Top firms start to ease in-house social distancing measures

Major conglomerates are preparing for a phased return to normal with the government's “Living With COVID-19” measures, scheduled to be implemented starting next month, easing overseas travel restrictions and lifting bans on gatherings.

DPK candidate Lee struggling to gain united support from party

Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung is struggling to gain united support from his own party, which is still divided in the aftermath of the party's primary. Lee is striving to win the endorsement of Lee Nak-yon, a former prime minister who was his main rival during the primary. Meeting his main rival in person and getting his support officially is deemed customary before the candidate meets President Moon Jae-in and is recognized as his successor, but the former prime minister is yet to make a public appearance, casting doubt on the ruling DPK's unity before the presidential election.

Moon to meet Pope Francis at Vatican next week

President Moon Jae-in will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican next week to discuss peace on the Korean Peninsula and efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic, the presidential office said Friday.

Millennials redefine what a successful job should be

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at 5 a.m., Kim Ye-ji, 32, starts her day as a janitor. After waking up, she rushes to an office building and arms herself with a broom and a mop. Her day working at multiplex housing complexes, hospitals and other facilities comes to an end in the early afternoon when most people are thinking about what to eat for lunch. Bae Yoon-seul, 28, is another millennial who starts her day early in the morning. Waking up - also at 5 a.m. - to the sound of her alarm, she spends more than an hour travelling to a construction site where she joins a crew of workers putting up wallpaper in newly built apartments.

Biden says United States would come to Taiwan's defense

The United States would come to Taiwan's defense and has a commitment to defend the island China claims as its own, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday, though the White House said later there was no change in policy towards the island.

Hyundai, Daewoo in race to win Korea's 1st aircraft carrier order

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) are in a heated race to win a 2 trillion won ($1.7 billion) order to build Korea's first aircraft carrier, known as the CVX.

Kakao Pay IPO clouded by overhang, overvaluation issues

Kakao Pay, the payment subsidiary of IT giant Kakao Corp, is coming under stock overhang pressure, due to the possible release of up to over 37.12 million shares held by Alipay, an online payment platform operated by China's Ant Financial upon Kakao Pay's planned initial public offering (IPO) next month.

[Reporter's Notebook] Korea should speed up discussion on bitcoin ETF launch

The recent launch of bitcoin futures exchange-traded funds (ETF) in the U.S. is a stark reminder of how far Korea is lagging behind its global peers in discussions over the development of a digital financial market, bogged down in large part by nervous policymakers, regulators and legislators questioning the validity of digital currency.

Bank of Korea expected to revise down 2022 GDP growth forecast

The Bank of Korea (BOK) is expected to lower its 2022 GDP growth forecast below 3 percent due to downside risks facing the country, including continued supply chain bottlenecks, prolonged power shortages in China and the possible downsizing of growth predictions for the world's second largest economy.

GCS International vows active role in promoting world peace

An international conference was held at Seoul Airbase in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Oct. 21, marking the 40th anniversary of the U.N. International Day of Peace.

Leaders of KB, Woori set to see terms extended based on solid earnings

The leaders of KB Kookmin Bank and Woori Bank are expected to have their terms extended after driving solid earnings growth despite the prolonged shock of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alec Baldwin fires prop gun on movie set, killing cinematographer

Actor Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun on a movie set in New Mexico on Thursday, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza, authorities said.

North Korea among most vulnerable countries to climate change: report

Climate change may lead to increased risks for the United States on the Korean Peninsula as North Korea stands unable to cope with growing physical effects of the environmental challenge, a U.S. intelligence report said Thursday.

Samsung's 1st US battery venture to go online in 2025

Samsung SDI, the battery affiliate of Samsung Group, said Friday that its first joint venture (JV) in the United States will start production in the first half of 2025 at the earliest.

Delivery Hero, Coupang Eats face possible curbs on quick commerce

Quick commerce has emerged as a new growth engine for local retailers that deliver online orders in less than an hour. Currently, major supermarket operators and food delivery firms sell only groceries through their quick commerce platforms, but they plan to boost sales by expanding their product variety.

Military urged to prepare for personnel shortage amid demographic cliff

Calls are growing for the government to discuss how to deal with an upcoming personnel shortage in its armed forces, as the country is facing a demographic cliff, a major drop in the working population amid low birthrates. The military has already been reducing the armed forces to counter the demographic cliff as well as pursue a change in the method of warfare by switching its previous “troop-intensive” structure to a “technology-intensive” one. The number of troops has been cut from 618,000 in 2017 to 530,000 this year, and the military is planning to reduce it further to 500,000 next year and maintain it at that level.

China's Evergrande supplies funds for interest payment to avert default

China Evergrande Group has supplied funds to pay interest on a dollar bond, a source told Reuters on Friday, days before a deadline that would have plunged the embattled developer into formal default.

Chinese police detain concert pianist Li Yundi over prostitution allegations

Concert pianist Li Yundi, one of China's most famous musicians, has been detained in Beijing for prostitution allegations, state media said on Thursday, prompting some incredulity and a lot of mockery on Chinese social media.

Ma Dong-seok uses his boxing skills to re-create Gilgamesh in 'Eternals'

Actor Ma Dong-seok, also known as Don Lee, said Friday that his character Gilgamesh in the upcoming superhero movie "Eternals" reflects his unique personality and signature action style.

Barbados elects first president to replace British Queen as head of state

Barbados has elected its first president, a key step in preparations to become a republic and remove Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as head of state of the Caribbean island.

Remains found in Florida park identified as Gabby Petito's missing boyfriend

The FBI on Thursday identified human remains found in a Florida nature preserve as those of Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the death of girlfriend Gabby Petito while the couple was on a cross-country road trip.

Korea to temporarily cut fuel taxes amid rising oil prices

South Korea plans to temporarily cut fuel taxes in a bid to ease upward pressure on inflation amid surging oil prices, a senior government official said Friday.

Incheon International Airport reports fast recovery in traveler flow in past 2 months

Incheon International Airport, the main gateway to South Korea, has seen a sharp recovery in the number of inbound and outbound travelers over the past two months amid the country's push for a "Living with COVID-19" plan.

Korea-Africa Foundation president visits Ghana, promotes forum

Lyeo Woon-ki, president of the Korea-Africa Foundation (KAF), visited Ghana to strengthen cooperation between Korea and Africa earlier this month. Lyeo picked Ghana - where he had served as Korea's ambassador from 2014 to 2018 - as his first destination after taking the post at the foundation in March.