Global map of COVID-19 cases

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South Korea   Cases 14,660｜Deaths 305

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  Social affairs

  Typhoon Jangmi extends deadly monsoon season

  • Typhoon Jangmi makes landfall in southern Korea

• Social affairs
  

  New daily virus cases bounce back to over 30 as church-linked infections rise

  South Korea's new coronavirus cases bounced back to above 30 on Tuesday, as an uptick in church-traced infections shows no signs of letup. The country identified an additional 34 virus cases, including 23 domestic infections, raising the total caseload to 14,660, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). It marked a slight increase from the 28 new virus cases, including 17 local infections, the previous day. Of the locally transmitted cases, six were reported

• Culture
  

  As Korean content goes global, cultural sensitivity becomes key issue

  When students from Uijeongbu High School parodied Ghana’s famous dancing pallbearers, South Korea-based Ghanaian television personality Sam Okyere took to social media to criticize the students for painting their faces brown. A few days later, Okyere apologized after people said it was inappropriate to post a photo of the students without permission. They also took exception to his use of the hashtag “#teakpop,” which is typically used in a derogatory way about K-pop. Many K

• Industry
  

  Moon’s solar power initiative pays heavy price by cutting down 2.3m trees

  Mountainside solar farms emerge as main culprit for triggering landslides amid downpour, despite some doubts　

• Foreign affairs
  

  Trump says he wants to host G7 summit after election

  WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump said Monday that he wants to host a Group of Seven summit after the presidential election in November, not in September as previously planned. South Korea has paid keen attention to the upcoming G7 meeting since Trump said in May that he will invite the country, along with Australia, India and Russia, to join the forum. "I'm much more inclined to do it sometime after the election," Trump said during a White House press briefing. "We wer

• Defense
  

  S. Korea, US set to launch combined summertime exercise next week

  South Korea and the United States are expected to kick off their annual summertime combined exercise next week in a scaled-back manner due to coronavirus concerns, a source said Tuesday. The computer-simulated command post training will likely run from Aug. 16-28, the source said. In the run-up to the exercise, the two countries launched a four-day crisis management staff training (CMST) on Tuesday. Defense ministry officials, however, declined to confirm the dates. "The JCS is preparing

• Foreign affairs
  

  FM in Germany to discuss G-7 invitation, COVID-19 responses

    South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is in Berlin on her first overseas trip in six months since the coronavirus outbreak. 　 The Korean official was set to hold a meeting with German counterpart Heiko Maas on Monday morning (local time) to discuss various issues, including the two countries’ responses to the pandemic, bilateral ties, people-to-people exchanges and other international issues, according to the Foreign Ministry  　 Kang flew to the German capital Sunday

• Retail
  

  [Eye on Business] How Cleanwrap became a household name

  South Korea’s No. 1 food wrapping company expands presence globally

• Economy
  

  OECD forecasts S. Korea’s GDP ranking to take 9th

  South Korea is forecast to climb up three notches to ninth in global gross domestic product rankings this year, despite its negative growth of 3.3 percent in the second quarter, data showed Monday.  Asia’s fourth-largest economy is likely to see 1.8 percent decline in its nominal GDP to reach $1.54 trillion this year on the condition that the country circumvents a second wave of the coronavirus, according to data from Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The OECD

NEWSMAKER

• Defense

  

  Military police recommend airman be charged with AWOL in 'emperor-like military service' case

  Military police wrapped up an investigation into allegations that an enlisted airman enjoyed preferential treatment due to his father's influence, recommending that the military prosecution charge him with going absent without leave, officials said Monday. The probe began in June after an online petition at the presidential office website claimed that the conscript enjoyed a variety of privileges, including having a noncommissioned officer do errands for him, thanks to his father's position as

LATEST NEWS

• Today

  

  People

  [Herald Interview] How to declutter home and simplify life

  Professional organizer Yoon Sun-hyun shares tricks to keeping tidy home

• Today

  

  Social affairs

  [News Focus] Gyeonggi Province outstrips ‘Seoul plus Busan’ in population

  1 in 4 Koreans reside in Gyeonggi; Will Korea split province?

