Travelers uneasy as South Korea works to restore confidence in safety

South Korea’s tourism industry is scrambling to reassure visitors after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s sudden declaration of martial law last week caused confusion and travel cancellations. Though the emergency decree was lifted quickly, concerns about safety have prompted some foreign travelers to rethink their plans, raising fears of setbacks for an industry still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Hotels, travel agencies and tour operators report a spike in inquiries from internati

Social AffairsDec. 9, 2024

Buyeo National Museum shows key Baekje, Silla bodhisattvas

The exhibition “The Golden Smile of Compassion: The Meeting of Two Bodhisattvas” is running at the Buyeo National Museum through Jan. 9, exploring two ancient bodhisattvas. In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is a being committed to helping others reach spiritual enlightenment. On display are the Avalokitesvara from Baekje Kingdom (18 BC-AD 660) and the Avalokitesvara from the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935). The two gilt-bronze statues are believed to have been made in the seventh century, the

Arts & DesignDec. 9, 2024

[Photo News] Emergency meeting of financial leaders

Financial Services Commission Chairman Kim Byoung-hwan (far left) convened a meeting Monday in Seoul with leaders from South Korea’s financial sector, including the chiefs of the five major banking groups — KB, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NongHyup — alongside representatives from public institutions and industry associations. Kim stated that key financial policy initiatives, such as the capital market value enhancement plan, the establishment of an illegal short-selling monitoring

EconomyDec. 9, 2024

JYP USA vows all necessary action after VCHA member KG’s abrupt departure

JYP USA, the US subsidiary of JYP Entertainment, announced Monday it would take strong action following the departure of VHCA member KG, who filed a lawsuit against the company alleging workplace mistreatment. The North American girl group debuted in January as a collaboration between Universal Music Group’s subsidiary Republic Records and JYP USA. “We deeply regret KG’s decision to file a lawsuit and make unilateral public statements containing false and exaggerated claims,&rd

K-popDec. 9, 2024

Samsung C&T, Hitachi Energy bolster ties on HVDC projects

Samsung C&T said Monday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Switzerland’s Hitachi Energy to strengthen collaboration and explore opportunities in the high-voltage direct current sector. HVDC is a method of converting alternating current generated at a power plant into high-voltage direct current for transmission. It is a key technology for long-distance, large-scale power transmission with low energy loss and high stability. Hitachi Energy -- the market leader in powe

IndustryDec. 9, 2024

How Yoon allies ate their own words concerning martial law

President Yoon Suk Yeol avoided impeachment Saturday, as his conservative ruling party staged a united boycott against the opposition-led parliamentary vote, defying public demands to hold him responsible for last week’s surprise declaration of martial law. Records show that Yoon, his Cabinet, and several members of his party have apparently flip-flopped their positions on martial law -- at least in the public address -- from before the fateful night of Dec. 3. Accusations of the preside

PoliticsDec. 9, 2024

Travel restrictions, curfew imposed on USFK soldiers amid martial law turmoil: source

The political turmoil following last week’s martial law crisis in South Korea has heightened tensions in the US military forces stationed in the country, with some units imposing travel restrictions and curfew, according to officials Monday. A sergeant first class at the US Forces Korea's headquarters of Camp Humphreys, a key US military base in Pyeongtaek, about 65 kilometers south of Seoul, told The Korea Herald that the USFK issued a new regulation limiting all service members'

Social AffairsDec. 9, 2024

Krafton launches tech lab to nurture programming talent

Krafton, the South Korean gaming giant behind the popular title PUBG: Battlegrounds, announced Monday the launch of the Krafton Jungle Game Tech Lab, aimed at fostering game programmers as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts. The Game Tech Lab’s curriculum will emphasize key values such as immersion, self-directed learning and team-based collaboration, the company said. Participants will engage in an intensive, 24-week program designed to build expertise in areas including

IndustryDec. 9, 2024

Celltrion secures Canada's approval for Xolair biosimilar Omlyclo

South Korean biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion said Monday that it has received approval from Health Canada for Omlyclo, its omalizumab biosimilar referencing Xolair, designed to treat allergic asthma and chronic spontaneous urticaria. Celltrion has obtained approval for the full range of indications covered by the original drug, including allergic asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and chronic idiopathic urticaria. The company supported its application with a global phase 3 clinica

IndustryDec. 9, 2024

[Photo News] Smart choice

Hyundai Mobis, an auto parts manufacturer under Hyundai Motor Group, said Monday that it released a new button-type smart card key for Hyundai vehicles. The smart card key, which was first launched for the Ioniq 5 N, Hyundai's high-performance vehicle in April this year, can now be applied to the Santa Fe, Tucson and Grandeur -- three of Hyundai's most popular models. The functions of the smart card key include starting the car from outside, remote parking assistance and opening and cl

