Global hunger has fallen more than a quarter since 2000, but conflict and climate shocks are beginning to reverse these gains, an annual global hunger index said. 　Nearly half of the 119 countries surveyed had “serious,” “alarming” or “extremely alarming” hunger levels between 2012 and 2016, with war-torn Central African Republic worst affected, followed by Chad, Sierra Leone, Madagascar and Zambia. North Korea ranked 27th.　The United Nations said that global hunger levels have risen for the fi

World Oct. 19, 2017

　Canada has been named the most advanced country in the world when it comes to cashless payments, followed by Sweden and the UK, according to a recent study by Forex Bonuses.　The North American country came in at No. 1 largely due to its number of credit cards, averaging about two per person, despite only 26 percent of cards there having contactless capabilities.　The data was based on six metrics, including the number of credit cards and debit cards per person, cards in issue that have contactle

World Oct. 18, 2017

　According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 1 out of 6 South Korean children and youths (elementary, middle school, and high school students) are obese with the rate increasing every year. 　The obesity rate increased from 11.2 percent in 2008 to 14.3 percent in 2010, 14.7 percent in 2012, 15 percent in 2014 and moved up to 16.5 percent in 2016, the data showed.　Also, the data showed that 77.1 percent of children and teens drink soft drinks at least once a week, up from 74.2 percent in 2014

Technology Oct. 17, 2017

　Nearly 70,000 cases of exotic diseases and insect pests were detected at airports and sea ports across South Korea over the last seven years, government data showed, pointing to a possible loophole in the nation’s quarantine system for imports.　The number of interceptions of non-indigenous diseases and insect pests at airports and ports nationwide from 2010 to 2016 amounts to 69,445, according to the data of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency.　The figure ranged from about 7,000 to about 9,0

National Oct. 16, 2017

　A statue symbolizing the victims of Japanese wartime sexual slavery was unveiled in New York, a local Korean association said.　The girl statue was installed inside the Museum of Korean American Heritage in Manhattan following an unveiling ceremony at the site.　Historians estimate that some 200,000 women, mostly from Korea, were forced to work in brothels for Japanese troops during World War II. Korea was a Japanese colony from 1910-45.　The statue is the fourth of its kind in the United States.　

National Oct. 15, 2017

　FIFA has promised to deliver a "transparent" bidding process for the 2026 World Cup after the controversy surrounding the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments to Russia and Qatar.　The successful bid will have to "formally commit to conducting their activities based on sustainable event management principles and to respecting international human rights and labor standards" laid out by the United Nations.　A joint United States-Mexico-Canada bid is the favorite to host the 2026 tournament, wi

Soccer Oct. 12, 2017

　The number of traffic-related deaths in South Korea has been on a steady decline, but still remains in the top level among member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, according to data compiled by Statistics Korea.　Based on the OECD’s criteria, the country’s death rate from traffic accidents reached 10 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2016, which is relatively high. 　In 2014, Mexico recorded 15.7 deaths per 100,000 people, followed by Chile with 12.3, the United Sta

World Oct. 11, 2017

　Technology giant Apple is the best brand in the world, according to the annual Interbrand Best Global Brands Report for 2017. Google once again took second place, while Facebook entered the top 10 this year at eighth.　Tech giant Microsoft displaced beverage brand Coca-Cola from third place this year. Other brands among the top 10 are Amazon, Samsung, Toyota, Facebook, Mercedes-Benz and IBM. 　The report estimated the value of the Apple brand at $184 billion, Google at $142 billion and Samsung at

World Business Oct. 10, 2017

　The German city Dusseldorf was named the best city for driving, according to a German study.　Among the top 10 cities were Zurich, Tokyo and Basel. Kolkata was bottom of the list, followed by Karachi, Lagos, Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, and Mumbai. 　The study examined factors such as congestion, public transport, the average cost of parking, the cost of fuel as well as the frequency and perception of road rage.

World Oct. 9, 2017

　According to the data compiled by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, foreigners spent around 270 billion won ($235 million) in South Korea on plastic surgeries and dermatology treatments last year.　The number of foreigners visiting South Korea for medical purposes came to 452,380 in 2016, with nearly 100,000 of them receiving beauty-related treatments, the data showed. 　Of the foreign patients visiting plastic surgery clinics, Chinese accounted for 57.7 percent, trailed by Japanese with 5.7 pe

World Oct. 8, 2017

　Soft drinks are the most popular drink consumed by South Koreans, followed by coffee, a survey showed.　The survey of 500 people conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs revealed 26.8 percent picked soda as their most favored drink, trailed by coffee at 17.6 percent.　Beverages for a water supplement came next at 17.3 percent, followed by fruit beverages at 15.1 percent and teas at 13.1 percent.　By gender, soft drinks were more popular among men at 28.8 percent compared to

National Oct. 2, 2017

　According to the OECD data released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, South Korea had 2.2 doctors per 1,000 people in 2015, the lowest number among member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.　South Korea scored the lowest in physicians per 1,000 people, with the average being 3.3. The data included licensed physicians practicing Oriental medicine.　Austria ranked top with 5.1 doctors per 1,000 people, followed by Norway with 4.4, Sweden and Switzerland with 4

World Oct. 1, 2017

　Kweather, a governmental body under the Korea Meteorological Administration, forecast that the first appearance of 2017 fall foliage will be on Seoraksan from Wednesday to Thursday. 　Peak colors appear two weeks after the first fall foliage is observed. 　The best of the fall foliage is expected to occur on Odaesan around Oct. 17 and Seoraksan around Oct. 19.

National Sept. 28, 2017

　According to survey data, workers will take an average 8.4 days off and spend 580,000 won during the quickly approaching 10-day Chuseok holiday.　The survey of 858 employees by Hunet, a career education institute, revealed the most common expected expenditure was 300,000 won-500,000 won, at 33.4 percent.　Another 21.4 percent said expenses will be between 500,000 won and 700,000 won. About 17.2 percent said they will spend more than 1 million won, 14.1 percent between 700,000 won and 1 million wo

National Sept. 27, 2017

　According to the IFPI Global Music Report 2016, the United States’ music industry generated $4.9 trillion in 2015, ranking top in the world. 　Japan’s music industry generated $2.63 trillion in 2015, ranking second behind the US. Meanwhile, South Korea’s music industry generated $266 billion in the same year. 　The following are the 10 largest music industries in the world, according to data from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

Culture Sept. 26, 2017