Singer-rapper Jessi has been cleared of charges in a case involving the assault of a fan by someone accompanying her, Seoul police said Thursday. The Gangnam Police Station in southern Seoul said it decided not to send Jessi's case to the prosecution, concluding that it is difficult to acknowledge the charges of concealing and aiding the escape of a criminal against her. The incident occurred on the night of Sept. 29 in southern Seoul, where an 18-year-old fan approached Jessi for a photo

K-pop Nov. 7, 2024

Netmarble Corp., a South Korean game developer, said Thursday it swung to net profit in the third quarter on steady sales of its webtoon-based game title Solo Leveling: ARISE. The company posted a net income of 20.6 billion won ($14.8 million) for the July-September period, shifting from a loss of 28.4 billion won a year earlier, according to a regulatory filing. Operating income was 65.5 billion, compared with a loss of 21.9 billion won a year ago, while sales rose 2.6 percent to 647.3 billion

Technology Nov. 7, 2024

South Korean stocks finished slightly higher to end a two-session losing streak Thursday as investors scurry to gauge the potential impact of the upcoming President-elect Donald Trump administration's policy on key sectors like semiconductors, EV batteries and shipbuilding. The Korean won edged down against the US dollar. After opening slightly lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 1.12 points, or 0.04 percent, to close at 2,564.63. Trade volume was moderate at 447 mi

Market Nov. 7, 2024

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul voiced confidence Thursday that South Korea will deepen the relationship with the incoming US administration of President-elect Donald Trump, based on the solid foundation of cooperation in areas across the board. Cho's remark came after Trump won Tuesday's presidential election, a victory that raises expectations in South Korea of major policy shifts from the Joe Biden administration in a way that could shake up the bilateral alliance with Washington. &quo

Politics Nov. 7, 2024

President Yoon Suk Yeol held a phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday to congratulate him on his "landslide victory," and they agreed to hold an in-person meeting at an early date, according to Yoon's office. Yoon congratulated Trump on his victory with the "Make America Great Again" slogan and expressed hope for continued collaboration with the United States under his leadership, Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo told reporters.

Foreign Affairs Nov. 7, 2024

South Korean stocks opened lower Thursday on concerns over a shift in US trade and economic policies following former US President Donald Trump's comeback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 8.27 points, or 0.32 percent, to 2,555.24 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, major US indexes closed at record highs after Trump won the 2024 US presidential election as investors expected lower taxes and deregulation. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 3.5 percent, an

Market Nov. 7, 2024

South Korea racked up a current account surplus for the fifth consecutive month in September, driven by robust exports, central bank data showed Thursday. The country's current account surplus reached $11.12 billion in September, marking a surplus for the fifth consecutive month following a $6.5 billion surplus in August, according to data compiled by the Bank of Korea. The country's goods account racked up a $10.67 billion surplus in September following a $6.52 billion surplus the mon

Economy Nov. 7, 2024

President Yoon Suk Yeol and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Mark Rutte held a phone conversation Wednesday to discuss coordinated responses to North Korea's troop deployment to Russia in support of its war in Ukraine. Yoon held his third phone talks with Rutte in less than a month, following a South Korean delegation's recent visit to NATO, the European Union and Ukraine to discuss North Korea's troop dispatch to Russia. During the call, Yoon said Seoul is

Foreign Affairs Nov. 6, 2024

South Korean trade authorities on Wednesday began discussing strategies in response to potential US trade policies under Donald Trump's second term as president. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said it convened an emergency meeting to review potential policy responses centered around Trump's campaign pledges. The ministry has been closely monitoring and analyzing the possible impacts of the US election outcome on major industries, including semiconductors, automobiles, batte

Industry Nov. 6, 2024

The South Korean currency fell sharply against the US dollar during intra-day trading Wednesday after Donald Trump won the US presidential election. The South Korean won was trading at 1,400.5 won to the dollar as of 8:20 p.m., marking the first time to surpass the 1,400 won threshold since April 16. The won opened at 1,374 won at 9 a.m., up 4.6 won from the previous session. But the won-dollar rate reversed course in the morning, with the US dollar strengthening on news that Trump held an advan

Economy Nov. 6, 2024

South Korea's major business organizations on Wednesday joined in congratulating Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election, urging him to strengthen Seoul-Washington cooperation. The Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry congratulated Trump on his election victory, emphasizing that the Korea-US trade and economic partnership is anchored in a strong security alliance. The KCCI expressed hope for continued bilateral relations under the incoming Trump administration, adding

Industry Nov. 6, 2024

A second Donald Trump administration is expected to bring shifts and unpredictability to the US-South Korea alliance, potentially increasing pressure on Seoul to take on a larger share of the burden as a US ally, experts said Wednesday. Another key focus will be how Trump might address North Korea's denuclearization, especially amid growing skepticism about Washington's commitment to this goal, as well as his approach to Russia's war in Ukraine, where North Korean troops have been

Foreign Affairs Nov. 6, 2024

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may seek another summit over its nuclear program with US President-elect Donald Trump following his second-term win, but the chances for a meaningful deal appear to be lower, given the North's enhanced nuclear capabilities, analysts said. During his first term, Trump hosted the first-ever summit between American and North Korean leaders with Kim in Singapore in 2018, followed by another summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, the next year. But they failed to produce a dea

North Korea Nov. 6, 2024

President-elect Donald Trump is expected to reorient America's approach to the alliance with South Korea, North Korea's nuclear quandary, trade and other key policy issues, experts said, as he is poised to put his "America First" credo front and center. Trump's second-term administration would return to a diplomatic playbook that could put pressure on US allies to jack up their defense spending and take greater security responsibilities, and curtail the United States

Politics Nov. 6, 2024

With former US President Donald Trump's successful reelection to the White House, South Korean industries with major investments in America may be expected to realign their US business strategies amid an anticipated shift in Washington's economic and trade policies. Many in the South Korean business community forecast a second Trump administration to pursue strong protectionist trade policies centered on American interests. In particular, industries here are closely watching the poss

Industry Nov. 6, 2024