Samsung Electronics Co., the world's largest electronics maker, said Wednesday it has acquired NewNet Communication Technologies Inc. of Canada to bolster its mobile network service.NewNet Communication, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, operates Rich Communications Services (RCS), an advanced messaging system for cell phones.Samsung said the acquisition reinforces its commitment to RCS as mobile networks transition to IP-based networks and services, without elaborating on details of the deal. "It

South Korea's defense ministry concluded a deal Wednesday to acquire a site for an advanced US missile defense system from Lotte Group. The Ministry of National Defense has agreed to secure the Lotte Skyhill Country Club in the southeastern rural county of Seongju from the country's fifth-largest conglomerate. The ministry will give state-owned military land near Seoul to Lotte in exchange for the golf course, the ministry said in a statement. It said an appraisal of the value of the two sites w

North Korea replaced its deputy ambassador to the United Nations from An Myong-hun to Kim In-ryong early this month, although An's term fell far short of that of his predecessors, a US broadcaster, monitored here, reported Wednesday. "The replacement is unusual as An's tenure was less than two years, compared with his predecessors' four to five years on average," the Radio Free Asia (RFA) said, citing a UN source. An was appointed to the post in December 2014.Kim's relations with the North Korea

South Korea's state financial watchdog said Wednesday it opened a "supervisory college" session here with its foreign counterparts from eight countries as part of efforts to strengthen partnerships.The Financial Supervisory Service has invited a dozen representatives from nine similar organizations in eight nations where Shinhan Bank, a major lender based in Seoul, is operating.The countries are Japan, China, Germany, India, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Indonesia and the Philippines.The gathering, offi

South Korean striker Kim Shin-wook may not be the first attacking option for the national team, but that doesn't mean he is merely a bench member.As a second-half substitute, Kim was instrumental in South Korea's 2-1 victory on Tuesday against Uzbekistan in their final Asian World Cup qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He replaced fellow striker Lee Jeong-hyeop in the 67th minute and delivered a fine assist that set up Koo Ja-cheol's winner in the 85th. Kim Shin-wook (Yonhap)The Jeonb

The duty-free stores that have newly opened in Seoul have seen operating losses this year as heavy marketing costs in the highly competitive market eroded their profitability, their financial documents showed Wednesday. Five duty-frees stores opened new shops in the capital city after winning licenses in two bids -- one in July and the other in November 2015 -- in hopes of courting deep-pocketed Chinese customers, but none of them has reached the break-even point since opening. Shinsegae Duty Fr

15일 서울 상암 월드컵 경기장에서 열린 한국-우즈베키스탄 경기는 후반전에서 한국이 2:1로 역전승을 거두었다. 전반전 우즈베키스탄이 1:0으로 이끌던 형국이 후반전에서 극적으로 뒤집힌 것이다.동점 헤딩골 성공 남태희 (연합)먼저 한국의 남태희가 동점 헤딩골에 성공했고 이후 구자철이 역전골에 성공하며 2:1 승리로 경기는 환호 속에 마무리됐다. 김신욱의 어시스트가 구자철의 활약을 도왔다.  역전슛 성공 후 환호하는 구자철 (연합) 김신욱의 어시스트 (연합)이번 경기가 실패할 시 계약해지라는 위기에 처해있던 슈틸리케 감독은 기사회생의 기회를 얻었다.경기가 열린 15일은 슈틸리케 감독의 생일이기도 해, 우승이 그를 위한 ‘생일선물’이 되었다는 훈훈한 뒷이야기도 전해지고 있다. 슈틸리케 감독 (연합)우즈베키스탄전 승리로 한국은 예선전 그룹 내 2위를 고수하며 앞으로 2018년 러시아에서 열릴 월드컵에 한 발짝 다가섰다.월드컵에는 각 그룹별 두 팀만 출전할 수 있다.(khnews@heral

South Korea's top 30 business groups reduced their workforces by 1.4 percent this year as they implemented cost-cutting measures amid a drawn-out slump, data showed Wednesday, despite the government's effort to spur employment.As of end-September, the combined workforce of 255 companies affiliated with the leading business groups came to 988,345, down 14,308 from the end of December, according to the data compiled by industry tracker CEO Score.Of the total family-controlled conglomerates, known

South Korea's financial authorities have launched full-fledged preparations for the adoption of a new global accounting regulation on the insurance industry, officials said Wednesday.The International Accounting Standards Board is expected to set a schedule for the introduction of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 4 Phase II during a meeting under way in London.Under the rule, insurers' liabilities will be assessed on the basis of their market value, instead of book value. I

South Korea's finance minister reaffirmed on Wednesday that the Seoul government will take swift and firm action to ease rising market uncertainties stemming from the surprise victory of US President-elect Donald Trump."The South Korean economy will experience a negative impact from heightened uncertainties since the US presidential election as trade protectionism is widening and a possible US rate hike is imminent," Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho said in a ministerial meeting in Seoul. "The governm

