A씨는 이달 6일 애플의 무선 이어폰 '에어팟 프로'를 사기 위해 포털 사이트에서 해당 상품을 검색했다. 그 결과 B 쇼핑몰 판매가 24만7천250원이 '최저가'로 검색됐고 C 쇼핑몰은 25만1천500원 판매가가 검색됐다. 그러나 실제 A씨는 C 쇼핑몰에서 22만5천원에 해당 상품을 살 수 있었다. 이런 현상은 C 쇼핑몰이 포털사이트 가격 검색에 자사의 최저가 상품 정보를 노출하지 않았기 때문이다. 11번가는 지난해부터 '커머스 포털' 전략을 강조하고 있다. '커머스 포털'은 말 그대로 쇼핑 때 네이버 같은 포털사이트에서 검색하고 쇼핑몰로 이동하는 방식 대신 11번가 자체 페이지에서 검색부터 하도록 한다는 전략이다. 가격 비교 외에도 포털사이트의 블로그 등에서 찾을 수 있는 각종 구매 관련 정보도 함께 제공한다. 같은 상품을 여러 판매자가 판매하는 경우 최저가 가격 비교도 11번가 사이트 내에서 할 수 있어 포털 사이트 최저가 검색과 차이가 없다는 게 11번가 설명이다

Sexual offenses against children under the age of 12 have been on a steady climb in recent years, a ruling party lawmaker said Sunday, calling for tougher punishments for their perpetrators. Rep. Yang Ki-dae of the Democratic Party (DP), citing data from the National Police Agency, said that 3,912 child sex offenses were reported nationwide from 2017 to 2019. The number of offenses showed a steady increase every year, rising from 1,261 cases in 2017 to 1,277 in 2018 and 1,374 last year, Yang

WASHINGTON -- The United States government finds it "disappointing" that North Korea continues to prioritize its weapons development, a senior US official said Saturday, calling on the communist state to return to denuclearization negotiations. The official, while speaking on condition of anonymity, said the US remains committed to the countries' denuclearization agreement signed by US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in their first bilateral summit held in

The new coronavirus has proven to be a longer-than-expected obstacle that has pushed the global music industry out of its comfort zone and into uncharted land where the heat and energy of live gigs no longer exist. But it couldn't stop BTS and its dedicated fan base ARMY from connecting and proving their strong bond during the K-pop superstars' latest online concert, held Saturday. BTS, the South Korean act that has made history with a Billboard No. 1 hit, "Dynamite," held its second

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to continue to strengthen self-defense "war deterrent" and showed off a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and other weapons during a massive military parade, state media showed Saturday. Kim also wished South Korea a fast recovery from the coronavirus pandemic in a reconciliatory message to Seoul, expressing hope that the day will soon come for the two Koreas to "join hands" after the current health crisis is over. He made t

North Korea has renewed its opposition to terrorism, just months after the United States accused Pyongyang of failing to take action for its past support of international terrorism. "It is the consistent stance of the government of the DPRK to oppose terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and any support to it," an unidentified North Korean diplomat said in a UN session earlier this week. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. He

North Korea appeared to have staged a large-scale military parade in Pyongyang early Saturday to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. "Signs have been detected that North Korea conducted a military parade at the Kim Il-sung square at dawn by mobilizing a large number of equipment and personnel," the JCS said in a brief statement. "South Korean and the US intelligence authorities have been

North Korea will stage its signature massive gymnastic shows this month to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party despite its nationwide antivirus campaign, a propaganda website reported Saturday.  The gymnastic propaganda shows will be put on stage from Monday through the end of this month at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang on the occasion of the party founding anniversary that falls on Saturday, according to Meari.  The performances are known as a m

Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed efforts to further develop his country's relationship with North Korea and support the North's struggle to advance its socialist agenda, the North's state media reported Saturday. Xi's remarks came in a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, marking the 75th founding anniversary of the North's ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). "I extend warm congratulations and the best wishes to Comrade Chairman (Kim) and through you to the Central Committee of

