Most Popular
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Russia sent more than 165,000 barrels of refined petroleum to N. Korea in March: White House
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Key suspects grilled over alleged abuse of power in Marine death inquiry
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S. Korean children, teens grow taller, mature faster than before: study
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[Graphic News] Number of coffee franchises in S. Korea rises 13%
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Some junior doctors are returning: Health Ministry
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Army takes group action against Hybe for neglecting BTS
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[Robert J. Fouser] AI changes rationale for learning languages
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Marine Corps commander summoned by CIO for questioning on alleged influence-peddling case
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Woman dangling from power lines rescued by residents holding blanket
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Ador CEO's request for exclusive right to terminate NewJeans' contract with Hybe refused in February
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[Weekender] Tragic and extraordinary stories of Korean prodigies
When Heo Nanseolheon (1563-1589) was just 8 years old, she wrote her iconic piece “Inscriptions on the Ridge Pole of the White Jade Pavilion in Kwanghan Palace,” a poem filled with a unique imagination about the world of spiritual beings. Today, the piece is still considered as the work of a poetic genius -- who later died at age of 27, after suffering an unhappy marriage and the deaths of her two children. Heo is one of very few women writers from Korea’s Confucian Joseon kingdom (1392-1897), w
Jan. 8, 2016
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[Weekender] From prodigies to geniuses: the 'gifted' fascination
“Mediocrities everywhere, I absolve you. I absolve you, all,” uttered Antonio Salieri in the 1984 film “Amadeus,” loosely based on the real life of the Italian classical composer and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. As Mozart’s less-capable archrival, the movie version of Salieri was forced to shudder in jealousy, marvel with wonder, and bear witness to the immortal genius of a man many consider to be one of the greatest musical talents of all time. Throughout history, tales of those with exceptional c
Jan. 8, 2016
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[Weekender] ‘Elite education vital to help students reach their full potential’
The debate over gifted education in Korea is generally played out between two sides: Opponents argue the special education program is tailored for the select few and undermines the principle of equal opportunity, while others see the programs as a chance to foster smart minds who can lead the nation. (Chung Hee-cho/The Korea Herald)An expert in gifted education agrees with the latter. Suh Ye-won, director of the state-run National Research Center for Gifted and Talented Education, says such educ
Jan. 8, 2016
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[Weekender] Past, present and future of educating ‘gifted’
Last month, 18-year-old Song Yoo-geun retracted his first academic paper “Axisymmetric, Nonstationary Black Hole Magnetospheres: Revisited” -- which would have made him the youngest-ever Korean Ph.D. -- after he was accused of plagiarism.The shattered legend of a science prodigy once dubbed “boy genius” by media -- and showered with government support from 2010 -- sent shockwaves across the country and stoked questions over whether Korea was headed in the right path in educating its “gifted” chi
Jan. 8, 2016
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Gifted education to help students reach their full potential
The debate over gifted education in Korea has often played out between two sides: Opponents argue the special education program is tailored for the select few and undermines the principle of equal opportunity, while others see the programs as a chance to foster smart minds who can lead the nation. A prominent expert in gifted education agrees with the latter. Suh Ye-won, director of the state-run National Research Center for Gifted and Talented Education says that the education can achieve
Jan. 8, 2016
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Mutation detected in Korean MERS virus
The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus that spread through South Korea last year underwent a mutation that could have affected its ability to infect people and the fatality rate, the government said Friday.The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said bodily fluid specimens taken from eight people infected with the MERS inducing coronavirus, showed signs of slight genetic "variation" in spike glycoprotein when compared with previous documented cases. Spike glycoprot
Jan. 8, 2016
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Former state oil firm head found not guilty of breach of trust
A local court on Friday acquitted the former head of the national oil company of causing a huge loss to state coffers in the purchase of two Canadian firms.The Seoul Central District Court ruled Kang Young-won, the former CEO of the Korean National Oil Corp. (KNOC), should not be held responsible for losing 550 billion won ($464 million) of state funds by acquiring two Canadian resource companies -- Harvest Oil Operation Corp. and its affiliate North Atlantic Refining Limited -- in 2009.Prosecut
Jan. 8, 2016
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Pitchers sanctioned for overseas gambling charges
Two South Korean baseball pitchers facing illegal gambling charges were suspended by the nation's top professional league on Friday.The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) said Lim Chang-yong and Oh Seung-hwan, both currently free agents, will be banned for half of their team's games should they return to the South Korean league.Lim and Oh were recently investigated over charges that they'd illegally gambled in Macau in 2014, but Seoul prosecutors in December applied for a summary order and sought
Jan. 8, 2016
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Gov't warns budget airlines of safety lapses
The government will launch a special inspection into domestic budget airlines next week over their safety practices and impose heavy sanctions on violators of related rules, the transportation ministry said Friday.Low-cost carriers (LCCs) have been under fire for two recent problems, which have sparked concerns over their safety.An airplane of Jeju Air Co., owned by mid-sized retailer Aekyung Group, dived to an altitude of 8,000 feet from 18,000 ft on its way to Jeju Island from Seoul on Dec. 23
Jan. 8, 2016
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Lawmaker gets 16-month jail term for receiving illegal political
A sitting lawmaker, formerly affiliated with the main opposition party, received a jail sentence Friday for taking bribes from a businessman.The Seoul Central District Court handed down a 16-month jail term to Rep. Park Ki-choon, formerly of the Minjoo Party of Korea, for receiving some 270 million won ($225,800) from the head of a distribution agency, only known by his surname Kim, in return for business favors. The court also ordered Park to forfeit 278 million won. Prosecutors alleged that Pa
Jan. 8, 2016
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Former state oil firm head found not guilty of breach of trust
A local court on Friday acquitted the former head of the national oil company of causing a huge loss to state coffers in the purchase of two Canadian firms. The Seoul Central District Court ruled Kang Young-won, the former CEO of the Korean National Oil Corp. (KNOC), should not be held responsible for losing 550 billion won (US$464 million) of state funds by acquiring two Canadian resource companies -- Harvest Oil Operation Corp. and its affiliate North Atlantic Refining Limited -- in 2009.
