Kakao Corp., the operator of namesake mobile messenger Kakao Talk, said Wednesday it will unveil the PC version of its popular messenger application in June, a move that could dramatically change the landscape of South Korea's instant messaging market.   Kakao Talk is a free messenger application that runs on the Android and iOS operating systems. Launched in 2010, it now has more than 90 million users worldwide, rivaling similar apps such as NHN Corp.'s LINE and California-based messenger Whats

Industry May 29, 2013

The education ministry said Tuesday it will initiate a pilot test-free semester program for middle school students this year to provide them with chances toexperience a wide range of learning activities for their future career.   In March, the Ministry of Education announced its plan to implement the so-called free semester system for middle school students, where schools shift the focus away from test scores and teach students through such diverse engaging methods as discussion, experiments, ou

Social Affairs May 28, 2013

South Korean stocks inched up 0.32 percent Tuesday, as concerns over the negative impact of the Japanese yen's fast descent on local exporters eased, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 6.25 points to finish at 1,986.22. Trading volume was light at 297.4 million shares worth 3.17 trillion won (US$2.82 billion) with gainers far outstripping losers 514 to 301.  "It's a tight session as there are no vents thi

May 28, 2013

A South Korean progressive group on Tuesday urged the government not to block an opportunity to engage North Korea in talks aimed at allowing a joint event to mark the 13th anniversary of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration.   The Committee for the Joint Implementation of the June 15 Summit Declaration in South Korea criticized the government for banning the joint celebration at a press conference in downtown Seoul.   The historic declaration reached at the 2000 summit meeting between late

Politics May 28, 2013

신고리 1·2·3·4호기와 신월성 1·2호기 원자로에 시험성적표가 위조된 부품이 사용된 사실이 드러나 가동·재가동 일정 연기가 불가피해졌다.    이에 따라 문제의 부품이 공급된 원자로의 가동 혹은 재가동이 약 6개월 늦어지게 돼 전력 수요가 늘어나는 여름철을 앞두고 전력 수급에 비상이 걸렸다.    이은철 원자력안전위원장과 박윤원 한국원자력안전기술원장은 28일 서울 종로구 원자력안전위원회 대회의실에서 대언론 브리핑을 열어 이렇게 밝혔다.    이번 사건으로 신고리2호기와 신월성1호기의 가동이 예정보다 이르게 중단됨에따라, 전국 원전 23기 중 신고리 1호기, 고리 1·2호기, 한빛(옛 영광) 3호기, 월성 1·2호기, 한울(옛 울진) 4·5호기를 포함해 10기가 운전 중단 상태가 됐다. 설비용량으로 따지면 원전 2천71만6㎾ 중 771만6천㎾를 가동할 수 없는 상황이다.    박근혜 대통령은 이날 국무회의에서 이번 사건에 관한 보고를 받고 "확실한  원인을 규명하고 책임소재를 분명

한국어판 May 28, 2013

South Korean stocks traded 0.3 percent higher late Tuesday morning, buoyed by gains in builders and IT services companies, analysts said.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 6 points to 1,985.97 as of 11:20 a.m.  Daelim Industrial, a leading construction firm, climbed 2.6 percent and NHN Corp., the No. 1 Internet portal service provider, gained 1.6 percent.  In contrast, utilities and brokerages lost ground. State-run Korea Electric Power Corp. sank more than 2 percent

May 28, 2013

South Korean stocks traded 0.3 percent higher late Monday morning, buoyed by blue-chip exporters, analysts said.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 5.93 points to 1,979.38 as of 11:20 a.m.  LG Electronics, the country's leading home appliance maker, jumped 3.25 percent and No. 1 automaker Hyundai Motor gained nearly 1.5 percent.  In contrast, steelmakers lost ground. POSCO dropped 0.8 percent. Large-cap zinc smelter Korea Zinc also shed 1.8 percent.   The local curren

May 27, 2013

 South Korea's large businesses are found to hold some 5.7 trillion won (US$5.1 billion) worth of assets through their corporate entities in tax haven regions, data showed Sunday.   According to the data by market researcher Chaebol.com, 24 local conglomerates were found to run corporate entities in nine tax havens, including the Cayman Islands, Panama, the Marshall Islands, Samoa and Cyprus.   The businesses cited in the data are private conglomerates holding 1 trillion won or larger in total a

Social Affairs May 26, 2013

South Korean stocks closed 0.22 percent lower Monday as the weak yen continued to weigh down on investors' sentiment here, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) moved down 4.38 points to finish at 1,982.43. Trading volume was low at 266.3 million shares worth 4.22 trillion won (US$3.78 billion) with losers outstripping gainers 434 to 383.   "While Wall Street gathered ground in the previous trading session on imp

May 20, 2013

South Korean stocks traded 0.13 percent higher late Monday morning, led by gains in carmakers and construction companies, analysts said.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 2.51 points to 1,989.32 as of 11:20 a.m.   Carmakers led the market gain, with No. 1 player Hyundai Motor rising 1.02 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors adding 0.73 percent. Top auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis also climbed 1.29 percent.   Builders also traded higher, with industry leader H

May 20, 2013

 David Beckham hugged his teammates with tears in his eyes, then walked off the pitch to a standing ovation  for the last time in front of a home crowd at a football game. 　 A clearly emotional Beckham was mobbed by his teammates on the field when coach Carlo Ancelotti decided to substitute him in the 81st minute of a 3-1 win over Brest on Saturday, giving him a customary sendoff in his last home game before retiring. Even goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu ran out to congratulate the former England ca

Soccer May 19, 2013

North Korea slammed South Korea on Saturday for making critical comments on a Japanese official’s recent visit to Pyongyang, calling it an “unprecedented precipitancy.”　Isao Lijima, an adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, returned to Tokyo Friday after a surprise four-day visit to North Korea. In Pyongyang, he met with high-ranking officials, including Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People‘s Assembly. 　Little has been known about the purpose of Lijima’s trip, b

North Korea May 19, 2013