The Korea Herald

FTC to probe excessive auto part prices of imported vehicles

South Korea's antitrust watchdog plans to launch an investigation into consumers' complaints about the overpriced auto parts used in imported foreign vehicles, its top official has said."Consumers' complaints are growing over excessive repair costs of imported vehicles... We are going to look into auto part prices of imported cars in September and October," Noh Dae-lae, head of the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), told reporters during a meeting Thursday. His remarks were embargoed until Sunday.He s

Industry Aug. 31, 2014

Japan's collective self-defense won't lead to military action in S. Korea: Tokyo official

Japan's strengthened defense capabilities will not lead to an unauthorized military landing in South Korea, a Japanese foreign ministry official said, addressing neighboring countries' concerns over his country's recent rearmament moves.After years of preparations, Japan's Cabinet approved on July 1 a reinterpretation of the country's constitution to increase the role of its armed forces, the Self-Defense Forces, allowing it to fight overseas alongside its allies. It was Japan's major turnaround

World News Aug. 31, 2014

S. Korea ranks 8th in global trade volume: report

South Korea ranked eighth in terms of global trade volume during the first half of 2014, one notch higher than the previous year, a report showed Sunday.According to the report by the Institute for International Trade, a research agency, South Korea's trade volume came to US$546.4 billion during the January-June period.The amount is the eighth largest among the 71 major countries surveyed by the agency. South Korea's exports grew 2.5 percent on-year to $283.3 billion during the first half, the s

World News Aug. 31, 2014

US makes airdrop of humanitarian aid in besieged Iraq town: Pentagon

The US military on Saturday made an airlift of humanitarian aid to the besieged town of Amerli, home to thousands of Shia Turkomen cut off by jihadist rebels from receiving food, water, and medical supplies."At the request of the government of Iraq, the United States military today airdropped humanitarian aid to the town of Amerli," said Pentagon press secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby. "The United States Air Force delivered this aid alongside aircraft from Australia, France and the United Kingd

World News Aug. 31, 2014

NK leader satisfied with new factory: KCNA

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a newly built industrial factory and expressed great satisfaction, Pyongyang's state news agency reported Sunday.Kim was satisfied with the plant as he "could hardly find any trace he saw last year," and that the plant "did not look like a factory but a rest home," the North's Korean Central News Agency(KCNA) said in an English-language report monitored in Seoul.He had toured the same factory late last year and named it the October 8 Factory to mark the da

North Korea Aug. 31, 2014

Gov't, ruling party mull hiking 2015 budget by around 5 pct

The government and the ruling party are considering hiking the 2015 budget by about 5 percent, a move apparently aimed at boosting the economy while keeping the country's fiscal status sound. The expansion is lower than the 6 percent increase requested by government ministries and agencies. It is also much lower than the about 10 percent increase in spending that experts have expected since the government unveiled its economy stimulus measures in July."We were briefed on the government's stance

Aug. 31, 2014

GOT7 to drop Japanese debut EP in Oct.

Rookie K-pop band GOT7 will release its Japanese debut EP on Oct. 22, its label JYP Entertainment announced Wednesday. 　 (JYP Entertainment)The debut EP “Around the World” is to include the hip-hop track “So Lucky,” composed and written by 2PM’s Jun. K, and a title song that Korean, Japanese and American producers jointly worked on. 　JYP Entertainment also launched the seven-member band’s Japanese website for fans to access more information about the artists and a detailed schedule for the upcom

Aug. 28, 2014

YG Family to hold joint concert in China

A group of artists under YG Entertainment, dubbed YG Family, will hold a collective concert in October in China, the entertainment powerhouse announced Thursday. 　YG Family is to be reunited for the concert “YG Family 2014 Galaxy Tour: Power in Beijing” to be held on Oct. 19 in China’s capital. The viral sensation Psy will take part in the concert, raising expectations that he might reveal his upcoming track “Daddy” in a performance. Psy recently wrapped up filming its music video in Seoul and B

Aug. 28, 2014

YG Family to hold joint concert in China

Sistar’s Soyou flaunts perfect body in Saipan

Soyou, a member of the K-pop girl group Sistar, shared a photo taken on the exotic island of Saipan that shows her Coke-bottle bodyline on Thursday on her Twitter account. 　She took the photo while resting after filming the music video for Sistar’s upcoming track “I Swear.” “I am enjoying my break time in Saipan. Today, stay tuned for Mnet’s ‘M! Countdown’ to watch our comeback performance,” she said alongside the photo. In the photo, Soyou is lying on a bench playing with her mobile phone and l

