[Herald Interview] Chung Myung-whun’s featured violinist Lee Soo-been strives for consistent greatness

Violinist Lee Soo-been, who is set to take the stage with One Korea Orchestra under the baton of Chung Myung-whun on Sunday, said she is looking forward to collaborating with the maestro for the first time in 11 years. The 24-year-old recalled her first performance with him in 2013 for a Children's Day outdoor concert, hosted by the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and also featuring pianist Cho Seong-jin, then 19 years old. At the time, 13-year-old Lee performed the third movement of Tchaikovs

CultureDec. 11, 2024

NewJeans manager files workplace harassment complaint against Ador CEO Kim Ju-young

A manager for K-pop group NewJeans has filed a workplace harassment complaint against Ador CEO Kim Ju-young with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, intensifying the conflict that started between the K-pop agency and its former CEO Min Hee-jin and spread to NewJeans and now their manager. According to a local media outlet on Tuesday, the manager alleges being lured to a work meeting where a suspension notice was issued, followed by demands for the immediate return of a company laptop. The indi

K-popDec. 11, 2024

Ex-broadcast watchdog head likely to defend Yoon Suk Yeol in court: reports

Kim Hong-il, former chief of South Korea's broadcast watchdog the Korea Communications Commission, might serve as one of President Yoon Suk Yeol's attorneys should Yoon's legal troubles deepen, according to news reports Wednesday. Kim, who had reportedly quit local law firm Shin & Kim, would be joined on a team of up to six attorneys, according to news reports. This came as police accused Yoon of inciting insurrection by declaring martial law and cracking down on dissidents th

PoliticsDec. 11, 2024

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo regrets failing to stop martial law

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said he opposed President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration on Dec. 3 and regretted he could not keep Yoon's martial law imposition at bay. "Ultimately, I could not stop (the martial law declaration)," Han told lawmakers at the National Assembly's plenary session Wednesday. "I feel regretful and remorseful." Han's remarks preceded the Cabinet members' apology. Han and most other Cabinet members bowed in unison in a sh

PoliticsDec. 11, 2024

Joint investigation team on Yoon launched

A joint investigative body was formed on Wednesday to investigate President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law, amid concerns over overlapping investigations into the high-profile case that deals with allegations of insurrection of a sitting president. The Korean National Police Agency's National Office of Investigation said it would work together with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and the Defense Ministry "to leverage the stren

PoliticsDec. 11, 2024

"Denture-tube:" South Korea's YouTube conspiracy machine

On the night of Dec. 3, just minutes after President Yoon Suk Yeol's shocking declaration of martial law, dozens of elite military commandos descended on an obscure office building on the outskirts of Seoul. Their target was the headquarters of the National Election Commission -- the country's otherwise staid bureaucratic body that oversees elections. The raid proved anticlimactic -- the commandos only managed to snap a few photos of internal server systems before retreating, failing t

PoliticsDec. 11, 2024

Two scenarios for Korea's economic outlook

How the political uncertainty caused by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Dec. 3 martial law declaration and the opposition party’s push to remove him from power is resolved may change the course of the country’s economy. The market is keeping a close eye on Yoon’s political future as the main opposition Democratic Party will put to a vote a second motion to impeach him on Saturday. Yoon’s immediate removal and earlier election Market experts believe an early presidenti

EconomyDec. 11, 2024

Choi, Yellen reaffirm ‘strong’ Seoul-Washington ties

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok held a video conference with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen Tuesday to reaffirm the two countries' bilateral relationship amid political turmoil grappling South Korea’s capital market, according to the ministry. The meeting, requested by the Korean side, lasted around 25 minutes, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said through a press release on the following day. The meeting follows Choi’s letter sent to Yellen on Dec. 4, in the aftermath of

EconomyDec. 11, 2024

Porcelain on show exhibits power of characters

An exhibition exploring the meaning of letters on everyday objects from ancient to modern times is running at an open storage facility of the National Folk Museum of Korea in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, through March 3. The exhibition “A Journey Around the Characters” features some 290 household objects, mainly porcelain and earthenware. The collection ranges mostly from the Joseon era (1392-1910) to Korea’s 1945 independence from Japan. The latest showing by the state-run museum

Arts & DesignDec. 11, 2024

Korean Air completes W1.8tr merger with Asiana Airlines after 4 years

Korean Air is set to finalize its long-awaited 1.8 trillion won ($1.4 billion) merger with Asiana Airlines Thursday, marking a significant step toward positioning the airline among the world’s top 10 carriers and solidifying its status as the largest in Northeast Asia. On Wednesday, Korean Air completed payments for Asiana shares to secure a 63.9 percent stake in the smaller rival, putting an end to the four-year-long journey. The merger marks the end of an era in which the nation’s

