As the United States sends stockpiles of weapons to Ukraine, another transatlantic mobilization is underway. Freed from two years of COVID restrictions, Americans are once again traveling in large numbers. Market observers have predicted a sixfold increase in American tourism to Europe. If you’re wondering what shipments of weapons and planeloads of tourists have in common, the answer is: Quite a bit. Tourism has long had a way of getting mixed up in international politics. Tourism is ea

In President Yoon Suk-yeol’s address marking his 100 days in office on Wednesday, COVID-19 went noticeably unmentioned despite the worrying rise in cases. Yoon has yet to appoint his minister of health and welfare, after the last two nominees dropped out following allegations of corruption. As president-elect and as candidate, Yoon has said he would be better than his predecessor Moon Jae-in at handling COVID-19. But the steps taken by his administration so far have more or less been fo

South Korea has conveyed its concerns over a new U.S. law that provides tax incentives for electric vehicles manufactured in North America only, a foreign ministry official said Thursday. "As revisions to the electric vehicle subsidies, included in the Inflation Reduction Act, are subject to violation of not only the South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement but also the World Trade Organization rules, we have reviewed (the issue) and expressed our concerns to the U.S. through various channels

Blackpink’s second studio album has already sold more than 1.5 million in preorders, according to YG Entertainment on Thursday. 　 Expectations are high for the album to break sales records, especially since the LP “Born Pink” became available for preorders just a week ago and will be released on Sept. 16. First LP “The Album” sold 800,000 copies in six days in preorders and was the first million-selling album from a K-pop girl group. 　 The quartet will drop &ldqu

President Yoon Seok-yeol has appointed a professor who specializes in insurance law and investor protection to lead the Fair Trade Commission, the presidential office said Thursday in a statement. Han Ki-jeong, who teaches commercial law at Seoul National University and led the private Korea Insurance Research Institute between 2016 and 2019, will help revitalize a free market economy the Yoon government seeks, according to the statement. “Han has long studied what consumers need and kno

South Korea and the United States agreed to develop cybersecurity cooperation through steps including regular cyber defense exercises, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said Thursday. South Korea’s Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup met Gen. Paul Nakasone, commander of US Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency, on Thursday in Seoul. Both sides discussed recent cyber threats, countermeasures and ways to develop cyber cooperation between Seoul and Washington, South Kore

A cultural agency took legal action against the city of Gimhae in South Gyeongsang Province for its poor management of an ancient historic site. The Cultural Heritage Administration filed a report on Wednesday against Gimhae for violations of the nation’s law on buried cultural heritage protection, based on its expert inspection of the Gusan-dong Dolmen. Earlier in August, Gimhae was under fire for mishandling the 350-metric-ton Gusan-dong Dolmen, one of the largest dolmen in the world,

Lee Won-seok, deputy chief prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, was nominated on Thursday for the post of prosecutor general, ending a monthslong leadership vacuum. The nomination, which is a de-facto appointment, makes Lee the first prosecutor general of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Lee had been linked to the top post for some time, as he has been leading the organization for three months as acting prosecutor general. In announcing Lee’s nomination, the presidentia

South Korea on Thursday updated its vaccine advice to recommend boosters to people who have had a “breakthrough” case, meaning an infection following full vaccination. The latest vaccine advice says boosters or third doses are recommended to all adults aged 18 and up as well as clinically vulnerable children aged 12 to 17, if their last infection was three months or longer ago. Previously, eligibility for boosters or third doses opened up for fully vaccinated people aged 12 and o

SEJONG -- The number of state-run agencies are expected to be reduced substantially under a government plan to streamline efficiency and performance.  The Ministry of Economy and Finance on Thursday proposed a total of 42 institutions, or 32 percent of the nation’s 130 government-affiliated institutions, to be converted into “a third group” public agencies with more autonomy and responsibility. 　 Currently, those with assets worth 1 billion won ($757,000), a yearly earnin

Coway Co., South Korea’s leading water purifier maker, said it began full operation of its production plant in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, to meet high demand for its new ice-making water purifier. Sales of Coway’s Icon ice-making water purifier jumped 30 percent on-year in July as frequent heat waves sizzled the nation. The new product’s inventory for August was sold out in the beginning of the month, and orders continue to flood in, according to a Coway official.

After record downpours in Seoul last week, experts warn soaked cars could return to used market in about two months

Seoul shares closed lower Thursday as investors digested the Federal Reserve's minutes that hinted at more aggressive interest rate hikes to temper inflation. The Korean won sharply fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 8.42 points, or 0.33 percent, to close at 2,508.05 points. Trading volume was moderate at about 370.84 million shares worth some 6.98 trillion won ($5.3 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 542 to 301. Institutions sol

Actor Jung Woo, who rose to fame after starring in the independent film “Wish” (2009) and tvN‘s hit drama “Reply 1994” (2013), has continued to show his range as an actor with his latest series, “A Model Family.” After playing short-tempered characters in Kakao TV’s web drama “Mad for Each Other” (2021) and crime film “Hot Blooded” (2022), Jung felt that much work would be needed to play a drastically different character l