[Photo News] Art takes off at Incheon Airport

Incheon International Airport unveiled a large-scale art project on Saturday, as part of its fourth-phase expansion completion, transforming Terminal 2 into a vibrant cultural hub. Featuring 18 art pavilions spread across 8,000 square meters, travelers can enjoy a fusion of Korean traditions and art from across the world as they walk through and spend time at the terminal. Some highlights from the permanent exhibition include Chae Byungrok’s "Good Luck & Colorful Wishes" an

IndustryDec. 1, 2024

FSS chief intensifies probe into Young Poong for accounting flaws

South Korea’s top financial regulator is intensifying its investigation into Young Poong amid growing concerns over the company’s environmental violations and potential improper collusion with private equity firm MBK Partners, as tensions rise in its continuing dispute with Korea Zinc. Lee Bok-hyun, head of the Financial Supervisory Service, said Thursday that the agency had launched a probe into Young Poong after uncovering accounting irregularities, including unrecognized impairmen

IndustryDec. 1, 2024

[Test Drive] BMW's new X3 offers sedan-like driving

The new X3, BMW’s latest sports utility vehicle, has come back as a premium mid-sized SUV that offers the comfort driving of a luxury sedan while looking more dynamic than ever. The Korea Herald got to ride the new X3 20 xDrive, a full-change model following the previous third generation that has been immensely popular in the global market since its launch in 2017, in a media test drive and launch ceremony held at the BMW Experience Center in Incheon on Thursday. The BMW X3 has led Korea&r

MobilityDec. 1, 2024

[Herald Interview] 'Development assistance is important for export-dependent Korea'

Strengthening international development assistance efforts could be a solution to lifting the stagnant Korean economy, as such aid helps create a global economic environment favorable to countries with an export-led growth model, according to the chief of the multilateral lender World Bank Group’s Korea office. “For a country like Korea that is engaged in trading in international markets and a lot of its wealth comes from access to export markets, creating a stable and prosperous g

EconomyDec. 1, 2024

[Contribution] Exploring Kazakhstan: Land of tourist wonders

By Nurgali Arystanov Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Korea Kazakhstan, the world's ninth-largest country, is a land of breathtaking natural beauty, deep cultural heritage and unique tourist opportunities. From snow-capped mountains and expansive steppes to futuristic cities and ancient Silk Road sites, Kazakhstan offers a variety of experiences for every traveler. Its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, coupled with a growing network of inter

Foreign AffairsDec. 1, 2024

Assembly clash looms as opposition pushes vote on W4tr budget cut

The National Assembly is on a collision course as the parliament, where the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea holds the majority of seats, pushed through a budget cut proposal that would strip authorities in the Yoon Suk Yeol administration of their confidential funds. This came along with another high-stakes opposition-led move to impeach the head of the state-run Board of Audit and Inspection and three prosecutors who found Yoon's wife Kim Keon Hee not guilty of her alleged involvement

PoliticsDec. 1, 2024

Russian defense chief leaves North Korea after high-level talks

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov left Pyongyang on Saturday after holding talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his North Korean counterpart, No Kwang-chol, in the latest show of deepening cooperation between the two countries. The Russian delegation led by Belousov departed from the North Korean capital at the end of his two-day visit laden with meetings with the country’s political and military leaders, the North’s Korean Central News Agency reported Sunday. The Ru

PoliticsDec. 1, 2024

Samsung challenges LG in home appliance subscription market

Samsung Electronics has entered a new round of competition with LG Electronics in the home appliance subscription services market by launching its own service centered on artificial intelligence products. Samsung announced Sunday the introduction of its AI subscription club service, which is available at the tech giant’s offline store nationwide and official online store. This service allows consumers to pay a monthly subscription fee to use home appliances for a certain period. By subsc

IndustryDec. 1, 2024

Hyundai-Kia may face 19% profit loss from US tariffs: report

Korean automaker Hyundai and its smaller affiliate Kia may face a steep 19 percent decline in operating profitability if the US enacts a proposed 20 percent tariff on vehicles imported from South Korea, according to a report by S&P Global Ratings published last Friday. The potential tariffs, part of US President-elect Donald Trump’s suggested “universal tariff” on imports, would significantly impact the automaker’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amo

MobilityDec. 1, 2024

Both parties agree to delay crypto tax

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea has agreed to delay taxes on profits from cryptocurrency trades, floor leader Rep. Park Chan-dae said Sunday. “We have decided to agree to a two-year moratorium on the implementation of the cryptocurrency taxation proposed by the government and ruling party,” Park said in a press conference. The law taxing cryptocurrency income is set to come into effect from January. The government earlier proposed postponing the law by two years, and th

PoliticsDec. 1, 2024

[Reporter’s Notebook] Inside Korea’s diplomatic failure at Japan’s memorial ceremony

