Most Popular
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Jimin of BTS, actor Song Da-eun suspected to be dating, again
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What's next for the government's push in quota hike?
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Trump may like to 'solve' N. Korean nuclear problem if reelected: ex-official
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Woman falls to death from acquaintance's home after exhibiting ‘unexplained' behaviors
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‘Malice should not undermine the system, social order,’ says Hybe's Bang
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N. Korea slams planned S. Korea-US military drills, warns of 'catastrophic aftermath'
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[Robert J. Fouser] Social attitudes toward language proficiency
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N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS
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[Graphic News] How much do Korean adults read?
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N. Korea says it test-fired tactical ballistic missile with new guidance technology
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Profiles of new government appointees
Han Man-soo, Fair Trade CommissionHan, 55, the newly appointed head of the Fair Trade Commission, is a former lawyer who worked for more than two decades at a top law firm, Kim & Chang, here in Korea. Han is said to have gained extensive experience in tax and finance law while at Kim & Chang. Han also previously had some experience in government when he served as an adviser for the Finance Ministry between 1998-1999, and at a number of other tax service-related posts within the ministry. Since 2
IndustryMarch 14, 2013
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Taking care of your lungs
I feel that more people are becoming worried about lung cancer these days. I have had students in their 20s come in with chest pain, who were found to have normal lungs, but insisted on a full check up because their uncle died of lung cancer. Of course, lung cancer can cause chest pain. This does not mean that all chest pain is caused by lung cancer. Many patients, on the other hand, can be diagnosed with lung cancer even without any symptoms.Get tested if you see blood in your phlegmThere are s
TechnologyMarch 14, 2013
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Korean scientists verify link between stress, drug addiction
South Korean scientists have identified a substance that causes a drug addict to become more strongly addicted under stress, the science ministry said Wednesday, suggesting a way to lower the chance of repeat addiction.It was confirmed that people with previous records of drug addiction are more prone to become addicted again when placed under significant amounts of stress, but how exactly stress works to increase the chance of repeat addiction has not been verified, according to the Ministry of
TechnologyMarch 14, 2013
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Dental microscopes boost quality of treatment
High-performance microscopes are powerful tools in dental treatment, but only a handful of university hospitals and professional clinics possess such equipment.These microscopes magnify the treatment area by 10 to 26 times, which allows dentists to detect miniscule cracks and nerve damage in the teeth that are invisible to the naked eye. In the past, it was difficult to detect the precise location of infection, and thus dentists frequently removed healthy teeth surrounding the infection point as
TechnologyMarch 14, 2013
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Most lottery ticket buyers above breadline
The majority of households that frequently purchase lottery tickets do not belong to the low-income bracket, the Finance Ministry said Thursday.Citing a survey, the ministry claimed that 72.6 percent of steady lottery buyers were from households whose average monthly income surpassed 3 million won ($2,750).It also said the households with an average monthly income of more than 4 million won took up 35.3 percent of the total buyers.“The poll result counters the social bias that mostly destitute p
March 14, 2013
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Korea logs trade surplus for 13 straight months
SEJONG (Yonhap News) ― South Korea logged a trade surplus for 13 straight months in February despite the prolonged sluggish export growth affected by the global economic slump, customs data showed Thursday.According to the customs-clearance trade figures provided by the Korea Customs Service, South Korea’s exports shrank 8.6 percent on-year to $42.3 billion last month. Imports also dropped 10.6 percent to $40.3 billion.The country’s trade surplus last month, however, came to $2 billion, larger t
TechnologyMarch 14, 2013
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Asiana Airlines wins top fuel efficiency rating
Asiana Airlines Inc., South Korea’s No. 2 flag carrier, has been named the best airline in fuel efficiency in the country, the government said Thursday.The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs made the announcement, citing a test by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by Asiana Airlines and five other local carriers.Asiana Airlines and Korean Air Lines as well as four other budget carriers signed a voluntary agreement with the ministry
TechnologyMarch 14, 2013
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Shares close flat on key rate freeze
South Korean stocks closed almost flat on Thursday following the central bank’s decision to freeze the key interest rates, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 2.40 points, or 0.12 percent, to 2,002.13. Trading volume was low at 320.7 million shares worth 4.01 trillion won ($3.64 billion), with gainers outnumbering decliners 489 to 324.“Local shares traded flat as investor sentiment was dented by the central bank’s de
March 14, 2013
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Yongsan project unlikely to hurt financial firms
The brokerage industry has downplayed some market observers’ prediction that some major financial firms will be severely damaged from the possible collapse of the 31 trillion won ($28.4 billion) urban development project in Yongsan, Seoul.As the nation’s largest-ever project faced bankruptcy involving worries over capital erosion and liquidation of the state-controlled rail operator KORAIL, some critics commented on the feasibility that the financial services industry will go through heavy losse
March 14, 2013
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Telecoms slapped with more fines for smartphone subsidies
