[Tyler Cowen] US expat taxes too complicated

President-elect Donald Trump pledged last month to eliminate “the Double Taxation of overseas Americans.” Never mind the clumsy wording -- taxes on US citizens working abroad aren’t excessive so much as excessively complicated -- this is one campaign promise that may actually be fulfilled, given the Republican control of both houses of Congress. That would be a good thing not only for those Americans but also for America. There is in fact a long-standing debate over getting rid

ViewpointsNov. 20, 2024

S. Korea held by Palestine as winning streak ends in World Cup qualifiers

South Korea were held to a 1-1 draw by Palestine on Tuesday as their winning streak in the Asian World Cup qualifiers came to an end at four. Captain Son Heung-min netted the equalizer in the 16th minute, four minutes after Palestine had scored first at Amman International Stadium in Amman in the teams' Group B match in the third round of the Asian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It was Son's 51st international goal, giving him sole possession of second place on South Korea&

SoccerNov. 20, 2024

Russia says Ukraine fired 6 ATACMs at the Bryansk region

Russia’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday that Ukraine fired six US-made ATACMs missiles at Russia’s Bryansk region. In a statement carried by Russian news agencies, the ministry said it shot down five of them and damaged one more. The fragments fell on the territory of an unspecified military facility, the ministry said. The announcement comes shortly after Washington lifted restrictions on Ukraine using US-made longer-range missiles to strike Russia. Ukraine didn't immediately co

World NewsNov. 19, 2024

Ukraine strikes arsenal amid reports US ATACMS used in Russia for first time

Kyiv said on Tuesday it struck a Russian arsenal near the town of Karachev in the Bryansk region, over 110 kilometers from Ukraine, in what two Ukrainian media outlets reported was a first strike with US-supplied ATACMS missiles. There was no official confirmation from Ukraine about what weapon was used. The military's general staff and military intelligence agency did not immediately reply to requests for comment. Reuters and other outlets reported on Sunday that Kyiv was granted permissio

World NewsNov. 19, 2024

Ukraine's Zelenskiy says NK troop contingent in Russia could grow to 100,000

The number of North Korean troops stationed inside Russia could grow to 100,000, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday. Kyiv and its Western allies say North Korea has supplied Russia with weaponry and troops to bolster its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "Now, Putin has brought 11,000 North Korean troops to Ukraine's borders. This contingent may grow to 100,000," Zelenskiy said in a virtual address to the European Parliament. South Korea's spy agency said l

World NewsNov. 19, 2024

Putin signs new nuclear doctrine after US arms decision for Ukraine

President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed a revised nuclear doctrine declaring that a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on his country. Putin’s endorsement of the new nuclear deterrent policy comes on the 1,000th day after he sent troops into Ukraine, on Feb. 24, 2022. It follows US President Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike targets inside Russia with US-supplied longer-range missiles. The sig

World NewsNov. 19, 2024

[More than APT] Why apartment complexes flourish in Korea

When Rose chants "apateu, apateu" in the hit song "APT.," most Koreans of a certain age will think "apartment buildings," not the drinking game that inspired the K-pop singer. The ubiquity of cookie-cutter apartments that look pretty much the same all over urban South Korea may be a curiosity to most outsiders but, for the majority of Koreans, they represent an ideal living environment and crucial investment. Some 62.9 percent of Korea's housing consists of apa

Arts & DesignNov. 19, 2024

Ex-president's daughter referred to prosecution over drunk driving

Former President Moon Jae-in's daughter was referred to the prosecution Tuesday on charges of drunk driving, police said. The Seoul Yongsan Police Station said it referred Moon Da-hye to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors Office without physical detention for allegedly causing a collision with a taxi in Seoul's Itaewon district on Oct. 5 while driving under the influence of alcohol. Her blood alcohol concentration was measured at 0.14 percent, exceeding the 0.08 percent threshold f

PoliticsNov. 19, 2024

Posco shuts down wire rod mill in Pohang amid supply glut

South Korea's leading steelmaker, Posco, said Tuesday it shut down a wire rod mill in its factory in the southeastern city of Pohang in an effort to boost profitability and managerial efficiency. The Unit 1 wire rod mill at the Pohang factory, 273 kilometers southeast of Seoul, was brought to an end in the day after more than 45 years of operation, according to the steelmaker. The shutdown decision was made due to the heated competition and oversupply in the global wire rod market from chea

IndustryNov. 19, 2024

3 die of suffocation at Hyundai Motor’s Ulsan plant

Three researchers died of suffocation during a vehicle testing at Hyundai Motor Company’s car manufacturing plant in Ulsan, some 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul. According to police officials Tuesday, a man in his 40s, another in his 30s and one unidentified person were found unconscious at 3 p.m., following a vehicle test conducted in the multi-environment chamber within the plant's electrical quality division. The test involves vehicles being exposed to vibration as well as high t