IndustryDec. 11, 2024

Production disruptions loom at Kia plants

Kia’s decision to join the Korean Metal Workers’ Union’s strike — demanding the resignation of President Yoon Suk Yeol amidst the ongoing martial law crisis — could lead to increased production disruptions for the carmaker, industry sources said Wednesday. The strike is part of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the nation’s largest umbrella labor group with 1.2 million members, which has launched an indefinite strike until Yoon offers to resign, claimi

MobilityDec. 11, 2024

After commander’s tell-all testimony, Assembly launches martial law probe

The National Assembly has launched an investigation of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law enactment on Dec. 3, after a commander testified he received direct orders from the president to detain lawmakers. Speaker Woo Won-shik told reporters Wednesday that the commander’s testimony given at the Assembly national defense committee a day prior suggested Yoon tried to block lawmakers from gathering to prevent them from exercising their constitutional duties. “If the testimony is

PoliticsDec. 11, 2024

'Literature stands in opposition to all acts that destroy life': Han Kang

In a historic night for South Korea, Han Kang received the Nobel medal and diploma from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden during the award ceremony held at the Concert Hall in Stockholm. "Just as inevitably, the work of reading and writing literature stands in opposition to all acts that destroy life. I would like to share the meaning of this award, which is for literature, with you -- standing here together," said Han in English during her acceptance speech at the banquet following the a

BooksDec. 11, 2024

Film on 1979 coup sees surge in viewers amid political unrest

A film related to Korea's contemporary history has seen a remarkable surge in viewership following President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declaration on Dec. 3. According to the Korean Film Council, "12.12: The Day" attracted 1,150 views on Dec. 4 across Internet Protocol Television platforms, including SK Btv, LG U+ TV, and Genie TV. IPTV services provide online access to live broadcasts, films and TV shows. The data represents a 1,085 percent increase from the 9

FilmDec. 11, 2024

OCI Energy to supply solar power to San Antonio for 20 years

OCI Energy, a US-based subsidiary of Korean chemical and battery manufacturer OCI Group, will supply solar power to the San Antonio region of the US state of Texas for 20 years, OCI Holdings, the company's holding unit, announced on Wednesday. OCI Energy signed the contract for a long-term energy storage project called “Alamo City ESS LLC” with US local energy grid operator CPS Energy on Friday in San Antonio. The signing event was attended by officials from both sides, includin

IndustryDec. 11, 2024

Hue for the year ahead? It's Mocha Mousse

The Pantone Color Institute, which has declared a Color of the Year since 2000, has chosen "Mocha Mousse" for 2025 -- a shade that evokes a sense of comfort and warmth. The institute explained that the hue for the year ahead is "an evocative soft brown that transports our senses into the pleasure and deliciousness it inspires" that could create a comfortable environment for those wanting respite from life's daily demands. The Pantone Color Institute is a US-based consu

CultureDec. 11, 2024

Lee Seung-hwan to perform Friday at pro-impeachment rally in Seoul

Singer Lee Seung-hwan and his band will perform near the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Friday, during a rally demanding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, the artist announced Tuesday. Lee, via Instagram, shared his setlist, featuring his hit songs "Dunk Shoot," "As Much as the Love Spread in the World," "God of Money," "Do You Love," "I Ask" and "Superhero." Lyrics for some of the songs will be adjusted to suit the o

Social AffairsDec. 11, 2024

Another ruling party lawmaker withdraws opposition

Rep. Kim Jae-sub of the People Power Party announced Wednesday that he will vote in favor of President Yoon Suk-Yeol’s impeachment in a press conference at the National Assembly. Kim told the reporters that he abstained from voting last week, feeling that the president deserved more time to make a decision. “The resignation needs order and time. But the president is refusing to leave," he said, noting reports that Yoon may argue the legality of declaring martial law. Criticizing

PoliticsDec. 11, 2024

Korea, US biz leaders call for easing trade barriers

Business leaders from South Korea and the United States have urged their governments to address persistent trade barriers and discriminatory policies, emphasizing the urgency of these issues as the incoming Trump administration brings fresh uncertainties in global economic and trade dynamics. The demands were outlined in a joint declaration adopted Tuesday at the 35th Korea-US Business Council meeting in Washington, organized by the Federation of Korean Industries and the US Chamber of Commerce.

IndustryDec. 11, 2024

[From the Scene] Seoul Library hosts vibrant festival to celebrate Han Kang’s win

On Tuesday afternoon, the typically tranquil atmosphere of the Seoul Metropolitan Library was transformed into an exuberant celebration. The library’s quiet reading rooms came alive with jazz music and animated discussions as bibliophiles gathered for the Novel Literature Festival Seoul 2024 in honor of author Han Kang. The festival, organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Korean Publishers Association, was a joyous celebration of Han Kang, who made history as the first Sout

Social AffairsDec. 11, 2024