[Newsmaker] Will Moon Jae-in clinch resounding victory?

Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea is the favourite to win the presidential race and the political audience’s attention is on whether he will be able to garner more than 50 percent of ballots.Another point of interest is whether the nation’s final turnout will make it past the 80 percent mark for the first time in 20 years, reflecting the public’s aspiration for political reforms.Moon Jae-in, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, and his wife Kim Jung-sook wave to photogr

PoliticsMay 9, 2017

[Newsmaker] Centrist Macron becomes France's youngest president

French voters elected centrist Emmanuel Macron as the country's youngest president ever on Sunday, delivering a resounding victory to the unabashedly pro-European former investment banker and strengthening France's place as a central pillar of the European Union.A crowd of Macron supporters roared with delight at the news, jubilantly waving red, white and blue tricolor flags at a victory party outside the Louvre Museum in Paris.Marine Le Pen, his far-right opponent in the presidential runoff, qu

World NewsMay 8, 2017

[Newsmaker] Hiker killed as wildfires ravage eastern areas

The wildfires in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, and Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, have mostly been extinguished, the authorities said on Sunday. The fire in Samcheok, Gangwon Province, however, remains out of control.The Gangwon Province fires broke out on Saturday, and are thought to have been caused accidentally by hikers. The Sangju incident, also began on Saturday, occurred when a flames from garbage being incinerated at an orchard spread to nearby forest. The Sangju fire has left a 58-ye

Social AffairsMay 7, 2017

[Newsmaker] Korea’s fourth communications satellite launched

Korea launched its fourth broadcasting and communications satellite, Korea Sat-7, Friday, according to Korean satellite operator KT SAT. KT SAT, owned by Korea Telecom, said it launched its new satellite Korea Sat-7, also called Mugunghwa-7, at 7:27 a.m. at the Guiana Space Center at Kourou in French Guiana. The company now operates four satellites, including the Korea Sat-5, Korea Sat-6 and Chollian. “The ICT Ministry has already completed the registration with the International Telecommunicati

IndustryMay 5, 2017

[Newsmaker] US ready for secondary sanctions, more punishments against NK

The US is ready to ramp up pressure against North Korea through additional penalties, secondary sanctions and a tighter implementation of UN resolutions, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Wednesday, adding “a lot of work” is left to maximize its strategy. “So it’s a pressure campaign that has a knob on it. I’d say we’re at about dial setting five or six right now, with a strong call of countries all over the world to fully implement the UN Security Council resolutions regarding sanctions, be

North KoreaMay 4, 2017

[Newsmaker] iPhone sales fall as buyers wait for upgrade

Apple reported falling iPhone sales, highlighting the need to deliver blockbuster new features in the next edition of the flagship device if the company is to fend off rivals like Samsung Electronics.　Investor confidence has been mounting ahead of a major iPhone revamp due later this year. Yet competitors released new high-end smartphones recently, putting pressure on Apple to deliver a device that is advanced enough to entice existing users to upgrade and lure new customers.　Apple sold 50.8 mil

World NewsMay 3, 2017

[Newsmaker] Samsung poised to be world’s largest chipmaker

Samsung Electronics is predicted to become the world’s largest chipmaker in the coming quarter, displacing Intel, which has retained the top spot for the past 24 years. Intel has been the world’s top semiconductor manufacturer since 1993, when it introduced its Pentium-branded processors, which sent sales of personal computers soaring to new heights. However, the recent trends of a continued rise in prices and demand for memory chips are driving Samsung, the world’s largest memory chipmaker, to

IndustryMay 2, 2017

[Newsmaker] Hong threatens to steal Ahn’s thunder

In South Korea’s presidential election, an enigmatic candidate is fast emerging, aiming to duplicate what Donald Trump has done in the United States. Hong Joon-pyo, a star prosecutor-turned conservative firebrand, sparks controversy on his campaign trail about every other day -- from his alleged complicity in a sexual assault attempt to his sexist and homophobic remarks and a pledge to revive the death penalty. Yet, his support rising. Recent surveys from six major research firms give the candid

PoliticsMay 1, 2017

[Newsmaker] Trump says China pressuring North Korea on missile, nukes

President Donald Trump said in a television interview to be aired Sunday that he believes China’s president has been putting pressure on North Korea as it pursues its missile and nuclear weapons programs. In an interview with CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Trump said he won’t be happy if North Korea conducts a nuclear test and that he believes Chinese President Xi Jinping won’t be happy, either. Asked if that means military action, Trump responded: “I don’t know. I mean, we’ll see.” On Saturday, a Nort

North KoreaApril 30, 2017

[Newsmaker] Kumho chief refuses to give up trademark rights of tire unit

Kumho Asiana Group Chairman Park Sam-koo announced Friday that he will not relinquish Kumho Tire’s trademark rights to China’s Doublestar Co., which is currently in negotiations to acquire Korea’s No. 2 tire company. Park had announced last week that he would not exercise his right to buy back the company’s tire-making affiliate, but it appears he is still looking to throw a wrench in Doublestar’s acquisition of the brand, which would allow it to become China’s largest tiremaker.  Kumho Asiana C

