KT&G cigarettes massively smuggled into Pakistan
Billions of KT&G’s Pine brand cigarettes have long been smuggled into Pakistan, most likely from the neighboring Afghanistan, according to multiple sources. The amount of smuggled Pine cigarettes is so substantial that it prompted the Pakistani authorities to formally complain to the Korean government and KT&G last year, according to internal documents obtained by The […]
Seoul, Beijing, Tokyo to start FTA talks
Three leaders warn against NK’s provocations The leaders of South Korea, China and Japan agreed at a summit in Beijing Sunday to launch negotiations for a three-way free trade agreement (FTA) this year, raising hopes that the move will bring new momentum to trilateral cooperation. “The three countries have agreed to launch formal negotiations on […]
Making headway in world scene
BMW Korea has emerged as a frontrunner of the German-based automaker’s units across the world not only in terms of sales but also in terms of corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. BMW Korea CEO Kim Hyo-joon said that the global organizations of BMW are ready to copy the Seoul-based company’s CSR arm, the BMW Korea […]
Taxing gambling monks
The leadership of Jogye, the nation’s largest Buddhist order, is being thrown into question following the disclosure Thursday of a video clip showing monks gambling, drinking and smoking in a hotel room. The monks were seen playing poker with hundreds of millions of won, which is believed to be from donations from believers. Many within […]
Yeosu Expo officially begins
The 2012 Yeosu Expo, which will run for 93 days until Aug. 12, officially kicked off Saturday morning. The official opening ceremony was held in front of the digital gallery of the exhibition hall under the presence of the expo committee and Yeosu city officials. At the opening ceremony, the honor guards made a solemn […]
Empty talk
Big firms playing dumb to challenges of aging population A workforce aging in dog years has been fueling apocalyptic talk about the future of Korea’s economy. Nonetheless, the country’s biggest corporations continue to display a maddening inability to think beyond the next quarter. Policymakers like Strategy and Finance Minister Bahk Jae-wan are frequently expressing alarm […]
Over 100,000 petitioners ask White House to adopt East Sea
More than 100,000 people have signed on an online petition asking the White House for its support to have the East Sea rather than the Sea of Japan adopted as the name of the body of water separating Korea from Japan. The petition drive started two months ago. Now, the ball is in the White […]
Celebrating King Sejong
King Sejong was the fourth king of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) and is well-known for many impressive things such as having created “Hangeul,” or the Korean alphabet but did you know that he was also a lover of music? The king researched and modified the contemporary music and dance of that period. He also urged […]
U.S. provides $40 mil for victims of Syrian crisis
The United States has allocated $40 million to assist relief agencies aiding victims of the Syrian crisis, the Department of State has said. “The United States is pursuing every avenue to get humanitarian relief to those affected by the violence in Syria and is engaged in focused diplomatic efforts to secure full and unfettered access […]
Greek leaders fail to form government
Leftist Alexis Tsipras, the leader of Greece’s second party Syriza, said on Wednesday that he failed to form the government, local media reported. “We won’t be able to realize our dream for a left government. Tomorrow morning I will return the mandate,” Tsipras said to the state television. He received a mandate after the Greek […]
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