S. Korea's annual whisky import volume to exceed 30,000 tons for first time

SEOUL -- The popularity of whisky among young South Korean consumers was reflected in the volume of whisky that was imported between January and October 2023. According to South Korea's customs office, the total annual whisky import volume in 2023 will reach 30,000 tons. Whisky, which is more expensive compared to beer and Soju, traditional Korean liquor, was regarded as luxury goods in South Korea. The foreign spirit was normally served to important guests or was mainly consu

November 23, 2023

S. Korea to demonstrate smart delivery service in southern Seoul

SEOUL -- South Korea's transport ministry will start the demonstration of urban smart parcel delivery services using a micro fulfillment center, a small-sized logistic center, located in southern Seoul. The automated logistics center will become the base for quick-delivery services using six robots that sort and carry parcels inside the building. Fulfillment centers are small-sized buildings that have a storage area and a loading bay. Sometimes the small logistics centers have

November 22, 2023

S. Korea to elevate diplomatic relations with Britain to 'global strategic partnership'

SEOUL -- South Korea will commemorate the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Britain and elevate the bilateral relationship between the two countries from the existing "broad and creative partnership" to a "global strategic partnership," South Korea's presidential office said. In November 1883, Britain established diplomatic relations with the Joseon dynasty that ruled the Korean Peninsula from 1392 to 1897. The United Kingdom

November 21, 2023

Larger number of overseas travelers use low-cost carrier than pre-pandemic days: market data

SEOUL -- A total of about 681,200 people traveled to overseas countries using Jeju Air, a major South Korean low-cost carrier (LCC), in October 2023. The number of Jeju Air's international flight passengers increased by three percentage points compared to the number of travelers who used the LCC in October 2019, a couple of months before the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit South Korea. When waves of the pandemic swept across the globe in 2020, almost every country in t

November 21, 2023

S. Korea to invest $22.4 mln to build future aviation technology center for drones and flying taxis

SEOUL -- In a bid to accelerate the development of technologies for drones and flying taxis, also known as urban air mobility vehicles, South Korea will invest 29 billion won ($22.4 million) to build a future aviation center in the eastern city of Wonju for the development, demonstration, and technology evaluation of future aviation technologies. Urban air mobility (UAM) is a future ecosystem involving flying passenger vehicles in city areas. A public-private consultative body calle

November 20, 2023

S. Korean President embarks on four-day state visit to Britain

SEOUL -- South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol departed for London to meet with King Charles III only two days after returning from San Francisco where he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. After completing his journey, designed to celebrate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Britain, Yoon will visit Paris to support South Korea's bid for the World Expo 2030. In November 1883, Britain established diplomatic relations with the Joseon dynasty that rul

November 20, 2023

Total of 106 lumpy skin disease cases reported as of November 20, 2023

SEOUL -- A total of 106 lumpy skin disease cases were reported as of November 20, South Korea's animal disease control tower said. The infectious cattle disease has reached the eastern province of Gangwon to infect a cattle farm that breeds traditional Korean cows for premium beef. Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral infection that spreads through blood-feeding insects like flies, mosquitoes, and ticks. A cow infected with the virus usually shows symptoms of high fever, skin nod

November 20, 2023

S. Korea's online administrative system network goes back online

SEOUL -- After three days of digital blackout, South Korea's administrative system network has gone back online. Government workers and ordinary citizens are now able to access the network and receive administrative help such as issuing birth certificates or registering a new address. South Korea pulled the plug on its unified government administrative service network called "Government 24" at around 1:55 p.m. (0455 GMT) on November 17 after the network started to malf

November 20, 2023

S. Korean hospital succeeds in uterus transplant for first time  

SEOUL -- A major general hospital in Seoul has succeeded in South Korea's first uterus transplant. The medical center treated a 35-year-old woman with an uncommon congenital disorder "Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome." Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a condition in which the uterus and vagina are either absent or underdeveloped, affecting about one in 5,000 women. Because their ovarian function remains normal, women with MRKH syndrome

November 17, 2023

S. Korea temporarily pulls plug on malfunctioning online administrative network system

SEOUL -- South Korea's online general administrative network has temporarily gone offline due to unknown errors. The interior ministry said that the unified government administrative service network called "Government 24" has temporarily gone offline starting 1:55 p.m. on November 17. The ministry did not disclose when the service would go online again but said the service would resume "when problems are fixed." Government 24 is a one-stop government admin

November 17, 2023