• 

  North Korea

  NK leader arrives in Russia ahead of Putin summit

  • Preparation underway in Vladivostok for Putin-Kim summit
  • Moon may face tough task as mediator in denuclearization talks

• Politics
  

  Agreement to fast-track key bills roils National Assembly

  Bareunmirae Party takes Rep. Oh Shin-hwan off the special committee, main opposition Liberty Korea Party vows all-out protest

• Industry
  

  Cho Won-tae appointed as Hanjin Group chairman

  Hanjin Group’s holding company Hanjin Kal said Wednesday its board of directors had decided to appoint Korean Air President Cho Won-tae as the group’s new chairman. The appointment of Cho is aimed at minimizing the leadership vacuum in the group and maintaining stable business operations, Hanjin Kal said in a statement, adding there will be no separate inauguration ceremony for Cho. Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae (Hanjin Group)This comes about two weeks after Cho’s father, former Hanjin Group

• North Korea
  

  Stalled nuclear talks put brakes on implementation of inter-Korean agreement

  About a year ago, President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held their historic first summit at the border village of Panmunjom, which led to a rapid thaw in inter-Korean relations.To mark the first anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration that the two Koreas signed at the April 27 inter-Korean summit, the South will hold a ceremony Saturday at the recently demilitarized Panmunjom, though Pyongyang’s lukewarm attitude toward Seoul in recent months indicates a slim chance of the N

• Technology
  

  Samsung to invest W133tr in non-memory biz by 2030

  Samsung Electronics said Wednesday that it would invest a total of 133 trillion won ($115.7 billion) by 2030 to become the world’s No. 1 integrated device manufacturer by strengthening its competitiveness in the foundry and system-on-chip segments. The investment plan was announced a month after President Moon Jae-in ordered the government to take steps to boost the country’s competitiveness in the global non-memory market, amid growing worries about falling exports of memory semiconductors as t

• Film
  

  [Herald Review] Avengers assemble for the glorious ‘Endgame’

  My only real regret about “Avengers: Endgame” is that I watched it in a country where it is considered rude to burst into applause during a screening: There were several moments in this damn-near perfect film that deserved a standing ovation.The last installment in the “Infinity” saga -- the first 22 films about the Marvel Cinematic Universe -- was the sort of culmination that the final film in any series should be. It had the catharsis and the wistful and loving farewell of “The Lord of the Rin

NEWSMAKER

• Politics

  

  Parliament to fast-track election reform, investigation unit bills this week

  The National Assembly is expected to fast-track bills on electoral reform and establishing a unit to investigate high-ranking government officials over corruption this week, party officials said Tuesday.Four parties on Monday reached a package deal on the adoption of a new proportional representation election system, the establishment of the investigative unit and enhancing the police's authority to conduct probes.(Yonhap)Earlier in the day, they approved the agreement at their respective meetin

LATEST NEWS

• Today

  

  North Korea

  N. Korea replaces top official involved in negotiations with US

  A senior North Korean official, who served as Pyongyang’s chief interlocutor in talks with the United States, has been replaced as head of a key espionage agency handling inter-Korean affairs, a lawmaker said Wednesday.Kim Yong-chol, chief of the United Front Department, was recently replaced by Jang Kum-chol, Rep. Lee Hye-hoon of the Bareunmirae Party, who leads the National Assembly’s Intelligence Committee, said, citing a source from Seoul’s spy agency.  North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (Yonha

• Today

  

  Defense

  Defense minister asks for US congress’ support for alliance

  Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo met US congressional leaders Wednesday and asked for their unwavering support for the maintenance of the strong alliance between the two countries, his office said. During his meeting with Sen. Chris Coons and Sen. Maggie Hassan in Seoul, Jeong expressed appreciation for their support for peace-building initiatives on the Korean Peninsula, while noting that the Seoul-Washington alliance and the joint defense posture “are stronger than ever before.”Jeong Kyeong-d

• Today

  