• Today

  

  Industry

  [Monitor] Business sentiment of small firms improves

  The business sentiment of small and micro businesses in South Korea improved in the second quarter, although it remained lower than the pre-pandemic level. A survey conducted by the Korea Federation of Credit Guarantee Foundations showed Monday that the business survey index covering 2,183 small businesses reached 47.4, up 30.7 points from the first quarter. An index above 100 means more are optimistic. The BSI in the first quarter plunged to 16.7 from 57.7 in the fourth quarter of 2019 due

• Today

  

  Social affairs

  More virus cases reported at Russia-flagged ship in Busan

  BUSAN -- More seafarers on a Russia-flagged ship docked in the southern port city of Busan were confirmed to have been infected with the new coronavirus, health authorities said Tuesday. Four additional Indonesian sailors on the fishing vessel have tested positive for COVID-19. Health authorities believe they might have contracted the virus through the captain of the ship, who tested positive for the novel coronavirus last week. So far, eight virus cases have been traced to the Russia-flagg

• Today

  

  Markets

  Seoul stocks open sharply higher on gains in techs, chemicals

  South Korean shares opened sharply higher Tuesday, led by an advance by major tech firms and chemicals makers. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 20.80 points, or 0.87 percent, to 2,355.11 in the first 15 minutes of trading, heading toward a rise for the seventh consecutive trading session. Market heavyweights traded mixed. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics gained 1.04 percent, but No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix retreated 0.25 percent. Top pharmaceutical firm Samsun

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SPOTLIGHT

• K-pop

  

  Treasure aims high, sets sights on rookie of the year award

  The treasure chest is finally wide open and YG Entertainment’s brand new rookie act, Treasure, is poised to make a splash both in and out of South Korea. Looking fairly nervous, the 12-piece boy band -- the label’s first debut since Blackpink four years ago -- attended its first-ever media interview in Seoul on Monday. After hustling for name tags and making jittery eye contact with each other, the singers broke the tense silence by saying how they felt about their long-awaited deb

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  Culture

  K-Intangible Heritage Festival to kick off Thursday

  The National Intangible Heritage Center in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, is holding the K-Intangible Heritage Festival from Thursday to Saturday. Under the theme of “Re:Heritage Connect,” the inaugural festival will offer one-day classes for foreigners living in Korea to learn and experience intangible heritages of Korea. Performances of “Daechwita,” a genre of traditional Korean music that was performed at parades of kings and other military ceremonies, and Korean t

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  Arts&Design

  Amorepacific Museum of Art unveils its antique art collection for first time

  The Amorepacific Museum of Art -- a museum run by Korea’s cosmetics giant Amorepacific Group -- has unveiled its collection of antique art for the first time since its opening in 2018. The exhibition, “APMA, Chapter Two,” showcases a total of 1,500 artworks spanning from paintings, folding screens, ceramics, ornaments and clothing to wooden furniture from the prehistoric era to the modern times. The exhibition aims to shed light on the beauty of Korean traditional art throug

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  Music

  SPO to mark Liberation Day with concert at former prison for independence fighters

  The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a special concert on Saturday at the outdoor stage of Seodaemun Prison History Hall, western Seoul, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Liberation Day. Every year, the SPO, funded by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, holds a commemorative concert celebrating the day at iconic locations across Seoul such as the Sejong Center of Performing Arts, Seoul Plaza and Gwanghwamun Plaza. This year, the concert will be held at the Seodaemun Prison Histo

GRAPHIC NEWS

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EDITORIAL

• ‘New Deal’ fund

  Envisioned plans need to be redesigned to put them in line with market principles

• Read public opinion

  Moon’s senior aides offer to resign; keynote of policy needs to be changed

VIEWPOINTS

THE INVESTOR

• Startups & Investors

  