South Korea's diplomatic fallout over Japan's memorial ceremony on Sado -- an event Seoul had anticipated as a tribute to Korean victims forced into labor in the island's mines -- was far from unexpected. The outcome was the foreseeable result of missteps: the South Korean Foreign Ministry's complacency and its narrow fixation on securing the presence of a high-ranking Japanese official, at the expense of addressing critical diplomatic priorities. The failure also stemmed fro

Foreign AffairsDec. 1, 2024

Labor Ministry rejects E-9 visas for foreign bus drivers

The Ministry of Employment and Labor has declined Seoul’s request to expand the E-9 visa program to allow foreign bus drivers on local community routes. The ministry stated that the proposal is incompatible with current laws and will be treated as a long-term issue requiring further consideration. According to the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Control Act, the E-9 visa program excludes professional occupations that require qualifications or experience. Bus driving, classified as a

Social AffairsDec. 1, 2024

Lawmaker calls for larger scope of 'family'

Mentioning actor Jung Woo-sung and model Moon Ga-bi having a child while not marrying each other, People Power Party Rep. Na Kyung-won proposed introducing a policy similar to France’s "Pacte Civil de Solidarite" to offer legal protection for children born to unmarried parents. The PACS, a form of civil union in France, provides legal status to unmarried couples --both same-sex and opposite-sex -- granting some of the rights of marriage. Citing recent statistics, she wrote on Fac

Social AffairsDec. 1, 2024

Perceptions of health linked to education, parenthood, economic level: study

South Koreans with higher education, income and no children are more likely to perceive themselves as healthier than their peers, according to the Korea Health Promotion Institute’s recent survey. The survey of 2000 adults aged 19-70, found that 39.4 percent of respondents with a university degree or higher considered themselves healthier than others their age, compared to 29.5 percent of those with a high school diploma or less. Similarly, 38.5 percent of economically active respondents r

Social AffairsDec. 1, 2024

(G)I-dle confirms full-unit contract renewal at MMA

After months of speculation, (G)I-dle officially announced the renewal of their contracts with Cube Entertainment as a full unit, during the 2024 Melon Music Awards (MMA) held at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, Saturday. The group also swept five major awards at the event, including Record of the Year, Artist of the Year, KakaoBank Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Rookie of the Year. During their acceptance speech, leader Soyeon directly addressed rumors about the group’s disbandment.

K-popDec. 1, 2024

[Herald Interview] Director of 'Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born' discusses bringing together viewers across ages, genders

Hit series "Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born," which has achieved a peak viewership rating of a whopping 16.5 percent during its run, has left a remarkable impact on the K-drama landscape. By reviving a forgotten historical theme for modern audiences, it not only reintroduced a piece of cultural history but also managed to draw viewers of all ages and genders to the small screen -- breaking away from the typical viewership of Korean dramas, which primarily consist of women aged 20 to 49. T

TelevisionDec. 1, 2024

BTS members dominate charts, award shows despite military service

Despite most members of BTS serving their mandatory military duty, the group continues to dominate music charts and year-end award ceremonies, with its members achieving remarkable individual successes. Jungkook, the last member in the group to join the army, took home three trophies at the 2024 Melon Music Awards (MMA) held at Inspire Arena in Incheon, Saturday. He was honored in the main prize, the Top 10 category, as well as best solo – male, and Millions Top 10. Jungkook has now won al

K-popDec. 1, 2024

[Herald Interview] Estonian foreign affairs committee chair expresses worries over growing NK-Russia ties

Marko Mihkelson, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Estonian parliament, expressed deep concerns over the growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia during a recent interview with The Korea Herald. During a visit to Seoul last month, Mihkelson highlighted the strong diplomatic and security ties between Estonia and South Korea, noting the upcoming opening of Korea's embassy in Estonia as a milestone that will enhance cooperation and support shared commitment to

Foreign AffairsDec. 1, 2024

Korea’s advanced nuclear tech to take center stage at NES 2024

In aims to showcase South Korea's advanced nuclear power technologies and their potential to address global energy and climate challenges, the Global Nuclear Energy & Safety Confex 2024 will take place from Tuesday to Thursday at the Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Hosted by the Korea Nuclear Association for International Cooperation, the three-day event, themed “Borderless Energy: Globalizing Nuclear Business,” will

IndustryDec. 1, 2024

Sudan expresses gratitude to S. Korea for humanitarian support

The Sudanese embassy in Seoul expressed its gratitude to the South Korean government for offering humanitarian aid at a press briefing held in Seoul. According to the United Nations, Sudan is facing the worst humanitarian crisis in recent history after nearly a year of war amid international inattention and inaction. The situation in Sudan is dire, with over 8.4 million people, including 2 million children under the age of five, forced to flee their homes in the wake of the conflict. South Korea

Foreign AffairsDec. 1, 2024