Son Heung-min to leave football after retirement

SEOUL --South Korean football star Son Heung-min has revealed a plan to step away from the football world after retiring. "While I love and enjoy football," Son said in an interview with Harper's Bazaar Korea, published March 18, "I don't have the ability to teach others. It's the moment when I actually kick the ball myself that I truly cherish." Son's decision to forgo a football-related career after retirement may disappoint some fans, but

March 18, 2024

[INTERVIEW] Chilean public works minister seeks S. Korea's investment for Chile's transport infrastructure projects

SEOUL -- Chilean public works minister Jessica Lopez has called for South Korean companies' investment in her home country's ongoing transport infrastructure projects. Highlighting the critical role of technology in the mobility sector incorporating highways, airports, and electric vehicle networks, Lopez stressed the need for South Korean companies' participation in construction endeavors and the sharing of their expert know-how in providing cutting-edge technological so

March 18, 2024

Russian star ballerina's Seoul performance cancelled

SEOUL --Svetlana Zakharova's scheduled ballet performance in Seoul has been cancelled, the organizer announced on March 15. Zakharova, a Ukrainian-born prima ballerina with the Bolshoi Ballet, was set to perform in "Modanse," a ballet depicting the life of fashion icon Coco Chanel, at the Seoul Arts Center's Opera House from April 17 to 21. The cancellation follows growing worldwide backlash against Russian artists and cultural institutions due to the ongoing

March 15, 2024

[INTERVIEW] S. Korean 3D geospatial map platform developer aspires to support UAE's digital twin project

SEOUL -- Techtree Innovation, a South Korean developer of 3D geospatial map platforms, hopes to play a key role in the United Arab Emirates' digital twin ecosystem project by sharing its expertise in related technologies. Techtree aims to provide its three-dimensional spatial information platform "Around" to the Middle Eastern country to create digital twin infrastructure for various tests including simulations of natural disasters such as flooding. A digital twin is

March 4, 2024

[INTERVIEW] Pulitzer-winning photojournalist documents Korea's cultural heritage

SEOUL -- South Korean-born photojournalist Hyungwon Kang has called for greater efforts to preserve and promote Korean cultural heritage, saying this is not only a matter of national pride and self-esteem, but also a crucial step towards building a sustainable future for the nation. In an exclusive interview on February 26, the two-time Pulitzer Prize winner said he is currently focusing on capturing the images of Korean cultural assets with journalistic objectivity. He said photo

March 4, 2024

[INTERVIEW] Peruvian envoy aspires to upgrade bilateral relations with S. Korea through APEC events

SEOUL -- The bilateral relationship between South Korea and Peru, established in 1963, significantly advanced in 2011 when the two countries' Free Trade Agreement took effect. South Korea, which was Peru's 11th largest trade partner in 2010, climbed to the fifth position in 2021. Peru aims to expand cooperation with South Korea through Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, an economic forum currently chaired by Peru and slated for South Korea's leadership in 2024. Asia-Pa

January 31, 2024

[INTERVIEW] S. Korean longevity expert hopes for inclusive infrastructure for all ages

SEOUL -- Longevity researcher Park Sang-chul has encouraged South Korea to create an infrastructure where anyone can engage in social and economic activities regardless of their age. The gerontologist anticipates a growing demand for such systems due to the significant increase in the number of healthy elderly individuals resulting from advancements in science and medical technologies. South Korea is an aging country where about 30 percent of the population would consist of people

January 25, 2024

[INTERVIEW] S. Korean atomic force microscope developer hopes for ecosystem for novel technologies

SEOUL -- Ultra-precision microscope developer Park Systems hopes for South Korea to create an infrastructure where talented scientists can receive support for creating novel technologies. The company, specializing in devices capable of measuring and detecting in nanometer levels, has secured the top position in the global market for atomic force microscopy, overtaking competitors like United States-based Bruker and Oxford Instruments based in Britain. The atomic force microscope (

January 16, 2024

[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

KAVKAS appoints Jeonbuk University Professor Ryu Kown-ha as new president

SEOUL -- Koreanischer Altstipendiaten Verein der Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAVKAS), an organization of South Korean scholars who obtained their doctoral degrees with scholarships from Germany's Konrad Adenauer Foundation, has appointed a new president. Through a general meeting, KAVKAS said on December 15 that Professor Ryu Kwon-ha was appointed as the scholar association's new president. The 62-year-old professor from Jeonbuk University's Department of Media Communicati

December 15, 2023