Most Popular
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Yoon apologizes for first lady Dior bag scandal, calls push for special probe ‘political’
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Girl hanging on bridge, police trying to rescue her both fall off; rescued immediately
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Korea forecast to overtake Taiwan in chip production by 2032: report
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[K-pop’s dilemma] Can K-pop break free from ‘fandom’ model?
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YouTuber fatally stabbed on livestream by another YouTuber in Busan
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No plan to let doctors with foreign licenses practice here anytime soon: PM
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Yoon rebuffs opposition's call for special probe into wife
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Stray Kids hit with racism in Met Gala photo line
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[News Analysis] Yoon's first 2 years marked by intense confrontations, lack of leadership
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Yoon apologizes for wife's 'unwise conduct'
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Korean websites saddled with search-blocking code
When foreign fans type in “Psy” on major search engines, the results rarely include the Korean singer’s official homepage. The reason lies in a technical problem with Korean websites. According to industry sources, many Korean websites, including Psy’s homepage, have taken steps that block tracking and indexing by foreign search engines and portals. In detail, such websites usually insert a code like “robots.txt” to keep outside parties from indexing the details of their pages. The trouble is th
TechnologyMarch 19, 2013
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FKI to tap civic groups for reform
The Federation of Korean Industries is seeking to mend its ways to regain public trust and become a more reliable business representative. The organization, which traditionally represents the nation’s richest and largest companies, is now even considering joining forces with People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, one of the most liberal civic groups in Korea. The move comes following a statement from the federation last week, saying that it had decided to operate a separate committee t
IndustryMarch 19, 2013
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Samsung C&T takes over U.K. LNG specialist
Samsung C&T, the construction and trading subsidiary of Samsung Group, took over a leading liquefied gas handling firm to take the lead in the prosperous natural gas market.The company last month signed a stock purchase agreement to acquire Whessoe, a U.K.-based firm specializing in the storage and regasification of liquefied natural gas, officials said Tuesday. The estimated amount of the buy is around 20 billion won ($18 million).The acquisition was completed on Monday, after Samsung C&T clear
IndustryMarch 19, 2013
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Samsung-LG battle looms over Galaxy S4
Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are arguing over the eye scrolling technology that was embedded in Samsung’s latest Galaxy S4, unveiled last week.LG claimed Tuesday that it had rights over the scrolling technology that recognizes eye movements, stating that it applied for a related patent in Korea in December 2005.The Seoul-based electronics maker said it also applied for its “Smart Video” patent in August 2009, which puts a video on hold when the user is not looking at the screen ― a fea
IndustryMarch 19, 2013
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Shares rise on exporter gains
South Korean stocks closed 0.53 percent higher Tuesday as local exporters rebounded from their recent losses sparked by concerns over the eurozone economy, analysts said. The local currency gained against the U.S. dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 10.38 points to 1978.56. Trading volume was low at 313.3 million shares worth 3.62 trillion won ($3.26 billion), with gainers outnumbering decliners 471 to 318.“The increase came as the market recouped excessive losses made in
March 19, 2013
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Supercars spice up secondhand market
Old Maybach or Lamborghini cars used to be rarely traded in the nation’s used car market. But largely driven by their recent strong sales, they are expanding presence in the secondhand market here. According to SK Encar, the nation’s largest used car dealer, on Tuesday, the most expensive car for sale was the 2008 Maybach 62S with a price tag of 450 million won ($405,000). The five priciest cars at SK Encar were all from the ultra-luxury German brand Maybach, whose vehicles were last manufacture
IndustryMarch 19, 2013
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Heungkuk Life sanctioned for irregular practice
The Financial Supervisory Service on Tuesday issued an “institutional caution” against Heungkuk Life Insurance for glossing over irregular practices at a sales branch.“While the Heungkuk branch attracted policyholders via unauthorized practices, the headquarters did not take any disciplinary action despite internal detection,” an FSS official said.Ultimately, the headquarters suffered losses worth 1.22 billion won ($1.1 million) ― as extra costs for resolving unfair contracts between the branch
March 19, 2013
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No. of female execs to rise in Korean firms: poll
More than four in 10 South Korean companies predict the number of female executives will increase in the future as young women with purchasing power are emerging as their core clients, a poll showed Tuesday. According to the survey of 304 local companies taken by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 43.8 percent of the respondents said that they will likely have more women in the C-suites.While 53.9 percent of the companies polled said the number of female executives will remain at the cu
March 19, 2013
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Builders’ net borrowing up 69% in 3 years
South Korean construction companies’ net borrowing has jumped 69.2 percent over the past three years, data showed Tuesday, pointing to growing risks of a liquidity crisis amid the country’s protracted slump in the property market.The combined net borrowing of the 23 builders hit 18.1 trillion won ($16.3 billion) as of last September, compared with 10.7 trillion won by the end of 2009, according to the data compiled by the local financial industry and credit appraisers. Net borrowing refers to th
March 19, 2013