North Korea is showing no signs of preparations for an imminent nuclear or long-range missile test, a US website monitoring the communist nation said Tuesday.Satellite imagery of the North's Punggye-ri nuclear test site taken from Oct. 29-Nov. 9 shows continued low-level activity, but it appears that maintenance and minor excavation operations are taking place at the North and West Portals, 38 North said."There are no definitive indications that another test is imminent. However, the site remain

The number of convenience stores in South Korea has surpassed 33,000 as of the end of October this year, marking a rapid growth since the opening of the first store 27 years ago, industry statistics showed Wednesday.The number indicates a significant increase from 28,994 counted at the end of last year.CU had the most with 10,634. Following were GS25 with 10,486 and Seven Eleven with 8,486. Japan-affiliated brand Mini Stop had 2,326, and With Me, a chain operated by Shinsegye Group, had 1,615.Th

A temporary noise ban will prevent all aircraft from landing or taking off during a short listening session of the annual college entrance exam to be held this week, the government said Wednesday.The ban will be enforced between 1:05 p.m. and 1:40 p.m. Thursday when some 600,000 students and college applicants will take the English listening part of the college scholastic ability test, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said.All except emergency aircraft will be banned from takin

Bringing US tactical nuclear weapons back to South Korea or relaxing restrictions on Seoul's civilian nuclear industry could be considered as a means to put pressure on China to work harder to get North Korea to give up its nuclear program, a former CIA director said Tuesday.Michael Hayden, who served as CIA chief from 2006-2009, made the suggestion in an article to The Hill newspaper, expressing concern that the North will likely be able to "reach the Pacific Northwest with a nuclear-armed miss

The Third Committee of the UN General Assembly passed a North Korean human rights resolution Tuesday that calls for referring the situation to the International Criminal Court and expresses serious concerns about Pyongyang's labor exports.The resolution, which was approved by consensus, is certain to be formally adopted at a plenary General Assembly meeting next month as the session is seen largely as a formality. It marks the 12th straight year for the General Assembly to adopt a North Korean h

A senior North Korean diplomat handling US affairs is set to hold talks with American experts in Europe, but the meeting is nothing out of the ordinary, South Korea's foreign ministry said."Our government is aware of the North Korean foreign ministry Director General for North American Affairs Choe Son-hui's layover at Beijing en route to a European country where a (non-governmental) track-two meeting with US experts is reportedly scheduled," ministry spokesman Cho June-hyuck said in a press bri

South Korea head coach Uli Stielike said Tuesday his side produced a deserving victory against Uzbekistan in a World Cup qualifier at home.South Korea beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in their fifth match in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. South Korea were down 1-0 after the first half, but goals by Nam Tae-hee and Koo Ja-cheol helped the hosts collect three points at Seoul World Cup Stadium. This was South Korea's last match of 2016. They will wrap up this year with a record of

South Korea's defense ministry is set to conclude a deal to acquire a site for an advanced US missile defense system from Lotte Group, a military source said Tuesday.The Ministry of National Defense has tentatively agreed to secure the Lotte Skyhill Country Club in the southeastern rural county of Seongju from the nation's fifth-largest conglomerate. The ministry suggested giving state-owned land near Seoul to Lotte in exchange for the golf course, a military official told Yonhap News Agency."Lo

A Seoul court on Tuesday ordered a local consumer goods producer to compensate up to 100 million won ($85,700) each to the victims of toxic humidifier sterilizer, in the first ruling made in favor of people who have taken legal action.In August 2014, a total of 13 victims affected by the use of the humidifier disinfectants from February 2008 to April 2011 filed a suit against the government and companies that produced the deadly products, seeking compensation for injuries or deaths caused.The Se

미국 하와이 출신 여성이 쌍둥이 자매를 살해한 혐의로 법정에 섰다. 알렉산드리아 듀발 (37)은 지난 5월 29일 운전 중이던 트럭을 고의로 절벽에 떨어뜨려 함께 타고 있던 일란성 쌍둥이 자매 아나스타샤를 살해한 혐의를 받고 있다. 목격자들은 두 여성이 차내에서 머리채를 잡은 채 다투고 있었으며, 이내 자동차가 갑자기 가속하더니 절벽으로 방향을 꺾어 떨어졌다고 증언했다. 듀발은 사고로 경미한 부상을 입었다.알렉산드리아 듀발 (우)과 쌍둥이 자매 아나스타샤 (좌) (AP-연합)사고 이틀 후 고의성을 의심받아 재판에 회부됐지만 증거 불충분으로 풀려났다. 이후 8월 뉴욕에서 음주·난폭 운전으로 체포돼 3주간 수감 생활을 했으며 재차 살인 혐의로 기소됐다. 듀발은 사망한 아나스타샤와 함께 차에 타고 있었지만 운전석에 타고 있었는가에 대해선 침묵하고 있다. 자신과 똑같이 생긴 쌍둥이 자매를 대상으로 어떠한 범행 동기가 있었는가 등이 불명확한 상태다.한편, 자매는 둘 다 어릴 적 사용했던 이름