures nationwide are expected to range from 2 to 11 degrees Celsius on Tuesday morning, a 10 C difference from average temperatures on Monday. As a low-pressure trough passes over the northern parts of Korea, the K

Social AffairsNov. 4, 2024

Amid record-low approval rating, Yoon forgoes Assembly budget address

President Yoon Suk Yeol skipped his 2025 budget address at parliament on Monday as he faces record-low popularity with his domestic agenda now overshadowed by the main opposition party having ramped up the pressure on him based on the recent revelation of a phone conversation suggesting he interfered in an election. On Monday, Yoon's approval rating fell 2.2 percentage points to the lowest point of 22.4 percent since his inauguration in May 2022, according to a poll by Realmeter. The poll o

PoliticsNov. 4, 2024

SHINee’s Minho unveils new musical style in first solo album

Minho of SHINee released his first full-length solo album, "Call Back," on Monday, showcasing a new musical style distinct from his previous work with the boy band. Coming nearly two years after his solo debut EP, "Chase," in December 2022, the new album comprises 10 tracks, including the titular track that promises to immerse listeners in Minho’s expanded emotional and musical range. The eponymous “Call Back” is a pop song featuring a deep bass line, a lyri

K-popNov. 4, 2024

SK On reports first-ever profit in Q3

SK On, SK Innovation’s battery subsidiary, reported its first-ever quarterly profits in the third quarter of this year after years of operating losses since its spinoff in 2021. During its earnings conference call on Monday, the battery maker reported an operating profit of 24 billion won ($17.4 million) in the July-September period, a significant turnaround from last year’s 86.1 billion won deficit, largely driven by inventory clearance and enhanced cost structure. Its sales fell

MobilityNov. 4, 2024

Twice to appear as special guest at Coldplay concerts

Girl group Twice will perform as a special guest at Coldplay's upcoming concerts in Korea. JYP Entertainment shared the news via its official social media post saying, "We look forward to Twice’s stunning visuals and stage presence at Coldplay’s world tour.” Coldplay is set to perform six shows in Korea as part of its "Music of the Spheres" world tour at the Goyang Sports Complex on April 16, 18, 19, 22, 24 and 25. Twice will appear at all six shows, joining

PerformanceNov. 4, 2024

‘Free delivery’ promotions under antitrust scrutiny

South Korea’s antitrust regulator has opened an investigation into “free delivery” promotions widely used by food ordering and delivery platforms here, according to industry sources on Monday. The Fair Trade Commission will look into whether delivery services have been offered actually free of charge without the costs being shouldered by restaurant owners or consumers. Earlier in the day, Rep. Yoon Hang-hong of the ruling People Power Party revealed documents that Baedal Minjok

IndustryNov. 4, 2024

Debate grows over charging foreign day laborers health insurance premiums

Debate on whether to charge health insurance to day laborers of foreign nationality was sparked on Monday as local media reported that the government is reviewing such a plan as a new funding source for the national health insurance system amid Korea's low birth rate. The government is developing strategies to bolster its health insurance funding as Korea rapidly becomes a super-aged society, according to local reports. According to reports, this plan concerns expanding the income categorie

Social AffairsNov. 4, 2024

Hyosung hits W1tr in power equipment orders in Europe

Hyosung Heavy Industries said Monday it has signed a contract with Denmark's leading offshore wind company, Orsted, to supply high-voltage electrical equipment, further strengthening its presence in the European transformer market. Under this agreement, Hyosung will deliver 400 kilovolts of high-voltage transformers and reactors to Orsted by 2027, which will be used for the Hornsea 4 project, an offshore wind farm planned for 2.4-gigawatt capacity off the coast of Yorkshire in northern Engl

CompaniesNov. 4, 2024