[Graphic News] Ultra Violet is 2018 color of the year

　Pantone Color Institute has chosen a vibrant purple shade named Ultra Violet as its color of the year for 2018. 　Ultra Violet is described by Pantone as “a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade.”　Pantone, a provider of professional color standards, announces the new color of the year every December, based on its trend-forecasting research. Its selection offers direction for world trends in food, products, fashion and design.　Pantone has chosen a color of the year since 1999. Last

WorldJan. 11, 2018

[Graphic News] Foreigners' satisfaction with Korean food lowest in Japan

　Foreigners satisfaction with traditional Korean food, known as “hansik” in Korea, was the lowest in the neighboring country of Japan, one poll showed, amid frayed ties between the two countries over a number of diplomatic issues.　Japanese people’s awareness of Korean food came in at 32.8 percent, compared to an overall average of 64.1 percent, according to a survey from the Korean Food Promotion Institute. The poll was conducted online, questioning 6,000 foreigners living in 10 major cities abr

FoodJan. 10, 2018

[Graphic News] Child abuse cases surge by 18% in Korea

　The number of child abuse cases in South Korea reached 10,647 in the first half of last year, an increase of 18.7 percent compared to 8,972 cases in the same period in 2016, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. 　There were 6,796 cases in 2013, 10,177 in 2014, 11,715 in 2015 and 18,700 in 2016. The figure for the second half of last year has not been released, but the number of cases for the entire 2017 is likely to exceed 20,000. 　Nearly 72 percent of the offenders were parents, whi

Social AffairsJan. 9, 2018

[Graphic News] Fewer than 100 North Koreans a month defected to the South

　According to the Ministry of Unification, fewer than 100 North Koreans a month defected to the South last year, the lowest in 15 years as Pyongyang and Beijing both have tightened controls on movement.　A total of 1,127 North Koreans came to the South last year, down 21 percent from 2016, according to data from the Ministry of Unification. It was the lowest figure since 2001.　As of the end of December, more than 31,000 North Korean defectors had entered the South since 1948, when the two Koreas

North KoreaJan. 8, 2018

[Graphic News] India the top remittance receiving country in world

　Indians working abroad sent home $68 billion in 2015, making India the top remittance receiving country, surpassing China. Other top receiving countries for remittances from Asia include the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Vietnam.　Indians working abroad continue to send more money home than their counterparts from other countries, according to World Bank figures on migration and remittances. India topped the list with $68.91 billion in remittance inflows, followed closely by China at $63

World BusinessJan. 7, 2018

[Graphic News] Output by dining, drinking businesses drops in 2017

　According to Statistics Korea, output by dining and drinking businesses was down 3.1 percent in the January-November period last year.　The scope of the contraction is the largest since the statistical office started compiling data in 2000 and bigger than the 2.4 percent tallied in 2009. 　The latest data showed that the output of the industry will mark the third consecutive year of contraction, following a 1.8 percent drop in 2015 and a 0.8 percent fall in 2016.

Social AffairsJan. 4, 2018

[Graphic News] Men outweigh women in obesity rates

　Some 41 percent of adult men are overweight, much higher than 24 percent for women, according to an obesity report that showed the correlation between body size and income.　The report was released by the National Health Insurance Service based on 13.95 million people who received medical checkups last year. Results showed that 41.28 percent of men and 23.74 percent of women were overweight, meaning their body mass index exceeded 25. 　According to the findings, 29.99 percent of men were in the n

Social AffairsJan. 3, 2018

[Graphic News] Nearly 80% of workers donated to charities last year: survey

　Nearly 8 out of 10 salaried people made donations to charities in 2017, a survey showed.　Of the 849 workers polled recently, 77.9 percent said they gave money to charities, the survey conducted by Hunet, a career education institute, showed.　The average donation stood at 161,000 won ($149), up 16,000 won from three years earlier.　About 31.5 percent said they donated more than 300,000 won, while 25.5 percent said they contributed between 10,000 won and 50,000 won.

Social AffairsJan. 2, 2018

[Graphic News] The nation by numbers

NationalJan. 1, 2018

[Graphic News] Korean airlines’ economy-class food, seats top 5 in world

　Airlines with the best economy-class food and seats have been named by aviation consumer website Skytrax. 　South Korea’s largest airline Korean Air’s economy-class seats ranked fourth in the world, while the country’s second-largest airline Asiana ranked third in catering and second in seats. 　The survey was based on 19.87 million travelers from 105 countries and covered more than 320 airlines. It considered factors such as boarding procedures, the quality of service and the comfort of seats. 

