​China to resume issuing short-term visas for South Koreans February 18

SEOUL -- China has decided to resume issuing short-term visas for South Korean travelers on February 18, the Chinese Embassy in Seoul said on February 15. The decision was made four days after South Korea restarted the issuance of short-term visas for travelers from China. The Seoul government lifted the visa restrictions as China's new COVID-19 wave began to recede and a mere 1.1 percent of travelers from the neighboring country tested positive for the coronavirus. The Seo

February 15, 2023

South Korea's sovereign wealth fund suffers largest loss of $29.7 billion in 2022

SEOUL -- South Korea's sovereign wealth fund showed the worst performance last year since it was created in 2005, logging a loss of $29.7 billion (38 trillion won) due to falling stock prices and volatile debt markets, according to the fund's operator Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) on February 15. In a KIC report submitted to Rep. Yang Kyung-sook of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), the sovereign fund posted a 14.36 percent loss in 2022 as it suffered

February 15, 2023

State research institute develops 'Electronic nose' sensor for real-time gas analysis

SEOUL -- A team of researchers developed a low-power-consuming "electronic nose" sensor that can detect and analyze gases in real-time. Because the sensor uses micro light emitting diodes (LEDs) for the detection of gases, the sensor consumes about 0.01 percent of electricity compared to conventional gas sensors. Normally, gas sensors use integrated heaters to change the conductivity of sensor materials so that they can detect different types of metallic oxide substances

February 15, 2023

Reality competition series 'Physical: 100' captivates global fans on Netflix

SEOUL -- "Physical: 100," a South Korean competition show featuring physically fit contestants engaging in various games and competitions to win prize money of 300 million won ($233,681), became the most watched content on Netflix's non-English chart. The reality survival content showcases various celebrities such as UFC fighter Akiyama Yoshihiro (Choo Sung-hoon) and the 2012 London Olympic vault champion Yang Hak-seon. The global streaming service giant said that t

February 15, 2023

​411,000 jobs added in January, posting lowest growth in 22 months amid economic slowdown

SEOUL -- South Korea added 411,000 jobs to the economy in January, recording the lowest job growth in 22 months, Statistics Korea said February 15. The slow job growth was attributed to an economic slowdown and the falling population. The number of employed people increased by a mere 1.52 percent, or 411,000, to 27,363,000 last month from a year earlier, according to the statistical office. The payroll increase has continued to slow down since 935,000 jobs were added in May 20

February 15, 2023

Researchers develop film-like soft robot actuator capable of detecting methanol in water

SEOUL -- Researchers from a prominent state research institute have developed a film-like soft robot composed of chiroptical photonic crystals, which are optical nanostructures, that can detect methanol (CH3OH) in water. The robot can also fold, bend, and twist in response to external stimuli. Chiroptic is a term referring to the optical technique that uses refraction, absorption, or emission of anisotropic radiation for investigating chiral substances including methanol (CH3OH), 2

February 15, 2023

BTS's lead rapper Suga to go on solo world tour in six countries

SEOUL -- BTS member Suga will go on a solo world tour, starting with the first concert in Belmont Park, New York on April 26. The 29-year-old became the first BTS member to launch a solo world tour. Big Hit, the seven-member band's agency, said in a statement on February 15 that Suga will cover six countries -- United States, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan. BTS' lead rapper will interact with global fans from April to June in various cities including

February 15, 2023

CJ Cheiljedang becomes first S. Korean company to exceed $8 billion in food sales

SEOUL -- CJ Cheiljedang, a key subsidiary of South Korea's food and entertainment conglomerate CJ Group, has recorded 11.1 trillion won ($8.75 billion) in food sales in 2022. The company which gained global popularity through a Korean cuisine brand called "Bibigo" has become the first domestic company to exceed food sales of 10 trillion won. Cheiljedang has strived to gain a competitive edge in the global market and nurture Bibigo as a global brand. The company acquir

February 14, 2023

Kakao taxi-hailing app fined for giving preferential treatment to franchise caps

SEOUL -- The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has decided to impose a fine of 25.7 billion won ($20 million) on the tax-hailing service unit of tech giant Kakao Corp. for having manipulated its algorithm since 2019 to give more calls to cabs under its franchise. On February 14, the KFTC said that Kakao Mobility has strengthened its dominant market status in an unfair manner by giving preferential treatment to its franchise taxis under the KaKao T Blue brand, although the company&

February 14, 2023

Researchers find possibilities of agricultural contaminants speeding up human aging

SEOUL -- Researchers developed a smart technology capable of predicting how agricultural contaminants can damage the environment and the human body. It was discovered that contaminants generated during crop production can accelerate the aging process of mammals including humans. It's been difficult to identify how harmful factors from crop production affect the ecosystem and human health. However, accurate analysis and prediction are essential as farm contaminants can be leaked

February 14, 2023