Most Popular
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Who's lying? Hybe vs. Min conflict continues to intensify
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Seoul should engage Kim Jong-un’s elites for change, ex-North Korean diplomat says
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Thousands rally in Seoul to call for Yoon resignation
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Most teen sex offenders get away with slap on wrist
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Ex-Trump official calls for S. Korea to raise defense spending to 3 or 3.5% of GDP
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Man sentenced to 1 year, 8 months for stealing from elementary school classrooms
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FM champions multilateralism, stresses S. Korea's vision as 'global pivotal state'
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Same-sex couple denied insurance clearance despite landmark ruling
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Panmunjom tours for select Korean nationals may resume in October
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Young Poong says no better offer for Korea Zinc
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The crawling pace of doctor-payment reform
Paying doctors a fee for each service they provide gives them incentive to offer the maximum number of treatments, as well as pay less attention to how well patients recover. This is why the Barack Obama administration -- and just about everyone else -- wants to change the way doctors get paid.But as the administration’s latest step away from the fee-for-service model illustrates, it’s doing too little, too slowly to accomplish the change that’s needed.On Monday, the Centers for Medicare and Med
ViewpointsApril 18, 2016
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[Ana Palacio] Creating citizens of European Union
Last month was another cruel one for Europe, culminating in the horrific terrorist attacks in Brussels on March 22. The aftermath has seen a new round of soul searching, with Europeans mulling over the European Union’s institutional failures and sheer incompetence, not to mention the existential challenge it currently faces.Such considerations seem to arise frequently these days, as Europe encounters a seemingly endless series of emergencies, from the Greek crisis to the influx of refugees. Yet
ViewpointsApril 18, 2016
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Pride Parade to be held on June 11 in central Seoul
This year’s Queer Cultural Festival will kick off on June 11 with a pride parade to be held in central Seoul, its organizing committee said Monday. The rainbow-studded pride parade will take place in Seoul Plaza for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender revelers and their supporters under the slogan “QUEER I AM.”During the nine-day Queer Festival, the main overnight party “Private Beach” will be hosted on June 11, after the parade. Films about sexual minorities will be played in major cinemas a
Social AffairsApril 18, 2016
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Kumho Tire collaborates with Psy
Kumho Tire unveiled Monday its new commercial music video made in collaboration with K-pop singer Psy.The tire company said in a statement, “We have created this commercial video by combining the company’s brand slogan ‘Better, All-Ways’ with Psy’s hit music ‘Good Day Will Come.’” Still cuts of Psy’s music video made in collaboration with Kumho Tire (Kumho Tire)The video, which was made to raise the company’s brand profile through music, was unveiled on YouTube channels and China’s media platfor
MobilityApril 18, 2016
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[From the scene] Traders dig in heels at Noryangjin Fish Market
On a Sunday afternoon, fishmongers cheerfully call out to customers in several languages to lure them into buying seafood displayed in their small tanks and baskets lined up at the front -- a typical scene at the Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market located in western Seoul. (Ock Hyun-ju/The Korea Herald)But in what is a usually vibrant and lively fish market drawing some 30,000 customers a day, tension is running high. Red ribbons reading “Opposition to relocation of fish market” or “Please sa
Social AffairsApril 18, 2016
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Lotte Mart apologizes, vows to compensate toxic disinfectant victims
Lotte Mart, one of the manufacturers of a humidifier disinfectant that allegedly caused lung damages that claimed 143 lives, on Monday officially apologized and vowed to provide due compensation to the victims and their families.The announcement marks the first ever public action taken by a maker of the toxic disinfectants in question since a probe on the case began in 2011. It also comes as the prosecution is set to summon executives of Lotte Mart, alongside three other firms, for questioning t
IndustryApril 18, 2016
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Number of Korean languange test takers hits record high
The number of applicants that took the state-run Korean language proficiency test for non-native Korean speakers over the weekend reached a record high, the education ministry said Monday. A total of 72,295 applicants took the 46th Test of Proficiency administered on Saturday and Sunday at 164 locations in 45 countries across the world. Launched in 1997, TOPIK measures the ability to understand Korean language encompassing grammar, reading, listening and writing for those preparing to study or w
Social AffairsApril 18, 2016
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Japanese reporter files suit against Korea government
A Japanese reporter cleared of defaming South Korean President Park Geun-hye last year filed a criminal compensation suit against the government recently, according to legal sources. Tatsuya Kato, former Seoul bureau chief for Japanese right-wing daily Sankei Shimbun, on March 18 demanded financial compensation to cover legal costs and transport fees incurred while standing trial in Korea. Tatsuya Kato (Yonhap)Under the country’s criminal law, the wrongly accused, whose charges are cleared in co
Social AffairsApril 18, 2016
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N.K. human rights conditions little improved: monitor
Despite global monitoring efforts led by the U.N., the human rights situation in North Korea appears to have barely improved, a Seoul-based think tank said Monday, pointing to unabated torture, public executions and political oppression. The Database Center for North Korean Human Rights unveiled its findings after analyzing 52,735 cases included in its archive according to nine areas specified in the U.N. Commission of Inquiry report, seeking to find any development over the two years following