  Economy

  S. Korea asks Moody’s to reflect its policy efforts in credit evaluation

  South Korea’s chief economic policymaker asked Moody’s officials to take into account Seoul’s efforts to boost the economy and eased geopolitical risks in evaluating the country’s sovereign rating, the finance ministry said Wednesday.Hong Nam-ki, the minister of economy and finance, made the appeal in a meeting with a Moody’s delegation led by Michael Taylor, chief credit officer for the Asia-Pacific, at a government building in Seoul.Hong Nam-ki (Yonhap)Moody’s upgraded the rating for South Kor

• Today

  

  Film

  ‘Avengers 4’ sets new first-day attendance record

  The eagerly awaited “Avengers: Endgame” drew more than 1.27 million viewers on the first day of its release in South Korea to set a new record, data showed Wednesday.According to the data from the Korean Film Council, the US film set the new high as of 6:40 p.m., beating the previous record of 1.24 million posted by the Korean action fantasy “Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days” on Aug. 1 last year.The movie passed the 1 million mark at about 11:30 a.m., the fastest pace ever for a film shown

• Today

  

  Diplomatic Circuit

  Experts discuss ways to enhance cultural exchange between Korea, ASEAN

  The Korean Wave has enhanced cultural exchange between Korea and the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, building a close regional bond, experts said at a forum organized by The Korea Herald on Wednesday. Under the theme of “ASEAN and Korean Waves,” some 30 high-level representatives from leading media organizations in Southeast Asian countries and Korea, as well as the government, academia and business communities, discussed ways to spread the phenomenon through mutu

More Stories

SPOTLIGHT

• Social affairs

  

  Actress Yoon Ji-oh accused of defamation

  A writer has filed a complaint with the police against Yoon Ji-oh, an actress who claims to have seen a suicide note written by her colleague Jang Ja-yeon 10 years ago, on charges of defamation and contempt.The accuser’s lawyer said at a press conference in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency after filing the complaint on Tuesday that Yoon was using Jang’s death when all she had seen was Jang being molested. Yoon Ji-oh (Yonhap)Yoon has said Jang’s suicide note contained a list of men J

• 

  Food

  Town dedicated to Korea’s all-time favorite snack

  Seoul’s alleys are filled with eateries specializing in particular dishes. The Korea Herald takes you on a foodie trip to narrow alleys where decades-old establishments beckon diners with their secret recipes, often handed down through generations. - Ed. Tteokbokki (Lee So-jung / The Korea Herald)In the heart of Seoul there is a “town” for tteokbokki, the beloved finger-sized rice cakes stir-fried in a thick, fiery red sauce. Dubbed “Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town,” indicating its location near Si

• 

  Industry

  CJ to shut down Bibigo in China by August

  CJ is shutting down its loss-making Korean restaurant chain Bibigo in China, with a plan to dissolve the unit by August this year, according to an industry source. The move is part of restructuring of its food and beverage business due to poor profitability. It follows the closure of VIPS, the group’s family restaurant chain that ended operations in March, the source told The Investor on Tuesday on the condition of anonymity. Bibigo restaurants in China took up half of the total number of stores

• 

  Industry

  Nexon Developers Conference 2019 kicks off

  The three-day Nexon Developers Conference kicked off Wednesday at Nexon Korea’s headquarters in Pangyo Techno Valley, Gyeonggi Province. The NDC began in 2007 as an opportunity for Nexon Korea employees to share knowledge internally. It has since become Korea’s biggest conference for sharing knowledge on game development.  (Lim Jeong-yeo/The Korea Herald)

GRAPHIC NEWS

• 

EDITORIAL

• Burdensome inheritance

  Korea’s death tax effectively heaviest in OECD; hundreds of firms go up for sale due to estate taxes

• Kim in Russia

  North Korean leader courts Putin’s support

VIEWPOINTS

THE INVESTOR

• Blockchain

  

  Social media veteran bets on blockchain

  For Kwak Jin-young, founder and CEO of blockchain company Sigmachain, creating a globally successful service has always been his dream. He led the team that designed Cyworld, which was popular in South Korea before the era of Facebook and Kakao Talk. “Cyworld and Kakao all failed to become a global service, but blockchain has brought us a new opportunity,” Kwak said in a recent interview with The Investor, adding that while it is almost impossible to create entirely new services, like Cyworld or