MobilityDec. 9, 2024

Drone deployment to Pyongyang orchestrated by ex-defense minister: DP lawmaker

Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun ordered the South Korean military to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles to Pyongyang in October, seemingly to manufacture a justification for President Yoon Suk Yeol to declare martial law, a lawmaker claimed. “I received a tip-off from the military and deemed it credible,” said Rep. Park Beom-kye of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea in an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Monday. Park added that specific details of the operation appe

PoliticsDec. 9, 2024

[Herald Review] Infinite celebrates 15th debut anniversary, announces comeback in March

Veteran boy group Infinite, set to mark its 15th debut anniversary next year, kicked off its Asia concert tour, promising fans an even brighter future together. The six-member group held their 15th-anniversary concert “Limited Edition” from Friday to Sunday, at KSPO Dome located in Seoul Olympic Park, drawing over 30,000 spectators over three days. With a powerful live band session filling the venue, the sextet made a grand entrance, descending a massive staircase from the ceiling, a

K-popDec. 9, 2024

Impeachment is only solution, political scholars say

A coalition of 573 political scientists called for the immediate reintroduction of an impeachment bill against President Yoon Suk Yeol, accusing him of violating constitutional order and threatening democratic principles. The demand follows a failed vote Saturday stemming from a boycott from Yoon’s ruling party lawmakers. In a public declaration issued on Sunday evening, the scholars condemned Yoon’s declaration of emergency martial law on Dec. 3, labeling it as an insurrection. They

PoliticsDec. 9, 2024

[Books News] Kim Ae-ran’s 'One of Them is a Lie' leads year-end writer recommendations

Kim Ae-ran’s coming-of-age novel "One of Them is a Lie" topped the list of the most recommended books of the year by writers, according to a survey released by Kyobo Book Center on Monday. The "Book of the Year from 50 Writers" initiated by the country's largest bookstore in 2016, features recommendations from 50 fiction writers who share their favorite books. Each writer can recommend up to five titles. The year-end list includes releases from November 2023 to October

BooksDec. 9, 2024

Next impeachment vote against Yoon to take place Saturday

The next impeachment vote against President Yoon Suk Yeol will take place on Saturday, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung said Sunday. The main opposition has accused Yoon of insurrection for his surprise martial law decree late Tuesday. They called the decree "an attempt to paralyze the functions of the Assembly." The Democratic Party has previously said they plan to float the impeachment motion and hold the vote every Saturday, until it passes thr

PoliticsDec. 9, 2024

LG Innotek to unveil future mobility tech at CES

LG Innotek said Monday it will showcase innovative future mobility components and new technologies at the annual CES tech show, which kicks off in Las Vegas on Jan. 7. At the world’s largest tech show, the company will unveil 41 future mobility components, covering sensing, communication, lighting and control technologies, with 15 key products displayed in a future vehicle mockup as the showroom’s centerpiece. “We aim to utilize CES as an opportunity to secure new business pros

IndustryDec. 9, 2024

Actor who played journalist in ‘A Taxi Driver’ draws parallels between today, 1980

Thomas Kretschmann, the German actor best known in South Korea for his role in the hit 2017 film “A Taxi Driver,” has expressed concern over recent political turmoil in the country. On Sunday, Kretschmann posted on Instagram a still from “A Taxi Driver” showing tanks blocking the roads to Gwangju, captioned, “These are set photos from "Taeksi Woonjunsa (A Taxi Driver)," a film about South Korea’s past, ... at least, that’s what I thought.&rdquo

Social AffairsDec. 9, 2024

Defense ministry says control of military currently lies with Yoon

The control of South Korea's military forces currently lies with President Yoon Suk Yeol as the commander in chief, the defense ministry said Monday, as he faces investigation as a suspect on treason charges over last week's martial law declaration. On Sunday, prosecutors said they booked Yoon as a suspect on insurrection charges after his surprise declaration of martial law Tuesday night that was unanimously rejected by the National Assembly hours later. "Legally, (the control of

PoliticsDec. 9, 2024

DP proposes bills to investigate Yoon's martial law declaration, first lady allegations

The main opposition Democratic Party proposed a special counsel bill on Monday to investigate whether President Yoon Suk Yeol committed treason and other violations during his short-lived declaration of martial law last week. Rep. Kim Yong-min, the DP's deputy floor leader for policy, and Rep. Kim Seung-won submitted the bill, calling on the special counsel to investigate Yoon's alleged "insurrection." The DP also proposed a bill mandating a special counsel probe into allegat

PoliticsDec. 9, 2024