Korea’s public debt jumped by more than 50 trillion won ($46 billion) in the first quarter of this year as governments and public corporations increased borrowing to meet their financial needs, data showed Sunday.According to the data by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and the Bank of Korea, debts owed by the central government, provincial administrations, state-invested companies and social

Industry June 19, 2011

Cnet.com, a major U.S. technology review site, selected Samsung Electronics Co.’s plasma display panel (PDP) TVs as the best TV of the year, industry sources said Sunday.Cnet said the D8000 series, which consists of a string of Samsung’s PDP TV models, outperformed rivals’ products released in the U.S. market this year, according to a Samsung official.Judges of the U.S. review site evaluated desig

Industry June 19, 2011

South Korea will help small business owners and improve welfare for low-income earners to boost domestic demand, said Vice Finance Minister Yim Jong -yong.Ordinary people have real sentiment over the economy lags economic indices, Yim told reporters in Gwacheon. To narrow the gap, the government will prepare policies to support small- to medium-sized businesses and the service and tourism industri

Industry June 19, 2011

KDB Financial Group Inc. denied a news report that the state-owned company plans to acquire banking businesses of Korea Post.KDB officials said Saturday that the company has not reviewed such plan. The report came after the government went against a move by KDB to take over the public-funded Woori Financial Group. KDB has sought to become a “mega” bank in Korea to expand its business overseas.(shi

June 19, 2011

California Travel and Tourism Commission is holding its “2011 California Travel Mission” event June 27-28 at Seoul Plaza Hotel to develop and promote travel products with South Korean tourism industry officials. Recognizing the high potential of Korea as a source market, major city tourism boards, hotels, retailers and tourism-related companies from the U.S. will attend the event. Travel agencies

Travel June 17, 2011

2011 Singapore Food Festival will take place from July 15-24 under the theme, “Curry and Spice.” Singapore cuisines are often harmonized with lots of herbs and spices such as lemongrass, chili, shrimp paste and coconut milk. More than 60 food stalls will line up near Clarke Quay Road Bridge in SFF Village, Singapore Tourism Board said. Little India and Kampong Glam districts will hold diverse even

Travel June 17, 2011

Five young entrepreneurs from Stuttgart and Berlin have just launched “pocketvillage,” an international search engine for adventure travel at ITB Berlin. The new travel platform allows holiday makers to compare more than 11,000 extraordinary tours, activities and accommodation at the same time. The technological highlights include a refined search process which offers travelers personalization of

Travel June 17, 2011

Oakwood Premier Coex Center offers an “Early Summer Package” for a mini-getaway. The package includes a one-night stay, complimentary breakfast for one person, complimentary use of the fitness center, indoor swimming pool, sauna and indoor golf range. Package users can rent two DVD movies at the business center on the 5th floor. Oakwood Premier Coex Center is connected to a variety of entertainmen

Travel June 17, 2011

The American Academy of Pediatrics advised mothers to use an adequate amount of sunscreen on babies less than six months old. It said the general notion that infants do not sunburn is false and that UV-induced pigmentation, starting with baby’s first exposure to summer sun, may contribute to the development of skin cancer later. According research conducted by Dr. May Paller, skin on the backs or

Technology June 16, 2011

Blood-sugar-level measuring kits for diabetes patients will be covered by national health insurance from July, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Wednesday. According to a ministry official, it costs about 50,000 won a month ($46) if one uses six kits every day. The new plan will cover 30,000 won of the monthly cost. This will help 40,000 patients nationwide save 15 billion won a year, the mi

Technology June 16, 2011