Police have warned about the rise in sexual harassment crimes on subways during the summer season.According to a study conducted by the Southern Gyeonggi Subway Police Station, 148 men were accused of sexually harrassing women on the subway last year, up from 126 in 2015.(Yonhap)In the first half of this year, the number of sexual crimes caught on subways reached 104. The total figure is expected to rise by the end of the year.Of each reported number, crimes tend to be more often committed in th

Social Affairs July 23, 2017

Due to an entertainment market flourishing in the pan-Asian region, South Korea's tourism industry has made tremendous gains over the years. But while Hallyu generates interest and curiosity in Korea, there are cultural bridges that prevent some potential overseas visitors from making the trip.English-speaking YouTubers have filled that gap. Living in Korea and documenting their time here, viewers become more accustomed to the idea of traveling in the country.Clark in one of her vlogs introducin

Travel July 23, 2017

A man is suspected of setting fire to his wife’s factory in Daegu on Saturday night.After arguing with his wife earlier in the day, the suspect reportedly used a lighter to set fire to her factory. (Yonhap)Police made the determination after investigating CCTV footage near the scene of the crime, which showed the man walking around the area shortly after the factory was set ablaze.Police said that they are still surveying the option of applying for an arrest warrant for the man.Firefighters exti

Social Affairs July 23, 2017

Hana Financial Group Inc., a South Korean financial holding company, said Friday its net profit for the first six months of this year jumped 30.5 percent on year, thanks to a decline in loan-loss provisions and robust interest income. Hana Financial's net profit totaled 1.03 trillion won ($921 million) for the January-June period, compared to 790 billion won for the same period last year.  (Yonhap)Loan-loss provisions fell 7.8 percent on year to 504.3 billion won, the financial holding company s

Business July 21, 2017

South Korean stocks ended up at a fresh record high Friday on the back of strong foreign buying amid expectations of solid corporate earnings results. The won sharply rose against the US dollar.  The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 8.22 points, or 0.34 percent, to close at 2,450.06. Trade volume was moderate at 246.05 million shares worth 5.11 trillion won ($4.6 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 404 to 396.  Foreigners bought a net 282.43 billion won worth

Market July 21, 2017

South Korea's economy likely grew at a slower pace in the second quarter from three months earlier, a leading provider of economic analysis said Friday.Growth of South Korean gross domestic product "likely cooled to 0.6 percent" in the June quarter, Moody's Analytics said, noting the country's exports didn't maintain their burly first quarter pace as a blip in tech demand and slower Chinese demand hurt shipments.South Korea's GDP expanded 1.1 percent in the January-March period from th

Economy July 21, 2017

Hyundai Rotem Co., the train manufacturing affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, said Friday it has won two separate orders worth 220 billion won ($196 million) to build subway trains for Seoul's metro company. The company said in a statement it received a 176 billion-won order from Seoul Metro to build 214 trains for the capital city's subway line No. 2 by 2020.  A subway train operated by Seoul Metro (Courtesy of Hyundai Rotem) (Yonhap)In the other deal, the company won a 43.8 billion-won order to

Industry July 21, 2017

South Korean stocks turned higher Friday morning as foreigners increased their holdings. The won traded down against the dollar.  The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index that started the day in negative territory rebounded to rise 1.06 points, or 0.04 percent, to 2,442.90 as of 11:20 a.m.Foreigners bought a net 65.4 billion won ($58 million) worth of stocks, outpacing stock selling worth 63 billion won by institutions and individuals. Tech and auto stocks pushed down the index, with

Market July 21, 2017

South Korea's exports rose 22.4 percent for the first 20 days in July from the same period last year helped by a robust shipment of ships and semiconductors, government data showed Friday. Exports totaled $30 billion in the 20-day period in July, with exports of vessels and computer chips surging 245.6 percent and 47.7 percent each, the Korea Customs Service said.  Exports to the United States and China rose 5.4 percent and 3.2 percent each in the July 1-20 period. Imports stood at $25.9 bi

Economy July 21, 2017

A decision by the government to raise the minimum wage next year is expected to cut profits at convenience and discount store chains, but it could help bolster consumption, according to foreign investment banks on Friday. The government has decided to hike minimum wage 16 percent to 7,530 won ($6.7) per hour next year, marking its biggest rise since 2000. It would affect about 4.63 million workers. The Korea Center for International Finance report, citing Citibank, speculated the hike in the min

Economy July 21, 2017

Cities on the South Chungcheong Province coast are pushing forward a campaign against hidden cameras, which tend to be misused more often in public spaces during the summer.The campaign not only cracks down on cameras hidden in public bathrooms, but also on people using smartphones to secretly film and take pictures of women at the beach.Seosan police installing hidden camera detectors in a public toilet at the beach. (Yonhap)Hidden camera detectors, which use infrared lighting to locate the len

Social Affairs July 20, 2017

A bus and car collided in Eumseong County, North Chungcheong Province, Thursday morning.The driver of the car, a woman in her 30s, reportedly suffered serious injuries to her leg. (Yonhap)The bus driver and 14 passengers suffered minor injuries from the crash.Police are still investigating the incident, including determining which vehicle caused the collision.By Paige Shin / Intern reporter (paigeshin2019@heraldcorp.com)

Social Affairs July 20, 2017

South Korean stocks turned lower Thursday morning as foreigners and institutions offloaded their holdings. The won traded down against the dollar.  The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index that started the day in positive territory surrendered 0.60 points, or 0.02 percent, to 2,429.34 as of 11:20 a.m.Foreigners and institutions sold a combined 40 billion won ($36 million) worth of stocks more than they bought. Individuals acquired a net 25 billion won that kept the main index from fa

Market July 20, 2017

SK Group will take steps to boost domestic consumption, including encouraging its employees to take long vacations and facilitate growth of subcontractors, corporate sources said Thursday.CEOs of the group's key subsidiaries met in Seoul on Tuesday where they discussed enhancing work effectiveness and contributing to spurring local demand, according to insiders. Specifics included seeking shared growth with all tiers of the group's suppliers and "big break" vacations for employees, they said. (Y

Companies July 20, 2017

South Korea's new agriculture minister has said the Seoul government will not make concessions in the farm sector in talks with the United States to amend a bilateral free trade agreement.In an interview with Yonhap News Agency arranged Tuesday, Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Kim Yung-rok also signaled his willingness to reduce imports of rice.The US has notified South Korea of plans to begin talks on revising the 5-year-old free trade deal, months after US President Donald said he

Economy July 20, 2017