Korea Daily News (August 23, 2024)

Politics and Diplomacy

  • Kamala Harris’ Statement: U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris criticized the relationship between former President Trump and Kim Jong-un, stating that she would not appease dictators.
  • Absence of Lee Jae-myung and Park Chan-dae at Supreme Council Meeting: Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Min-seok, acting as Senior Supreme Council Member, sharply criticized Minister Han Dong-hoon over the fulfillment of campaign promises.
  • Hyundai Motor’s George F. Kennan Award: Sung Kim, an advisor to Hyundai Motor, was recognized for his diplomatic contributions by being awarded the George F. Kennan Award by the American Foreign Policy Council.

 

Society and Lifestyle

  • Job Application Mishap: A job applicant mistakenly wrote their phone model instead of their phone number in the “mobile phone” field of an application, which sparked a discussion online about generational differences.
  • DUI Charges: BTS member Suga appeared before the police on charges of driving an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol. He has been booked for violating traffic laws.
  • Workplace Card Controversy: A story surfaced on an anonymous community where an employee used a company card for a lunch that ended up costing 370,000 KRW ($300), sparking controversy.
  • Fukushima Wastewater Dispute: On the first anniversary of the Fukushima wastewater release, the Presidential Office claimed that concerns about the release, similar to past issues like mad cow disease and THAAD, were exaggerated, leading to a heated debate.

 

Economy and Industry

  • Cabbage Price Stabilization Measures: The government announced measures to stabilize cabbage prices ahead of the Chuseok and kimchi-making seasons, including incentives to encourage the market supply of cabbage.
  • Cheongdam Le El Pricing: The Cheongdam Le El apartment complex in Gangnam, Seoul, set a record with its sale price exceeding 70 million KRW per 3.3 square meters, sparking controversy over its high price.
  • Hanwha Galleria Stock Surge: Hanwha Galleria’s stock surged by over 16% following the news that Vice President Kim Dong-seon planned to buy back company shares. Hanwha Galleria’s preferred shares hit the daily price limit.
  • Domestic Consumption Boost Measures: The government and the ruling party, People Power Party, are set to announce measures to boost domestic consumption next week, along with plans to stabilize the supply of holiday essentials.

 

Culture and Entertainment

  • BMW Art Car Reveal: BMW is set to participate as an official partner in Frieze Seoul 2024, where it will unveil its 20th Art Car, created by two artists, for the first time in Asia.
  • Namhae International ESG Art Festival: The first Namhae International ESG Art Festival was held in Namhae, South Gyeongsang Province, featuring various artworks combining art with environmental protection.
  • ‘Chicago’ Musical Milestone: The musical “Chicago,” first performed in Korea in 2000, has now surpassed 1,500 performances and attracted 1.54 million audience members, solidifying its status as a steady seller.
  • Frieze Seoul 2024: The globally renowned art fair, Frieze Seoul, will be held in September, with over 110 major galleries showcasing various contemporary artworks.
  • Star Wars ‘The Acolyte’ Season 2 Canceled: The second season of the Star Wars series ‘The Acolyte,’ starring Lee Jung-jae, has reportedly been canceled due to low viewership.
  • Seoul Lotte Concert Hall Recital: Coloratura soprano Park Sung-hee will hold a recital at Seoul’s Lotte Concert Hall, where she plans to showcase a blend of traditional Korean and contemporary music.

 

IT and Gaming

  • SK Ecoplant AI Solution: SK Ecoplant has implemented an AI-based automated operation solution for its incineration and wastewater treatment facilities, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and energy savings.
  • Electric Vehicle Battery Fire: A recent fire involving a Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle battery in Korea has sparked concerns about battery safety, with criticism directed at the manufacturer’s inadequate fire response manual.
  • Nexon ‘MapleStory M’ Update: Nexon has added a new high-difficulty boss practice mode to its mobile MMORPG ‘MapleStory M,’ allowing players to practice both single and multiplayer boss battles.
  • Gamescom 2024: The Gamescom 2024 event held in Cologne, Germany, showcased various new game releases, attracting global attention. Several Korean companies, including Nexon and Krafton, participated in the event.
  • Dungeon & Fighter Mobile Update: Nexon expanded the maximum level to 80 in ‘Dungeon & Fighter Mobile’ and introduced new regions and dungeon systems in the latest update.
  • Naver App Popularity: Naver’s ‘Snow’ app was ranked highly in a Silicon Valley venture capital survey, alongside several services from TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance.

 

Environment and Technology

  • Marine Convergence Research Institute Opening: The world-renowned Marine Convergence Research Institute, part of Ghent University in Belgium, held its opening ceremony at the Songdo Global Campus in Incheon and has begun its research activities.
  • Energy Saving Campaign: DL E&C has launched an “Everyday Small Energy Saving Campaign” involving all employees, aiming to promote energy-saving practices in office settings.
  • Daejeon Hanbat Arboretum Project: Daejeon Metropolitan City is undertaking a 2 billion KRW project to transform Hanbat Arboretum into a leading arboretum in Korea, including efforts to increase biodiversity and construct a wooden bridge.

 

Sports and Education

  • i-Sejong Institute Launch: In response to the growing demand for Korean language education, the government has launched ‘i-Sejong Institute,’ a new platform using generative AI and big data to enhance global Korean language learning.
  • Anyang IT Startup Support: Koscom is supporting an IT startup program in Anyang aimed at providing job opportunities for women who have experienced career interruptions.
  • Disabled Youth Sports Camp: The Umi Hope Foundation hosted a “2024 Basic Sports Summer Camp” at the Icheon National Training Center for promising disabled athletes.

 

Fashion

  • Breaking Fashion Stereotypes: MZ Generation is increasingly embracing fashion styles that break away from traditional norms, with trends like combining jeans and dresses gaining popularity.
  • K-Way House Hannam Popup Store: French premium lifestyle brand K-Way has opened a popup store in Hannam, Seoul, featuring various events and promotions.