Volvo Korea has launched the new D4 model of its flagship S90 series, the company said Wednesday, touting the vehicle as one of the country’s most reasonably priced and affordable luxury sedans. 　Offered in both “Momentum” entry-level and “Inscription” trim, the 2017 D4 is priced at 59.9 million won ($51,400) and 66.9 million won, respectively, including taxes. 　In comparison, in Korea the Mercedes E-Class series runs anywhere from 60.9 million won to 98.7 million won, while Ford’s newly release

Mobility Jan. 25, 2017

The Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association announced Tuesday that it will offer free inspection services by five automakers during the Lunar New Year holiday this weekend.　From Thursday to Sunday, Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, GM Korea, Renault Samsung Motors and Ssangyong Motors will offer their customers vehicle inspection services free of charge at 22 participating highway rest stops and 48 service centers nationwide. 　The services will be offered at northbound rest stops on Thursday and Fri

Mobility Jan. 24, 2017

　Honda Korea has launched sales of its latest SUV model, the New Pilot 2017, less than a week after unveiling its new Accord Hybrid, the company announced Monday. 　“There continues to be growing interest … in the Pilot series because of its design, safety and space utilization, especially in a consumer culture of meticulous comparison that focuses on safety and fuel efficiency,” said Honda Korea CEO Chung Woo-young, in the company’s press release Monday.Honda Korea releases its “New Pilot 2017”

Mobility Jan. 24, 2017

IBM’s supercomputer Watson, an artificial intelligence-based cognitive computing program, is receiving mixed reviews a month after being introduced to Korean medical institutions.　Gachon University Gil Medical Center in Incheon became the first medical institute in Korea to utilize artificial intelligence to examine and treat cancer patients since October. 　Over the past 12 days, the hospital said Watson has been used to diagnose 85 cancer patients, receiving positive reviews from both patients

Technology Jan. 23, 2017

Protestors march across southern Seoul for Women's March against the US president Donald Trump on Saturday. (Ock Hyun-ju/The Koreal Herald)Hundreds of men and women took to the streets of Seoul on Saturday for the Women’s March that swept through the US and elsewhere on the first day of Donald Trump’s presidency. Braving the snow and subzero temperatures, an estimated 1,000 people, according to the rally organizers, marched for three hours through Gangnam, Seoul, joining the global grassroots ca

Politics Jan. 21, 2017

South Korea's culture minister resigned after being arrested Saturday for allegedly creating a "blacklist" of nearly 10,000 artists who voiced criticism of impeached President Park Geun-Hye.   Cho Yoon-Sun, who is the first minister in active service to be arrested in South Korea, is accused of creating the vast catalogue to starve the artists of government subsidies and private investments and place them under state surveillance.    The list's existence has sparked widespread anger, raising the

Social Affairs Jan. 21, 2017

The United States has asked South Korea to arrest former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's brother on charges of bribery, sources said Saturday.   South Korea's Ministry of Justice is in talks with the US government after it requested the arrest of Ban Ki-sang, the sources said. The younger Ban has been indicted with his son in New York in October. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (Yonhap)   Ban's brother and his nephew Ban Joo-hyun are accused of attempting to hand over some

Politics Jan. 21, 2017

Since launching its presale period on Jan. 4, Kia’s All New Morning compact smart car has landed more than 4,000 contracts in two weeks, the company announced Friday. 　Officially released to the public Tuesday, it marks the first new edition of Kia’s compact series in six years, since the second-generation model was released in 2011. The first in line to purchase the new All New Morning car was 25-year-old working mom Choi Soo-bin of Paju, Gyeonggi Province.Choi Soo-bin (center), the first custo

Business Jan. 20, 2017

Hyundai Motor Company Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun attended this year’s 2017 World Economic Forum, held in Davos, Switzerland from Jan. 17 to 20. 　Chung joined in on key sessions with the forum’s automotive committee, sharing his analysis of some of the industry’s top trends, including eco-friendly cars and autonomous vehicles, according to a press statement released by Hyundai on Thursday. 　The vice chairman reportedly met privately with CEOs of major global automakers, gauging future automotive

Mobility Jan. 19, 2017

Following Volkswagen’s emissions scandal in Korea that resulted in an order to recall 27,000 Tiguan SUVs starting next month, the Ministry of Environment announced Thursday that VW’s next recall plan involves roughly 15,000 CC mid-size sedans. 　According to the ministry, the German carmaker is currently negotiating the terms of the recall. The measure is expected to be approved by the ministry sometime in the middle of next month. 　Approximately 126,000 VW vehicles in Korea are expected to be re

Mobility Jan. 19, 2017