[Newsmaker] Samsung, LG vie for Europe’s premium market at IFA

BERLIN -- Two South Korean electronics giants are set to square off traditional players in Europe’s premium sector at an annual trade show in the German capital, with Chinese competitors also set to make a fierce move to enter the mass consumer electronics market in the region. Armed with high-end lineups, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics will each hold big events at the IFA that kicks off Friday for a six-day run.For LG, the IFA is a debut stage for its high-end brand SIGNATURE, the compa

TechnologySept. 1, 2016

[Newsmaker] Google to expand Waze carpooling service

Google is preparing to expand a San Francisco carpooling program in a move that could that could set up a showdown with its one-time ally, the popular ride-hailing service Uber.The plans will build upon a test service that Google's navigation app Waze launched three months ago in the San Francisco Bay Area. The program allows anyone using the Waze app to offer a ride to a limited pool of people trying to get to work or home.Now, only people working at six companies, including Google, Wal-Mart St

BusinessAug. 31, 2016

[NEWSMAKER] Rousseff proclaims innocence at impeachment trial

In a session less electric than expected, Brazil’s suspended president proclaimed her innocence at her impeachment trial Monday, branding her vice president a "usurper," calling the drive to oust her a "coup" and warning senators that history will judge them harshly if they oust a democratically elected leader on false charges.  Suspended Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff gestures during her testimony in her impeachment trial at the national congress in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday. (AFP-Yonhap)Dil

World NewsAug. 31, 2016

[NEWSMAKER] Colombian cease-fire to end half-century war

A historic midnight cease-fire on Sunday is set to end a 52-year-old war between the Colombian state and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebels.Hundreds of thousands of Colombians have died since 1964 as rebel armies and gangs battled in the jungles in what is considered Latin America's last major civil armed conflict. FARC rebel leader Rodrigo Londono, better known as Timochenko talks to the press in Havana,Cuba, Sunday. (AP-Yonhap)FARC on Sunday issued the order for its fighters to

World NewsAug. 31, 2016

[NEWSMAKER] Ahn signals at 2017 presidential bid

The People’s Party’s former chairman Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo on Sunday strongly indicated a second presidential bid, vowing to change politics, the lives of the people and the administration with “reasonable reform.”Speaking at a press conference after hiking up Mudeungsan in Gwangju, Ahn said, “I would like to revisit Mudeungsan next winter when it will be covered by propitious snow. I would like to once again meet the morning of Mudeungsan that spells an end to the outdated era to open a new one.” 

PoliticsAug. 28, 2016

[Newsmaker] Top exec's death deepens Lotte crisis

Lotte Group fell further into crisis Friday after the conglomerate’s second man in the management was found dead in apparent suicide, with him set to face prosecution interrogation on the same day.Lee In-won, the retail giant’s vice chairman, the highest-ranking executive as a non-family member, appears to have committed suicide, the police said. His body was found at a walking trail in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, at around 7 a.m. Lee left a note in his car, apologizing to his family for endi

IndustryAug. 26, 2016

[Newsmaker] PR legend questioned on lobbying

Working in public relations in South Korea has often been favored by college graduates, particularly among women concerned about the male-centered hierarchy of the corporate world.In such positions, English fluency and well-rounded communication skills are required, as the primary job function is dealing with clients and the press. Over a short period, a few figures have built up the reputation of PR professionals, portraying a general image of them being vibrant, career-seeking women. News Comm

IndustryAug. 24, 2016

[Newsmaker] Park's estranged sister probed for fraud

The prosecution has commenced investigation into Park Geun-ryoung, the estranged sister of President Park Geun-hye, upon a report by Lee Seok-su, a special inspector under the presidential office, reports said Tuesday.Lee filed the report on July 21 against the younger Park and her unidentified acquaintance. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office is looking into the case.Park Geun-ryoung (Yonhap)Park Geun-ryoung, 62, is suspected of exaggerating her influence, borrowing 100 million won a

PoliticsAug. 23, 2016

[NEWSMAKER] Mixed views on Samsung Electronics stock

After a two-day record-breaking rally, Samsung Electronics shares on Monday took a breather, closing 0.6 percent lower than the previous session. As soon as the Seoul market opened, Samsung Electronics shot to another intraday high of 1,692,000 won, but lost all of its gains on heavy foreign profit-taking. After choppy trading, it settled at 1,665,000 won at close. Local stock analysts seem mixed on the future direction of the market bellwether stock, which alone accounts for nearly 20 percent o

Aug. 22, 2016

[Newsmaker] Omran, one child of millions scarred by Syria war

BEIRUT (AP) -- Syrian opposition activists have released haunting footage showing a young boy rescued from the rubble in the aftermath of a devastating airstrike in Aleppo.The image of the stunned and weary looking boy, sitting in an orange chair inside an ambulance covered in dust and with blood on his face, encapsulates the horrors inflicted on the war-ravaged northern city and is being widely shared on social media. 5-year-old Omran Daqneesh sits in an ambulance after being pulled out of a bu

