The average ages of both South Korean men and women at the time of their first marriage have risen over the past decade, an industry report showed Friday.According to the report by local matchmaking firm Duo, the average age of men who tied the knot stood at 36 years. The tally is based on data collected on clients of the matchmaking company between June 2015 and May 2017. (Photo courtesy of Duo)The two-year average marked an increase from 33.4 years tallied 10 years earlier.The report also show

Social Affairs June 30, 2017

More than 250 medical doctors and health care providers from South Korea and the United States gathered in Seoul on Friday to discuss ways to pursue innovations as the economies around the world embrace the fourth industrial revolution.The annul Healthcare Innovation Seminar, hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, brought together leading experts from government, academia and industries as the world undergoes rapid changes.Among the attendees are South Korean Health and Welfare Min

Technology June 30, 2017

South Korean shares traded lower late Friday morning, as investors opted to cash in part of their recent gains.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 10.34 points, or 0.43 percent, to 2,385.32 as of 11:20 a.m.Large caps traded mixed with market kingpin Samsung Electronics falling 1.34 percent, and global chipmaker SK hynix down 1.75 percent.Top automaker Hyundai Motor fell 0.93 percent, and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors traded 0.66 percent lower.POSCO, the No. 1 steelmaker, adva

Market June 30, 2017

South Korea on Friday expressed concerns that some foreign media outlets' "groundless" reports could hamper inter-Korean relations, apparently pointing to a Japanese report on Seoul's alleged attempt to implement regime change in North Korea.Japan's Asahi Shimbun said Monday that the administration of former South Korean Park Geun-hye attempted to change the North Korean regime, including a possible plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (Yonhap)"There are concerns that some errone

Foreign Affairs June 30, 2017

Officials from South Korea and Japan have discussed bilateral collaboration on environmental issues, the foreign ministry here said Friday.In the 19th meeting of the countries' joint environmental cooperation committee held a day earlier in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, the two sides discussed cooperation in removing maritime trash and protecting migratory birds, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Yonhap)Also on the agenda was regional and multilateral coope

Social Affairs June 30, 2017

President Moon Jae-in's approval rating slightly increased due in part to his efforts to enhance communication with citizens, a survey indicated Friday.In the survey conducted from Tuesday through Thursday by local pollster Gallup Korea, Moon's rating was tallied at 80 percent, up 1 percentage point from a week earlier.Those who disapproved of his job performance made up 13 percent, down one percentage point from the previous week, while 7 percent said they were unsure or refused to answer. Pres

Social Affairs June 30, 2017

WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump said Thursday his upcoming discussions with President Moon Jae-in will include South Korea buying more energy from the United States.Trump made the remark during an "Unleashing American Energy" event at the Department of Energy, noting that the US firm Sempra Energy signed an agreement earlier in the day to sell natural gas to South Korea."As you know, the leaders of South Korea are coming to the White House today. And we've got a lot of discussion to do,

Foreign Affairs June 30, 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States blacklisted a small Chinese bank accused of illicit dealings with North Korea on Thursday, escalating the pressure on Beijing to rein in its wayward ally amid increased signs of frustration among President Donald Trump and his top advisers with China‘s diplomatic efforts.　 The Treasury Department declared the Bank of Dandong a “primary money-laundering concern,” proposing to sever it entirely from the US financial system, pending a 60-day review period. Altho

North Korea June 30, 2017

WASHINGTON -- The US Defense Department has put together revised military options for North Korea and is ready to present them to President Donald Trump, a news report said Thursday.The options will be presented if the North conducts an underground nuclear or ballistic missile test that indicates the regime has made significant progress towards developing a weapon that could attack the US, CNN reported, citing two unidentified military officials. (Yonhap)National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster a

North Korea June 30, 2017

WASHINGTON -- President Moon Jae-in has made "good strides" towards the United States and away from North Korea, and the communist nation is pushing the South Korean leader further away from it with a series of missile tests, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said.Haley made the remark during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing as she talked about the deployment of the US THAAD missile defense system in South Korea, which Moon has suspended pending an environmental assessment. US Ambassa

Foreign Affairs June 30, 2017

South Korea on Thursday regretted Japan's foot-dragging on its promise to make public information about its past industrial facilities which were added to the UNESCO heritage list though some of them used forced labor during World War II. A foreign ministry official said South Korea will demand Japan implement its promised steps during a UNESCO meeting next month.Hashima undersea coal mine off Nagasaki, known as “Battleship Island,” one of the 23 properties of “Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolutio

Foreign Affairs June 29, 2017

South Korea's main stock index finished at a fresh record high Thursday, helped by gains in large-cap stocks amid optimism on global economic growth. The Korean won rose against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 13.1 points, or 0.55 percent, to close at 2,395.66. Trade volume was moderate at 433 million shares worth 5.38 trillion won ($4.71 billion). The local stock market opened higher, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street. On the back of a buying spree

Market June 29, 2017

T'way Air Co., a South Korean low-cost carrier, said Thursday it will start services on profitable international routes to the United States and Europe in 2020. To serve on the long-haul routes, the country's fifth-biggest budget carrier by sales plans to purchase or lease 10 large passenger jets by 2025 from Airbus or Boeing to strengthen its fleet, T'way Air Co. CEO Jeong Hong-geun said in a press conference. T`way Air Co. CEO Jeong Hong-geun answers questions on the budget carrier`s business

Industry June 29, 2017