S-OIL receives regulatory exemption for processing of bio-based raw materials through refining process

SEOUL -- S-OIL, one of South Korea's major oil refiners, has secured government approval to demonstrate the processing of bio-based raw materials, including animal and plant-based oils, within its existing petroleum refining process. This regulatory approval, granted through the sandbox program, allows the refiner to assess the effectiveness of bio-based fuel and chemical production techniques. The regulatory sandbox program provides exemptions for regulations governing new prod

December 28, 2023

Historical film about 1979 military coup d'état in Seoul exceeds $1 million in ticket sales in N. America

SEOUL -- "12.12: The Day," a historical film directed by Kim Sung-su, has surpassed $1 million in ticket sales in North America. The movie portrays the 1979 military coup d'état in Seoul which pushed South Korea into a new eight-year era of military dictatorship. The military coup took place on December 12, 1979, after the assassination of President Park Chung-hee. Major General Chun Doo-hwan, who led the coup, took control of the government and declared martial

December 28, 2023

Fans and fellow actors mourn death of 'Parasite' actor Lee Sun-kyun

SEOUL -- Fans and artists of Lee Sun-kyun mourned the death of the "Parasite" actor. Lee, who gained global fame through his appearance in the Oscar-winning film Parasite, directed by Bong Jun-ho, was found dead in his car parked at a public park in central Seoul on December 27. A block of burnt coal briquet was found near the 49-year-old's body. Burning coal briquet blocks to induce carbon monoxide poisoning is a method often used by people who take their own lives. T

December 28, 2023

S. Korea's iconic trauma surgeon becomes head of military hospital  

SEOUL -- Lee Cook-jong, South Korea's iconic trauma surgeon who performed life-saving surgery on a North Korean soldier severely wounded by multiple gunshots during a surprise escape through the truce village of Panmunjeom to South Korea in 2017, was selected to lead one of the largest military hospitals in the country. Lee currently works at Ajou University Hospital in Suwon south of Seoul. The medical professor also performed emergency surgery on Seok Hae-kyun, the former c

December 28, 2023

[OPINION] "Putin's Press Conference – All is Well in Putinland"

KENOSHA -- This is how Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg of the influential – and reliable – BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) summed up Russia President Vladimir P

December 27, 2023

BTS agency's AI audio technology wing recreates voice of singer with paralyzed limbs

SEOUL -- Supertone, the artificial intelligence audio technology wing of the BTS agency, has recreated the voice of Kim Hyeok-geon, a South Korean singer whose four limbs were paralyzed in a traffic accident in 2012. Kim showcased a performance with a virtual replica of himself realized through artificial intelligence technology. The 42-year-old artist is a vocalist of "The Cross," a South Korean rock band formed in 2003. Kim gained popularity for his unique screaming vo

December 27, 2023

Police plan to install more CCTV cameras near urban cultural heritage sites

SEOUL -- Police plan to install extra closed-circuit television cameras in areas near urban cultural heritage sites such as palaces located in central Seoul. The discussion on the blueprint for the new surveillance camera networks took place after vandals damaged the walls of Gyeongbokgung Palace using spray paint cans in mid-December. 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

December 27, 2023

[INTERVIEW] Saudi Arabian envoy anticipates S. Korea's greater influence in Saudi's smart city construction project

SEOUL -- Saudi Arabian Ambassador to South Korea Sami M. Alsadhan anticipates greater influence from South Korea's private sector in the Middle Eastern country's mega smart city construction project. Currently, a consortium led by Samsung C&T, a Samsung Group unit specializing in trade, investment and construction, and Hyundai E&C, a major builder affiliated with South Korea's Hyundai auto group, is involved in building "NEOM," a smart city powered by rene

December 27, 2023

Hourly wage of female S. Korean workers surveyed to be about 70% of level of male workers

SEOUL -- The hourly wage of South Korean female workers surveyed to be at about 70 percent of the level of male workers, data released by the labor ministry showed. The wage gap between female and male workers continued to narrow for the last decade and the employment rate gap has also narrowed. On December 27, the labor ministry and family ministry jointly released the first edition of an annual report about the economic activities of women and ways to prevent female workers from

December 27, 2023

Korean ginseng chicken soup 'Samgyetang' approved for exports to EU

SEOUL -- South Korea has concluded negotiations with the European Union on quarantine and hygiene standards for heat-treated poultry products including Korean-style ginseng chicken soup called "Samgyetang." The country's agriculture ministry plans to achieve $20 million in exports of heat-treated poultry to 27 European nations. Samgyetang, which uses a young chicken filled with garlic, rice, scallion and spices, ginseng and jujube, has been consumed as a healthy food.

December 27, 2023