South Korean distiller Hite Jinro said Tuesday it has started selling its low-alcohol drink Isul Tok Tok at a major convenience store chain in Thailand, expanding distribution of the product in the country. The carbonated drink is being sold at Thailand’s Lotus Express, which has 1,500 stores nationwide.  With the latest launch, Hite Jinro products are now being sold at a total of 4,200 stores across Thailand, the company said.Hite Jinro said sales of soju in the Southeast Asian count

Economy Dec. 4, 2018

Heavy traffic is expected on Saturday in major parts of central Seoul, with around 20,000 protesters set to take part in various rallies in the city, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said Friday. A coalition of progressive civic groups is set to hold a major demonstration in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, starting at noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, with 10,000 people expected to attend. This is the largest protest against the government since President Moon Jae-in’s inauguration in May 2

Social Affairs Nov. 30, 2018

South Korea may once again push for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s visit to Seoul in December.According to reports citing unnamed goverment sources, President Moon Jae-in may raise the issue with US President Donald Trump during their meeting in Buenos Aires, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.If Seoul gets Washington’s understanding on Kim’s visit, Moon will attempt to persuade Kim to visit Seoul this year, the report said. (Yonhap)According to related reports, Seoul and Pyongyang had agreed

North Korea Nov. 30, 2018

Fine dust will linger across the nation Friday even after yellow dust from China is swept out. Daily temperatures will reach around 10 degrees Celsius. Bad fine dust levels are expected for Gyeonggi Province, Daejeon, Sejong, North Chungcheong Province, Jeolla Province, Gyeongsang Province and Jeju City, whereas other areas will record “average” levels. (Yonhap)According to the National Institute of Environment Research, high concentrations of fine dust due to stalled atmospheric conditions are

Social Affairs Nov. 30, 2018

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will crack down on taxis that refuse passengers, starting Saturday.The city said Thursday that it will deploy 60 police officers and 174 city bylaw officers to 26 high-traffic areas to crack down on taxis that refuse passengers. CCTV footage will also be used.  Seoul is to enforce a "three-strikes" system for cab drivers who refuse passengers, starting saturday. (Yonhap)Seoul said it would strictly enforce a “three-strikes” system for drivers who refuse passenge

Social Affairs Nov. 29, 2018

A gallery opens at the US Army Garrison Yongsan on Friday, 114 years after the area was closed off to the public. Opened by Seoul City, the Yongsan Park Gallery is located at the United Service Organization building in the US Army Garrison Yongsan, allowing the public to visit the area for the first time since 1904, when the area was designated for the stationing of Japanese troops. US forces began to use the site after the Korean War broke out. The USO building was constructed in 1908 to serve

Culture Nov. 29, 2018

The life and times of Albert Wilder Taylor, the US journalist who broke the news of the March 1 Movement and drew global attention to the plight of the Korean people under Japanese rule, are the subject of the exhibition “Dilkusha and Chain of Amber,” which runs through March 10 at the Seoul Museum of History. Albert Taylor, who was in the gold-mining business as well as being a correspondent for United Press International and the Associated Press, arrived in what was then called Joseon in 1896.

Culture Nov. 28, 2018

Eleven people were arrested on assault charges Monday in what police suspect was a revenge attack by an out-of-town gang against a rival gang in Gwangju. The Gwangju District Court issued an arrest warrant Monday for 11 of 12 people suspected of taking part in the attack.  Police escort 11 suspects to court Nov. 26 in an assault case believed to involve rival gangs. (Yonhap)The suspects, who came from Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, were arrested on suspicion of confining and assaulting th

Social Affairs Nov. 27, 2018

The Seoul High Court upheld a lower court’s judgment, Monday, granting limited compensation to the bereaved family of a civil servant who had died by suicide after experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace. The family had sought higher damages but the court refused to award more, saying there was no direct evidence that the harassment caused the suicide.The court said Monday that the defendants -- a local government organization and former colleagues who had demeaned the deceased with sexu

Social Affairs Nov. 26, 2018

The top court on Monday upheld a lower court ruling that a man had to pay a fine for repeatedly sending text messages to a woman, even though she had “blocked” his messages and had not read them.The Supreme Court confirmed that the man, identified as Lee, had to pay the original fine of 2 million won for violating the law on the use and protection of information and communications networks.  (Yonhap)Lee was indicted on suspicion of sending 236 messages to an elementary school acquaintance, askin

Social Affairs Nov. 26, 2018

The Health Ministry said Sunday that it would relax regulations on ending unnecessary life-prolonging treatment to help patients better prepare for their death, starting March 28. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said that it will revise the law on stopping life-sustaining treatment to allow ending such treatment when the spouse, parents and children agree to it. The Ministry of Health and Welfare.(Yonhap)Under the current law, one of four conditions must be met for treatment aimed at prolongi

Social Affairs Nov. 25, 2018

Freezing weather with clear skies was expected Thursday morning in most parts of South Korea, with cold continental high atmospheric pressure expanding from northern regions of China. Some parts of South Korea will see subzero temperatures down to minus 7 to 6 degrees Celsius in the morning, with the mercury expected to drop to minus 3 C in Seoul and Suwon, minus 6.4 C in Daegwallyeong, minus 4 C in Cheongju, minus 5 C in Sejong and minus 1 C in Jeonju. Daytime temperatures are set to rise to 5

Social Affairs Nov. 22, 2018

Four day care workers were sentenced to imprisonment Tuesday, on charges of causing death by negligence in the death of a 4-year-old girl in July, in Gyeonggi province.The child was found dead in the day care center’s bus on July 17 after being left inside alone for several hours in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi province. Autopsy results showed the girl died of a heat exhaustion.  The child was found dead in the day care center’s bus on July 17.(Yonhap)Two teachers in charge, were sentenced to prison te

Social Affairs Nov. 21, 2018

Microchip registration for pets will be available for 10,000 won at around 900 veterinary clinics in Seoul starting next year. Seoul City said Wednesday that it will provide subsidies for embedding microchips into companion animals, which usually costs between 45,000 won and 70,000. (Yonhap)The animal registration system designates serial numbers to companion animals. Microchips are then embedded into the pets, or owners receive collar-like external microchips that contain their information, so

Social Affairs Nov. 21, 2018

Two Navy officers sentenced to prison terms for the rape of a female subordinate were acquitted on appeal, prompting public outcry. The High Military Court of Korea on Monday acquitted a lieutenant commander, who received a 10-year prison sentence in the first trial, on the grounds that while there was a sexual relationship between the officer and the subordinate, there was a lack of specific evidence proving assault or threat. A captain, originally sentenced to eight years in jail for raping th

Social Affairs Nov. 20, 2018