S. Korea, US to hold regular defense talks to discuss deterrence against NK threats

South Korea and the United States will hold regular defense talks next week to discuss ways to strengthen security cooperation against North Korean nuclear and missile threats, the South's defense ministry said Friday. The 25th Korea-US Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) is set to be held in Seoul on Monday and Tuesday for discussions on an array of security alliance issues ahead of the annual Security Consultative Meeting, which takes place annually in the fall. South Korea's Deputy M

Diplomatic CircuitSept. 20, 2024

[김대균의 영어산책] 최신 한국 일본 토익 기출 독해 동의어 정리 (3)

지난주에 이어 토익 독해 동의어를 제공한다. 예문은 토익 기출 예문이 아니고 필자가 모두 새롭게 만든 예문들이다! flat = unchanging flat - (a.) 평평한, 변하지 않는 (Not varying; unchanging) ★★★★ (ex) The sales figures remained flat over the last quarter. (지난 분기 동안 판매 수치는 변하지 않았다.) (ex) His tone was flat and unchanging throughout the conversation. (그의 말투는 대화 내내 변하지 않고 평평했다.) engage = hire engage - (v.) 고용하다, 채용하다 (To hire or employ someone) ★★★★ (ex) The company plans to engage new staff for the upcoming project. (회사는 다가오는 프로젝트를 위해 새로운 직원을

English EyeSept. 20, 2024

LIG Nex1 wins 3.7 tln-won deal to export missile defense system Cheongung-II to Iraq

LIG Nex1 Co., South Korea's major defense firm, said Friday it has secured a 3.7 trillion-won ($2.78 billion) contract with Iraq to export its Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile defense system. The deal was made with Iraq's defense ministry, though specific financial details were withheld for security reasons, according to LIG Nex1's regulatory filing. It is the third export contract for the Cheongung-II system, which is at the center of South Korea's missile de

Foreign AffairsSept. 20, 2024

Seoul shares open higher, tracking Wall Street gains

Seoul shares opened higher Friday, tracking gains on Wall Street, after the US Federal Reserve's first rate cut in more than four years lifted investor sentiment. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 1.09 percent, or 28.01 points, to 2,608.81 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 1.3 percent to 42,025.19 points, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite jumped 2.5 percent to 18,013.98. On Wednesday, the Fed kicked off its monetary-ea

MarketSept. 20, 2024

Yoon's office rejects ex-president's call for reconsidering unification policy

The presidential office on Thursday rejected former President Moon Jae-in's call for reviewing its approach to unification with North Korea, saying the previous government's dialogue-focused peace initiative is "unrealistic." A senior presidential official who accompanied President Yoon Suk Yeol on a trip to the Czech Republic made the remark after Moon criticized the Yoon administration's hard-line policy on North Korea and called for efforts to ease inter-Korean tensio

PoliticsSept. 20, 2024

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Glad Yeouido unveils new menu starring fall ingredients Glad Yeouido, a Glad Hotels and Resorts property located in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, western Seoul, offers a new gastronomic journey with fall ingredients until Nov. 30. Guests can enjoy dishes featuring freshwater eel, wild ginseng, abalone and lamb chops cooked with caviar, truffle and foie gras. The food promotion is available at lunch and dinner, which is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., respectively, at the

TravelSept. 20, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“I, the Executioner” (South Korea) Opened Sept. 24 Crime/Action Directed by Ryoo Seung-wan Veteran detective Seo Do-cheol (Hwang Jung-min) teams up with rookie cop Park Sun-woo (Jung Hae-in) to track down a serial killer who taunts the police by announcing his next victim before committing each crime. “Jung Kook: I Am Still” (South Korea) Opened Sept. 18 Documentary Directed by Park Jun-su Follow K-pop phenomenon BTS member Jung-kook and his performance in New York, Lon

FilmSept. 20, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Lantern festival in Namyangju Sandulsori Botanical Garden in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, is holding a lantern festival through the end of April next year. The botanical garden, open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., will give visitors lanterns to hold as they stroll around the compound that has a restaurant, bakery and cafe. Admission is 8,000 won for all ages except children two years old and younger. Outside food and pets are not allowed. Parking is free. For more information, visit sandulsori.co.k

