Global map of COVID-19 cases

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South Korea   Cases 13,417｜Deaths 289

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  Social affairs

  Mourning of Park marred by controversy

  • Thousands mourn death of Seoul mayor

• Social affairs
  

  New virus cases rebound; imported cases, cluster infections on steady rise

  South Korea's new virus cases bounced back Sunday as imported cases climbed amid a continued rise in cluster infections in the greater Seoul area and the southwestern city of Gwangju. The country added 44 cases, including 21 local infections, raising the total caseload to 13,417, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). The tally marked a rise from 35 new virus cases reported Saturday but a slight fall compared with 45 tallied Friday. The number of new virus c

• Social affairs
  

  [News Focus] With deadline looming, labor, employers still far apart on minimum wage

  Labor and business are still poles apart over whether next year’s minimum wage should be higher or lower than it is now, with only days left in their negotiating calendar. The Minimum Wage Commission, the rate-setting body composed of 27 representatives -- nine each representing labor, business and the general public -- is to hold its eighth session Monday to continue a discussion that has gone on for a little more than a month. Monday is the first deadline that commission Chairman Park

• Defense
  

  S. Korea, US could suspend again joint drills: sources

  South Korea and the United States could scale back their annual joint military exercises in August over coronavirus concerns or suspend them altogether, sources said Saturday. The pandemic has already forced the two countries to cancel drills scheduled for March. “While both sides share the understanding the August drills should be conducted, things are flexible given the unabating coronavirus pandemic,” a Defense Ministry official said. The drills would require a great number o

• Social affairs
  

  [News Focus] Number of de facto jobless under 30 hits all-time high

  Korea ranks 31st among 37 OECD members in youth employment

• Money
  

  COVID-19 shocks on wane in Seoul’s office leasing market

  The prime office market in Seoul has recently showed signs of normalization, as uncertainties due to the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak have been on the wane in key business districts, data showed Sunday. Demand from the information technology industry remained healthy, allowing major prime buildings to sign leases with large tenants, according to an estimate from real estate service firm Colliers International. In Gangnam, one of the larger business districts of the city, financ

• Transport
  

  Car industry hit harder by COVID-19 than any other financial crisis: expert

  COVID-19 has hit the global car industry harder than any other financial crisis, and car sales will not recover to last year’s levels until around 2023, a market analyst said Friday. Lee Bo-sung, the head of Hyundai Motor Group’s global business R&D center, delivered those predictions at a seminar organized by the Korea Automobile Journalists Association. Members of KAJA gathered at the AMG Speedway, a driving circuit in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to attend the seminar and s

• Economy
  

  BOK likely to keep rate frozen due to heated housing market: experts

  South Korea’s central bank is expected to keep its base rate frozen near-zero at its regular monetary policy meeting scheduled Thursday, to avoid further aggravation of the local housing market, experts said Sunday. According to experts, the Bank of Korea will maintain its policy rate at the current record-low of 0.5 percent for the time being, despite rate cut pressures stemming from economic downturns due to the coronavirus pandemic coupled with the trend of low inflation. This is main

• Industry
  

  Plasma COVID therapy pioneers seek more blood donors

  Expectations are growing that South Korea will have plasma-derived COVID-19 therapy by the end of this year, but with the lack of blood donors, the deadline appears unrealistic. GC Pharma, which is leading the research and development of Korea’s plasma-derived therapy for COVID-19, aims to make its GC5131A pipeline commercially available this year. The drug will not eradicate COVID-19, but will lower the death toll among critically ill patients, a GC Pharma official told The Korea Herald

NEWSMAKER

• Social affairs

  

  S. Korea ends mask rationing scheme after 4-month operation

  After a four-month operation, South Korea's mask ration system ended Sunday as the supply of face masks designed to help fight the new coronavirus has stabilized. As prices of protective masks skyrocketed amid the COVID-19 outbreak here, the country introduced the mask rationing scheme in early March in a bid to smooth out high demand. Under the scheme, citizens were allowed to buy a limited number of protective masks every week at pharmacies for 1,500 won ($1.24). The weekly limit started wi

LATEST NEWS

• Today

  

