Latest News

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  Romanian labor law expert advises S. Korea to rebuild work-life balance environment SEOUL -- Corneliu Bente, the president of Romania's national labor law expert union, has urged that South Korean firms should create a work culture that places importance on work-life balance. The president, who is also a lecturer at Romania's labor relations expert training center "LexAcademy Romania," said low fertility rate would be maintained if citizens are excessively focused on their career. Currently, South Korea's labor law allows 40 hours of regular 2023-05-26
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  S. Korea to lead food safety policies in Asia-Pacific region through consultative body 'APFRAS' SEOUL -- South Korea was selected to lead food policies through a consultative body for heads of food regulators in the Asia-Pacific region. The joint body was founded to establish a safe food distribution infrastructure and handle various problems in the global food sector. The consultative body called "Asia-Pacific Food Regulatory Authority Summit (APFRAS)" was launched to respond to rapidly changing food environments and issues in the Asia-Pacific region, the Ministry 2023-05-26
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  [OPINION] "Memorial Day – Reflection and Renewal" KENOSHA -- Memorial Day, celebrated on May 29, is cause for contemplation as well as ceremonies. Parades featuring people in uniform – those currently serving, those who 2023-05-26
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  S. Korea succeeds in launching homemade rocket into space SEOUL -- South Korea has successfully launched the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-2 (KSLV-2), known as "Nuri" rocket, putting satellites into orbit at an altitude of 550 kilometers (341 miles). A state-run research station in Antarctica has also communicated with the homegrown rocket's main satellite. The third Nuri carrying a commercial satellite started at a rocket launch site located in Goheung some 330 kilometers south of Seoul at 6:24 p.m (0924 GMT) on May 25. The ro 2023-05-25
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  Big Hit to host festival in Seoul to celebrate BTS' 10th debut anniversary SEOUL -- BTS' agency will greet fans through "2023 BTS FESTA", an online festival that will be held in June to celebrate the group's 10th debut anniversary. The seven-member band debuted on June 13, 2013. Big Hit, the band's agency, uploaded a promotional video of BTS FESTA on Twitter to tell fans about the annual event, which will begin on June 12. Without disclosing specific information, the agency said the 14-day festival will take place at various attracti 2023-05-25
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  ​Court dismisses arrest warrant for actor Yoo Ah-in over drug use SEOUL -- A South Korean court has dismissed an arrest warrant for Yoo Ah-in, a promising actor on charges of drug use. Prosecutors have requested the warrant on suspicion of five illegal drugs including cocaine, propofol, a powerful anesthetic, and zolpidem, a sedative primarily used for the treatment of insomnia. "It is difficult to conclude that there is apprehension for the suspect of destroying evidence or fleeing beyond the scope of his right to defend himself," Lee 2023-05-25
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  BTS member J-Hope completes basic training at army boot camp SEOUL -- BTS' main dancer J-Hope has completed his basic training at an army boot camp located in Wonju some 86.8 kilometers (53.9 miles) east of Seoul. After receiving a military occupational specialty, the 29-year-old will be assigned to his unit where he would spend the rest of his time with fellow soldiers for about 16 months and three weeks. In South Korea, all able-bodied males aged 18 to 28 must do their military service unless they have a valid reason for exemption. Tho 2023-05-24
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  [OPINION] The G7 and the Framework for Peace KENOSHA -- Government leaders of the influential Group of Seven (G7) met in Japan during May 19-21. Last June, they gathered at the elegant Schloss Elmau, in picturesque Bavari 2023-05-24
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  S. Korea postpones launch of homemade rocket due to technical problems SEOUL -- South Korea has postponed the launch of Korea Space Launch Vehicle-II, nicknamed "Nuri," due to technical problems found about two and a half hours before launch. The science ministry said that a communication problem occurred between a computer that controls the low-temperature helium supply valves and its counterpart computer installed at the launch facility. The first Nuri carrying a dummy satellite was fired into space in October 2021 but it failed to put the 2023-05-24
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  Researchers find dramatic weight change could increase mortality risk for middle-aged and older people SEOUL -- Researchers have found that dramatic weight change could increase the risk of death for people aged 40 and older. The research team said those experiencing such changes of more than three percent of their total weight during a two-year period without any clear reasons are required to visit a doctor and thoroughly check their body. A joint research team consisting of endocrinologists at Samsung Medical Center and Daegu Catholic University Medical Center has confirmed the re 2023-05-24
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  EU loosens regulation over exports of S. Korean instant noodles SEOUL -- The European Union has decided to loosen regulations over imported instant noodle products, including South Korean instant noodles called "Ramyeon," by simplifying the safety verification process. Previously, the EU requested test papers that certify imported instant noodles do not contain residues of ethylene oxide and its metabolite 2-chloroethanol which could be found in soup powders of some products. Ethylene oxide (EO) is widely used as a fumigating agent fo 2023-05-24
