Latest News

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  Unexpected North Korean missile attack alert wakes up Seoul SEOUL -- Sounds of air raid sirens broke the silence of early morning in Seoul at about 6:30 a.m. (2130 GMT) on May 31. Without disclosing the source of the urgent notice, emergency text messages were sent out by the Seoul city government, telling citizens to get ready to evacuate. Naver, South Korea's most popular web search portal, was temporarily put out of service due to heavy internet traffic by people trying to figure out what was going on. However, despite the fuss, Seou 2023-05-31
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  Hanwha Aerospace invests in American secondary battery technology startup SEOUL -- In a bid to acquire the next-generation secondary battery technology for the company's eco-friendly future mobility businesses, Hanwha Aerospace, a global defense solution company, made an investment into Forge Nano, an American startup specializing in secondary battery material technologies. Large-capacity secondary batteries are the core factor in the electric-powered vehicle sector. Secondary batteries are also used in the renewable energy sector to store electricit 2023-05-30
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  Amorepacific to beef up hair loss treatment business SEOUL -- South Korea's top beauty product maker Amorepacific has hosted a conference to discuss women's hair loss with scalp experts from different countries including the United States and Japan. The South Korean company aims to roll out an anti-hair loss product based on its know-how in hair research. Government data showed that more than 240,000 South Koreans received medical services because of hair loss and female patients accounted for about 44.2 percent. According to 2023-05-30
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  POSCO Group and SKC forge partnership to collaborate in future secondary battery businesses SEOUL -- South Korea's steel-making conglomerate POSCO Group and SKC, the chemical material manufacturing wing of SK Group, have forged a partnership to collaborate in future businesses in the global secondary battery market predicted to reach $300 billion by 2030. Secondary batteries are basically rechargeable batteries that are used in people's everyday lives. Large-capacity secondary batteries are especially crucial in the electric vehicle sector where lithium-based 2023-05-30
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  ​S. Korea unveils roadmap to attract 700,000 foreign patients by 2027 SEOUL -- South Korea aims to attract 700,000 foreign patients by 2027 through various methods such as easing immigration procedures. Through a medical tourism project, the country will create clusters where visitors can enjoy hot springs and explore tourist spots after receiving health care services. Data released by South Korea's health ministry showed that about 248,000 foreign patients visited South Korea to receive medical treatments in 2022, up 70.1 percent from a year ago 2023-05-30
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  N. Korea to launch first military spy satellite in June to monitor US military activities in real-time SEOUL -- North Korea will launch its first military spy satellite in June to monitor military activities of the United States and its allies in real-time, Pyongyang's state-operated news agency reported on May 30. Through a statement released by the Korea Central News Agency (KCNA), Ri Pyong-chol, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party, said that a military reconnaissance satellite would be launched in June to monitor military acts of the U.S 2023-05-30
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  Shinsegae Department Store launches multilingual wholesale platform for South Korean apparel brands SEOUL -- The department store division of South Korea's retail conglomerate Shinsegae Group has officially launched a wholesale platform for South Korean fashion brands. Shinsegae aims to incubate various talented designers through the multilingual platform called “Kfashion82” targeting the global K-fashion market. According to data released by the Korea Federation of Textile Industries, South Korea's apparel item exports to Britain, France, Italy, and the Unite 2023-05-30
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  Massive electromagnetic interference shielding facility to be established in southeastern city SEOUL -- A state investment of 10.5 billion won ($7.9 million) will be allocated to construct a massive electromagnetic interference shielding test facility in South Korea's southern industrial city of Daegu. The testbed will provide a safe environment for researchers and private companies to demonstrate autonomous vehicles and drones. An electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding facility plays a crucial role in the development phase of wireless communication technologies, p 2023-05-29
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  BTS' Suga completes solo concert in Indonesia SEOUL -- BTS' lead rapper Suga has completed his solo concert in Jakarta. A total of 30,000 spectators attended the three-day event that began on May 26. "Thank you for enjoying (my concert). Today is not the end," the 30-year-old said after completing his concert in Indonesia's capital city. The artist showcased "Haegeum," the title track of his solo album "D-Day," and other rap songs such as "Daechwita" and "August D." The 2023-05-29