TravelSept. 20, 2024

[Well-curated] Vintage lights, soul food and films at subway station

Delve into charming vintage lights For vintage enthusiasts, especially those who have a keen understanding of the effects of lighting, Big Sleep Shop is a space worth checking out. Located up a brick staircase in a narrow alley, the shop specializes in vintage lighting and lamps. As you step inside, you’ll find a harmonious display of vintage lamps from various countries including France and Germany. The shop offers housewares made of glass, porcelain and plastic, and showcases lamps of al

CultureSept. 20, 2024

Seoul chastises predatory pricing claims over Czech nuclear export deal

PRAGUE -- The presidential office denounced claims by opposition parties that the South Korean consortium, which became a preferred bidder to build at least two nuclear power units in the Czech Republic in July, had proposed an extremely low bidding price that could waste taxpayers' money following a rise in construction costs. The administration instead claimed that the pricing of the South Korean consortium, led by the state-run Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power, was made at a reasonable leve

PoliticsSept. 20, 2024

Presidential office rejects liberal agenda of peaceful existence of two Koreas

PRAGUE -- President Yoon Suk Yeol's office on Thursday denounced liberal politicians' emphasis on the peaceful coexistence of two Koreas, reiterating the conservative administration's goal of achieving ultimate peace through reunification as enshrined in the "Unification Doctrine" in August. Contrasting reunification of the separated nations with coexistence, an official of the South Korean presidential office said in Prague on condition of anonymity that the peaceful re

PoliticsSept. 20, 2024

[Andrei Hagiu] Why and how all businesses should consider turning their products into platforms

In the current digital era, businesses are constantly seeking ways to innovate, grow, and maintain a competitive edge. One increasingly popular strategy is transforming products into platforms. This approach involves expanding existing products and services to also enable interactions among customers or between customers and external third-parties. With some creative thinking and careful implementation, this strategy can generate new revenue streams and enhance competitive advantage via network

ViewpointsSept. 20, 2024

Leaders of S. Korea, Czech Republic agree to discuss nuclear energy push

PRAGUE -- President Yoon Suk Yeol and Czech President Petr Pavel agreed to strengthen diplomatic, economic and security ties between the two countries, at a time when South Korea is working to finalize the contract with Czech authorities over its 24 trillion won ($18 billion) nuclear export deal. "(To jointly counter global crisis and threats of authoritarianism), our two countries have decided to bolster cooperation in key areas including politics, economy, culture, technology, diplomacy a

PoliticsSept. 20, 2024

3.9 magnitude earthquake hits northwestern N. Korea: KMA

A 3.9 magnitude earthquake struck North Korea's northwestern province bordering China on Thursday, which is believed to be a natural one, the South Korean weather agency said. The quake struck an area 7 kilometers northeast-east of Ryongrim in Jagang Province, at 7:41 p.m., according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. The epicenter was at a latitude of 40.54 degrees north and a longitude of 126.75 degrees east, the KMA said. The quake is believed to have occurred naturally, it adde

Social AffairsSept. 19, 2024

Parliamentary subcommittee passes bill to toughen punishment for digital sex crimes against teens

A parliamentary subcommittee passed a bill Thursday that calls for tougher punishment for digital sex crimes using deepfake technologies against children and teenagers. During a subcommittee legislative review session, the National Assembly's gender equality and family committee made the bipartisan decision to pass the revision of the act on the protection of children against sex crimes. The proposed bill calls for sentencing of at least three years imprisonment for blackmailing young people usi

PoliticsSept. 19, 2024

Number of ER patients drops 32 pct during Chuseok holiday

The number of patients who visited hospital emergency rooms dropped 32 percent during the Chuseok holiday, the health ministry said Thursday, assessing that there were no major disruptions in emergency care. A prolonged walkout by trainee doctors had fueled concerns about potential disruptions at hospital emergency rooms during the holiday, prompting the government to ask patients with mild illnesses to visit community hospitals. The average number of patients who visited emergency rooms stood a

Social AffairsSept. 19, 2024