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Hanjin Group mulls Korean Air split-up
Hanjin Group said Tuesday that it is considering dividing its flagship subsidiary Korean Air into two firms as part of its recent move to finally adopt a holding company system. The group, however, made it clear that any specific plans have yet to be finalized, according to its regulatory filing on the day. Earlier news reports said that Korean Air will be divided into two entities, with one of them becoming a holding company to oversee the whole group. Last year, Hanjin, the nation’s 10th-large
IndustryMarch 19, 2013
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Impact of strong won and weak yen on economy
The Korean won has been surging and the Japanese yen waning since October 2012. As of late February this year, the won was in the 1,080s range against the U.S. dollar, appreciating from the 1,110 level at the end of September 2012. Meanwhile, the yen depreciated to around 92 against the dollar from 77.6. As the currencies moved in opposite directions to the dollar, the won appreciated more than 20 percent against the yen during the five-month period to reach 1,173 to 100 yen as of Feb. 28 from 1
March 19, 2013
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KOGAS diversifies overseas business beyond LNG imports
This is the fourth in a series of case studies on the nation’s leading state-run companies which have made success stories overseas. ― Ed.KOGAS, which has imported LNG and supplied imported gas to local power companies since its foundation in 1983, last Thursday hosted a groundbreaking ceremony in Maputo, capital of Mozambique, in southeast Africa for its new overseas business project. Under the project, KOGAS will construct a 59-kilometer gas pipeline by October this year in Maputo and distribu
March 19, 2013
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BNP Paribas Cardif Life Insurance wins award
BNP Paribas Cardif Life Insurance came out on top in the environmental preservation sector at the state-sponsored 2013 Adding Happiness Social Contribution Award Ceremony, the company said on Tuesday. The corporate social sharing award is presented in recognition of BNP’s unique social sharing project, “Happy Forest for Sharing,” as well as other “different but professional” social sharing projects in partnership with NGOs and experts, the Korean subsidiary of European insurance firm BNP Paribas
March 19, 2013
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Heungkuk Life sanctioned for irregular practice
The Financial Supervisory Service on Tuesday issued an “institutional caution” against Heungkuk Life Insurance for glossing over irregular practices at a sales branch.“While the Heungkuk branch attracted policyholders via unauthorized practices, the headquarters did not take any disciplinary action despite internal detection,” an FSS official said.Ultimately, the headquarters suffered losses worth 1.22 billion won ($1.1 million) -- as extra costs for resolving unfair contracts between the branch
IndustryMarch 19, 2013
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S. Korea pushes for 10 tln won extra budget to boost economy
The Ministry of Strategy and Finance is looking to devise a supplementary budget worth 10 trillion won to boost jobs and support the middle class.At is confirmation hearing on Tuesday, deputy prime minister Hyun Oh-seok, the nominee for the minister of strategy and finance said the ministry would need to consider devising a supplementary budget in line with the government’s macroeconomic policy.It will further look into ways to raise the budget in terms of timeline by comprehensively viewing all
March 19, 2013
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Coca-Cola puts fizz, flavor in new Glaceau water
Coca-Cola is taking bottled water and doing what it does best _ giving it some bubbles and flavor.The Atlanta-based company confirmed Monday that it would introduce a line of zero-calorie, carbonated, fruit-flavored waters called ``Fruitwater‘’ starting April 1. The drink will be part of Coca-Cola‘s Glaceau unit, which makes other pricier bottled waters such as Vitaminwater and Smartwater.Unlike the zero-calorie version of Vitaminwater, which is made with the natural sweetener stevia, Fruitwater
IndustryMarch 19, 2013
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Stress linked to higher risk of Alzheimer’s: study
A study suggested that constant stress could increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, according to British media.A research team from Umea University in Sweden studied the relationship between stress hormones in the brain and memories using mice. Results showed that highly stressed mice had higher levels of beta amyloids, proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and more allopregnanolone, specific stress hormones in the brain.Accumulated amyloids in mice brains impaired the brain synapses and co
TechnologyMarch 19, 2013
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Seoul shares rise 0.53 pct on exporter gains
South Korean stocks closed 0.53 percent higher Tuesday as local exporters rebounded from their recent losses sparked by concerns over the eurozone economy, analysts said. The local currency gained against the U.S. dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose10.38 points to 1978.56. Trading volume was low at 313.3 million shares worth 3.62 trillion won (US$3.26 billion), with gainers outnumbering decliners 471 to 318."The increase came as the market recouped excessive losse
BusinessMarch 19, 2013
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Prosecutors raid KEB in rate-rigging probe
Prosecutors raided the Korea Exchange Bank’s main office Tuesday as part of an investigation into allegations that the nation’s fifth-largest lender took profits by illegally raising interest rates on loans to small and medium-sized firms.The Financial Supervisory Service requested the investigation on March 5 claiming that the bank gained some 18.1 billion won ($16.2 million) through rate manipulations between 2006 and 2009. The prosecutors seized computer hard drives and data from CEO Yun Yong
March 19, 2013
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Kim Yu-na boosts lipstick’s sales overnight
A video clip of South Korean figure skater Kim Yu-na wearing lipstick at a press conference in 2013 World Figure Skating Championships in Canada went viral on the Internet, sparking keen interest about the brand from internet users.The lipstick is Dior’s Addict Lip Glow lip balm. Released in 2009, it is one of Dior’s top-selling items with its daily sales volume reaching 1,000.Thanks to the publicity generated by Kim, the product is now enjoying an unprecedented boom in the local cosmetics marke
IndustryMarch 19, 2013