The Korea Herald

Elections will negatively impact economy: poll

Nearly six in 10 South Korean companies expect this year’s parliamentary and presidential elections to have a greater negative impact on the economy than previous ones, a poll showed Thursday.The nationwide survey carried out on 300 companies by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry showed 56.2 percent of the respondents expressing concerns that the elections will be more harmful to the economy. Another 12.3 percent said the effects will not be different from the past with 31.5 percent pred

April 5, 2012

Boeing pitching for sales of new 737 MAX

Boeing said Thursday it had received more than 1,000 orders and commitments for its new 737 MAX aircraft from 16 customers in just eight months since its launch and was in talks with potential customers in Korea.The aircraft manufacturer expects single-aisle planes with 90 to 200 seats like the 737 MAX to account for about half of new aircraft deliveries to the Asia Pacific region over the next 20 years.“Market deregulation combined with rapid economic growth has removed many traditional barrier

IndustryApril 5, 2012

Boeing pitching for sales of new 737 MAX

‘Doosan ready to pursue strategic M&A’

Doosan Group is willing to engage in mergers and acquisitions that could expedite its growth and diversify revenue streams, its new chairman Park Yong-mann said Thursday.Although he does not see any big deal at hand, the group’s affiliates constantly update their lists of potential partners, Park said. The group, for its part, also closely watches the market for firms that can provide new growth drivers. “There are several acquisition targets but none of the deals are imminent,” he told a news c

April 5, 2012

Rival display giants at loggerheads over technology theft

The country’s two display giants exchanged accusations after police announced on Thursday that it arrested 11 people on charges of stealing key technologies used in manufacturing large AMOLED screens.Police said they had arrested 11 people, including LG Display employees, for providing key technologies ― such as small mask scanning technology and AMOLED display production processes ― for organic light-emitting diode TVs belonging to its rival Samsung Mobile Display. The stolen technologies were

April 5, 2012

Rival display giants at loggerheads over technology theft

Google supplements privacy policy for Korean users

But search giant denies any revision in data sharing across servicesGoogle has agreed to supplement its controversial privacy policy to better communicate with Korean users, the nation’s Internet regulator said Thursday. According to the Korea Communications Commission, the California-based search giant will provide Koreans more detailed explanations about its recent combination of user data across some 60 services.“It’s meaningful that Google has agreed to offer more explanations for Korean use

IndustryApril 5, 2012

Shares rise despite EU woes

South Korean stocks closed 0.5 percent higher Thursday in the face of dashed hopes for additional credit easing in the U.S. and fresh woes over the eurozone debt problem, analysts said. The local currency rose against the U.S. dollar.Reversing earlier losses, the benchmark KOSPI gained 10.16 points to close at 2,028.77.Trading volume was moderate at 541 million shares worth 5.64 trillion won ($5 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 442 to 358.The KOSPI opened weak as investor sentiment was sp

April 5, 2012

Foreign direct investment in Korea jumps in Q1

Foreign direct investment in South Korea jumped 17 percent on-year to $2.34 billion in the first quarter of this year thanks to an inflow of funds from advanced industrialized economies, the government said Thursday.The total is the largest since the first quarter of 2008, which reflects expectations that Asia’s fourth-largest economy will grow steadily despite lingering global economic uncertainties, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy said. Seoul expects its economic growth to reach 3.7 percent

April 5, 2012

Korea’s IT exports drop 8.2% in March

South Korea’s exports of information technology products contracted 8.2 percent on-year due to persistent eurozone woes and a slowdown in the Chinese economy, the government said Thursday.The country shipped $12.37 billion worth of IT products in March, compared with $13.48 billion a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.Despite minus growth, the country posted a trade surplus of $5.85 billion as imports fell 9.8 percent on-year to $6.52 billion.March’s surplus represents

April 5, 2012

Korea’s economic slowdown moderating: think tank

South Korea’s economic slowdown is moderating somewhat, helped by an easing of external uncertainties and improvements in domestic demand, a state-run think tank said Thursday.“The slowdown in overall industrial production has eased on improving manufacturing and service output,” the Korea Development Institute said in its monthly report. “Private consumption and business investment are maintaining upward momentum.”Output in the manufacturing and service industries grew 14.4 percent and 5.5 perc

April 5, 2012

Korea now world’s 17th biggest donor: OECD

Korea’s development aid to poor countries grew to make the country the 17th largest donor in the world, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said Thursday.Korea is one of only seven among the 23 members of the OECD to up its aid for poorer nations in the past year. The crisis in Europe and sluggish business sentiment across the globe has seen foreign aid take a hit in many countries. The Korean government in 2011 spent $1.32 billion on official development aid, up 5.8 percen