World NewsAug. 18, 2016

[Newsmaker] Trump picks media provocateur as campaign CEO

NEW YORK (AFP) - Donald Trump on Wednesday shook up his campaign team for a second time in just two months, fending off suggestions that his presidential run is in crisis as polls show Hillary Clinton cruising toward victory.The Republican White House nominee, who is tanking in swing states, hired a news executive from a virulently anti-Clinton website as his campaign chief executive and promoted a leading Republican strategist to campaign manager.Stephen Bannon is executive chairman of Breitbar

World NewsAug. 18, 2016

[Newsmaker] Runners help each other after fall, lifting Olympic spirit

New Zealand runner Nikki Hamblin was lying on the track, dazed after a heavy fall and with her hopes of an Olympic medal seemingly over. Suddenly, there was a hand on her shoulder and a voice in her ear: "Get up. We have to finish this.''      It was American Abbey D'Agostino, offering to help.      "I was like, 'Yup, yup, you're right. This is the Olympics Games. We have to finish this,'" Hamblin said.      It was a scene to warm the hearts of fans during a qualifying heat of the women's 5,000

Olympic GamesAug. 17, 2016

[Newsmaker] Top Park aide named minister of culture

The appointment of Cho Yoon-sun, one of the most trusted confidants of President Park Geun-hye, as the new culture minister is expected to boost the current administration during its last 18 months in power.The lawyer-turned-politician first surfaced in political circles in 2002 as a spokesperson of the then Grand National Party. After joining the legislature as a proportional representative in 2008, she soon blended into the pro-Park clique, serving as spokesperson for the party during the 2012

PoliticsAug. 16, 2016

[NEWSMAKER] South Korea hit by abnormal heat wave

Seoul has seen the most heat wave days this summer since 1994, while southern port city Busan has recorded its highest temperature in more than a century, according to the state weather agency.Over the weekend, Seoul continued to see daily high temperatures of around 33 degrees Celsius that began last week and daily lows of over 25 degrees Celsius, according to the Korea Meteorological Agency.The temperature soared to 37.3 degrees Celsius in Busan on Sunday, a record high since 1904. Its morning

Social AffairsAug. 15, 2016

[Newsmaker] Park's pardon clears hurdle for CJ’s global expansion

President Park Geun-hye’s surprising decision to free CJ Group chairman Lee Jay-hyun on Friday is expected to clear hurdles for the group’s struggling strategy to go global. Chairman Lee also apologized to the people for causing concerns and vowed he would devote his life to the country. Workers walk from CJ Group`s office in Seoul on Friday. (Yonhap)“I thank the president and the people for giving me a chance to receive treatment and to return (to business),” he said in a statement.“I will reco

IndustryAug. 12, 2016

[Newsmaker] Rise of Park ally to reopen Saenuri divide

Rep. Lee Jung-hyun, the newly elected chairman of the ruling conservative Saenuri Party, may have vowed an end to factionalism and regionalism, but his obvious intimacy with President Park Geun-hye is expected to deepen the crack between the pro-presidential and non-Park cliques.While the pro-Park group set to tighten its bond with Cheong Wa Dae during what remains of Park’s term in office, the fringe group is expected to struggle for power recovery, especially with next year’s presidential elec

PoliticsAug. 11, 2016

[Newsmaker] Lee 1st Saenuri party leader from Jeolla

The ruling Saenuri Party’s new leader Rep. Lee Jung-hyun began his political career in 1985 by joining the Democratic Justice Party, South Korea’s ruling party, where he was a rank-and-file member from 1980 to 1988. He then joined the Saenuri Party’s precursor Grand National Party and won his first lawmaker’s seat in 2008 through proportional representation.  Rep. Lee Jung-hyun, the newly-elected leader of Saenuri Party, speaks while campaigning for the ruling party leadership last Wednesday in

PoliticsAug. 9, 2016

[Newsmaker] Phelps bids for astonishing 20th gold

Michael Phelps will set his sights on a record-extending 20th Olympic swimming gold on Tuesday when he tries to wrest back the 200m butterfly title from Chad le Clos.Katie Ledecky will also be battling for another key swimming title on an Olympic day in which 14 golds will be up for grabs.Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time has already topped the podium in Rio after the USA's 4x100m win, and will now go for individual glory at the age of 31. United States` Michael Phelps competes in

Olympic GamesAug. 9, 2016

[Newsmaker] Japan’s emperor says ‘difficult’ to fulfill duties

TOKYO (AFP) -- Japanese Emperor Akihito said Monday he is concerned his weakening health may make it hard to fulfil his duties, in a speech seen as signalling a possible future abdication.“I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being as I have done until now,” he said in an address to the nation.　“There are times when I feel various constraints such as in my physical fitness,” the 82-year-old said.(AFP)Akihito spoke obliqu

World NewsAug. 8, 2016

[Newsmaker] Tesla may have limited effect on Korean market

Despite anticipation that Tesla Motors might make inroads in South Korea this year, the American electric vehicle maker might fail to capture significant market share due to its high prices, industry watchers said Thursday. Tesla will reportedly open flagship stores in Korea, with one in shopping mall Starfield in Hanam, a southeastern satellite city of Seoul, and the other possibly in Gangnam, southern Seoul. “Tesla’s presence in Starfield Hanam is confirmed. It may open the store at the end of

MobilityAug. 4, 2016