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Column
Wipe out polio, now
Wild viruses and wildfires have two things in common. If neglected, they can spread out of control. If handled properly, they can be stamped out for good. Today, the flame of polio is near extinction ― but sparks in three countries threaten to ignite a global blaze. Now is the…
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Business
Chaebol under siege
Conglomerates targeted in lame duck presidency As the economy turns from bad to worse with income polarization widening and inflation soaring, large family-controlled business groups, known here as chaebol, have become public enemy No.1. Despite the prolonged global economic downturn, Samsung and other leading conglomerates have earned record overseas profits…
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Politics
Meltdown of Korean diplomacy
What does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade do? Four activists were detained in China but the ministry appeared to be at a loss. Reports, although denied by its spokesman, are that China talked to North Korea while excluding Seoul in taking the four into custody. The foreign ministry…
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Lifestyle
Pioneering ‘hallyu’ actor Song returns
Heartthrob Song Seung-heon is coming back to his fans through the small screen. Despite 16 years passing since his debut, Song, 35, remains as handsome and single as ever, coupled now with better acting ability. As one of the pioneers of “hallyu,” or the Korean wave, his popularity continues to…
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Business
Old habits die hard
New-look Nonghyup fails to impress marketsIn introducing a financial holding company built on its banking and insurance services in March, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (Nonghyup) declared it was opening a new era. In a lavish ceremony to mark the occasion, Nonghyup Chairman Choi Won-byung talked in length about how…
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Business
Suprema comes back in big way
Korean biometrics company Suprema, which leads in fingerprint recognition technology, is angling for further growth. The firm can now see an end to worries over a patent lawsuit in the United States that has plagued it for the past few years. “The legal action is practically done. We do not…
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Politics
Lee vows to help Myanmar’s democracy
Lee Myung-bak said Tuesday South Korea is ready to help Myanmar’s journey to democracy and prosperity after he met with Aung San Suu Kyi, a symbol of freedom in the reforming Southeast Asian country. “The Republic of Korea is a country that achieved both industrialization and more importantly, democratization together,”…
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Society
Is taxing religion an act of blasphemy?
Gambling monks scandal raises old issue anew The gambling scandal shadowing the country’s largest Buddhist order has triggered debate on whether the government should collect taxes from temples, churches and religious organizations. For decades, there has been an argument over taxing monks and clergymen, but little progress has been made…
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Smartphone users make up 50% of mobile subscriptions
It is no longer news that smartphones are the current trend among mobile phone consumers but new statistics now back this up. According to data released by the three domestic mobile carriers smartphone users now account for over half of handset subscriptions in Korea. As one of the world’s most-wired…
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Society
Korea pursues ‘hallyu’ initiatives
30 language institutes will be set up around world every year As part of efforts to boost the staying power of “hallyu” or the Korean wave, the government plans to set up language institutes around the world — 30 or more every year. Plus, the current Romanization system, already 10…
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