Mutations found in Fukushima butterflies

 Radioactive materials released into the environment by the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan have caused mutations in butterflies, a study indicates.Scientists say they've detected an increase in mutations in leg, antennae and wing shape among butterflies collected following the 2011 Fukushima accident, and that laboratory experiments have confirmed the link with the radioactive release.Two mon

TechnologyAug. 14, 2012

Korea-China economic ties face new opportunities, challenges

This is the third in a series of articles to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and China. ― Ed.The economic interdependence between Korea and China has grown rapidly ever since the two countries established diplomatic ties 20 years ago and is expected to increase further despite changing circumstances. The two-way trade volume has snowballed nearly 35-fold since 1992, making China Korea’s biggest trading partner.Both being export-driven economies, Korea and China s

Aug. 13, 2012

Herald presents new corporate identity, vision

‘Re-imagine! Life beyond Media’ slogan represents Herald’s futureHerald Corp., the parent company of The Korea Herald, will present its new corporate identity focused on “Life beyond Media.”Aiming to be at the center of consumers’ lives by taking on new projects like eco-friendly manufacturing and distribution, it expects to grow to 10 times its current size within a decade, its officials said.The firm has also changed its company name from Herald Media to Herald Corp. to emphasize its goal to e

Aug. 13, 2012

The Korea Herald adopts ‘Digital First’ strategy

In the digital media era, newspaper companies around the world have adopted new approaches and tools to deliver their stories.With the Internet’s ever more important place in everyday life, a newspaper group’s power can be judged not only by its print circulation, but also by the number of people who read and comment on its articles online.To find its footing at this crucial time, The Korea Herald has tracked mobile-oriented trends and made innovations to stay ahead in the race.Under a “digital

TechnologyAug. 13, 2012

Asiana, G-market expand mileage point system

Asiana Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding with the nation’s leading online auction and commerce site G-market on adding a new flight mileage policy on Monday.According to the expanded mileage policy starting from Aug. 13, G-market customers who enter the e-shopping site directly at www.gmarket.co.kr can accumulate mileage points that correspond to the amount of their purchase. The new mileage policy is compatible with other G-market offers such as “G Mileage” and “G Stamp.”Before the

Aug. 13, 2012

Major card firms jump into mobile market

Mobile card boosts Hana-SK Card salesThe nation’s major card companies are jumping into the mobile card market as customer demand rises, financial sources said Monday.The companies are forecasting that plastic credit cards will be replaced with mobile cards in the next two to three years following the expansion of smartphones, the sources said.The fast growth of the newcomer Hana-SK Card, which has been pioneering the mobile card business here, may support the assumption. Hana-SK Card, which was

Aug. 13, 2012

Radical weather changes reshape agricultural map

Mandarin oranges, apples, grapes moving north due to rising temperaturesKorea’s agricultural map is seeing drastic changes, with mandarin oranges growing north of Jeju Island, as the country increasingly experiences subtropical weather.The concept of regional specialties such as Jeju tangerines, Cheongdo peaches, Gyeongsan grapes and Daegu apples has lost meaning as the boundaries for crop cultivation have migrated northward due to rising temperatures.It has already been several years since tang

Aug. 13, 2012

Foreign car companies, builder run English camps

Multinational auto and construction equipment makers have started running English summer camps for their employees’ children. The purpose is to heighten workers’ sense of pride and devotion to the company and also to help their children develop global mindsets.Volvo Construction Equipment Korea kicked off the “2012 Volvo Super Junior Camp” at its Pyeongtaek education center, scheduled to run to Aug. 15. About 120 children are participating, the company said.Company officials said the program aim

Aug. 13, 2012

Otis Elevator Korea rides on early success

Early start, great business model continuing success indicators for his company, says local unit chiefSometimes, it’s good to be first. The multinational leader in the elevators, escalators and moving walkways business began operations in Korea more than 100 years ago, when it installed the nation’s first service elevator in 1910 for the Bank of Korea and the first passenger elevator for the Westin Chosun Hotel four years later. And Otis Elevator Korea has continued riding on its early success.

IndustryAug. 13, 2012

Saudi Arabia to build women-only city

Saudi Arabia will construct an all-female city in purpose of providing work for women, according to local news reports.The ultra-conservative kingdom’s Industrial Property Authority (Modon) reportedly will build the city in the eastern city of Hafuf. The new city is anticipated to create around 5,000 jobs in various industries.Saudi Arabia is hoping the new city will encourage more women to work without violating the country’s Islamic law of Sharia. While the law does not ban female labor, it em

IndustryAug. 13, 2012

Scientists develop fast recharging material for lithium-ion batteries

A group of South Korean scientists has developed a new material for a secondary or rechargeable battery that can be fully recharged in just a matter of minutes, the science ministry said Monday.The development of such a battery could significantly raise the popularity of electric vehicles whose lithium-ion batteries currently take hours to recharge, according to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.Conventional batteries use only powdered nanoparticle materials to form a dense, mult

TechnologyAug. 13, 2012