April 5, 2012

Hana CEO targets more Asian markets

Bank plans to tap India, Philippines on strength of affiliate KEBHana Bank chief executive Kim Jong-jun unveiled on Thursday the lender’s overseas strategy to tap more emerging markets in Asia.During his first press conference as the bank chief in Seoul, Kim picked India and the Philippines as the commercial bank’s new business targets.“We have advanced to China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam,” he said. “As an expansion policy in Asia, we are considering making inroads into India a

April 5, 2012

ManpowerGroup named on most ethical firm list

ManpowerGroup, a provider of services in human resources, has been included on Ethisphere Institute’s World’s Most Ethical Companies list for the second straight year. The list is based on companies’ commitment to ethical leadership, compliance, corporate social responsibility and business practices at large. ManpowerGroup said the recognition reflects its continued efforts.“This recognition means a great deal to ManpowerGroup’s people because we take tremendous pride in doing good while doing w

IndustryApril 5, 2012

Beauty in the East: What it takes to be a female

“Crooked chin. Elf shape. Pimple spots.” These are the words imprinted on Jessica’s job application photo. The 28-year-old South Korean hopeful, who asked to be identified only by her first name, returned for her second stage in an intensive job application process for a popular Japanese airline. It is Jessica’s dream to become a flight attendant, but she understands the competitive nature of the industry and is realistic about her chances. It is not easy to become a female flight attendant in A

April 5, 2012

Beauty in the East: What it takes to be a female

New Santa Fe makes debut in U.S.

Hyundai Motor revealed the third-generation Santa Fe during the 2012 New York International Auto Show on Wednesday.The all-new 2013 Santa Fe, a crossover utility vehicle, is designed for drivers and passengers with high expectations for functionality and comfort, Hyundai said in a statement.There are two models for the third-generation Santa Fe ― the two-row, five-passenger “Santa Fe Sport” and the long wheelbase three-row, seven-seater “Santa Fe.” A company spokesman said the new Santa Fe show

MobilityApril 5, 2012

SME stock market to launch this year: FSC

Korea New Exchange set to offer new direct funding channel to startupsSouth Korea’s financial regulator said Thursday that a new stock market dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises would open by the end of this year, offering greater direct financing opportunities to promising startups. The Financial Services Commission said it will accelerate steps to launch the new market, temporarily named “Korea New Exchange,” by working out listing conditions and public disclosure rules. The domest

April 5, 2012

Kakao chief wins Pony Chung Award

Chairman Kim Beom-su of Kakao, best known for the nation’s No. 1 mobile messenger Kakao Talk, has been selected as this year’s winner of Pony Chung Award, the Pony Chung Foundation said Wednesday. “Kim has been recognized for leading the local online game, portal and mobile application market through his relentless venture spirit and insight,” said Kim Jin-hyun, chairman of the foundation. The award honors an innovator across industries in memory of the late Hyundai Development Company chairman

IndustryApril 5, 2012

FDA: tobacco companies must report chemicals

WASHINGTON (AP) ― Tobacco companies will be required to report the levels of dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes, chew and other products under the latest rules designed to tighten regulation of the tobacco industry.The preliminary guidance issued Friday by the Food and Drug Administration marks the first time tobacco makers would be required to report quantities of 20 chemicals associated with cancer, lung disease and other health problems. The FDA will release the information in a consumer

TechnologyApril 5, 2012

As more autism reported, doctors say check early

CHICAGO (AP) ― At 18 months, Cristina Astacio spoke only a few words, wouldn’t respond to her name and shunned other kids in her day care group. Last October, her worried parents found out why.She has a mild form of autism, a diagnosis being given to more U.S. children than ever before, largely because of more awareness and better diagnosis.According to new government statistics, the rate is about 1 in 88. That means autism is nearly twice as common as it appeared in data the government gathered

TechnologyApril 5, 2012

Keeping the aging voice spry

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. ― Aging baby boomers have long used exercise, surgery and collagen as they try to slow the natural bodily processes of aging.Now, some are flocking to do the same with something that’s usually a dead giveaway: a voice that sounds “old.”Research shows that older peoples’ voices often develop breathiness, weakness and loss or range or quality from causes that include disease, changed use of their voices, and the condition called presbylaryngis, also known as “aging of the larynx.

TechnologyApril 5, 2012

Acute epiglottitis

The epiglottis is located above the larynx, and plays a key role in keeping food out of the airway by covering the larynx when we swallow. Acute epiglottitis is an acute inflammation of the epiglottis, which mainly occurs due to infection with Haemophilus influenzae. Patients risk having their breathing obstructed if they are faced with severe edema or swelling of the larynx. Because of this, acute epiglottitis is often considered an emergency condition. Time and age of onset Epiglottitis occurs

TechnologyApril 5, 2012