The Korea Communications Commission imposed additional fines amounting up to 5.3 billion won ($4.77 million) on the country’s three telecoms for providing excessive and illegal smartphone subsidies despite its previous punishments.The state telecom regulator said that it will have SK Telecom pay up another 3.14 billion won and also granted fees of 1.61 billion won and 560 million won to KT and LG Uplus, respectively.“It’s a real shame that the market spiced up immediately after we impose strict
IndustryMarch 14, 2013
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KORAIL seeks to downsize Yongsan project after default
After defaulting on its business loan interest payment, Dream Hub is struggling to resucitate the moribund Yongsan development project by mobilizing all possible means. Dream Hub, the project financing vehicle, plunged into loan default on Wednesday as it failed to pay back 5.2 billion won ($4.7 million) in interest on its asset-backed commercial paper.KORAIL, the state-run rail operator and greatest shareholder in Dream Hub, is gesturing to nevertheless carry forward the project by taking on ad
IndustryMarch 14, 2013
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ITC delays Samsung-Apple decision again
A U.S. trade agency has once again delayed its decision on the high-profile patent war between Apple and Samsung, this time based on considerations of how much consumers and the U.S. economy would be hurt should it ban imports of Apple’s iPhones and iPads over a patent held by Samsung Electronics. The U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington was scheduled to issue a final decision in Samsung’s patent infringement case yesterday. Instead, it asked for comments on how a ban would affect t
TechnologyMarch 14, 2013
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KLM takes steps in sustainable flights
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines started weekly flights using sustainable biofuel last Friday, company officials said. The series of biofuel flights will be made every Thursday from John F. Kennedy Airport in the United States to Schiphol in the Netherlands. The sustainable fuel will be obtained from used cooking oil, according to the company. As cooperation and joint effort between related industries are crucial for the future of sustainable biofuel in the aviation industry, this initiative means a lot
IndustryMarch 14, 2013
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Hyundai-Kia to hire 10,000 workers through suppliers
Hyundai Motor Group, which owns the Hyundai and Kia brands, said Thursday that it would hire an additional 10,000 workers indirectly through its suppliers and their subcontractors this year. As part of the efforts, the Korean auto giant kicked off a two-day job fair on Thursday in Seoul for its 430 smaller partner companies. About 20,000 job-seekers are expected to visit the exhibition floors of COEX in southern Seoul. The second annual event also will be held in Gwangju and Daegu in the coming
IndustryMarch 14, 2013
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Korea-U.S. FTA key to achieving economic goals of both nations
Following is the third and last in a series of articles featuring the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement which marks the first year after its effectuation on March 15, 2012. ― Ed.This year is a special year for the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea for two reasons. Established in 1953, we celebrate our 60th anniversary this year. Today also marks the first anniversary of the implementation of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. Over the years, AMCHAM has helped bring about some important chang
March 14, 2013
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Honda recalls 250,000 vehicles for braking problem
Honda is recalling nearly 250,000 vehicles worldwide for brakes that can suddenly kick in even when the driver isn't braking. No crashes have been reported related to the defect. Honda Motor Co. said Thursday it was recalling more than 183,000 vehicles in the U.S., including the Acura RL, Acura MDX and Pilot models. More than 56,000 vehicles were recalled in Japan, affecting the Odyssey, Legend, StepWgn and Elysion models. Also being recalled are nearly 8,000 vehicles in Canada, nearly 1,000 in
IndustryMarch 14, 2013
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Hybrids’ fuel savings payoff takes 10 years
Kim Min-kyu, a 35-year-old TV producer, recently purchased a Toyota Prius, the world’s best-selling hybrid. Despite the price being almost double that of same-size Korean brand cars, he feels good about his fuel savings. “I actually didn’t like the futuristic car design but its fuel efficiency rating was more appealing to me. It’s also cool to be seen driving a hybrid,” he said.Amid high gasoline prices, a growing number of Korean drivers, like Kim, are turning to more fuel-efficient vehicles, s
IndustryMarch 14, 2013
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Men and women smoke for different reasons
Men tend to smoke for fun while women light up to relieve stress, a survey revealed.The survey, commissioned to mark “No Smoke Day” in Britain, showed that 56 percent of the male respondents smoke when they hang out with friends, higher than 48 percent of female smokers.“This is surprising, particularly in the modern day and could be indicative that women potentially attribute an element of shame to their smoking behavior,” said Jo Hemmings, a behavioral psychologist.The research also showed tha
TechnologyMarch 14, 2013
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Department stores shuffle high-end cosmetics shops
South Korea’s major department stores are relocating their cosmetics brands to target different customers’ needs, in a departure from the past when all cosmetic lines were placed on the first floor.Some premium cosmetics are now moving out from the first floor and placed on different floors to target VIP customers by emphasizing their private and luxurious image. Shinsegae’s Gangnam branch moved upscale cosmetic brands including “Chantecaille” and “Darphin” to the second floor in the newly set u
IndustryMarch 14, 2013
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Neanderthal demise down to eye size?
Neanderthals went extinct because they had larger eyes than modern humans that monopolized brain resources to see in the long nights in Europe, scientists say.Modern humans, on the other hand, spent more time in Africa where longer, brighter days required no such adaption and allowed our frontal lobes, associated with higher-level thinking, to evolve further before we moved out of Africa and spread across the globe, they said.Eiluned Pearce of Britain's Oxford University, comparing Neanderthal s
TechnologyMarch 14, 2013