India`s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, shakes hands with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday. Modi arrived in Pakistan on Friday, his first visit as prime minister to this Islamic nation that has been India`s long-standing archrival in the region. (AP-YonhapISLAMABAD (AP) _ India's Narendra Modi made a surprise visit to Pakistan on Friday, his first such trip as prime minister to this Islamic nation that has been India's long-standing archrival in the region.

World Dec. 26, 2015

Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida on Friday announces the ministerial talks with his Korean counterpart Yun Byung-se at his Tokyo office. YonhapSouth Korea announced Friday it will hold foreign ministerial talks with Japan next week on the "comfort women" issue, raising hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to clear one of the biggest hurdles to their closer diplomatic ties.Japan's top diplomat Fumio Kishida plans to visit Seoul for the meeting with his South Korean counterpart Y

Politics Dec. 26, 2015

The Genesis EQ900Hyundai MotorThere was much hype surrounding the Genesis EQ900, the first flagship sedan under Hyundai Motor Group’s newly launched premium standalone brand, Genesis. The world’s fifth-largest carmaker has put all its efforts in placing the brand on par with or beyond German luxury carmakers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. It has invited the press on five occasions to heat up the vibe while providing chauffeured test-drives around Seoul to potential customers. And the market has

Mobility Dec. 20, 2015

Coca-Cola Korea released its annual Santa Claus special edition, featuring Father Christmas’ image on the 250-milliliter glass bottle. The company also launched the Christmas Santa package, with four 190-milliliter bottled colas covered with an illustration of the Santa Claus holding up a cola bottle.  The Santa Claus special edition is 2,000 won ($1.70) a bottle and the Christmas Santa package is 3,980 won. By Bae Ji-sook　(baejisook@heraldcorp.com)

Industry Dec. 17, 2015

Samsung C&T’s fashion division said six of its brands have started sales at Tmall Global, the online retailer operated by Alibaba.com.The brands on display are 8 Seconds, Bean Poll Accessories, Kuho, Beaker, Juun.J and Ravenova, which are widely popular among Chinese consumers, but do not have a direct retail outlet there. Samsung will hold a brand day promotion at the Juhuansuan, another website managed by Alibaba, introducing more than 600 items there from Dec. 24-25. By Bae Ji-sook　(baejisook

Industry Dec. 17, 2015

E-commerce operator WeMakePrice will hold a beauty fair Saturday at the company’s headquarters in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul. The “family sale” event will feature cosmetics brand Agatha, Secret Age, Camiane and others sold at a bargain. Famous makeup artist Kim Seon-hee will hold a tutorial session while an auction event pricing luxury brand products from 100 won (8.5 cents) will be held to heat up the mood. All proceeds will go to IOM Migration Research and Training Center. For more informat

Industry Dec. 17, 2015

The French ice cream brand Amorino on Tuesday said it has officially regularized the operations of its first Korean shop in Garosu-gil in southern Seoul. This will also be the gelato maker’s first Asian store, and the 126th in 14 countries. Amorino is famous for its gelato served in the shape of a rose, alongside other desserts including macaroons, chocolates and cakes. “Korea is a perfect place to test the waters of the Asian dessert market,” said Amorino CEO Christiano Sereni. By Bae Ji-sook　(

Industry Dec. 17, 2015

The French premium children’s fashion brand Bon Point launched a collaborative project with Adidas, adding giddy colorfulness to the German sportswear maker’s signature sneaker models. The Stan Smith model was reborn with green, blue, yellow and other colorful stripes. The Super Star model comes in suede with blue and white, or blue and yellow stripes. “We hope the shoes will complement a family look,” a Bon Point spokesman said. The sneakers will be on sale at Bon Point stores across the countr

Industry Dec. 17, 2015

Snack maker Orion started operations of its first potato flake manufacturing plant in China on Tuesday. The plant, situated in Beitun, is the sixth Chinese production plant for the country’s largest confectionary company, and will complete its full construction in 2017.Upon completion, the factory will be capable of producing 20,000 tons of potato flakes to be used in baked or fried potato chips every year, thus supporting Orion in cementing its status as China‘s second-largest confectionary mak

Industry Dec. 17, 2015

Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn (right) and Hyundai Motor chairman Chung Mong-koo applaud Wednesday at the launch of the Genesis EQ900 in a Seoul hotel. Yonhap　 　With the launch of EQ900, the first model of its newly launched luxury brand Genesis, Hyundai Motor is shifting gears to the luxury car market aiming to shed its image of a value carmaker and prop up falling profitability. “The company developed the premium sedan, targeting the global luxury car market. I believe that the flagship model of

Mobility Dec. 9, 2015

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer poses at the Aston Martin Kiheung International`s showroom in southern Seoul on Tuesday. Chung Hee-cho/The Korea HeraldAston Martin has been epitomized by the kind of classic, powerful gasoline cars that shout masculinity, representing some of the world’s toughest men on Earth, including James Bond. But now the 102-year-old British supercar-maker aims to reach out to more diverse customers, particularly young, female drivers, with a more diverse lineup. Launched in K

Mobility Dec. 6, 2015