Korea daily news(June 13th 2024)

Society and Welfare

  • Disability Pension: Average monthly amount is 504,000 KRW, which is only 40% of the minimum living cost for a single household, highlighting the need for improvement.
  • Four out of Seoul’s Big 5 Hospitals Close: Following Seoul National University Hospital, Severance Hospital has also decided to close indefinitely.
  • Inter-floor Smoking Issue: A resident’s warning notice sparks controversy.

Economy and Finance

  • Treasury Bonds for Individual Investors: Subscription starts, drawing significant attention from investors.
  • Doosan Bobcat’s Acquisition of Mottrol: Kiwoom Securities analyzes limited short-term impact on corporate value.
  • Share Buyback and Cancellation: Companies plan to cancel 6.4 trillion KRW worth of shares, with KOSDAQ companies set to cancel a record 250 billion KRW.
  • Economic Cooperation with Cuba: Discussions between the Korea Importers Association and the Cuban Chamber of Commerce.
  • U.S. Economy: Consumer trends and the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a rate freeze.

Business and Industry

  • Hyundai Motor Group: Establishes a contract department for retraining employees in the smart industrial safety field in collaboration with Soongsil University.
  • Lotte Rental Car: Launches discount event for delivery service ahead of the summer peak season.
  • AI Novel Platform: ‘StoryNation’ reaches 14,000 members just two months after launching in the North American market.
  • Neowiz Games: ‘Lies of P’ wins Apple Design Award.
  • Apple Stock Price Rise: Reaches all-time high following the announcement of AI strategy.

Culture and Arts

  • Yeouido Han River Performance: Commemorative performance for the 141st anniversary of UK-Korea diplomatic relations to be held on June 22.
  • Luxury Children’s Clothing Rental Service: Offers rentals at one-tenth of the retail price, sparking a trend of social media posts.
  • Hallstatt Tourism Regulation: Restrictions imposed on filming due to tourist disruptions.

Politics and International Affairs

  • North Korea-Russia Military Cooperation: Presidential office anticipates Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea.
  • North Korean Human Rights Meeting: UN Security Council to hold its first meeting in ten months on North Korean human rights issues.
  • Youth Unemployment: Chinese government launches ‘100 Days, 10 Million Jobs’ project.

Incidents and Accidents

  • Newborn Transport: One-day-old baby transported to Seoul National University Hospital by firefighting helicopter.
  • Namyangju Elevator Threat: Man in his 40s arrested for threatening residents with a weapon.
  • 30s Parent Receives Prison Sentence: Parent in their 30s given a suspended prison sentence for cursing at a teacher during class.

Entertainment

  • BTS Jin Discharged: Jin, discharged from the 5th Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, interacts with fans.

Technology and Innovation

  • Fully Autonomous Driving: Korea’s first driverless autonomous passenger cars expected to operate on public roads as early as October.
  • Remote Account Opening: Shinhan Bank to provide remote check card issuance service to foreigners residing in Korea.