Fraud offenses committed by teenagers last year recorded the biggest jump in 10 years by rising 16 percent on-year, a judicial report showed Saturday. According to the 2020 juridical yearbook published recently by the National Court Administration, the number of fraud cases under the juvenile protection system was 3,695, up by 513, or 16.1 percent, from a year ago, the biggest rise since the 2009 global financial crisis when the tally jumped a whopping 84.3 percent from the previous year. Juven

North Korea is expected to stage a military parade Saturday to mark the 75th founding anniversary of its ruling Workers' Party as speculation mounts Pyongyang could roll out "new strategic weapons," including a newly developed intercontinental ballistic missile. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is also likely to give an address during the event, which will be closely monitored from outside watchers for the United States at a time when their denuclearization talks remain deadlocked. Th

An independent lawmaker and son of late President Kim Dae-jung appeared at the prosecutors' office in Seoul on Saturday for questioning over an allegation he intentionally underreported property ownership just ahead of the general elections in April. Kim Hong-gul said he would be "faithful" during the investigation as he walked into the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office with his lawyer. Last month, Kim was expelled from the ruling Democratic Party due to the scandal. Kim wa

South Korea reported 72 new COVID-19 cases Saturday, its third straight day of the number being below 100, but authorities remained on high alert amid back-to-back holidays. The total caseload rose to 24,548, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Among the newly confirmed cases, there were 61 local infections and 11 from international arrivals, it said. In particular, the KDCA said 25 new patients were confirmed in Seoul and 24 in Gyeonggi Province. The public

Hyundai Engineering & Construction said Friday it has signed a $330 million deal with the Philippine transportation ministry to participate in a local railway project. It is the first time for Hyundai E&C to win a construction project in the Philippines since it won a contract to build the Asian Development Bank headquarters building in 1986. Hyundai E&C will build two station buildings and a 17 kilometer-long railway on elevated bridges as part of the $573 million Malolos to Cla

Posco Energy, a wholly owned energy unit of South Korean steelmaker Posco, said Friday it has filed a 922 billion-won ($800 million) claim against US-based FuelCell Energy for damages involving their license deal. On Wednesday, Posco Energy filed the suit with the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in London and Singapore, demanding FuelCell Energy pay for the loss of $800 million caused by the US firm's unilateral cancellation of their license contrac

North Korea is likely to hold a military parade this weekend as expected to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party, military officials in Seoul said Friday. The parade for the Oct. 10 anniversary has drawn keen attention, as the communist country could unveil new strategic weapons, such as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), that leader Kim Jong-un pledged to show off in his New Year's message. "Prepara

South Korea said Friday it has completed the culling of pigs at a farm that was confirmed to be infected with African swine fever (ASF) and neighboring farms after the first outbreak of the animal disease since October 2019. The country culled some 1,500 pigs within a 10-kilometer radius of the infected farm, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Three pigs were found dead at a farm in Gangwon Province late Thursday, and test results showed that they were infected

South Korea will resume offering free seasonal flu shots in phases next week, a month after suspending the program amid safety concerns over mishandled vaccines during storage, health authorities said Thursday. The nationwide free flu shot scheme will restart next Tuesday to be first administered to those in the 13-18 age bracket and be given to elderly citizens until the end of this year, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The program was halted on Sept. 22

South Korea voiced criticism Thursday over Japan's call for the removal of a statue erected in Germany of a girl symbolizing Korean victims of wartime sexual slavery, calling it an act that goes against the spirit of its own apology. Last week, Tokyo expressed regret over the recent installation of the statue on a public site near the Japanese Embassy in Berlin. The statue was erected by Korea Verband, a Berlin-based civic group with South Korean ties. The issue drew attention as Japanese

South Korean football fans will be treated to a pair of exhibition matches between their two men's national teams this month, with the first showdown set for Friday, the Hangeul Day holiday. The senior national team will face the under-23 Olympic squad at 8 p.m. Friday at Goyang Stadium. The second match is back at the same venue next Monday, also an 8 p.m. kickoff. These are the first meetings of the senior team and the U-23 team in 24 years. The senior team boss Paulo Bento and his counterp