Bath & Body Works doubles sales target after Korean debut: Shinsegae

SEOUL, July 23 (AJU PRESS) – U.S. fragrance and body care brand Bath & Body Works has made a successful debut in South Korea, partnering exclusively with Shinsegae Department Store. Its first Korean store, which opened on May 24 at Shinsegae's Gangnam location, has already surpassed expectations, doubling its sales target in less than two months, the department store said Tuesday. The brand's arrival addresses a longstanding demand from Korean consumers, who previ

July 23, 2024

Seoul to mandate temperament tests for dogs to curb biting accidents

SEOUL, July 23 (AJU PRESS) - To prevent dog-biting accidents that could sometimes lead to fatalities, a temperament test to access the aggressiveness of man's four-legged best friends will become mandatory next week, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday. Depending on the test results, the city government may enforce euthanasia for dogs deemed to have dangerous levels of aggression. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, over 2,000 dog-bit

July 23, 2024

Girl band 2NE1 to reunite to celebrate 15th anniversary

SEOUL, July 23 (AJU PRESS) - 2NE1, one of the most popular girl groups of the early 2000s, will reunite this fall to mark the 15th anniversary of their debut, their agency YG Entertainment said Monday. The agency also released a couple of nostalgic teaser posters reminiscent of their heyday to build excitement among fans for their upcoming return. The quartet will kick off their reunion with concerts in Seoul in early October, followed by performances in Osaka and Tokyo th

July 23, 2024

CMG exports skincare products to Viet Nam

SEOUL, July 23 (AJU PRESS) - Korea's CMG Pharmaceutical announced Tuesday that its cosmetic products will be exported to An Thinh Phat, a Vietnamese distributor of healthcare products. CMG Pharmaceutical held a launch event for its "Dr. Bargo" brand in Hanoi on Sunday along with An Thinh Phat and Seoul-based distribution company Home & Mall Shopping. Dr. Bargo is a skincare brand jointly developed by CMG Pharmaceutical and Home & Mall Shopping, targeting the Vi

July 23, 2024

Korean Air signs deal to buy up to 50 Boeing planes

SEOUL, July 23 (AJU PRESS) - Korean Air has agreed to purchase up to 50 new aircraft from Boeing, marking its largest aircraft acquisition to date. The deal, worth about $30 billion, includes 20 777-9 and 20 787-10 planes, with an option for 10 additional 787-10s. The memorandum of understanding was signed at the Farnborough International Airshow in Hampshire, U.K. Walter Cho, chairman of Hanjin Group, and Stephanie Pope, president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, attended the ceremo

July 23, 2024

Top food delivery app Baemin faces backlash over fee hike plan

SEOUL, July 23 (AJU PRESS) - Korea's largest food delivery app, Baedal Minjok (Baemin), is facing regulatory scrutiny and public criticism following its announcement to raise commission fees for restaurants. The company, which controls over 60 percent of the market, plans to increase its commission rate from 6.8 percent to 9.8 percent starting next month. Baemin is operated by Woowa Brothers, which is owned by Germany’s Delivery Hero. Civic groups are accusing Baemin

July 23, 2024

Kakao founder arrested on charges of stock manipulation

SEOUL, July 23 (AJU PRESS) - Kim Beom-su, the founder of Kakao Corp., was arrested Tuesday on charges of stock manipulation linked to the tech giant's takeover of SM Entertainment in 2023. Judge Han Jeong-seok of the Seoul Southern District Court issued an arrest warrant for Kim, citing concerns that he may destroy evidence and flee. The prosecution requested the arrest warrant last Wednesday on charges of violating the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act.

July 23, 2024

Suspicious border activities in N. Korea suggest growing instability amid elite defections

SEOUL, July 23 (AJU PRESS) - North Korea has been building walls and digging holes along the border with South Korea, recent satellite images suggest. An analysis of satellite photos from American earth-imaging company Planet Labs shows newly-elected structures resembling walls along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), an area already heavily-fortified with landmines and high fences. Construction of these structures seemed to have started early this year, as they were not seen until at l

July 23, 2024

Opinion: Kamala Harris is likely to become Democratic nominee for president

SEOUL, July 23 (AJU PRESS) - After three weeks of pained debates in the media and within the Biden administration itself, the 61 percent of Americans who wanted Joe Biden to step aside have had their wish granted. Only a few minutes after announcing he would no longer be seeking re-election, Biden made clear he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him, while major Democratic Party stalwarts – including the Congressional Black Caucus as well as Bill and Hillary Clin

July 23, 2024

PHOTOS: Cho Kuk visits national cemetery following election as party leader

SEOUL, July 22 (AJU PRESS) - Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk visited the Seoul National Cemetery on Monday, following his election as the leader of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party on Saturday. Cho was the only candidate in the leadership election of the party, which he founded before the April parliamentary elections. He received an overwhelming 99.9 percent approval in a yes-or-no vote.

July 22, 2024