The South Korean government has no plan to raise diesel prices in the near future as it tries to reduce fine dust levels in the air, the finance ministry said Monday."We have considered many scenarios related to tax rate hikes for diesel, but all have been found to be ineffective," Deputy Finance Minister for tax and customs affairs Choi Young-rok said in a briefing. "The government has no plan to raise taxes levied on diesel fuel." (Yonhap)Currently, the price of diesel fuel sells at around 85

High household debt and a possible capital flight following expected US rate hikes pose major risks to South Korea this year, a local think tank said Monday.In a seminar held by the Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI) in Seoul, KERI Vice President Song Won-geun said faced with downside risk factors such as a record high household debt and a possible capital outflow sparked by further US rate hikes, companies are having difficulty in setting their business plans for the second half. (Yonhap)

South Korean stocks hit a new record high on Monday, driven by gains in Samsung Electronics and other tech stocks. The Korean won rose against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) climbed 10.06 points, or 0.42 percent, to close at 2,388.66. Trade volume was moderate at 315 million shares worth 5.1 trillion won (US$4.48 billion).  (Yonhap)The local stock market opened higher on a rebound in oil prices. The index touched a high of 2,390.70 shortly before closing, m

South Korea's finance minister met with an opposition party politician Monday and asked for cooperation in the parliamentary review of an extra budget bill meant to create jobs.Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon made the appeal to Lee Yong-ho, the chief policymaker of the People's Party, as he expressed hope that the extra budget could prime the pump to boost South Korea's economy. (Yonhap)Kim is also set to hold two separate meetings with leaders of the two other opposition parties later in the day

Hyundai Motor Co.'s first subcompact sport utility vehicle will hit the roads in South Korea on Tuesday, a move to boost its lackluster sales.To offset slowing sales in China and the US, Hyundai is moving to diversify its SUV lineup by launching a variety of models, including a high-performance one, from the smallest A segment to the largest E segment. (Yonhap)In the January-May period, Hyundai sold 1.82 million vehicles, down 6.5 percent from 1.95 million units a year earlier. Given this trend,

South Korean business leaders will fly to Washington a day ahead of President Moon Jae-in's departure for US to meet with President Donald Trump, as they get ready to hold talks on economic issues with their American counterparts, industry sources said Monday.More than 50 South Korean business leaders are to accompany Moon on his trip and attend the Korea-US Business Summit in the US capital. The president is expected to leave for the US on Wednesday.  (Yonhap)Park Yong-man, chairman of the Kore

South Korea's corporate watchdog on Monday slapped a combined 2 billion won (US$1.76 million) in fines on four Japanese and German auto parts makers for allegedly fixing prices that distorted market competition.Japan's NSK Ltd., one of the world's biggest car bearing manufacturers, and JTEKT Corp., a Japanese bearing maker, had allegedly conspired to fix the prices of bearings supplied to South Korean auto parts companies between June 2002 and December 2009, according to the Fair Trade Commissio

The housing market in Seoul and its adjacent areas are in an expansion phase, South Korea's central bank said Monday, a move that has prompted the government to crack down on speculative real estate investments.The Bank of Korea (BOK) said in a report that the housing prices in Seoul and its adjacent areas rose 0.5 percent in the first five months of this year from end-Dec., compared with a 0.3 percent hike across the country during the same period. (Yonhap)The hike in the Seoul metropolitan are

Korean shares traded higher late Monday morning, led by gains in big-cap stocks, such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 8.79 points, or 0.37 percent, to 2,387.39 as of 11:20 a.m. The index hit a new intra-day record high of 2,388.19 points at one point. Most large caps traded in positive territory with market kingpin Samsung Electronics adding 0.88 percent and global chipmaker SK hynix up 2.46 percent. (Yonhap)Top automaker Hyundai

Global equity funds posted a net inflow into South Korea for the 24th straight week over the past week amid their preference for emerging markets insulated from falling oil prices, industry data showed Monday.Four international funds investing in South Korea allocated a combined US$250 million for the local stock market in the week to Wednesday, marking the 24th consecutive week of net inflow, according to the data by Mirae Asset Daewoo Securities Co. and global fund tracker Emerging Portfolio F

Chiefs of South Korea's five major banks on Monday predicted the recovery of the country's economy to continue in the second half amid an uptrend in market interest rates.The heads of KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Woori, KEB Hana and NH Nonghyup hinted they will tighten credit in the latter half to brace for a situation where rising market rates may lead to an increase in soured loans extended to troubled households and companies. (Yonhap)In a written interview with Yonhap News Agency, the bank chiefs sa

본격적인 여름이 예고되며, ‘얼굴 유분’ 고민도 시작됐다. <데일리 메일>은 올여름 유분 제거와 관련된 새로운 유행을 보도했다. 파우더나 기름종이를 사용하는 것이 일반적이나, 일회용 변기 커버도 그만큼 효과적이라는 주장이 제기됐다. 많은 여성들이 인터넷에서 이 같은 주장을 하며 “이상하긴 하지만, 정말 효과적이다”라는 발언을 했다며 매체는 전했다. 그들의 주장에 따르면, 일회용 변기 커버는 크기가 크고, 어디서나 찾을 수 있어서 편리하게 사용할 수 있다. 그렇지만, 몇몇은 “아무리 그래도, 변기 커버는 비위생적이다”는 의견을 내놓기도 했다. (khnews@heraldcorp.com) 　　　　　