  Viewpoints

  [Trudy Rubin] Crackdown on HK dangerous for world

  When China imposed a draconian new security law on Hong Kong last week, I grabbed my phone to call some young pro-democracy activists I’d met there in November. Then I put the phone down because I realized that the old Hong Kong, where free speech and rule of law were allowed despite it being part of China, was over. It was ended by a new security law imposed by Beijing that destroys the rights Hong Kongers were promised by international treaty. Those high school students, who passionat

• Today

  

  Viewpoints

  [Ram Garikipati] Indo-Sino conflict in context of S. Korea’s problems

  China recently blocked Indian websites and e-commerce platforms in retaliation for India’s move to ban 59 Chinese apps and prevent Chinese companies from participating in infrastructure projects. It is laughable, given that Facebook, Google and LinkedIn have been blocked in the mainland for years -- my friends there throw their hands up in exasperation as they have to only use local social media platforms -- and the country is now also blocking virtual private networks. The Cold War be

• Today

  Editorial

  [Editorial] Remembering Park

  Questionable if city funeral is proper; No more damage to sex abuse accuser

• Today

  

  Social affairs

  Korea to require foreigners arriving from high-risk nations to submit proof of negative virus test

  South Korea will require foreigners arriving from high-risk nations to submit a certificate showing they tested negative for the new coronavirus from Monday, as the nation struggles with a steady rise in imported cases.    The high-risk nations are Bangladesh, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, according to websites of South Korean embassies in the nations.    Starting Monday, foreign nationals from the four nations will be required to provide certificates issued within

• Today

  

  Markets

  [Herald Interview] Former WeWork Korea general manager dives into proptech scene with platform Dongnae

  Matthew Shampine aims to bring positive changes to domestic real estate sector

More Stories

SPOTLIGHT

• Television

  

  A decade of celebs chasing each other

  “Running Man” marked its 10th anniversary on Sunday, becoming SBS’ longest-running variety show. A game program where celebrities chase each other and snatch their opponents’ name tags, it is one of the most popular South Korean TV shows in Korea as well as abroad. Kicking off as a segment on the SBS reality show “Good Sunday” on July 11, 2010, “Running Man” became its own show in March 2017 when “Good Sunday” came to a close. The var

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  Arts&Design

  Eva Armisen’s paintings about happiness, family offer comfort

  Spanish painter Eva Armisen, known as an “artist drawing happiness” in Korea, is showcasing her work in Seoul to offer comfort amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. The exhibition “Eva Armisen Vida” at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Gwanghwamun in central Seoul displays around 150 oil paintings, drawings, installations and media art by Armisen. The exhibition celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and S

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  Culture

  KSIF provides online courses on Korean culture

  King Sejong Institute Foundation is offering 15 online courses on Korean culture for foreigners as untact (contactless) learning is gaining ground amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The institute will offer online courses on five themes for the first session starting Monday -- culinary, handicrafts, paintings, dwellings and traditional wedding -- in Korean, English, Chinese, Russian and Vietnamese via its website -- www.iksi.or.kr The second session of the online classes will kick off in October w

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  Arts&Design

  Traditional tableware adds whimsy with Line Friends

  On the surface of white pottery is an illustration of a bear and a duckling playing surrounded by mokbuyong flowers, a type of lotus. The illustration is painted with blue pigments. The bear is a character named Brown and the duckling is Sally, both from global character brand Line Friends, while the lotus flowers represent Korean premium tableware brand Kwangjuyo. The blue and white color coordination stems from a traditional pottery style especially popular during the late Joseon era. The

GRAPHIC NEWS

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EDITORIAL

• Remembering Park

  Questionable if city funeral is proper; No more damage to sex abuse accuser

• Risky summit

  Trump’s intention to meet Kim again does not bode well for North Korea’s denuclearization

VIEWPOINTS

THE INVESTOR

• Economy

  

  Zero waste stores gain momentum in Korea

  Editor’s note: 　　In support of eco-friendly lifestyles, Herald Corp., runs a year-round campaign through a group of young activists called Ecoya, which promotes environmental issues such as renewable energy, climate change and upcycling. The purpose of Ecoya is to remind the next generation of the importance of the environment and empower them to create positive change. Launched in March of this year, Ecoya currently focuses on online activities such as creating environment-related digit

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  Startups & Investors

  Where are business opportunities in post-COVID-19 era?

