As the machines hum in the background, drowning out the occasional chatter, workers cut fabric, sew and iron it at a suit factory in Guro-gu, western Seoul, a scene like any other manufacturing workshop in the industrial neighborhood. The difference here is that nearly half of the roughly 200 employees are disabled. While the employment choice may be unconventional, the work efficiency of his co...

Korean biometric security system developer Suprema will make a foray into the fingerprint market for mobile devices, taking on fingerprint powerhouses such as Apple-owned AuthenTec and Synaptics. Biometric technology, particularly fingerprint sensors, has come under the spotlight since California-based Apple purchased biometric sensor maker AthenTec in 2012 to implement fingerprint scanners in i...

Despite the government’s efforts to improve water management through advanced technology, South Korea faces severe water shortage problems. The U.S.-based Population Action International lists Korea as a water-stressed country, with water availability per capita at 1,472 cubic meters in 1995, and projected to be 1,327 cubic meters by 2025. Countries with a yearly water supply of 1,000 to 2,000 c...

Thanks to improvements in diet, sanitation, technology and medical advancements, the average life expectancy has surged dramatically worldwide over the past decades. Those born in the developed countries are now expected to live past 80, according to recent data by the National Institute on Aging. Faced with changing priorities and a longer lifespan, people around the globe are focusing more on ...

Devoid of clothing, bare, au naturel ― this seems to be the sole cloud hovering in everyone’s mind following French director and choreography Olivier Dubois’ latest contemporary dance production, “Tragedie,” making its Asian premiere over the weekend in Korea. After debuting in France in 2012, the show has now been performed more than 80 times worldwide. The 19-and-older, nonverbal show ― minus ...

This is the last in a four-part series featuring IBK’s support for cultural content. ― Ed. It is often challenging for a state-run bank to support small-sized companies and to make tangible profits at the same time, especially when it comes to unpredictable industries such as culture and entertainment. But by discerning promising projects and making bold investments, the Industrial Bank of Kore...

Noel Gallagher, the former lead guitarist, vocalist and principal songwriter for hit English rock band Oasis, made his way back to Seoul to perform two sold-out shows on Friday and Saturday. In his third visit to Korea and the second with his own band, High Flying Birds, the British singer performed songs from his latest album “Chasing Yesterday.” Released in February, the album is a follow-up ...

This is the third in a four-part series featuring IBK’s support for cultural content. ― Ed. The film or television drama production industry may look grand from the outside but for those who work in the trade, bidding contracts and meeting deadlines is a nerve-wracking process ― especially as it is operated on a tight budget. But what if banks provide a direct and sustainable investment channel...

In the era of fast fashion, the life cycle of clothing is becoming shorter. People consume clothes as if they are disposable goods, driven by the supply of low-cost, trendy clothes offered by fashion giants such as Zara and H&M. However, the philosophy of COS goes against this fashion trend ― it believes fashion and longevity should go hand-in-hand, said Marie Honda, managing director of the com...

The full moon is the ruler of the night at the North Pole, casting a yellow glow on the snow-covered surface. What seems like the only moving object is a man kite-skiing through serenity. The stunning photograph was shot by Sebastian Copeland, polar explorer, photographer and environmental advocate. “The full moon at the North Pole means the sun is aligned on the opposite end. You could see the...

Dedicated and personalized service is key to the success of Hilton Namhae Golf & Spa Resort in South Korea, which has been awarded as the country’s leading resort by the World Travel Awards for eight consecutive years, its general manager said. “People are now searching for a lot more information through the various media and this makes them want a more personalized holiday matching their own pr...

Seoul is fast becoming a battlefield for steakhouses as Wolfgang’s Steakhouse ― one of New York’s best high-end steakhouse chains ― started its operations Monday. But what is the most important in a good piece of steak is the ingredient itself rather than having a star-chef, said Peter Zwiener, managing partner of the restaurant, showing his disdain for the current restaurant craze of showcasing...

In today’s competitive business environment, it is crucial that organizations should have the best available talent positioned in the right place and in order to address such needs, a combined mechanism of behavioral science and business strategy may be of use. “Companies pay much attention to talent, as well as to their organization, but few tend to take the two aspects in a comprehensive persp...

With technological development many things in life have become simpler and easier. The way we enter a house will soon become much “smarter” as well, with facial recognition technology set to replace sets of keys. Jeong Gyu-taek, chief executive of start-up FiveGT, which produces facial recognition devices, is a South Korean tech pioneer who wants to keep the home safe and secure through biometri...