Jan. 8, 2016
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Former USFK official indicted over drug smuggling
An American civilian who worked at the U.S. military in South Korea has been indicted on charges of trafficking drugs to Yongsan Garrison in central Seoul, prosecutors said Friday.The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office said the 35-year-old, identified only by his initial J, is suspected of receiving 35 pills of MDMA, better known as "ecstasy," and 20.5 grams of hemp from an unidentified seller last year.Still, the suspect was not taken into custody.The drugs were sent from the Netherland
Jan. 8, 2016
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Korean fugitive repatriated home from China
A 45-year-old South Korean man who fled to China in 2009 after being sought on charges of investment and stock fraud involving 250 billion won ($209.1 million) was repatriated home on Friday to face charges, the South Korean Embassy in Beijing said. The suspect, who is only identified by his surname Lee, was arrested at his mistress' home in Beijing in October, the embassy said in a statement.As a chief executive of a non-listed company in South Korea, the suspect is accused of allegedly inflati
Jan. 8, 2016
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Gov't to allow blood drives in malaria-prone areas to cope with low reserves
South Korea will temporarily allow blood drives in malaria-prone areas of the country to cope with dangerously low blood reserves, the government said Friday.The Ministry of Health and Welfare said the country's blood reserves stood at just 2.1 days, much lower than the recommended 5 days.The country's reserves are so low, the government has already raised the blood reserve alert level to "yellow" and will consider marking it up further if things do not improve, it said.Blood donations will be a
Jan. 8, 2016
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Mutation detected in S. Korean MERS virus: government
The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus that spread through South Korea last year underwent a mutation that could have affected its ability to infect people and the fatality rate, the government said Friday.The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said bodily fluid specimens taken from eight people infected with the MERS inducing coronavirus, showed signs of genetic mutation in spike glycoprotein when compared with previous documented cases. Spike glycoprotein is the
Jan. 8, 2016
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Korean Gender Minister nominee blasted for views on sex slavery deal
South Korea's Gender Equality Minister nominee Kang Eun-hee was lambasted by opposition lawmakers for her views on the recent ROK-Japan sex slavery settlement during her confirmation hearing at the National Assembly on Thursday. The former IT businesswoman and Saenuri Party lawmaker described the settlement between the two nations as “an outcome that came out as a result of South Korean government’s utmost efforts” during the session. The agreement has been criticized for not clearly admitting
Jan. 7, 2016
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FDI in Seoul hits record high
Foreign direct investment in Seoul City hit a record high of $8.48 billion last year, driven by a rising inflow of Chinese capital, officials said Thursday. This is an increase of about 55 percent on-year, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said. The investments in Seoul also made up 41.6 percent of the total $20 billion FDI in Korea. The previous highest foreign investment amount was $7.2 billion in 2005. The sharp rise in Chinese investments contributed to the record-breaking FDI, the city said
Jan. 7, 2016
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City to provide better free high-speed Wi-Fi in subways
Seoul City will provide better free high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access in subways starting from next year to offer faster and more stable Internet service to the public, officials said Thursday. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it would change the existing in-train wireless broadband, or Wi-Bro, system to high-speed Wi-Fi. Currently, the free Internet access in trains has been provided only through wireless broadband by telecommunications business operators since 2011. The speed of the Wi-br
Jan. 7, 2016
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Eased rules allow Seoul version of Times Square
The government earlier this week lifted ad regulations to create a Korean version of New York City’s Times Square as part of its efforts to boost the ad industry and attract more visitors, officials said.The Interior Ministry said Monday it had eased the rule to create a zone where outdoor digital screens and billboards can freely be installed without any restrictions on types or sizes. The size, type and location of outdoor ads had been strictly restricted prior. The revised rules have been pro
Jan. 7, 2016
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Teachers of institute for disabled, ex-chief jailed for abuse, embezzlement
A local court on Thursday gave jail terms to the former chief and teachers of a residential facility for disabled people on charges of abusing them and siphoning operating expenses.The Seoul Northern District Court sentenced the former chief of Seoul Ingang School, identified only by her surname Lee, to two years in prison for pocketing 1.37 billion won ($1.14 million) of subsidies given by the city government.The 64-year-old chief was indicted in August 2014 on charges of going on overseas trip
Jan. 7, 2016