Forum on ‘green’ networking

GreenTouch, a global consortium of wireless service operators, research institutions and non-governmental groups, said Thursday it would hold a forum on sustainable networks and climate change in Seoul next week.The forum, which will take place at Seoul National University on April 8, will unveil the scope of key GreenTouch projects and showcase a proof of concept technology called the GreenTouch

IndustryMarch 31, 2011

Rheumatism drug Embrel price slashed

Wyeth Korea said Wednesday that it has reduced the price of its rheumatism medication, Embrel, by 5 percent.As the Ministry of Health and Welfare has decided to cover 90 percent of the medication fee through the national health insurance, the price of the drug will be set to less than 100,000 won a month, the drug distributor said. Previously, the national health insurance covered 90 percent of th

TechnologyMarch 31, 2011

SNU hospital opens new cancer center

Seoul National University Hospital opened a new cancer center last week. The SNU hospital is the latest addition to the boom in cancer-centers. With SNU famed in Korea for its advanced diagnostic techniques, the center is expected to raise the overall medical service level here. The six-storey building has 26 units, including 15 specialized cancer sections and nine comprehensive units. The center

TechnologyMarch 31, 2011

More young males seek hair loss help

Hair loss has long been considered a problem of middle-aged men, but nearly half of those visiting medical facilities for the condition are from the younger generation, according to the National Health Insurance Corporation.The public body said the number of those treated for hair loss, which is classified as dermatological disorder, reached 181,000 in 2009, up about 24.8 percent from 145,000 in 2

TechnologyMarch 31, 2011

Less-invasive prostate surgery available

CHICAGO ― A new minimally invasive procedure designed to shrink the prostate could offer an alternative to surgery for a benign condition that affects millions of men in America.However, doctors cautioned that the benefits found in the small clinical trial presented here need to be duplicated in a bigger, more rigorous study.“The main thing they are showing is that it is safe,” said William Rillin

TechnologyMarch 31, 2011

New drug hope for hepatitis C sufferers

WASHINGTON (AFP) ― A cocktail of three drugs, including a new class of antiviral agent, has shown encouraging results in treating hepatitis C, a disease which attacks the liver, a study said Wednesday.“This study represents a remarkable advance and a potential cure for people with hepatitis C who have not responded to previous therapy,” said co-author Stuart Gordon, from the Henry Ford Hospital in

TechnologyMarch 31, 2011

S. Korea's industrial output grows 9.1 pct in Feb.

   South Korea's industrial output grew for the 20th straight month in February, indicating the economy is continuing to expand, a government report showed Thursday.   According to the report by Statistics Korea, production in the mining and manufacturing industries rose 9.1 percent last month from the same month a year earlier. Output has increased since July 2009.   Output was fueled mainly by s

March 31, 2011

S. Korea's manufacturing sentiment edges down for April

  South Korean manufacturers' business confidence for April inched down as rising oil costs and Japan's quake are expected to increase economic uncertainty, the central bank said Thursday.   The index of manufacturers' outlook on business conditions reached 95 for April, down from 96 for March, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK). The index measures manufacturers' outlook on business conditions f

March 31, 2011

6 potential buyers submit bids for Kim's Club

E-Land Group, a leading South Korean fashion retailer, said Wednesday that six potential buyers have submitted their bid proposals for Kim's Club Mart Co., the group's supermarket chain operator.   E-Land, however, did not reveal the names of the potential buyers, citing a confidentiality agreement with them.    According to industrial sources familiar with the sale of Kim's Club, Lotte Shopping C

IndustryMarch 30, 2011

Samsung Group to strengthen legal compliance education

Samsung Group, the country’s top conglomerate, said Wednesday that it will strengthen legal compliance within the first half of this year by upgrading training sessions for its executives.In a weekly meeting of the group’s presidents, Kim Sang-kyun, Samsung’s president of legal and compliance office, said the group plans on completing all preparations for compliance operations by June. He also ask

IndustryMarch 30, 2011

Seaweed, mask sales soar on radiation fears

Fears of radiation from Japan have pushed up sales of masks and food such as kelp considered to help prevent poisoning, local retailers said Wednesday.Concerns over radiation have been rising during the past few days on news that traces of radioactive materials are being detected throughout the nation following a nuclear crisis in Japan.The state-run Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety confirmed Mon

IndustryMarch 30, 2011

Financial regulator accused of lax supervision of banking fees

Financial regulators have been glossing over commercial banks’ long-standing practice of charging customers irregular service fees on transactions via automated teller machines.The Financial Services Commission recently held a low-key internal meeting to map out comprehensive measures to ease the growing financial burden of low- and middle-income households.During the meeting composed of FSC senio

March 30, 2011

Renault Samsung to cut production by 20% in April

Renault Samsung Motors Co. announced Wednesday that it will cut output by 20 percent during April due to a parts shortage caused by the disasters in Japan. Renault Samsung, which stopped extra production after working hours and Saturday production on March 18, said its sole plant in Busan has been experiencing shortages in some engines and transmission supplied by Japanese firms.Renault Samsung sa

IndustryMarch 30, 2011