IndustryApril 28, 2017

[Newsmaker] Shin solidifies grip on Lotte with reshuffle

Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin is poised firm his grip on his family’s conglomerate, following decision of the group’s four major units Wednesday to merge their investment entities into a central holding company.According to industry analysts, the Shin family is expected to acquire nearly 50 percent of the shares of the newly created holding company. Shin himself will hold 10.56 percent of the shares in the holding company, as his existing stakes in the four Lotte units are converted into st

IndustryApril 27, 2017

[Newsmaker] Ahn, an ‘oddball’ with a penchant for change

People’s Party presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo is something of an oddball in the country’s political arena.In a National Assembly dominated by lawmakers with a background in legal professions, civil service or civic activism, Ahn was one of a handful with a medical background. His entry into the assembly was highly unusual. While many spend years, if not decades, in politics for an opportunity to make an attempt at the presidency, Ahn was first a presidential contender then a lawmaker, runn

PoliticsApril 26, 2017

[Newsmaker] Underdogs struggle to stand out in crowded field

Unlike their top-tier rivals, minority candidates for the upcoming May 9 presidential election have focused on promoting their respective profiles and slogans to the political audience, wasting little time on attacking one another.Instead of offering a comprehensive vision, they have tended to limit their campaigns to a specific areas to underline their signature policies.The nine underdog candidates from No. 6 to No. 15 pose for photo on Monday. (Yonhap)The underdog candidates -- ranked from No

PoliticsApril 25, 2017

[Newsmaker] Conservatives’ ‘progressive dilemma’

In an unprecedented development, the country’s normally united conservatives are divided, with several presidential contenders each claiming they are the “true conservative.”Conservative front-runner Hong Joon-pyo of the Liberty Korea Party claims he is the “legitimate son” of conservativism and that other right-wing groups should support his campaign. Yoo Seong-min of the Bareun Party, meanwhile, claims he is the “conservatives’ new hope.” With conservative voters divided and support ratings at

PoliticsApril 24, 2017

[Newsmaker] Thousands march to fight alternative facts

Thousands of people joined a global March for Science on Saturday with Washington the epicenter of a movement to fight against what many see as an “assault on facts” by populist politicians. 　US President Donald Trump himself passed dozens of protesters on his way to visit wounded soldiers at a military hospital.　“Stop denying the earth is dying,” one sign visible from Trump’s motorcade read.　People with signs attend a rally before the March for Science in New York on Saturday. AFP-Yonhap　Despit

World NewsApril 23, 2017

[Newsmaker] Xi’s distorted history view may spell future trouble for Seoul

The controversy over Chinese President Xi Jinping’s alleged remarks that Korea used to be part of China highlights a slew of sticking points that may vex South Korea’s next president in dealing with an assertive China and the unpredictable Trump leadership. The comments were released by US President Donald Trump in an April 12 interview with the Wall Street Journal. During their summit, Xi explained the history of China and Korea, about “thousands of years ... and many wars. And Korea actually u

PoliticsApril 20, 2017

[Newsmaker] UK leader calls for early election to boost Brexit bid

Delivering the latest jolt in Britain's year of political shocks, Prime Minister Theresa May called Tuesday for a snap June 8 general election, seeking to strengthen her hand in European Union exit talks and tighten her grip on a fractious Conservative Party. 　With the Labour opposition weakened, May’s gamble will probably pay off with an enhanced Conservative majority in Parliament -- but it‘s unlikely to unite a country deeply split over the decision to quit the EU. British Prime Minister Ther

World NewsApril 19, 2017

[Newsmaker] Out of bribery scandal, SK chief readies for Toshiba race

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won is back on track to advance the conglomerate’s global expansion, after being cleared of all prosecutorial charges in a bribery scandal that led to the impeachment of the nation’s elected leader. The prosecution Monday afternoon did not press any charges against Chey, lacking evidence to prove the allegation he had bribed Choi Soon-sil, the longtime friend of former President Park Geun-hye, in exchange for a presidential pardon. The chairman had been banned from lea

IndustryApril 18, 2017

[Newsmaker] Turkey's pugnacious chief Erdogan wins again

If there were a global contest for winning elections, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would see himself as the undisputed -- and undefeated -- heavyweight champion of the world.In the 15 years since his ruling party came to power, Erdogan has taken part in 11 elections -- five legislative polls, two referenda, three local elections and a presidential vote -- and won them all.On Sunday, Erdogan claimed victory in his 12th and arguably biggest ballot-box challenge since his ruling Justice

World NewsApril 17, 2017

[Newsmaker] 5 things to know about US Vice President Mike Pence

US Vice President Mike Pence has embarked on a 10-day, four nation tour of the Asia-Pacific region, arriving in South Korea on Sunday amid tensions over North Korea’s aggressive flaunting of its nuclear and missile program.　Pence will also visit Japan, Indonesia and Australia during his trip, meeting with leaders in the region, military troops and business groups. It is Pence’s second foreign trip as vice president. He traveled to Germany and Belgium in February to meet with NATO and European Un

Foreign AffairsApril 16, 2017