  Gooroome lands W2b in pre-A round funding

  Gooroome, a local videoconferencing solution startup, has secured 2 billion won ($1.68 million) in pre-A funding round led by Innopolis Partners. “Gooroomee owns the country’s top two-way interaction videoconferencing technology. As the ‘untact’ lifestyle expands amid Covid-19, we expect Gooroomee to grow rapidly,” Cho Gyu-cheol, partner at Innopolis who led the investment, said.  In addition to Innopolis‘ investment of 1 billion won, PNP Investment

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  Industrials

  HMM sells stake in Algeciras terminal

  HMM said on August 10 it has secured stable business for Spain’s container terminal Total Terminal International Algeciras through strategic partnership with French shipping company CMA CGM. 　The South Korean shipping firm said it has signed a contract to sell a 50 percent stake in Algeciras container terminal to CMA CGM.  　HMM still maintains its status as the largest shareholder by holding 25 million plus one shares through a special purpose company. 　Through the contract, HM

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  Industrials

  SK makes world’s 1st NCM battery with 90% nickel

  SK Innovation will commercialize the world’s first nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) batteries that contain 90 percent nickel, according to industry sources on August 10. 　The South Korean battery maker will supply lithium-ion batteries that contain 90 percent nickel, 5 percent cobalt and 5 percent manganese inside cathodes to Ford F-150 electric pickup trucks set for release in 2023, they said.  　“SK Innovation is ready to mass-produce NCM 9-1/2-1/2 batteries (or “Nine

• 

  Startups & Investors

  STIC Investments, Amorepacific and more - this week’s startup and investment update

  STIC grabs Juvis STIC Investments is set to acquire Juvis Diet, a Korean weight-loss consulting chain, industry sources said on August 7. The Seoul-based private equity firm, which was selected as the preferred bidder for the deal, has reportedly offered 250 billion won ($211 million) for 100 percent of the chain. The 250 billion won, which compares to runner-up Pacific Alliance Group’s 200 billion won, means STIC values the weight-loss firm at EV/EBITDA multiples of 12.5 times, a ra

K-POP

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  Treasure aims high, sets sights on rookie of the year award

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  BLACKPINK's 'How You Like That' tops 400 mln YouTube views

• 

  Rocket Punch celebrates first anniversary with ‘Juicy’

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  BTS song lyrics featured on iconic billboard in downtown Seoul

HERALD INTERVIEW

• People

  

  How to declutter home and simplify life

  Professional organizer Yoon Sun-hyun shares tricks to keeping tidy home

• 

  K-pop

  Treasure aims high, sets sights on rookie of the year award

  The treasure chest is finally wide open and YG Entertainment’s brand new rookie act, Treasure, is poised to make a splash both in and out of South Korea. Looking fairly nervous, the 12-piece boy band -- the label’s first debut since Blackpink four years ago -- attended its first-ever media interview in Seoul on Monday. After hustling for name tags and making jittery eye contact with each other, the singers broke the tense silence by saying how they felt about their long-awaited deb

• 

  North Korea

  Flying leaflets into NK was against basic rule of democracy: senior official

  The Seoul government’s ban on nongovernmental groups’ flying of leaflets into North Korea was based on the basic principle of a democratic society that people should not risk the safety of others to pursue their own freedom, a senior Unification Ministry official said. “The floating of leaflets and other items posed serious risks to the lives of residents in the border regions by raising inter-Korean tensions; dealt a blow to the regional economy by resulting in a (local gove

• 

  Industry

  Arvelle was founded to in-license cenobamate: CEO

  SK Biopharmaceuticals’ European partner stakes everything on breakthrough epilepsy drug

PHOTO NEWS

• Culture

  

  Choseong-ri evokes decades of nostalgia

  Time seems to have stopped at the 70-year-old Choseong-ri Station in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province.  Having started out as a logistics center for the United Nations military forces in October 1950, the station had its heyday when US soldiers and local merchants flocked there. But after a unit of United States military engineers left town, the volume of passengers dropped off significantly. Now, no trains stop here.  When the American soldiers and engineers were around, peopl