Aug. 28, 2014

Sistar’s Soyou flaunts perfect body in Saipan

Kim Hyun-joong delays military service, fans wonder why

South Korean actor and singer Kim Hyun-joong reportedly delayed his mandatory military service until next year due to his schedule, a local news outlet reported Thursday.　Kim was notified that he should enlist in the army on Oct. 7, but postponed due to his concert tour schedule, according to the reports. 　Kim is currently touring five countries -- Thailand, China, Peru, Mexico and Japan. Kim, who just wrapped up a show on Aug. 24 in Thailand, is to travel to China on Aug. 30 for another concert

Aug. 28, 2014

Kim Hyun-joong delays military service, fans wonder why

Heechul turns into ‘Frozen’ character

Heechul of K-pop boy band Super Junior and Kim Jae-kyung of girl group Rainbow transformed into the main characters of the hit film “Frozen.” 　In a photo released on Wednesday on Kim’s Instagram, the two wear costumes for the sisters Anna and Elsa from the animation film. 　Heechul looks like a woman with his make-up, showing off flawless skin. 　Heechul and Kim are to costar in the MBC entertainment show “Tell me your wish” to be aired from September. 　(laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)

Aug. 28, 2014

[팟캐스트](57) 아이스버켓챌린지 열풍 외 2건

1. 아이스버켓챌린지 열풍 　 루게릭병 환우를 돕기 위한 캠패인인 아이스버킷챌린지가 SNS를 통해 급속도로 퍼져나가면서 다른 자선단체들도 젊은 잠재적 기부자들의 참여를 유도하고 그들과 소통할 수 있는 효과적인 방법에 대해 고민하고 있다. ALS 연합회는 7월 29일부터 캠패인 참가자 수를 계산하기 시작하여 백만 명이 넘는 신규 기부자를 모집했다고 밝혔다. 　 팟캐스트: https://itunes.apple.com/kr/podcast/koliaheleoldeu-paskaeseuteu/id686406253?mt=2 팟빵: http://www.podbbang.com/ch/6638 　 Ice Bucket Challenge changes nonprofit world 　 [1] The Ice Bucket Challenge‘s phenomenal success is making other charitable organizations rethink how they

Podcast Aug. 27, 2014

지그재그로 된 고속도로, 운전자들 황당

미국 버지니아의 한 고속도로 라인이 지그재그 형태로 무너지면서 출퇴근길 불편을 초래하고 있다고 외신들이 보도했다.　지난 25일, 미국 버지니아 센터빌의 I-66 고속도로 라인이 제멋대로 움직이면서 운전자들을 당혹시켰다. 고속도로를 재정비 중이던 인부들이 공사 중 임시로 라인을 구분하기 위해 테이프를 붙여 놓았는데 출퇴근 차량이 많아지면서 테이프가 떨어져 나가 제멋대로 움직였기 때문이다.　(Twitter)테이프가 좌우로 움직이는 바람에 고속도로 라인이 사라져 교통 정체와 충돌사고를 일으켰다고 외신들은 밝혔다. 출퇴근 길 운전자들은 그 날 교통상황이 “끔찍”하다고 표현할 정도였다. 　한 운전자는 미국 NBC뉴스에 “제 시간에 출근하기 위해 I-66 도로는 피해 뒷길을 이용해야 했다”고 말했다.　(Twitter)문제가 커지자 그 날 오후 7시경부터 인부들은 고속도로 위 테이프를 다시 고정시켰다. 다음날 아침에야 도로가 정상화됐다. 　버지니아 교통국은 일시적으로 고속도로 라인이 바뀌면서 테

한국어판 Aug. 27, 2014

Meghan Trainor’s ‘All About That Bass’ accused of plagiarizing Korean song

American singer song-writer Meghan Trainor came under suspicion of plagiarizing the Korean song “Happy Mode.” 　The accusation of plagiarism surfaced in Korea earlier this month after a netizen posted a video on YouTube that shows similarities between K-pop group Koyote’s “Happy Mode” and Billboard-ranked track “All About That Bass” sung by Trainor.　 (YouTube)Some netizens pointed out that the beat of American song, released in July, is a bit faster than the Korean one, revealed in 2006. But the

Aug. 26, 2014

Meghan Trainor’s ‘All About That Bass’ accused of plagiarizing Korean song

Winner remains at No.1 for 2 weeks

(YG Entertainment)Rookie K-pop band Winner has stayed at the top of the local music charts for two weeks straight with its debut track as of Tuesday, outshining established idol stars such as Sistar, HyunA, Block B and Girls Day. 　The quintet’s title track “Empty” from its debut EP “2014 S/S” held the No.1 spot for the second consecutive week on three major music charts -- Melon, Genie and Bugs Music -- as of Aug. 26, two weeks after its release on Aug. 12. Their album also topped the Billboard

Aug. 26, 2014

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