• 

  Office Consulting

  Seoul’s commercial realty transactions jump 68% in Q1, Seoul Square deal takes up half

  The volume of investment in commercial real estate in Seoul and the adjacent Bundang district came to 1.9 trillion won ($1.7 billion) through 20 deals in the first quarter of this year, data showed on April 24.The figure rose 68 percent on-quarter, amid the realty market’s potential to deliver long-term returns, according to an estimate by commercial real estate service firm Cushman & Wakefield’s Seoul unit.  Courtesy of Seoul Square“Prices are likely be sustained by ample liquidity as well as a

• 

  Bio & Medicine

  L&K Biomed at risk of being delisted by KRX

  L&K Biomed is at risk of being delisted by bourse operator Korea Exchange, according to industry sources on April 24.The South Korean health care company’s stock trading has been suspended, as an external accounting auditor has issued a “disclaimer of opinion” on its internal accounting control system. The auditor said that its foreign sales were recorded falsely. According to the auditor, L&K Biomed had considered products moved to a foreign unit as sales, though the related amount can only be

• 

  Industrials

  Asiana Airlines credit placed on negative watch despite relief package

  Asiana Airlines, South Korea’s distressed No. 2 carrier, was placed on a watchlist for a possible downgrade by a Korean credit rating agency on April 23, despite its creditors’ plan to extend a 1.6 trillion won ($1.4 billion) relief package the same day.Related:Asiana share price soars on Kumho’s decision to sellKumho Asiana creditors demand asset sell-off, solid loan repayment planCorrected audit report weighs on Asiana AirlinesSeoul-based credit rating agency NICE Investors Service put the com

K-POP HERALD

• 

  Twice returns strong with bold single ‘Fancy’

• 

  BTS’ ‘Boy With Luv’ debuts record 8th on Billboard Hot 100

• 

  BTS notches third No. 1 on Billboard 200 with new album

• 

  Reviewing BTS’ music: ‘BTS was not made in a day’

HERALD INTERVIEW

• Industry

  

  Korea aims to go global with IP system

  Equipped with comprehensive IP portfolio, KIPO chief pledges to expand scope of IP exports to ASEAN, India and Brazil

• 

  Economy

  PPS chief to strengthen procurement exports by emphasizing innovative growth

  Koppex convention marks 20th anniversary as procurement agency celebrates 70th anniversary

• 

  People

  Diminutive ‘Kids Creators’ inject fresh perspective into YouTube

  Twenty years ago, celebrity and K-pop idol crept up the list of dream jobs for children in Korea – a list formerly occupied by doctor, scholar, politician or government official. What followed were a flood of TV talent shows and reality programs on youth aspiring for the limelight. Recent surveys suggest the times are changing once more, as children are opting to perform in front of the much smaller camera of a personal computer as a YouTuber, or as it is more commonly known here, “YouTube Cr

• 

  Industry

  Rethinking amputee status, prosthetics market in Korea

  Certified rehabilitation and ortho-prosthetics doctor envisions Korea where people with prosthesis can thrive

PHOTO NEWS

• Music

  

  Paradise for music players

  In Seoul, there is a paradise for music players.Nakwon Instrument Arcade, otherwise known as Nakwon Music Mall, is a one-stop shopping center of over 300 independent music stores -- selling virtually everything related to music.  (Park Hyun-koo / The Korea Herald)Located in the vicinity of the tourist-heavy Insa-dong and currently Seoul’s hippest street Ikseon-dong, this shop cluster occupies the second and third floors of Nagwon building, which also houses eateries, practice rooms, a concert st

VIDEO

• Food

  

  Town dedicated to Korea’s all-time favorite snack

  Seoul’s alleys are filled with eateries specializing in particular dishes. The Korea Herald takes you on a foodie trip to narrow alleys where decades-old establishments beckon diners with their secret recipes, often handed down through generations. - Ed. Tteokbokki (Lee So-jung / The Korea Herald)In the heart of Seoul there is a “town” for tteokbokki, the beloved finger-sized rice cakes stir-fried in a thick, fiery red sauce. Dubbed “Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town,” indicating its location near Si

