Sejong University tourism professor most cited researcher

Han Hee-sup, a professor in the department of hospitality and tourism management at Sejong University, has been selected as one of the world's most influential researchers in 2023. Organized by Clarivate, a global information analytics company, the "Highly Cited Researchers" list recognizes the top 1 percent of researchers in 21 fields based on the number of times their papers have been cited over the past decade. Han was selected as a highly cited researcher for a fifth consecuti

Social AffairsJan. 10, 2024

Security advisers of S. Korea, US decry N. Korea's missile transfer to Russia for use in Ukraine

The national security advisers of South Korea and the United States condemned "in the strongest possible terms" North Korea's transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine during a phone call on Tuesday, the White House said. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with his new South Korean counterpart, Chang Ho-jin, to discuss the North's increasing military cooperation with Russia and its provocative actions along the Demilitarized Zone separating the tw

Foreign AffairsJan. 10, 2024

S. Korea to begin production of homegrown KF-21 fighter jet

South Korea is set to begin production of the KF-21 fighter jet this year as planned, the state arms procurement agency said Wednesday, in what would be a major milestone in the country's pursuit of an advanced homegrown fighter. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration seeks to sign a contract with Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd., the jet's manufacturer, within the first half of the year to pave the way for the KF-21's large-scale production, according to a DAPA official. I

DefenseJan. 10, 2024

Permission policy to be implemented for raising fierce dogs

People wishing to raise dogs with fierce traits in South Korea will be required to get permission from mayors or provincial governors, beginning in April, as part of efforts to reduce fatal attacks involving such dogs, officials said Wednesday. Owners of fierce dogs will also be required to hold a liability insurance program and have their dogs neutered or spayed, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. People who have already raised such dogs must receive permission wi

Social AffairsJan. 10, 2024

Govt. vows to boost public housing supply, lift green-belt restrictions

The government on Wednesday announced a set of measures to boost new housing and development projects, including the lifting of green-belt restrictions around the capital area, to reinvigorate recently dwindled housing projects across the country. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the measures centered around the housing policy for 2024 at a government policy debate forum attended by President Yoon Suk Yeol in Goyang, northwest of Seoul. The ministry said it plans to

Social AffairsJan. 10, 2024

Yoon's approval rating inches up to 35%: Yonhap survey

President Yoon Suk Yeol's approval rating rose slightly from a month ago to 35 percent, a survey commissioned by Yonhap News Agency and Yonhap News TV showed Wednesday. The rating rose 2 percentage points from last month, while the negative assessment dipped 1 percentage point to 59 percent, according to the survey conducted by Metrix on 1,000 people aged 18 and older Saturday and Sunday. The survey also showed that 35 percent of the respondents said they would vote for the ruling People Po

PoliticsJan. 10, 2024

Outgoing FM says S. Korea-Japan ties 'completely normalized' thanks to Yoon

Foreign Minister Park Jin left office Wednesday after nearly two years of juggling a set of diplomatic tasks, ranging from addressing escalating North Korean provocations to ramping up the alliance with the United States and improving ties with its neighboring countries. At his farewell ceremony, Park touched on the ministry's achievements during his term, saying South Korea has realized the "complete normalization" of its ties with Japan owing to the "big decision" of P

Foreign AffairsJan. 10, 2024

Jobs in manufacturing sector, for youths decline in 2023 despite overall gains

South Korea's on-year employment grew at a slower pace in 2023 as the number of newly employed fell in the manufacturing sector and among young people, data showed Wednesday. The number of employed people rose 327,000 in 2023 from a year earlier, or 1.2 percent, to come to 28.41 million, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea. It marked the third consecutive year that the country added jobs on-year, following job losses in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though the job growth

Social AffairsJan. 10, 2024

NK leader says he has 'no intention of avoiding war' with S. Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called South Korea the country's "principal enemy" and said he has "no intention of avoiding war," state media said Wednesday. Kim also threatened to annihilate the South if it attempts to use force against the North, as he inspected major munitions factories Monday and Tuesday, the North's official Korean Central News Agency said. "Predicating that the ROK clan is our principal enemy, he said what the DPRK should prioritize in t

North KoreaJan. 10, 2024

[Graphic News] S. Korea’s population set to dip to 36.2m by 2072 amid low birth rate

　South Korea’s current population of around 51.6 million is expected to decline significantly to 36.2 million by 2072 due to critically low birth rates, a statistics report showed. 　The portion of seniors aged 65 and above in the population, which came to 17.4 percent in 2022, is expected to soar to 47.7 percent in 2072, according to the biennial report released by state-run Statistics Korea. 　Regarding the state of the population, the agency predicted an annual fall of 0.16 percent fo