North KoreaApril 18, 2016
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Jeju murder suspect caught
Jeju Seogwipo police on Monday arrested a Korean man on suspicion of the murder of a Chinese woman, whose body was found deserted in a field on Jejudo Island last week. A herb picker found the body last Wednesday and the police have investigated the case targeting people who were acquainted with the victim, a 22-year-old Chinese who entered the country on Oct. 7, 2015 and overstayed her visa-free period in order to work.The police had circulated this leaflet to verify the victim's identity. (Yon
Social AffairsApril 18, 2016
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Seoul: N.K. might conduct underground nuke test
The Defense Ministry said Monday that North Korea’s next provocation was likely to involve an underground nuclear warhead test in the near future.“We are closely watching the situation with the possibility of North Korea carrying out an underground nuclear test given the present circumstances,” said ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun during a regular press briefing.It will be Pyongyang’s fifth nuclear test, and the first since U.N. Security Council’s strongest-ever sanctions against the previous
North KoreaApril 18, 2016
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President accepts Saenuri defeat as people's message
President Park Geun-hye said Monday that she “humbly accepted” the result of last Wednesday’s general election, in which the ruling conservative party faced a crushing defeat.While acknowledging the rise of a majority opposition, Park also reiterated her economic reform drives, hinting at pushing ahead with the disputed pending bills in spite of resistance and asking for pan-partisan cooperation.“The result of last week’s election made us reflect on the will of the people,” the president said in
PoliticsApril 18, 2016
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Stickers for transport payment
Lotte Card on Monday announced the launching of an adhesive sticker that can be used in making payments for public transportation rides. The Lotte Sticker Card is one-third the size of a common credit card and can be attached to the back of a mobile phone for convenient use. (Yonhap)The sticker card can also be used at SPC Group affiliates such as Dunkin’ Donuts, Paris Baguette and 7-Eleven. Those who already have a Lotte credit card can get this sticker issued. However, those who do not must s
Social AffairsApril 18, 2016
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Married man impersonates lawyer to swindle W20m
A married man who impersonated a single lawyer to swindle more than 20 million won ($17,000) from a woman was given two years in prison on Monday. Seoul’s northern district court said it had determined the 37-year-old swindler surnamed Kim to be guilty of deceit as he had neither the intention nor the ability to pay back what he had “borrowed.” This is a stock image from 123RF (123RF)Kim had impersonated a chief lawyer at an existing law firm by using fake name cards.He duped a 34-year-old woman
Social AffairsApril 18, 2016
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Shares end lower on institutions' profit taking and failed oil deal
Korean shares ended lower Monday, as institutional investors opted to lock in recent gains and the world's oil-producing countries failed to reach an agreement on output freeze.But foreigners stemmed a sharper loss by staying in a buying position. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) slipped 5.61 points, or 0.28 percent, to 2,009.10. Trade volume stood at 334.76 million shares worth 4.25 trillion won ($3.7 billion), with losers
April 18, 2016
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Technology meets tourism at new K-Style Hub
Seoul’s newest culture tourism facility, the K-Style Hub, is technology at its finest, offering the very best in information and education on Korea’s traditional culture as well as one-stop shop for hallyu. The hub, which hosted President Park Geun-hye and hallyu star Song Joong-ki at its opening ceremony last Monday, is one of the city’s most sophisticated and technologically advanced tourism centers. Located on the second through fifth floors in the former headquarters of the Korea Tourism O
CultureApril 18, 2016
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Park Hae-jin depicted on Chinese stamps
Actor Park Hae-jin will be featured on Chinese postage stamps, Chinese media reported Monday. The stamps are part of the Dream China project jointly organized by China’s Ministry of Communications and China Post to recognize the 100 most influential cultural figures in China.Chinese postage stamps featuring Korean actor Park Hae-jin (Mountain Movement) Though other Korean stars have had their faces on limited editions of Chinese stamps, Park is the first Korean to be on Chinese stamps that are r
April 18, 2016
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[Market Now] Hite Jinro sees oversubscribed bonds despite financial woes
Hite Jinro, a listed beer and soju maker, saw oversubscriptions of its bonds issued earlier this month, despite prospects of weaker-than-expected earnings and financial difficulties on high debt.Demand for Hite Jinro’s A-graded bonds exceeded 100 billion won ($87 million) the company had initially sought to raise to finance its operations and repay its debt.Its bonds have been oversubscribed by 25 billion won, with institutional investors such as Dongbu Securities, NH Investment & Securities and
April 18, 2016
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Samsung Electronics’ spin-off, highly likely: analyst
Tech giant Samsung Electronics is likely to be spun off as part of Samsung Group’s ownership restructuring, an analyst said Monday. As per the plans, various affiliates will be clubbed under two groups -- Samsung Electronics and Samsung Life Insurance.Since 2013, Samsung Group has sought to reorganize affiliates vertically under electronics and finance business, ease cross-shareholding structure among subsidiaries, and sell noncore businesses.As the first step, the group will seek Samsung Life I
IndustryApril 18, 2016
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Free coffee if you watch commercial
Franchise coffee house Coffee Banhada will launch a new mobile application that rewards customers with free drinks and desserts when they watch commercials, the company said Friday. Customers can save points on the app by watching commercials or participating in surveys and quizzes. The accumulated points can be used like cash at more than 350 Coffee Banhada franchise. (123RF)“In this never-ending competition within the low-priced coffee market, we had to lead with a completely new service,” Li
IndustryApril 18, 2016