Seoul sends anti-piracy unit to Strait of Hormuz after Iran seizes South Korean tanker
SEOUL: South Korea’s anti-piracy unit began operations in the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday to respond to heightened tensions after Iran’s seizure of a South Korean oil tanker, officials said. On Tuesday, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps seized the tanker, MT Hankuk Chemi, due to what Teheran claims to be environmental and chemical pollution by the […]
Around 50,000 teenage scouts from 169 countries to attend 2023 World Scout Jamboree in Saemangeum, South Korea
SEOUL: Around 50,000 teenage scouts from 169 countries plan to take part in the 2023 World Scout Jamboree, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. The World Scout Jamboree, an international youth camp held every four years to facilitate cultural exchange among teenagers across the world, is set to take place in Saemangeum, a reclaimed […]
Body of South Korean filmmaker Kim Ki-duk likely to be cremated in Latvia
SEOUL: The body of South Korean filmmaker Kim Ki-duk, who died from COVID-19 complications in Latvia, is likely to be cremated in the Baltic country, a diplomatic source familiar with the matter has said. Kim’s family has asked the South Korean Embassy in Latvia to take care of the funeral process, the source said, citing […]
North Korea leader apologizes to South Koreans for ‘unsavory’ shooting case
SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has offered an apology to the South Korean people for the killing of a fellow citizen by its military earlier this week, Cheong Wa Dae announced Friday. In a formal notice sent to the South, the North conveyed Kim’s message that he feels “very sorry” for greatly “disappointing” President […]
South Korea tests drone food delivery service amid pandemic
SEOUL: South Korea has tested an autonomous drone food delivery service amid rising demand for non-contact services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the transport ministry said Saturday. In a test held in the administrative city of Sejong, some 130 kilometers southeast of Seoul, five drones delivered meals and other products to people at homes two to […]
Seoul’s virus-blocking bus stops highlighted at AJA meeting
SEOUL: For Peter Song, South Korea’s latest high-tech front in the battle against airborne viruses, fine dust, snow and rain is an expected step from a country that has leveraged technology successfully to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its people and residents. Korea has installed fortified bus shelters in the capital Seoul with temperature-checking […]
With ‘Dynamite,’ BTS becomes first South Korean artist to top Billboard Hot 100
WASHINGTON: BTS became the first South Korean artist to land at No. 1 on Billboard’s main singles chart in the United States on Monday. “BTS achieves its first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, as ‘Dynamite’ debuts at the summit,” Billboard reported Monday, one day before its chart will be refreshed. Previously, […]
Defector’s border crossing captured by military’s surveillance equipment; Seoul says defector had not tested positive
SEOUL: A North Korean defector was caught on military surveillance equipment as he fled across the border to his communist homeland, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. The border crossing by the 24-year-old man, surnamed Kim, became known after North Korea revealed Sunday that a “runaway” returned home in the border city of […]
South Korea: Once viewed as old-fashioned, coffee delivery gains traction amid contactless trend
SEOUL: Coffee delivery services are not an unfamiliar concept in South Korea. Serving persons at tea houses, or “dabang” in Korean, used to deliver cups of coffee filled with sugar and cream on foot. Big-name coffee chains such as Starbucks and small independent cafes replaced such tea houses by offering curbside services and takeaway. But […]
Moon accepts unification minister’s resignation
SEOUL: President Moon Jae-in accepted Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul’s resignation Friday, Cheong Wa Dae (the President’s office) announced, two days after he offered to step down to take responsibility for strained relations between the two Koreas highlighted by the North’s demolition of a joint liaison office. Keen attention is being paid to who will become […]