Social AffairsJan. 10, 2024

Yoon vows not to interfere with arts and culture fields

President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed Tuesday that his government will not interfere with anything that the arts and culture industries do, but only work to provide full support for the fields. Yoon made the pledge at a New Year's gathering of South Korean artists and celebrities, noting the achievements of Korean culture and entertainment content, such as K-pop, in recent years. Speaking at the event, Yoon brought up the question he was asked by a reporter about the reason for the popularity of Ko

PoliticsJan. 9, 2024

Top S. Korean, NATO military officials hold phone talks ahead of major NATO gathering

The top military officials of South Korea and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization held phone talks Tuesday ahead of a major NATO meeting next week, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, amid joint efforts to deepen cooperation. JCS Chairman Adm. Kim Myung-soo spoke by phone with Adm. Rob Bauer, chair of NATO's military committee, on the two-day NATO Military Chiefs of Defense meeting in Brussels starting next Wednesday to be attended by South Korean officials, according to the JCS. South Korea

DefenseJan. 9, 2024

National Assembly passes dog meat consumption ban

The National Assembly on Tuesday decided to completely root out the practice of butchering dogs for consumption by passing a special bill that punishes such activities. The bill seeks to impose a fine of up to 30 million won ($22,800) or a maximum jail term of three years on dog farmers or butchers who are caught killing dogs for consumption. Those who are caught illegally farming, breeding and distributing dogs will face a maximum prison sentence of two years or a fine of up to 20 million won.

PoliticsJan. 9, 2024

Police decide against revealing identity of Lee stabbing suspect

Police decided not to disclose the personal information of the suspect who stabbed Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung during the opposition leader’s visit to Busan on Jan. 2. Following a Personal Information Disclosure Committee meeting Tuesday afternoon, the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency decided that the 67-year-old suspect, identified by his surname Kim, did not meet the legal conditions for disclosure. Kim was formally arrested by the police on charges of attempted murder

Social AffairsJan. 9, 2024

Presidential office introduces 3rd NSO deputy

A legal revision approved by South Korea's Cabinet on Tuesday would allow the presidential National Security Office to create a new deputy director position to be tasked with economic security and technological supremacy in the face of frequent industrial supply chain disruptions. As a result of the reorganization, the newly appointed deputy director of the NSO will be dedicated to stabilizing the supply chain, handling matters related to nuclear power plant exports and minimizing impacts f

PoliticsJan. 9, 2024

Future, current leaders of new political parties jointly call for reform

Four future and current leaders of political parties jointly called for political reform Tuesday, criticising the current two-party dominance. Former Prime Minister and ex-Democratic Party of Korea Lee Nak-yon, Former People Power Party Chairman Lee Jun-seok, New Party Co-Chairman Keum Tae-sup and Hope of Korea Chairman Yang Hyang-ja gathered at Yang’s new book launch event, in a show of solidarity against the current political system. “We have gathered with the shared concern that K

PoliticsJan. 9, 2024

US presidential election top global risk in 2024: report

The US presidential election could be the foremost global risk, with anticipated effects extending more broadly and profoundly across global security, stability and economic outlook than any other event, according to a report. The biggest challenge in 2024 is the "United States versus itself," marked by the presidential election scheduled in November, Eurasia Group, a New York-based political risk consulting firm, said in its annual forecast report that listed the top 10 risks to the w

Foreign AffairsJan. 9, 2024

Seoul Metro's Line 4 to operate seatless cars from Wednesday

Seats will be removed from some Line No. 4 subway cars from Wednesday as a pilot project to relieve congestion during morning rush hour, Seoul Metro announced Tuesday. The organization decided to test its new seating plan on Line No. 4 as it often experiences high congestion levels during rush hour. After comprehensive reviews regarding subway car congestion levels and the subway cars' surrounding environment, seats will be removed from the third subway car on Line No. 4 trains. In November

Social AffairsJan. 9, 2024

Seoul to add furnaces to meet soaring demand for cremation

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Tuesday announced a set of plans to deal with soaring cremation demand, including adding furnaces and providing extra manpower. These measures are a response to address a deepening shortage of crematorium services, according to the Seoul city government. Currently, the city of Seoul runs two municipal cremation facilities, including Seoul Memorial Park in Yangjae-dong and Seoul Municipal Funeral Home (Byeokje Crematorium) in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. At thos

Social AffairsJan. 9, 2024

Experts seek data-driven approach, digitalization for ASEAN connectivity

Experts advocated adopting a data-driven approach and enhanced digitalization to fortify connectivity for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, at the 11th edition of the ASEAN Connectivity Forum on Tuesday. Highlighting the theme of digital connectivity, ASEAN - Korea Center Secretary-General Kim Hae-yong reiterated his commitment to enhancing synergies between the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025, the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific and the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative withi

Diplomatic CircuitJan. 9, 2024