  It goes without saying that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought fundamental changes to society, ranging from wearing masks becoming common etiquette to remote work and online classes being the new normal. Business gurus like to say that every crisis comes with opportunity. The question is where the business opportunities exactly are.  Earlier this week, an online seminar co-hosted by D.Camp, International Finance Corporation and World Bank tried to give clues about this important issue. Th

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  Startups & Investors

  K-Startup Center expands despite Covid-19

  K-Startup Center, a government backed platform that supports Korean startups’ overseas growth, expanded its network on July 8. The center, backed by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, launched the KSC last year with three overseas centers in India, US and Israel. This week, it added Sweden, Finland and Singapore to its network. The ministry said the KSC will provide active support to promising startups that are beyond the seed-stage. The services it provides for startups include matchi

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  Deals

  Russia approves HDC’s Asiana takeover, final stage for merger deal cleared: HDC

  South Korean midsized builder HDC Hyundai Development Co. said Friday that it has received approval from Russian aviation authorities for HDC’s planned takeover of flag carrier Asiana Airlines, but added that renegotiation of the acquisition terms is still underway. 　Regarding the merger deal involving the air carrier, HDC had to receive approval from six of the nations that Asiana flies to as a prerequisite. 　HDC had planned to complete the deal by the end of April after regulators in

K-POP

• 

  Plunging YouTube subscriptions reflect public disdain for Jimin: data

• 

  Seventeen’s top 30 tracks, ranked

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  BLACKPINK's new song debuts at No. 33 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart

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  Bang shares his formula behind BTS’ success

HERALD INTERVIEW

• Markets

  

  Former WeWork Korea general manager dives into proptech scene with platform Dongnae

  Matthew Shampine aims to bring positive changes to domestic real estate sector

• 

  Arts&Design

  Expanding Korea’s presence in global art world

  Head of Gallery Hyundai says it’s the right time to present Korean art

• 

  Money

  Investment guru sees opportunities in post-COVID era

  Head of Assetplus bets on luxury goods, platform economy, urges fund managers to remain consistent in style

• 

  Diplomatic Circuit

  ‘Australian English as prestigious as American English’

  In South Korea, known for its education fervor, the English widely taught at schools and private institutes is American English. Challenging the US dominance in the Korean English education market is one of the tasks facing the Embassy of Australia here, an Australian diplomat told The Korea Herald. “Australia wants to make clear to Koreans we should be the destination of choice for people who want to study English language,” James Bourne, second secretary at the Embassy of Aust

PHOTO NEWS

• Social affairs

  

  A brief history into royal places in Seoul

  Before you go on a grand tour around the places in Seoul, which has served as the capital of Korea for over 600 years, a brief stop at the National Palace Museum of Korea would help you prepare. The museum, which opened in 1992, displays more than 20,000 royal relics from palaces of the 1392-1910 Joseon dynasty. It collects, studies, preserves and presents the art and culture of the Joseon royal and the Korean imperial courts.  It has 11 exhibition halls where visitors can get a glimps

VIDEO

• Food&Beverage

  

  Chex green onion springs to life after 16 years

  Kellogg Korea’s latest release, Chex Green Onion is stirring up the Internet even before hitting the shelves. Kellogg Korea uploaded a 6-second-long video on June 17 on its YouTube channel, recruiting 50 people to try its newest product before its release. The video showed chopped green onion being sprinkled on chocolate flavored Korean cereal Chex with milk with background music with the lyrics “sorry, sorry, sorry” by trot singer Tae Jin-ah. The video reached ove

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  Social affairs

  Convenience stores begin selling lighter, droplet-blocking masks

  Convenience stores in South Korea began selling thin, droplet-blocking masks on July 1. Labeled as KF-AD for Korean Filter and Anti-Droplet, the newly stocked masks are now available at CU, 7-Eleven and Emart24 across the nation.  Five masks are sold in one package at the cost of 3,000 won. There is no limit to how many masks one person can buy.  CU and 7-Eleven plan to supply 500,000 and 350,000 masks a week, respectively. Emart24 is set to sell 1 million masks in the first week of

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  Culture

  Why Seongsu-dong is called ‘Brooklyn of Seoul’?

