Ruling and opposition parties have locked horns over allegations that late President Roh Moo-hyun may have disavowed South Korea's sea border with North Korea and suspicions that the country's spy agency interfered in last year's presidential race, which have cast shadows over the National Assembly's stated goal of looking after the welfare of the people and pushing for reforms, political observers said Sunday.   Originally the ruling Saenuri Party and the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) h

South Koreans' meat consumption increased more than 22 percent over the past four years, with pork remaining the most popular, government data showed Sunday.   The data released by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety found that South Koreans consumed a total of 2.18 million tons of meat last year, or 43.7 kilograms per person.The nation's per capita meat consumption has increased 22.3 percent over the past four years, rising from 36.8 kg in 2009 to 38.7 kg in 2010, 40.4 kg in 2011 and 43.7 kg i

State prosecutors said Saturday that the chairman of food and entertainment giant CJ Group has been summoned to appear for questioning early next week over his alleged stashing of slus funds.   The chairman, Lee Jae-hyun, has been told to show up for questioning on Tuesday, said the prosecutors who requested anonymity.   Lee is suspected of stashing millions of dollars in secret funds by using fake deals on expensive art pieces, which allowed him and his family to evade up to 50 billion won (US$

North Korea's vice foreign minister returned home Saturday, the North's state media reported, following a trip to China that raised hopes for a possible resumption of six-party talks aimed at ending the North's nuclear programs.   Kim Kye-gwan, the first vice-minister of foreign affairs, and his party returned home after visiting China, the North's Korean Central News Agency said in a brief report, monitored in Seoul.   The report gave no further details except to say that he met in Beijing with

슈퍼스타K2 출신 강승윤이 YG엔터테인먼트에서 3년간의 연습 끝에 마침내 7월 가수로 정식 데뷔한다.YG 대표 양현석은 20일 자사 블로그를 통해 강승윤의 가수 정식 데뷔 소식을 공식적으로 알렸다.양현석은 “강승윤의 첫 솔로앨범은 6곡이 수록되는 미니앨범으로서 음반 작업은 거의 완성단계”라며 “오는 7월 15일 WILD AND YOUNG이라는 첫곡을 선공개할 예정”이라고 밝혔다.그는 “WILD AND YOUNG은 강한 록 장르의 곡으로서 허스키하면서도 시원하게 내뿜는 강승윤의 보컬이 잘 어우러져 무더운 여름에 매우 잘 어울리는 곡이라고 생각된다”고 곡 설명을 덧붙였다.현재 강승윤은 첫 앨범 발표일을 조율 중에 있다. (코리아 헤럴드)<관련 영문 기사>Kang Seung-yoon to release first albumKang Seung-yoon, a contestant of “Super Star K” season 2, will make an official debut next mon

South Korean stocks dropped 2 percent Thursday as investors' sentiment was dented by the U.S. Federal Reserve chief's remark on a possible reduction of its stimulus moves, analysts said. The local currency plunged againstthe U.S. dollar.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 37.82 points to close at 1,850.49. Trading volume was moderate at 350.6 million shares worth 4.3 trillion won (US$3.76 billion) with losers far outpacing gainers 692 to 130. It marked the lowest leve

The ruling and main opposition parties agreed Thursday to go ahead with their plan to conduct a parliamentary investigation into allegations that the national spy agency meddled in last year's presidential election.   The ruling Saenuri Party and the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) announced the agreement following a meeting between their respective floor leaders, Rep. Choi Kyoung-hwan and Rep. Jun Byung-hun, saying they will try to pass a proposal for the investigation during this month's

South Korean stocks closed 0.65 percent lower Wednesday, as investors took to the sidelines on anxiety that the U.S. Federal Reserve may do little to reassure them about maintaining the monetary easing, analysts said. Thelocal currency inched up against the U.S. dollar.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) retreated 12.31 points to finish at 1,888.31. Trading volume was light at 276.2 million shares worth 3.26 trillion won (US$2.87 billion) with decliners outnumbering gainer

South Korean stocks traded 0.83 percent lower late Wednesday morning, led by losses in builders and shipbuilders, analysts said.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price index (KOSPI) fell 15.23 points to 1,885.39 as of 11:20 a.m.    Top builder Hyundai Engineering & Construction dropped nearly 3 percent and heavy equipment maker Doosan Heavy Industries slid 1.4 percent.   Top-cap Samsung Electronics kept its losing binge, sinking 1.3 percent.   The local currency was changing hands at 1,133.

일본군 위안부 피해 할머니들이 또 다른 전쟁 성폭력 피해자 돕기에 적극적으로 나섰다.　전쟁 한가운데서 무자비한 성범죄의 피해자로서 평생을 고통 속에 살아온  할머 니들이 아프리카 내전과 베트남전에서 희생된 피해자들을 돕겠다고 팔을 걷어붙였다 . 　한국정신대문제대책협의회는 일본군 위안부 피해자 김복동(87), 길원옥(84)  할 머니의 뜻에 따라 조성한 ‘나비기금’ 가운데서 지난달 베트남인 은구옌 반 루엉(43) , 은구옌 티 김(여·43)씨에게 각각 6천달러, 4천달러를 전했다고 17일 밝혔다. 　정대협에 따르면 루엉씨와 김씨 모두 베트남전 당시 파병됐던 한국군에게  성폭 행을 당해 태어났다. 　한국·베트남 시민연대가 두 사람과 정대협을 잇는 가교 역할을 했다. 　이 단체가 베트남 현지에서 ‘한국군 성폭행 피해자’들을 직접 만나 조사한 결과 로는 대부분 (정상적인) 결혼을 하지 못한 채 혼자 자식을 키운 경우가 많았고  2세 들 역시 교육·소득 수준이 평균을 밑돌았다. 일용직 노동