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  Romanian labor law expert advises S. Korea to rebuild work-life balance environment SEOUL -- Corneliu Bente, the president of Romania's national labor law expert union, has urged that South Korean firms should create a work culture that places importance on work-life balance. The president, who is also a lecturer at Romania's labor relations expert training center "LexAcademy Romania," said low fertility rate would be maintained if citizens are excessively focused on their career. Currently, South Korea's labor law allows 40 hours of regular 2023-05-26
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  S. Korea to lead food safety policies in Asia-Pacific region through consultative body 'APFRAS' SEOUL -- South Korea was selected to lead food policies through a consultative body for heads of food regulators in the Asia-Pacific region. The joint body was founded to establish a safe food distribution infrastructure and handle various problems in the global food sector. The consultative body called "Asia-Pacific Food Regulatory Authority Summit (APFRAS)" was launched to respond to rapidly changing food environments and issues in the Asia-Pacific region, the Ministry 2023-05-26
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  [OPINION] "Memorial Day – Reflection and Renewal" KENOSHA -- Memorial Day, celebrated on May 29, is cause for contemplation as well as ceremonies. Parades featuring people in uniform – those currently serving, those who 2023-05-26
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  S. Korea succeeds in launching homemade rocket into space SEOUL -- South Korea has successfully launched the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-2 (KSLV-2), known as "Nuri" rocket, putting satellites into orbit at an altitude of 550 kilometers (341 miles). A state-run research station in Antarctica has also communicated with the homegrown rocket's main satellite. The third Nuri carrying a commercial satellite started at a rocket launch site located in Goheung some 330 kilometers south of Seoul at 6:24 p.m (0924 GMT) on May 25. The ro 2023-05-25
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  Big Hit to host festival in Seoul to celebrate BTS' 10th debut anniversary SEOUL -- BTS' agency will greet fans through "2023 BTS FESTA", an online festival that will be held in June to celebrate the group's 10th debut anniversary. The seven-member band debuted on June 13, 2013. Big Hit, the band's agency, uploaded a promotional video of BTS FESTA on Twitter to tell fans about the annual event, which will begin on June 12. Without disclosing specific information, the agency said the 14-day festival will take place at various attracti 2023-05-25
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  ​Court dismisses arrest warrant for actor Yoo Ah-in over drug use SEOUL -- A South Korean court has dismissed an arrest warrant for Yoo Ah-in, a promising actor on charges of drug use. Prosecutors have requested the warrant on suspicion of five illegal drugs including cocaine, propofol, a powerful anesthetic, and zolpidem, a sedative primarily used for the treatment of insomnia. "It is difficult to conclude that there is apprehension for the suspect of destroying evidence or fleeing beyond the scope of his right to defend himself," Lee 2023-05-25
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  BTS member J-Hope completes basic training at army boot camp SEOUL -- BTS' main dancer J-Hope has completed his basic training at an army boot camp located in Wonju some 86.8 kilometers (53.9 miles) east of Seoul. After receiving a military occupational specialty, the 29-year-old will be assigned to his unit where he would spend the rest of his time with fellow soldiers for about 16 months and three weeks. In South Korea, all able-bodied males aged 18 to 28 must do their military service unless they have a valid reason for exemption. Tho 2023-05-24
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  [OPINION] The G7 and the Framework for Peace KENOSHA -- Government leaders of the influential Group of Seven (G7) met in Japan during May 19-21. Last June, they gathered at the elegant Schloss Elmau, in picturesque Bavari 2023-05-24
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  S. Korea postpones launch of homemade rocket due to technical problems SEOUL -- South Korea has postponed the launch of Korea Space Launch Vehicle-II, nicknamed "Nuri," due to technical problems found about two and a half hours before launch. The science ministry said that a communication problem occurred between a computer that controls the low-temperature helium supply valves and its counterpart computer installed at the launch facility. The first Nuri carrying a dummy satellite was fired into space in October 2021 but it failed to put the 2023-05-24
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  Researchers find dramatic weight change could increase mortality risk for middle-aged and older people SEOUL -- Researchers have found that dramatic weight change could increase the risk of death for people aged 40 and older. The research team said those experiencing such changes of more than three percent of their total weight during a two-year period without any clear reasons are required to visit a doctor and thoroughly check their body. A joint research team consisting of endocrinologists at Samsung Medical Center and Daegu Catholic University Medical Center has confirmed the re 2023-05-24
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  EU loosens regulation over exports of S. Korean instant noodles SEOUL -- The European Union has decided to loosen regulations over imported instant noodle products, including South Korean instant noodles called "Ramyeon," by simplifying the safety verification process. Previously, the EU requested test papers that certify imported instant noodles do not contain residues of ethylene oxide and its metabolite 2-chloroethanol which could be found in soup powders of some products. Ethylene oxide (EO) is widely used as a fumigating agent fo 2023-05-24