• 

  Social affairs

  Opening up workplaces to people with disabilities

  Growing up students are taught to embrace diversity in all corners of life, think in other people’s shoes and to not judge a book by its cover.　 In South Korea’s fast-paced, results-focused workplaces, however, core values are often forgotten, with companies applying unilateral recruitment processes, leaving almost no room to spare for persons with disabilities. The right assistance and a shift in social perceptions are needed to pave the way for disabled people to excel at work, ultimatel

• 

  People

  Sound is universal language: ASMR creator Miniyu

  Korean YouTuber makes videos to comfort and heal

• 

  Automode

  King of off-roading, Wrangler, targets urban drivers, but will it work?

  One challenge many automakers face with sport utility vehicles is how to maintain their off-road capabilities while still appealing to daily SUV users.Jeep, an SUV brand under the Fiat Chrysler Automobile group, faced this challenge with its iconic Wrangler, which maintains its rough and tough off-roader image. Many drivers still believe the Wrangler suits hard-core off-roading enthusiasts driving on dusty, unpaved surfaces. But to break from its conventional image and expand its customer base,

MOST POPULAR

• Singer Park Yoo-chun to retire from showbiz over suspected meth use
• K-pop star Park Yoo-chun tests positive for drugs
• Garbage returned from Philippines to be incinerated Wednesday
• Actress Yoon Ji-oh accused of defamation
• S. Korea draws up W6.7tr budget bill to curb fine dust, boost economy
• Naver’s Papago more popular than Google Translate among Koreans
• NK leader arrives in Russia ahead of Putin summit
• Iran sanctions alarm Korean petrochemical sector
• Preparation underway in Vladivostok for Putin-Kim summit
• Avengers assemble for the glorious ‘Endgame’

FEATURES

• Finance

  

  Corporate Korea on track to welcoming more female leaders: Woori Bank executive VP

  The Korea Herald is publishing a series of articles spotlighting the stories and opinions of female executives in Korea’s finance-banking industry, where the glass ceiling remains. - Ed.In the early 1990s, South Korea’s corporate landscape had a distinct characteristic: Men made up and led the country’s primary workforce. The banking-finance industry was no exception. During this time, Korean banks had separate hiring and wage systems for men and women. Female employees were almost always assign

• 

  Technology

  FPGA inventor Xilinx offers lesson to Korea in non-memory chip challenge

  Creating new sector, remaining true to scientific foundations key to success in Korea’s non-memory quest

• 

  Social affairs

  Opening up workplaces to people with disabilities

  Growing up students are taught to embrace diversity in all corners of life, think in other people’s shoes and to not judge a book by its cover.　 In South Korea’s fast-paced, results-focused workplaces, however, core values are often forgotten, with companies applying unilateral recruitment processes, leaving almost no room to spare for persons with disabilities. The right assistance and a shift in social perceptions are needed to pave the way for disabled people to excel at work, ultimatel

• 

  Arts&Design

  Mindful relaxation at Museum San

  Museum San opens meditation hall, offers art-centered sanctuary

WEEKENDER

• Culture

  

  ASMR: The feel-good world made of unexpected sounds

  If you haven’t heard of ASMR, believe us, it is huge. On YouTube, videos of people whispering in their microphone, or creating certain sounds that are supposed to trigger an “autonomous sensory meridian response” -- a tingling sensation that typically starts from your scalp and moves down your spine -- are aplenty. And they are being watched tens of millions of times globally.  (Illustration by Nam Kyung-don)In South Korea, never too far behind a global trend, ASMR has really caught on recently.

• 

  Food

  Eat your namul, for your health and the Earth’s

  Plant-based eating is emerging as a healthier and more sustainable alternative amid repeated global warnings about climate change. For most South Koreans, however, the concept is pretty familiar. Despite recent Western influences, for centuries Koreans have been a plant-loving people. “We are indeed a namul people,” said food and nutrition professor Jung Hye-kyung of Hoseo University, referring to edible wild plants and the important role they have played in the Korean diet throughout history.Th

• 

  Culture

  In love with #retro

  Young hipsters’ curiosity drives Instagram-centric ‘new-tro’ fever