The Korea Herald

S. Korea's spy agency denies breaking into Indonesian envoys' hotel room

South Korea's spy agency denied a local media report on Monday that its agents had broken into an Indonesian presidential delegation's hotel room last week in Seoul to steal sensitive arms procurement information. Quoting an unnamed senior official, the Chosun Ilbo said that a trio, who had broken into the suite room of the Lotte Hotel in downtown Seoul and fled after a delegation member saw

Politics Feb. 21, 2011

Obama talks jobs with Jobs, other tech leaders

Obama talks jobs with Jobs, other tech leaders WOODSIDE, California (AP) _ President Barack Obama assembled someof the biggest names in Silicon Valley to confer on jobs and innovation, trying to get leaders from companies like Google and Apple behind his push to keep spending on high-tech initiatives even as Republicans push to slash the budget. Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, Google chief e

Technology Feb. 19, 2011

Four savings banks suspended

The Financial Services Commission suspended operations of four savings banks on Saturday, following its similar sanction against three debt-saddled players since January.The regulator announced that it halted businesses of Busan II Savings Bank, Jungang Busan Savings Bank, Jeonju Savings Bank and Bohae Savings Bank for six months until Aug. 18.The series of measures against distressed savings bank

Feb. 19, 2011

Court rules in favor of JYJ in a dispute with SM Entertainment

JYJ, a pop trio consisting of members from one of Asia’s favorite groups, “Dong Bang Shin Ki,” has won its legal battle to work independently from its management company.When three members of the quintet, namely Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun, and Kim Junsu (more commonly known as Hero, Micky and Xia), formed JYJ, SM Entertainment claimed the action was a breach of contract. JYJ members Kim Jun-su (le

Performance Feb. 18, 2011

Court rules in favor of JYJ in a dispute with SM Entertainment

Seoul shares end 1.82 pct higher on bargain hunting

South Korean stocks ended 1.82 percent higher Friday as investors hunted for bargains following recent bearish trading, analysts said. The local currency gathered ground against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 35.92 points to 2,013.14, ending above the 2,000-point level for the first time in three sessions. Trading volume was heavy at 488.9 mi

Feb. 18, 2011

EU-Korea FTA brings huge economic benefit: EU diplomat

A free trade pact between South Korea and the EU will bring great economic benefit to both sides, and break ground for the consolidation of the two markets, an EU diplomat said Friday. On Thursday, the European Parliament approved the free trade pact with South Korea, bringing it one step closer to coming into force this July. Seoul and Brussels signed their bilateral free trade agreement (

Feb. 18, 2011

Court fines teacher for hitting student on the hands

A Seoul court ordered a high school teacher to pay damages for hitting a student on the hands, giving her bruises and inflammations, officials said Friday. The Seoul Northern District Court ordered the 52-year-old female teacher, identified only by her surname, No, to pay her former student 2.54 million won ($2,280) in compensation and medical expenses, court officials said. The student, ident

Social Affairs Feb. 18, 2011

200 people break into S. Korean-run construction site in Libya

About 200 people forced their way into a South Korean-run construction site in Libya, and half of them are still occupying the site, the foreign ministry said Friday. Discontent over the government's housing policy is believed to be a reason for the intrusion in Derna in eastern Libya at around 12:30 a.m. (local time) Thursday, the ministry said. A similar incident happened at the same site las

Foreign Affairs Feb. 18, 2011

U.S. expects further N. Korean provocations within months: Adm. Willard

WASHINGTON -- The United States Thursday warned of further provocations from North Korea within months as part of the ongoing effort by leader Kim Jong-il to cede power to his youngest son. Adm. Robert Willard, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, however, told a forum here that he saw "no signs that I'm aware of that they're preparing for near-term missile tests." Reports said that North

North Korea Feb. 18, 2011

EU Parliament OKs free trade pact with S. Korea

The European Parliament approved a free trade pact with South Korea on Thursday, bringing it one step closer to coming into force this July, diplomatic sources said. The trade accord, adopted in Strasbourg, France, during the European Parliament's plenary session, is the most ambitious free trade pact the European Union (EU) has so far negotiated, and the first of its kind with an Asian country

Feb. 18, 2011

Samsung launches new 3D smart TV line

Samsung Electronics Co., the world's largest flat-screen TV maker, said Thursday it released a new line of full HD smart 3D televisions that help viewers get better access to online content and use social networking services. The smart TV line, which comes in 46-inch and 55-inch, is part of Samsung's attempt to grab a larger share of the blooming smart TV market. Samsung aims to sell 12 millio

Technology Feb. 17, 2011

S. Korean sailor from fishing vessel freed from pirates dies in Kenya

A South Korean sailor from a fishing vessel freed recently from Somali pirates apparently fell to his death from his hotel in Kenya on Wednesday, a foreign ministry official said. Kim Yong-hyun, 68, one of the 43 crew members of the Keummi 305 released last week after four months in the hands of Somali pirates, died at 2:25 a.m. Wednesday (local time) apparently after falling from his third-fl

Social Affairs Feb. 17, 2011

S. Korean watchdog suspends 2 savings banks

South Korea's financial regulator on Thursday suspended operations of the country's biggest savings bank and one of its affiliates due to capital shortages triggered by mounting insolvent construction project financing (PF) loans. The Financial Services Commission (FSC) said it suspended Busan Savings Bank, the top savings bank by assets based in the port city of Busan, and its affiliate Daeje

Feb. 17, 2011

S. Korean watchdog suspends 2 savings banks

N. Korea's nuke weapons, ballistic missiles pose serious threat to U.S.: Clapper

WASHINGTON -- North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles pose a serious threat to the United States, the chief U.S. intelligence official said Wednesday. North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and his son Jong-un attend a ceremony marking the 65th founding anniversary of the Workers’ Party in Pyongyang on Oct. 10. (Yonhap News)"North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs also pose a seri

North Korea Feb. 17, 2011

N. Korea's nuke weapons, ballistic missiles pose serious threat to U.S.: Clapper

Seoul shares open higher on U.S. economic optimism

South Korean stocks started higher on Thursday as investor sentiment got a boost from Wall Street gains sparked by growing optimism about the U.S. economic recovery, analysts said. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 11.36 points, or 0.57 percent, to trade at 2,000.47 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Tech shares were in focus with market leader Samsung Electr

Feb. 17, 2011

Articles by Yang Sung-jin