‘슬라임’ 만들기 전문 유튜버가 막대한 수익을 벌어들이고 있다. 미국 캘리포니아 출신의 카리나 가르시아(23)는 전 세계에서 가장 인기있는 유튜버 중 하나다. 그녀는 슬라임(끈적끈적한 액상이나 뻘과 같은 장난감 물체) 만들기 전문가다.  (사진=인스타그램)가르시아는 그녀의 동영상과 관련해 출판 계약까지 했다. 이러한 성과 덕에 그녀는 캘리포니아에 여섯 개의 방과 수영장, 영화관, 게임방 등이 있는 집을 보유하게 됐다. 그녀는 “내가 어렸을 때부터 좋아했던 일을 하고 있다”며 소회를 밝혔다. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)

코알라의 도로 위 격투가 목격됐다. 샤론 브레이슬리라는 호주 여성은 운전 중, 코알라 두 마리가 길에서 싸우는 바람에 차를 멈추어야만 했다.  (사진=유튜브 영상 캡쳐)그녀는 작은 코알라들을 길에서 쫓아내려고 했지만, 코알라는 싸움에 ‘몰입’한 나머지, 그녀를 신경 쓰지도 않았다. 순간 커다란 트럭이 빠른 속도로 다가왔고, 그녀는 코알라를 위해 필사적으로 팔을 흔들어 트럭을 멈췄다. 두 코알라는 이러한 일들에도 불고하고 계속해서 싸웠고 그녀는 결국 차에서 수건을 꺼내와서 코알라를 길에서 쫓아냈다. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)

세계 곳곳에서 활동하는 인터넷 해킹그룹 어노니머스(Anonymous)가 나사(NASA)와 외계 생명체의 접촉을 주장하는 새로운 영상을 공개했다. 20일 유튜브를 통해서 공개된 영상에서 해커들은 음모론 사이트 에인션트 코드(Ancient-code)에 실린 기사를 인용해 이 같은 주장을 편다. 그들은 미국 의회에서도 관련 부처가 외계 생명체와 관련해 보고서를 냈다는 내용을 근거 삼아, 나사에서 곧 “외계생명체와 접촉한 바가 있다”는 내용의 공식 발표를 할 것이라고 주장했다. (khnews@heraldcorp.com) 　　　　　

Cargo processed at Korean seaports edged down last month from a year earlier due to a drop in non-container shipments, government data showed Monday.Cargo handled at the country's ports came to 128.77 million tons in May, down 0.5 percent from 129.62 million tons tallied a year earlier, according to the data by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. (Yonhap)Non-container cargo fell 3.3 percent on-year to 89.5 million tons last month, while container freight jumped 8.5 percent to 2.36 million twen

The earnings outlook for Korean oil refiners and chemicals firms has been downgraded out of concerns that oil prices may leave a stain on their earnings, industry data showed Monday.Oil prices in New York have been sliding for weeks, hovering at the mid-US$40 level per barrel, which represents the lowest level in almost one year. (Yonhap)According to the data compiled by industry tracker FnGuide, the combined operating income of 12 refiners and chemical firms was estimated at 3.54 trillion won (

Imports of foreign beef have risen in the first five months of this year as consumers seek less expensive meat amid the sluggish pace of economic recovery and the anti-graft law which limits gifts that can be given to public officials, teachers and journalists.The law, which took effect in September, bans certain people from getting free meals over 30,000 won (US$26.4), gifts worth more than 50,000 won or congratulatory or condolence money exceeding 100,000 won. (Yonhap)Foreign beef imports soar

농부가 자신의 곳간에서 쥐를 잡은 후, ‘도둑’을 처벌하겠다며 채찍질을 했다. 중국 북서부에서 한 농부는 자신의 곳간에서 옥수수를 갉아먹는 쥐를 발견했다. 그는 이 쥐를 ‘벌해야겠다’고 마음 먹었다.  해당 사진은 기사 내용과 무관함 (사진=유투브 영상 캡쳐)그는 쥐를 줄로 묶은 채, 채찍질했다. 이러한 모습을 담은 영상이 ‘중국판 페이스북’인 웨이보에 게재됐다. 영상에서 남성은 “몇 달 동안 의심했는데 결국 잡았다”며 “어떻게 복수할 수 있을까”라고 쥐에게 소리친다. 누리꾼들은 “농부가 화날만도 하지만, 학대는 잘못됐다”는 반응을 보였다. “이건 엄연한 동물 학대” “그냥 죽였으면 손가락질 받지는 않는다”는 내용의 댓글들이 이어졌다. (khnews@heraldcorp.com) 　

‘잔액 부족’에 분노해 현금자동입출금기(ATM)에 불지른 남성이 있다. (사진=페이스북 영상 캡쳐)남성은 계좌에서 현금을 뽑으려다 잔액 부족으로 지급을 거절당하자 분노해 불을 질렀다. 경찰은 용의자를 체포해서 조사하고 있다. 영상에서 남성은 헬멧을 착용한 상태로, 기계에 휘발유를 부어서 불을 지른다. 경찰은 기계는 완전히 망가졌다고 전했다. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)