Foreigners visiting South Korea generally enjoyed eating traditional dishes but said some were overly spicy, a poll conducted by a state-run tourism agency said Sunday.According to the Korea Tourism Organization, 66.3 percent of the 974 people surveyed in February said they were satisfied with Korean food, with 31.4 percent saying it was "alright" and 2.3 percent expressing dissatisfaction. (Yonhap)Among those that complained about local food, 46.1 percent cited the spiciness as a problem, with

Food June 5, 2017

The Seoul metropolitan government said Sunday it will operate an inter-city bus connecting major tourist attractions in South Korea starting this week to provide visitors a chance to explore the many hidden treasures in the country.The "K-travel Bus" exclusively serves foreign tourists, residents and students who want to travel outside the capital city, to boost travel to smaller cities and rural areas, a municipal official said. The initial two-day tours will run till the end of the year.This p

Expat Living June 5, 2017

South Korea's current account surplus rose slightly in April from a year earlier on an increased surplus in the goods account, central bank data showed Monday.The country's current account surplus reached $4 billion in April, compared with a surplus of $3.76 billion tallied a year ago, according to the preliminary data from the Bank of Korea. The figure represents a surplus for 62 months in a row. The current account is the biggest measure of cross-border trade.The BOK said the goods account sur

Economy June 5, 2017

South Korea's foreign exchange reserves hit a record high in May due to a hike in the value of non-dollar currencies when converted into the US greenback, central bank data showed Monday.As of the end of May, the country's foreign exchange reserves came to $378.46 billion, up $1.89 billion from the previous month, the Bank of Korea said in a statement.Foreign exchange reserves consist of securities and deposits denominated in overseas currencies, as well as International Monetary Fund reserve po

Economy June 5, 2017

South Korean stocks opened higher Monday to reach a new record during the trading session.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index edged up 3.13 points, or 0.13 percent, to 2,374.85 in the first 15 minutes of trading.The KOSPI reached 2,376.83 at one point, setting a new record in terms of during-session figures.Tech shares traded mixed, with Samsung Electronics advancing 0.22 percent and SK hynix losing 0.53 percent. Top carmaker Hyundai Motors rose 0.92 percent, while its sister Kia Mot

Market June 5, 2017

South Korean Kim In-kyung has won for the fifth time in her LPGA career.Kim beat Anna Nordqvist by two strokes to win the ShopRite LPGA Classic at Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club's Bay Course in Galloway, New Jersey, on Sunday (local time).Kim fired a two-under 69 in the final round for a three-round total of 11-under 202 in her first victory of 2017, and cashed in $225,000 in the winner's check. Nordqvist, two-time defending champion, also carded a two-under 69.Kim In-kyung of South Korea

Golf June 5, 2017

WASHINGTON -- The United States should reassure North Korea and China it's not seeking regime change in Pyongyang and set aside set aside "secondary" issues, such as addressing human rights abuses, in order to focus on the No. 1 priority of denuclearization, former top US officials said.John Deutch, a former CIA director who also served as deputy defense secretary, and Gary Samore, a former White House coordinator for weapons of mass destruction, made the suggestion, arguing China can exercise r

North Korea June 5, 2017

WASHINGTON -- The State Department urged North Korea on Sunday to stop destabilizing actions and rhetoric, and return to talks after Pyongyang rejected a UN Security Council sanctions resolution and vowed to further enlarge its nuclear arsenal.The North's Foreign Ministry made the statement earlier Sunday, calling the Security Council resolution "a crafty hostile act with the purpose of putting a curb on the DPRK's buildup of nuclear forces, disarming it and causing economic suffocation to it."

North Korea June 5, 2017

Rising South Korean tennis player Chung Hyeon pushed Japanese star Kei Nishikori to the limit before falling in the weather-delayed third round match at the French Open on Sunday.Nishikori, world No. 9, beat the 67th-ranked Chung 3-2 (7-5, 6-4, 6<4)>-7, 0-6, 6-4) to advance to the round of 16 for the third straight year at Roland Garros.Chung Hyeon of South Korea hits a shot against Kei Nishikori of Japan during their third round match at the French Open at Roland Garros, Paris, on June 4, 2017.

More Sports June 5, 2017

South Korea's foreign minister-designate said Friday that the victims should be at the center of any efforts to resolve the long-running dispute over Japan's wartime sexual slavery of Korean women.Kang Kyung-wha made the remarks following her earlier visit to a house sheltering some of those victims. Known for her expertise on human rights at the United Nations for the past decade, Kang was recently tapped to lead the country's foreign ministry. A confirmation hearing for her is scheduled for ne

Social Affairs June 2, 2017

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon visited a number of political elders Friday as part of a series of courtesy calls marking the start of his term.Lee, a former provincial governor and lawmaker, took office Wednesday after the National Assembly endorsed his nomination by President Moon Jae-in. Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon (R) pays a courtesy call on Son Myung-soon, the widow of former President Kim Young-sam, at her home in Sangdo-dong, southern Seoul, on June 2, 2017. (Yonhap)On his second full day in of

Politics June 2, 2017

SINGAPORE -- South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo said Friday he will clarify the new government's position on the issue of deploying THAAD in talks here with US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis this week.They are scheduled to meet bilaterally on Saturday on the sidelines of the Asia Security Summit set to open in Singapore.Han pointed out President Moon Jae-in's view that the US missile defense system is being deployed without South Korea's "domestic procedural justification."South Korean D

Defense June 2, 2017

Nearly 4 in 10 employed South Koreans in their late 30s and 60s are interested in second jobs after retirement or are currently making preparations to that end, a poll said Friday.According to the survey of 1,213 people aged between 35 and 69, 30.1 percent of the respondents said they were interested in preparing to land new jobs after stopping their current work because it was considered necessary. Retired people hold a news conference in Seoul on May 24, 2017, to urge government efforts to cre

Social Affairs June 2, 2017