World BusinessDec. 28, 2017

[Graphic News] Teacher is most-desired job for S. Korean students

　School teacher topped the list of most-wanted job among all levels of Korean students, the Education Ministry said, based on an online survey conducted from June 26 to July 21.　Software programmer and mechanical engineer were also desired jobs in a survey of high school students.　The Ministry of Education and Korea Vocational Training Center surveyed 51,494 students, teachers and parents at 1,200 schools from all over the country.

NationalDec. 27, 2017

[Graphic News] Korea files 3rd-largest number of AI patents in world

　A South Korean state-run agency said local companies have filed the third-largest number of patents related to artificial intelligence over the past 12 years.　The Institute for Information and Communications Technology Promotion said its finding was based on patent applications for AI-related technologies in the US, Japan, China, the EU and South Korea from January 2005 to September this year.　The US ranked No. 1 in terms of the number of AI patents, followed by Japan, South Korea and Germany.　

World BusinessDec. 26, 2017

[Graphic News] 65 journalists and media workers killed globally in 2017: RSF

　Sixty-five journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2017, according to annual figures published by Reporters Without Borders on Tuesday.　Among them were 50 professional reporters, the lowest toll in 14 years. 　However, the downward trend is due at least in part to journalists giving up working in the world‘s deadliest spots.　Turkey is the world‘s biggest prison for professional journalists, the figures show, with 43 reporters and one media worker behind bars.　With 52 languishing i

WorldDec. 25, 2017

[Graphic News] What's on your holiday wish list?

　For the eleventh year in a row in US, gift cards remain the most popular items on wish lists, requested by 61 percent of those surveyed, followed by clothing and accessories at 55 percent, the highest level the category has seen in 12 years. Two in five would like books, music or movies, the lowest in survey history; others asked for consumer electronics (33 percent), home decor (24 percent), jewelry (23 percent), personal care or beauty items (21 percent), sporting goods (20 percent), and home

WorldDec. 21, 2017

[Graphic News] Electric car sales surging: IEA

　The number of electric vehicles on the road rocketed to 2 million in 2016, having been virtually nonexistent just five years ago, according to the International Energy Agency.　Globally, 753 000 plug-in electric vehicles were sold in 2016, 60 percent of which were battery-electric cars. 　China remained the largest market for electric vehicles for a second consecutive year and, in 2016, accounted for close to half of global sales. Europe represented the second-largest global market, followed by t

BusinessDec. 20, 2017

[Graphic News] Japan best country for older people

　Japan is the best country in Asia for older people to live, according to the Global AgeWatch Index.　There is high satisfaction with Japan’s social connectedness, safety and civic freedom, according to the index, which measures the quality of life for people aged 60 and older based on factors such as income security, health and personal capability.　The Global AgeWatch Index 2015 by HelpAge International assessed 96 countries to determine the best places for older people to live. The countries in

WorldDec. 19, 2017

[Graphic News] Online holiday shopping rises in US

　As the Christmas shopping season enters its final phase Friday, for the first time, a majority of Americans, 53 percent, have said they were very or somewhat likely to do their Christmas shopping online this year. This is the highest percentage since Gallup first asked the question in 1998. Meanwhile, the percentages of Americans shopping for gifts in department stores and discount stores have slowly been declining, but these still beat the internet as places Americans will shop for the holiday

World BusinessDec. 18, 2017

[Graphic News] Seoul 3rd most expensive city in Asia for expats

　Seoul has ranked as the third most expensive location in Asia for expatriates, according to the latest cost of living survey by ECA International.　Korea’s second-largest city Busan also placed 10th, according to the survey.　Tokyo retained its crown atop the Asia-Pacific pack, as a financial hub. Hong Kong was No. 2.　The survey was based on cost of living, salary, accommodations, taxes, labor laws, benefits and quality of life for international assignees in over 262 cities worldwide.

World BusinessDec. 17, 2017

[Graphic News] NK threats energize S. Korean arms market

　Faced with constant missile and nuclear threats from its belligerent northern neighbor, South Korea is boosting its arms sales and aims to become a major exporter, a study said.　South Korea‘s arms industry accounted for 2.2 percent of the global top 100 producers’ sales in 2016, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said in a report listing the world‘s “top 100” military services.　South Korean arms-producing companies’ combined sales totaled $8.4 billion the same year with a 20.6

North KoreaDec. 14, 2017

[Graphic News] Angkor Wat tops list of best UNESCO heritage sites

　Cambodia‘s Angkor Wat has been named the best UNESCO world heritage site in the world, according to a leading international travel website.　The list, which is compiled annually, looks at travelers’ reviews of UNESCO sites on TripAdvisor throughout the year, bringing them together to find the best rated.　India‘s Taj Mahal was named the second-best heritage site, followed by China‘s Great Wall, Machu Picchu and the Iguazu Falls in South America.

WorldDec. 13, 2017