Diplomats
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Seoul's iconic palace walls vandalized despite high security
SEOUL -- The walls of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main palace of the Joseon dynasty (1392~1897), located in the heart of Seoul were vandalized with spray paint despite the palace area being one of the most heavily guarded areas in the capital city. Gyeongbokgung is an iconic palace in Seoul that was visited by some 3.4 million people in 2022. The area near the Blue House, the former presidential office, remains a high-security area with a score of closed-circuit television (CCTV) came
December 18, 2023 -
S. Korea to stop operation of COVID-19 screening centers
SEOUL -- South Korea will stop the operation of COVID-19 screening centers, about four years after the country was hit by the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020. South Korea operated some 500 screening centers across the country since February 2020 to establish a frontline against the infectious disease that infected more than 34 million people and killed more than 35,000 people. The centers offered free polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for anyone who showed s
December 15, 2023 -
Committee launched to list Korean rice wine Makgeolli as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
SEOUL -- A special committee of 30 specialists from various fields was launched to list Makgeolli, a Korean rice wine, as UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) 's Intangible Cultural Heritage. In 2013, Kimjang, the collective process of making and sharing kimchi in South Korea, was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Makgeolli, also known as Korean rice wine or rice beer, is a milky-white alcoholic beverage that was c
December 15, 2023 -
Indian Embassy holds special event to celebrate 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with S. Korea
SEOUL -- The Indian Embassy in Seoul has held a special event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with South Korea. At the Indian cultural center in Seoul's central district of Yongsan, India's ambassador has reached an agreement with South Korea's deputy minister for political affairs to upgrade strategic cooperation in various sectors. Government data showed that South Korea's exports to India reached $18.8 billion in 2022, up 21 from a year a
December 14, 2023 -
More than 50% of S. Koreans plan to spend less in 2024 due to economic recession: survey
SEOUL -- More than 50 percent of South Koreans plan to spend less in 2024 due to high inflation and economic recession caused by increased basic costs including prices of oil, agricultural products, and everyday necessities. According to South Korea's statistical information service, the consumer price index for November 2023 was 112.74 (2020=100), up 3.3 percent from the same period a year ago. The consumer price index, which reflects the actual sense of inflation felt by cons
December 13, 2023 -
Seoul adopts usability certification for digital kiosks to reduce digital gap
SEOUL -- To help Seoulites who are unfamiliar with digital appliances, Seoul City has adopted a usability certification for digital ordering systems commonly found at restaurants and coffee shops. The capital city will provide benefits including subsidies for business loans for companies that develop digital kiosks, websites, or applications that are easily usable by the elderly and inexperienced users. Digital kiosks are widely used in South Korean restaurants to save operating cos
December 12, 2023 -
S. Korean President embarks on five-day state visit to Netherlands
SEOUL -- South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has embarked on a five-day state visit to the Netherlands on December 11. On the first day of his journey, Yoon met Korean compatriots and mentioned that his state visit is aimed at upgrading semiconductor cooperation between Seoul and Amsterdam. The South Korean leader will later tour ASML, a promising Dutch manufacturer of chip-making equipment. "With this visit, the semiconductor cooperation between South Korea and the Netherland
December 12, 2023 -
S. Korea launches special quarantine programs for egg farms to prevent spread of avian influenza
SEOUL -- In an effort to stop the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, the South Korean government will carry out special quarantine programs for areas densely populated with egg and poultry farms. This year's first case of avian influenza was found in the southwestern parts of South Korea in early December. Investigators found the H5N6-type, an extremely infectious type, among the viruses. The southwestern parts including Chungcheong Province and Jeolla Province are hom
December 11, 2023 -
President Yoon to arrive at Netherlands for five-day state visit
SEOUL -- President Yoon Suk-yeol will arrive in the Netherlands for a five-day state visit. The presidential office said that the president will work on accelerating economic cooperation between Seoul and Amsterdam. According to the presidential office, the Netherlands is South Korea's second-largest European trade partner. The European country has strong capabilities in semiconductor facilities, with its industry represented by ASML, the sole maker of extreme ultraviolet lith
December 11, 2023 -
S. Koreans favor spending holidays in foreign countries due to high consumer prices at home
SEOUL -- South Koreans have chosen to spend their holidays in foreign countries because they feel it is cheaper to travel overseas than to visit places at home due to high consumer prices including food and accommodation. The inflation of various living costs has long been an issue in South Korean society. The national statistical information service said that the increase rate in food prices in November 2023 was found to be larger than the previous month. The consumer price index
December 8, 2023
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Hyundai, Toyota chiefs meet to discuss hydrogen collaboration
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Opposition leader cleared of perjury charges, but legal battles continue
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Pakistani director wins best director award at Indian film festival
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China plans $193 million support for Myanmar junta
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ATEEZ's latest album debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200
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UAE partially lifts drone ban
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Missing Israeli rabbi found dead in UAE
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India's second-richest man summoned in US on fraud, bribery charges
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First Korean-style industrial complex will open in northern Viet Nam
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Russia warns South Korea against possible supply of lethal weapons to Ukraine