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  Seoul to use sewage gas to generate electricity SEOUL -- Seoul will establish a 20-megawatt-hour fuel cell facility at a sewage treatment center to use biogas generated during the sewage treatment process for fuel cells' energy. The city will work with private companies to produce electricity capable of powering about 420,000 households every year. The facility will be installed at Jungnang Sewage Treatment Center in eastern Seoul by 2024, the capital city said, adding that the city has partnered with three companies -- Kore 2023-05-23
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  Rookie K-pop girl band Fifty Fifty tops Billboard Global Excl. US chart with dance song Cupid SEOUL -- Rookie girl band Fifty Fifty has topped Billboard's global chart through "Cupid," a disco song released in February 2023. The four-member band is the third South Korean group to top Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, followed by BTs and BLACKPINK. The single with relaxing vibes showcases the four members' strong feelings toward their crush. As of May 23, the music video of Cupid has garnered more than 65 million views on YouTube. Earlier this month, the g 2023-05-23
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  Domestic OTT service operator Wavve recapitalizes to accelerate global business operation SEOUL -- In a bid to find a solution to expand the company's business operations to overseas countries, South Korea's domestic over-the-top service Wavve has attracted an investment of about 25 billion won ($19 million) from SK Square's American subsidiary through recapitalization. According to South Korea's fair trade watchdog, the domestic over-the-top (OTT) service market, estimated to stand at $1.9 billion in 2022, was led by Netflix, the world's largest OTT 2023-05-23
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  Samsung Electro-Mechanics suffers inventory accumulation despite production cut SEOUL -- Sales data showed that Samsung Electro-Mechanics, the electrical component maker in South Korea, was stricken by inventory accumulation despite the fact that the company made a bold decision in late 2022 to cut production. Samsung Electro-Mechanics mainly focuses on multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), printed circuit boards, and camera modules. The company is one of the top players in the global electric component market. The electric component maker's products are 2023-05-23
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  Kolon Industries to develop food waste-based degradable plastic material technology SEOUL -- Kolon Industries, a chemical and textile manufacturing company affiliated with South Korea's Kolon Group, will work with Paques Biomaterials, a Netherlands-based eco-friendly material startup, for the development of technology to mass produce food waste-based degradable plastic materials called "polyhydroxyalkanoates." Kolon Industries aims to secure resources and technology to produce eco-friendly materials in South Korea. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are pr 2023-05-23
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  VR-based visual field impairment treatment solution designated as innovative medical device SEOUL -- A virtual reality device capable of providing cognitive therapies for those with visual field defects caused by brain damage was selected as an innovative medical device by South Korea's public health watchdog. The solution called "VIVID Brain" increases the scope of vision by upgrading the brain's function to adapt depending on the external environment or experience. Patients with visual field loss are unable to see some areas of their visual space even 2023-05-22
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  HD Hyundai Energy Solutions wins solar power module contract in Central African market SEOUL -- For the first time, HD Hyundai Energy Solutions, the solar power wing of South Korea's Hyundai shipbuilding group, has won a solar power module supply contract in the Central African market. The company will provide 500-watt high-performance solar power modules to Portuguese infrastructure builder MCA for the construction of local power plants. According to the International Energy Agency, Africa has the world's largest solar energy resources of up to 60 percent bu 2023-05-22
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  ​Busan to establish digital twin-based urban management infrastructure SEOUL -- South Korea's southern port city will establish a digital twin technology-based urban management infrastructure to test disaster situations such as flooding and make preparations for such real-life disasters. A digital twin platform created by a state-run land information company will be used to build the virtual replica of the port city. A digital twin is a virtual clone of an object or an infrastructure. Digital twins are frequently used as testing grounds for new te 2023-05-22
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  CJ Cheiljedang beefs up food business in U.S. by establishing world's biggest frozen pizza factory SEOUL -- CJ Cheiljedang, South Korea's major food company under CJ Group, has beefed up its food business in the United States by building the world's largest frozen pizza manufacturing facility. The food company targets the North, Central, and South American markets with frozen Pizza, frozen dumplings, and other Korean menus. In a bid to attract customers in the American market, CJ Cheiljedang acquired Schwan's Company, a frozen food manufacturer headquartered in Minne 2023-05-22