VIDEO

• Culture

  

  Seoul’s repurposed space turned into a majestic sky garden

  Seoullo 7017 is an overpass-turned-sky garden situated on a disused highway ramp at the heart of Seoul. The name translates to “Seoul Road,” with the number “7017” coming from two symbolic years. The overpass was first built in 1970, and was reborn in its current form in 2017. The city took a cue from New York’s glorious High Line as part of its urban redevelopment project. The effort was put into action in 2015 and the bustling cosmopolitan capital revamped into

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  Culture

  Breaking the ice in the era of social distancing

  The intricate art of socializing never comes easy, depending on personalities. Introverts usually despise the awkward silence during small gatherings and the need to mingle. Extroverts find it easier to approach newcomers in unfamiliar settings. Getting to know someone new is challenging, but can’t be avoided because relationships are a crucial part of life. Every day, humans seek emotional connections on a deeper level for better well-being and happiness. A short encounter with a str

• 

  Arts&Design

  With court battle over, singer-artist ready for limelight

  Cho Young-nam discusses being cleared of art fraud charge, new fiction, optimism

• 

  Culture

  A cup of coffee brewed with inspiration

  A cafe that trains and hires baristas who have mental disabilities

MOST POPULAR

• Sigh of relief as typhoon leaves no major damage
• Ghanaian TV personality speaks up against racism in Korea, sparks controversy
• 3 new mutated COVID-19 strains detected in S. Korea: KCDC
• As Korean content goes global, cultural sensitivity becomes key issue
• Typhoon Jangmi makes landfall in southern Korea
• Military police recommend airman be charged with AWOL in 'emperor-like military service' case
• Moon’s solar power initiative pays heavy price by cutting down 2.3m trees
• Cluster infections break out at Seoul's Namdaemun Market
• With planes grounded, airline food seeks new life
• At least 30 die from fatal downpour as typhoon approaches

FEATURES

• Economy

  

  Korea’s consumer index stays under OECD average for 2 years

  Business sentiment in Korea falls to 11-year low in June

• 

  Economy

  South Korea, No. 1 in tax revenue growth in OECD

  Korea ranks 4th in growth of household income tax in 2016-2018

• 

  Industry

  Super Tank Blitz, Smilegate’s creative game that lacks details

  The beauty of Sumo is in its simplicity. Whoever pushes the opponent out of the ring wins. Thanks to this simplicity, there’s no need to study or understand the sport. Spectators just know how the game works by instinct. Smilegate’s 2D mobile tank battle game Super Tank Blitz works in a similar way. Whoever destroys the opponent’s tank first wins, either by firing artillery shells or pushing it off a cliff. It is also highly ingenious, as Super Tank Blitz allows users to

• 

  Social affairs

  How safe are cafes and restaurants?

  Last Monday, a work meeting was held at a cafe in Gangnam, southern Seoul. It was not until days later that the people at that meeting learned one among them had coronavirus. The meeting left at least ten infected, including the servers and other visitors. The cafe cluster rang alarm bells for many Koreans whose daily routines involve going out for coffee. The average Korean drinks 353 cups of coffee a year, according to KB Financial Group’s November 2019 report, which is 2.7 t

WEEKENDER

• Industry

  

  Investing in stocks? Why not sneakers?

  Demand for premium kicks in Korea grows prominent as more platform businesses facilitate trading

• 

  Social affairs

  COVID-19: The people who didn’t have to die

  Pandemic’s ‘collateral damage’ won’t be picked up in numbers

• 

  Culture

  Audiobook market expands in Korea, buoyed by COVID-19

  Users have greater choice of titles, unique content as competition for market share grows

• 

  Markets

  ‘Revenge shopping’ on rise as alternative to summer vacay

  Amid COVID-19 fears, luxury brands in Korea enjoy high demand from consumers looking to ‘reward’ themselves in pandemic times