MobilityNov. 19, 2024

Hyundai Mobis eyes 40% of orders from global carmakers

Hyundai Mobis, a car parts manufacturing subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, has committed to having global automakers account for 40 percent of its client base by leveraging its advanced automotive technology. “One of our core pillars of a long-term growth strategy is to become the world’s top three auto parts supplier, reducing reliance on Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia," which account for 90 percent of auto parts and system orders, said Axel Maschka, vice president and head of glob

MobilityNov. 19, 2024

Pianist Cho Seong-jin to tour Asia with BRSO and maestro Simon Rattle

The world-renowned Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra is returning to South Korea after six years, this time with Simon Rattle as chief conductor, for concerts featuring celebrated pianist Cho Seong-jin as soloist. Cho, who joined Rattle on his last three world tours with different orchestras, will be the sole featured artist for the German orchestra's two-week-long Asia tour, with performances in Korea, Japan and Taiwan. The Asia tour will begin Wednesday at the Lotte Concert Hall in Jams

CultureNov. 19, 2024

Diplomats in Seoul gather on 1,000th day of full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine

Ambassadors and other representatives of diplomatic missions from around 20 countries filled the Warriors’ Lounge at the the War Memorial of Korea in central Seoul, near the presidential office in Yongsan on Tuesday, as Ukraine marked 1,000 days since Russia launched a full-scale invasion. The commemorative event was organized by the Ukraine Embassy in South Korea. Ponomarenko Dmytro, the ambassador of Ukraine to Seoul, said in remarks that North Korea joining Russia in its aggression has

PoliticsNov. 19, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Rose to drop another prerelease from solo LP

Rose of Blackpink will put out a B-side track from her upcoming first solo studio album on Friday, agency The Black Label said Tuesday. The track “number one girl” will be one of 12 tracks from her LP “rosie,” due for release Dec. 6. The single comes about a month after Bruno Mars collaboration “APT.” swept music charts in Korea and abroad. Inspired by a Korean drinking game, the infectious tune topped iTunes Top Songs chart in 40 regions and ranked No. 8 on B

K-popNov. 19, 2024

[History Through Films] ‘Default’: a tense political thriller on South Korea’s IMF crisis

The year 1997 remains one of South Korea’s most devastating periods since the Korean War. It was the year the country faced a devastating sovereign default, forcing the government to implement drastic measures such as market deregulation, budget cuts and the dismantling of labor protection laws — all in exchange for a bailout from the International Monetary Fund. Director Choi Kook-hee’s “Default” (2018) is a gripping and informative political thriller that brings

FilmNov. 19, 2024

Experts dismiss Lotte's liquidity crisis rumors amid stock plunges

Lotte Group's stock plummeted to record lows on rumors of a liquidity crisis, but experts claim these concerns are overstated and emphasize the need for better debt control. The holding company’s stock closed at 20,550 won ($14.80) on Monday, down 6.6 percent from the previous day, while Lotte Chemical saw the sharpest decline among its subsidiaries, falling 10.22 percent to 65,900 won and reducing its market capitalization to 2.82 trillion won, a 15-year low. Both stocks hit 52-week

IndustryNov. 19, 2024

ZYX Technology teams up with Jeonbuk University to foster CAD experts

South Korean design software developer Zyx Technology announced Tuesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Jeonbuk National University to nurture future software talent in North Jeolla Province. Under the partnership, ZYX Technology plans to offer ZYX CAD licenses worth a combined 1 billion won ($720,000) over the next three years, while carrying out research and development in the AI software sector. ZYX CAD is a versatile computer-aided design software that leverages multipl

IndustryNov. 19, 2024

Seoul shares end tad higher ahead of Nvidia earnings; won up for 3rd day

South Korean stocks rose for the second straight day Tuesday following a sharp gain the previous session ahead of the release of AI giant Nvidia's third-quarter earnings. The local currency rose for the third consecutive day against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index climbed 2.88 points, or 0.12 percent, to close at 2,471.95. The main index soared 2.16 percent Monday, marking the largest gain since Sept. 26. Trade volume was moderate at 401.2 million shares worth

MarketNov. 19, 2024

Why are Yale students taking K-pop classes?

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut — At Yale University, K-pop is not just a global music phenomenon -- it is the subject of serious academic inquiry. During the recent two-day K-Pop: Musical Production and Consumption conference on Thursday and Friday, 160 participants gathered to explore the genre’s history, industry dynamics and cultural impact. Among them were students from one of Yale’s five K-pop-related courses, including a class taught by Grace Kao, an IBM professor of sociology an

K-popNov. 19, 2024