  Seongsu-dong in eastern Seoul was once filled with rugged warehouses and shops specializing in handmade shoes. The once-industrial district has turned into an Instagrammable spot. Trendy cafes and restaurants have replaced old storage spaces, infusing fresh energy into the district. Unique signboards, tables and chairs lying outside the cafes sit in contrast with the remnants of old buildings. Cafes and restaurants exhibit stylish sensibilities, inviting people to experience a newly emergin

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  Culture

  A home transformed into a shared office for NPOs

  Dongrak-ga, a shared working space in central Seoul’s Jongno, opened its doors last month, offering space that nonprofit organizations in Korea can use without paying any rent.  Dongrak-ga translates into “a place where people come together for fun,” and was originally the house of Lee Joon-yong, the honorary chair of the corporation Daelim. After his retirement, Lee announced in 2015 that all his property, estimated to be worth around 200 billion won ($165 million), wou

MOST POPULAR

• New virus cases rebound; imported cases, cluster infections on steady rise
• Mourning of Park marred by controversy
• S. Korea ends mask rationing scheme after 4-month operation
• KSIF provides online courses on Korean culture
• Thousands mourn death of Seoul mayor
• Masks to be mandatory on Busan’s Haeundae Beach
• Students may wear hanbok uniforms from October
• A decade of celebs chasing each other
• With deadline looming, labor, employers still far apart on minimum wage
• Korean War hero Paik Sun-yup dies at 99

FEATURES

• Economy

  

  Gasoline prices climb to 3-month high in Korea

  Growth may be curbed if virus continues to proliferate

• 

  Economy

  Seoul’s dream of becoming financial hub fades away

  With Asian cities rushing to take Hong Kong’s title as regional financial center, Seoul seems to have no concrete plan in place

• 

  Transport

  New Santa Fe: Hyundai’s family-friendly SUV gets smarter

  Hyundai Motor’s new, face-lifted version of the Santa Fe is here with a much different look and smarter system, set to regain its reputation as the first SUV to sell 100,000 vehicles in South Korea. The automaker released the refreshed version of its signature family sport utility vehicle on June 30, two years after it launched the fourth-generation model in 2018. For the year, the car sold over 100,000 units, making it the first SUV in the 100,000 club. As changes are often subtle

• 

  Politics

  Government, ruling party scramble to control real estate market

  The government and ruling party are scrambling to roll out measures to curb real estate prices, faced with mounting criticism that the Moon Jae-in administration’s related polices have failed. On Tuesday, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea’s Rep. Kang Byung-won proposed an Income Tax Act revision outlining the toughest-yet measures to curb real estate speculation, which could see a capital gains tax rate as high as 90 percent imposed on certain transactions. The bill comes a d

WEEKENDER

• Industry

  

  Is she real? Artificial humans move to the fore

  With Miquela, Imma, Sua, Vincent and now Samsung’s Neon, the CGI demographic grows

• 

  Health

  COVID-19: Summertime safety tips

  Summer is in full swing amid an ever deepening pandemic. As the virus is new, figuring out how to navigate the season safely can be daunting. Health experts share their responses to some of the popular queries about the coronavirus in summertime. Will hot temperatures mitigate the spread? Contrary to earlier conjectures, warmer weather does not stop the coronavirus from spreading. Countries with hot weather have reported outbreaks as well. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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  Travel

  Jeju Island is a sanctuary in virus times

  JEJU ISLAND -- Jeju Island is a popular travel destination this summer. As overseas travel is almost impossible due to concerns about COVID-19, more people are flocking to the southern island from the mainland. The island boasts vast natural areas, from oceans to mountains and fields, where tourists can avoid close contact with others. Travelers often stay at private villas and get around in rental cars -- good holiday options in the time of the coronavirus pandemic. But tourists need to b

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  Markets

  As pandemic rages, funds test water with robo-investing

  AI-powered investing mechanism gains momentum in COVID-19 era, but questions linger as to whether process can really be free of human intervention