Most Popular
-
1
Yoon warns North Korea against nuclear attack attempt
-
2
81-year-old model awarded ‘best dressed’ in Miss Universe Korea
-
3
Seoul mayor suggests shift in immigration policy
-
4
'Smart pill'? ADHD treatment prescriptions spike this year
-
5
[KH Explains] Korea pursues ‘fire-free’ batteries amid EV fears
-
6
Man calls 119, found dead 1 week later because officials went to wrong place
-
7
[Herald Review] One of Netflix's most expensive Korean originals returns, but at what cost?
-
8
AI textbook bubble could burst, expert warns
-
9
Fights, complaints, stalker fans among reasons passengers exit planes before takeoff
-
10
[Photo News] Armed Forces Day
-
CJ chairman receives jail term in retrial
On Tuesday afternoon, CJ Group chairman Lee Jae-hyun showed up at the Seoul High Court in a wheelchair, armed with a bulky winter coat, a muffler and a face mask.It was the day of his retrial for embezzlement, breach of conduct and tax evasion. Much to his dismay, he was found guilty and handed a 2 1/2-year prison term and a 25.2 billion won ($21.2 million) fine. Lee was charged with creating a 620 billion-won slush fund by embezzling 160 billion won from the company coffers, thus dodging 54.6 b
IndustryDec. 15, 2015
-
Samsung CEOs to pitch to carmakers
Samsung Electronics, which has recently renewed its push for automotive parts especially for self-driving cars, plans to appeal to global carmakers at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show, or CES, in Las Vegas next month. The Korean tech giant announced last week it would set up a new team dedicated to car parts for futuristic vehicles like driverless cars. Even though Samsung has long produced batteries and chips for cars, it is the first time that it is entering the car business again with s
TechnologyDec. 15, 2015
-
Sex trade exploits legal loopholes in South Korea
It’s been some 10 years since South Korea enacted its antiprostitution law, but new forms of sex trade have continued to evolve through legal loopholes, including sex services for women and overseas prostitution. With the law vocally opposed by an increasing number of sex workers, its efficacy has constantly been questioned. The Korea Herald is publishing a three-part series shedding light on the hidden side of Korea’s sex industry. The following is the second installment. – Ed. When Lucien Lee,
Social AffairsDec. 15, 2015
-
City, ministry in a flap over flag
The war of words is heating up between the government and Seoul City over the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs’ plans to raise the national flag at the heart of downtown in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the country’s liberation from Japan this year. The tit-for-tat over how long and where the giant flag pole should be installed represents a fresh standoff between the conservative government of President Park Geun-hye and the progressive municipality run by Mayor Park Won-soon
DefenseDec. 15, 2015
-
SK hynix CEO wins best industrial award
SK hynix CEO Park Sung-wook on Tuesday received a Gold Tower, also known as the Order of Industrial Service Merit, the country’s highest decoration for a businessperson, for contributing to the semiconductor industry and creating new jobs. Park, who took office in 2012, was especially honored for his continued efforts to hire talented people without considering their educational background. Of the new employees hired this year, more than 33 percent were high school or vocational college graduate
TechnologyDec. 15, 2015
-
[Photo News] S-Oil awards firefighers for their heroic services
AWARD FOR FIREFIGHTERS -- S-Oil CEO Nasser Al-Mahasher (left) hands plaques and cash prizes to eight selected firefighters on Tuesday during the “2015 Hero Firefighters Award” ceremony, held at Yongsan Fire Station in Seoul. Firefighter Bae Gi-man from the Chungnam Fire Service Headquarters and seven other firefighters each received a plaque and a cash prize of 90 million won. S-Oil
IndustryDec. 15, 2015
-
Seoul, Tokyo fail to bridge differences over sex slavery issue
Seoul and Tokyo failed to bridge their differences Tuesday over the issue of Japan’s colonial-era sexual enslavement of Korean women during their 11th round of director-general-level talks in Tokyo, dashing hopes of settling it by the end of the year. Lee Sang-deok, director general of Northeast Asian affairs at Seoul`s Foreign Ministry speaks to the press in Tokyo on Tuesday. (Yonhap)The two sides agreed to hold an additional round of consultations at the “earliest date,” Lee Sang-deok, direct
Foreign AffairsDec. 15, 2015
-
Korea on guard against fallout from U.S. rate hike
As the countdown begins for the U.S. interest rate hike, Korea is on edge to guard against its potential fallout on local financial markets. The Bank of Korea is in an emergency response mode -- monitoring global markets round-the-clock since Monday -- getting ready to intervene if there is excessive volatility. After a two-day policy meeting, the U.S. Federal Reserve is widely expected to increase its benchmark borrowing rate Wednesday, ending a seven-year era of near-zero interest rates that h
Dec. 15, 2015
-
Peninsular conflict would have greater regional impacts: U.S. JCS chief
The top U.S. general on Monday voiced concerns about the potential “transregional” ramifications of North Korea’s military threats that have evolved with its development of ballistic missiles and capabilities in the cyber and space realms. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 1. (AP-Yonhap)Speaking at a defense forum, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford stressed that a conflict on the Korean Peninsula would not be li
DefenseDec. 15, 2015
-
