South Korean IT company Will-Be Solution Inc. is expanding its business in Vietnam with its high technology and market specialization, company officials said this week.The company already won a database management project with the State Bank of Vietnam last year, beating out key competitors including international IT giants such as IBM, Oracle and SAP among others, the company said.The project includes developing the bank’s central data infrastructure as well as managing and building the financi

Technology March 12, 2015

A memorial service honoring the late sociologist Ulrich Beck, considered one of Germany’s most renowned intellectuals for his academic works on modernity and future society, will take place in Seoul next week.Joongmin Foundation for Social Theory will hold a commemorative event for Beck, who recently died at age 70 on Jan. 1, under the title “Beyond Risk Society” at the Korea Press Center on Mar. 17, the foundation announced Thursday.Beck first gained prominence for his work “Risk Society: Towar

People March 12, 2015

Im Kwon-taek, one of South Korea’s most renowned film directors, voiced strong concern over the future of the Busan International Film Festival, whose longtime programmer and chief is stepping down after clashes with government authorities over censorship issues. “The current situation is simply deplorable,” Im, 79, said at a public hearing in Seoul on Tuesday regarding recent events surrounding the festival. “As a director who creates and submits his works to film festivals, I wonder who would

Film March 11, 2015

The U.S. is now conducting a thorough review of the APR1400 reactor model, developed by the state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, to determine whether to officially certify its design, the state power operator said Tuesday.The so-called next-generation reactor model ― with larger capacity, longer life span and less costs ― passed a preliminary screening by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission last week.The NRC’s final approval would pave the way for South Korea to export the reactor to the Un

Industry March 10, 2015

The acting deputy U.S. trade representative emphasized Monday that the South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement is a “true win-win for both countries,” as the two countries mark the third anniversary of the deal this month. “I want to emphasize today, that this agreement has truly been win-win (for both countries). … The numbers tell a positive story for U.S. and for Korea,” Wendy Cutler said during an American Chamber of Commerce in Korea’s General Membership Meeting in Seoul. Cutler, who served a

March 9, 2015

KT, one of South Korea’s top three mobile carriers, showcased a number of new technologies based on the ultrafast 5G network service at this year’s Mobile World Congress, the industry’s largest annual gathering, held in Barcelona, Spain, from March 2-5.KT chairman Hwang Chang-gyu delivered a keynote speech, titled “5G and Beyond, Accelerating the Future” in which he shared the company’s latest 5G-based ICT technologies and vision for the 5G era. Industry experts say that the commercialization of

Technology March 6, 2015

The Singapore Environment Council has certified Herald Ecochem with its “Green Label” seal of approval for its development of environmentally friendly plastic that biodegrades in just a few years, company officials said Thursday.Herald Ecochem’s “Eco Bio Plastic Films” have earned the SEC’s certification for “Oxo-Biodegradable Plastic Products,” according to the officials.  The company, a Herald Corp. affiliate that manufactures polyethylene-based sheet films -- the first producer of such eco-fr

Industry March 5, 2015

McKay Kim, who starred in season two of the SBS singing audition program K-pop Star, will officially make his debut in the local music scene this week as part of Shin Seung-hun’s new project aimed at cultivating budding singers.Kim will release his first single “Angel 2 Me” on Friday, according to an announcement by Shin’s agency Dorothy Company Tuesday. An official black-and-white photo of Kim has been uploaded on the agency’s website as well.  McKay Kim (Dorothy Company)Kim’s upcoming single w

Feb. 4, 2015

The churro, a cinnamon-flavored, fried-dough pastry stick originating from Spain, is becoming increasingly popular in South Korea, where more shops are offering the dessert than ever before.　In the past, churros were considered a special treat available only at select locations around the country, including amusement parks, ski resorts and movie theaters. Now, the snack comes in a variety of flavors and can be easily found in urban hotspots. (123rf)The first stores specializing in churros began

Social Affairs Feb. 2, 2015

In South Korea, where endorsement by popular celebrities is the advertising norm, those who create trouble are increasingly having to dole out their own cash for harming the reputation of the company they represent.The Seoul Central District Court ruled Wednesday that comedian Lee Soo-geun, who was sentenced to probation for illegal gambling in 2013, must compensate the company he was representing with 700 million won.The ruling comes after the automotive company Bullsone filed a 20 billion won

Social Affairs Jan. 30, 2015