South Korea has invited North Korea to attend next year's Asian Games to be held in the western port city of Incheon, a senior government official said Tuesday.   "We asked North Korea to participate in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games some two months ago via the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)," Park Jong-gil, the second vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, told reporters.   "We also conveyed our hope via other channels for inviting not only its athletes but supporters," he said. "The North

South Korean stocks closed 0.93 percent higher Tuesday amid the divided outlook over the United States Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting slated for this week, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.  The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 17.52 points to close at 1,900.62. Trading volume was low at 275.3 million shares worth 3.38 trillion won (US$2.99 billion) with gainers outpacing losers 529 to 298.   The index returned above the 1,900-

 South Korean stocks traded almost flat late Tuesday morning as investors continued to sit on the sidelines to await the results of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting scheduled this week, analysts said.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) edged down 0.23 points, or 0.01 percent, to 1,882.87 as of 11:20 a.m.   Logistics firms lost ground, with Hyundai Glovis decreasing 1.08 percent and Hyundai Merchant Marine falling 2.37 percent. Top air carrier Korean Air plunged 1.

　Rapper Simon D of Supreme Team and his girlfriend and singer Lady Jane have broken up after six years together, Simon D’s agency said. 　“They broke up about a month ago and now they stay as friends and coworkers,” the agency said.  　Sources said the busy schedules of the two musicians were the reason behind the break-up.　They started dating in October 2007 and Simon D revealed their relationship in December 2009 on SBS music program “Kim Jung-eun’s Chocolate.” 　　By Choi In-jeong, Intern reporte

South Korean stocks fell 0.32 percent Monday as investors took a wait-and-see approach on the United States Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting slated for this week, analysts said. The local currency gained against the U.S. dollar.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 6.14 points to close at 1,883.10. Trading volume was low at 258.6million shares worth 3.19 trillion won (US$2.83 billion) with losers outpacing gainers 594 to 221.   On Thursday, the index fell be

　Iksan Police Station in North Jeolla Province said on Sunday it would reinvestigate the murder of a taxi driver after claims that the police may have forced a confession from an innocent teenager. 　The move came after claims made on SBS investigative program “Unanswered Question” on Saturday.　The 15-year-old delivery boy insisted during his trial that the police forced him to make a false statement, but he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. 　After the teen had spent three years behind bars, G

South Korean stocks traded almost flat late Monday morning as investors took a wait-and-see approach on the Federal Open Market Committee meeting scheduled this week, analysts said.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 0.36 points, or 0.02 percent, to 1,889.60 as of 11:20 a.m.    Builders traded bearish, with Hyundai Engineering & Construction falling 0.83 percent and Daewoo Engineering & Construction losing 0.77 percent. Daelim Industrial moved down 1.61 percent.   I

컴퓨터 화면 상의 촉감을 전달해주는 마우스가 국내 연구진들에 의해 개발됐다.수요일 미래창조과학부는 보도자료를 통해 가상현실의 촉감을 느낄 수 있는 마우스가 한국표준과학연구원 질량힘센터에 의해 개발됐다고 밝혔다.개발된 마우스를 이용하면 사용자는 컴퓨터에서 보여지는 3D 가상현실의 촉감 정보를 실제와 유사하게 느낄 수 있다. 예를 들어 화면 상에 나타나는 호수에 마우스 커서를 갖다 대면 마치 손을 댄 듯이 호수의 차갑고 출렁거리는 고유한 촉감이 마우스를 통해 전달되는 것이다.이는 연구팀이 개발한 ‘복합 촉각 제시장치’로 가능해졌으며 장치는 가상현실의 복합적 촉각정보를 동시에 구현해 이를 사용자에게 제공하는 역할을 한다.박연규 박사는 “앞으로 본 기술이 발전하면 사용자는 인터넷 전자 상거래에서 제품을 직접 만져보고 구매가 가능하며, 실제로는 만질 수 없는 박물관의 유물 등을 마우스를 통해 느껴볼 수 있다”며 “특히 3D 형태가 주류인 온라인 게임 산업에서 촉각 제시 기능은 사용자들에게 향

South Korean stocks fell 1.42 percent Thursday as foreign investors offloaded local shares amid concerns the U.S. Federal Reserve may reduce its quantitative easing, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 27.18 points to close at 1,882.73. Trading volume was low at 301.9 million shares worth 4.95 trillion won (US$4.36 billion) with losers outpacing gainers 550 to 257. It marked the first time for the index to

South Korean stocks traded 1.12 percent lower late Thursday morning on the rising concerns over a possible reduction in the U.S. quantitative easing moves, analysts said.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 21.33 points to 1,888.58 as of 11:20 a.m. It marked the first time for the index to hover below the 1,900 mark since April 14.   Tech shares traded lower, with market behemoth Samsung Electronics falling 1.16 percent and its smaller domestic rival LG Electronics mov