Korea promotes sales of hydrogen fuel cell cars
South Korea will seek to boost demand for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by bringing prices down and expanding refueling infrastructure, officials said Tuesday. Hyundai Motor’s Tucson ix fuel-cell electric vehicle (Hyundai Motor)The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said the government would expand state subsidies and waive taxes to bring down the prices of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to around 35 million won ($29,000) by 2018 from the current 85 million won.It will offer a 27.5 million won in
BusinessDec. 15, 2015
-
[Herald Interview] After 8 months, Laboum returns more mature
Six-member girl group Laboum has returned to the stage with a retro pop song called “Aalow Aalow.” Their new two-track single comes eight months after “Sugar Sugar,” a long hiatus considering that they had promoted three tracks -- “Pit a Pat,” “What About You” and “Sugar Sugar” -- between their debut in November 2014 and March.“During the break, we really felt how precious each performance was,” member Yulhee told The Korea Herald on Monday at the offices of NH EMG, the group’s label.The long br
PerformanceDec. 15, 2015
-
Goldman Sachs invests $33m in local property app
Local property app Zigbang has raised 38 billion won ($33 million) from Goldman Sachs and other investors, the company said Tuesday. The U.S. investment bank’s private equity arm led the investment, its second funding of a Korean start-up after last year’s 40 billion won investment in food delivery app Baedal Minjok. Zigbang, launched in 2002, links realtors and customers across the country on its mobile platform that is equipped with a handy search engine, lots of photos and an aggregate listin
Dec. 15, 2015
-
Stars promote Seoul
Hallyu celebrities, with their pan-Asian appeal and growing worldwide fan base, are increasingly taking an active part in promoting Korea’s national brand.One in-demand actor participating in such efforts is Kim Soo-hyun, who shot a promotional video for Seoul that will air throughout Asia, his agency Keyeast announced Tuesday. The clip will air on various network channels in the region, including China’s state-run CCTV.The 30-second video shows some Seoul landmarks, including a field of electro
Dec. 15, 2015
-
National Geographic photos open up ‘World of Mystery’
Since publishing its first issue in 1888, National Geographic has captured the hearts of millions, making it one of today’s oldest continuous publications.With its dedication to showcasing the stories of the world, it has earned a reputation for having some of the most iconic and recognizable photographs that define the times. The National Geographic archive is in a league of its own, inspiring generations of photographers, both professional and amateur. A photograph of the Gomateshwara Bahubali
PerformanceDec. 15, 2015
-
Citi sells consumer finance arm
Citibank Korea signed an agreement with Apro Service Group to sell its consumer finance subsidiary Citigroup Capital Korea Inc., as part of the U.S. banking group’s efforts to streamline businesses and divest non-core assets, the company said Tuesday.The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016 subject to regulatory approvals. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Citigroup Capital Korea accounted for less than 5 percent of Citi’s total revenues in Korea
Dec. 15, 2015
-
[Lee Jae-min] A climate pact with real teeth
As noted law expert Michael Akehurst once opined, treaties are the “maids-of-all-work” for international law. Many countries conclude numerous treaties regularly, with Korea alone signing roughly 100 bilateral or multilateral treaties each year. All treaties have a legally binding force and contracting states are obligated to abide by them. The nature of the binding force, however, varies from treaty to treaty. Some are enforced with rigorous force through a binding dispute settlement mechanism,
ViewpointsDec. 15, 2015
-
Kona I collaborates with Lenovo for wearable tech
Smart card solutions developer Kona I said Tuesday that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the world’s largest PC maker Lenovo to join forces to develop security technologies for wearable devices and mobile payment.One of the security technologies to be deployed for the products of the Beijing-based PC maker is called the secure element, which is used to protect data stored in credit cards and smart cards, according to the Seoul-based smart card solutions firm.The Korean firm has r
TechnologyDec. 15, 2015
-
[Kim Seong-kon] Korean division in Duke University Library
Perhaps it is an occupational hazard, but whenever I visit a city, whether domestic or foreign, I drop by the major university there. The first place I visit on campus is the main library. Surrounded by books and bookshelves, I am thrilled as if I were standing before the infinite universe. In “Nature,” Emerson wrote, “Standing on the bare ground — my head bathed by the blithe air, and uplifted into infinite space — all mean egotism vanishes. I become a transparent eyeball; I am nothing; I see
ViewpointsDec. 15, 2015
-
‘Journey matters more than destination’
By Kim Young-wonGoogle chief executive Sundar Pichai urged Korean engineering students, would-be entrepreneurs and start-ups to shoot for the moon to achieve innovation.“Outcomes do not matter as much as people think,” the CEO said in a meeting held at Google’s start-up incubation center Campus Seoul in Gangnam, Seoul, on Tuesday. “If you look at stories and failures in Silicon Valley, it is important to understand that a journey matters much more than the outcome,” he added. It was his first vi
TechnologyDec. 15, 2015