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☆ North Korea claims it tested new command-and-control system in simulated nuclear counterstrike
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —North Korea claims it tested a new nuclear weapons command-and-control system Monday, with the firing of projectiles carrying simulated nuclear warheads from multiple rocket launcher units. North Korea has tested both the rocket launcher system and a simulated nuclear counterstrike before, according to analysts, but KCNA said Monday’s exercise was the first time the “Haekbangashoe” – or nuclear trigger – command-and-control system was used, demonstrating what it claimed was an ability to switch rocket launchers from conventional to nuclear weapons. Though the regime’s true capabilities have not been independently verified, a 2017 report from the US Defense Intelligence Agency concluded North Korea had likely achieved its key goal of miniaturization. Images supplied by North Korea Monday showed four rockets being launched, with KCNA saying they hit targets on an island 352 kilometers (218 miles) away. The US-South Korea exercise has “incited extreme war fever” and cannot be classified as defense or deterrence, the KCNA report said.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, KCNA, Kim, ”, Jeffrey Lewis, James Martin, Joseph Dempsey, ” Dempsey, Kim ramped Organizations: South Korea CNN, Korean Central News Agency, James, James Martin Center, Nonproliferation Studies, International Institute for Strategic Studies, US Defense Intelligence Agency, miniaturization, North Korea, Korea’s, Chiefs, Staff, Korea, US Air Force Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Korea, United States, North Korea, denuclearization, Washington, U.S

☆ Japan and South Korea could coordinate currency intervention, but they may need U.S. support
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

SeongJoon Cho | Bloomberg via Getty ImagesInvestors have been monitoring for potential intervention in the Japanese yen, but recent comments have triggered discussion about "coordinated intervention" with South Korea. The currency has struggled, slipping past 150, since the Bank of Japan raised rates in March. Following that volatility, the U.S. last week acknowledged Japan and South Korea's "serious concerns" over the recent sharp depreciation in their currencies. The comments spurred chatter about possible coordinated currency intervention. Brady said South Korea and Japan could amplify their individual messages to the market by coordinating policy, which might also enhance the short-term impact compared to unilateral action.

Persons: SeongJoon Cho, James Brady, Brady Organizations: Korean, Woori, Bloomberg, Getty, U.S ., Bank of, South Korean, greenback, Authorities, Treasury, Bank of Japan Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Bank of Japan, U.S, Japan, South, Tokyo, Bank of Korea

☆ Seoul bus drivers strike over pay, snarling commute in South Korean capital
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A commuter bus drives along a road in the Jongno district of Seoul on Dec. 4, 2023. Bus drivers in the South Korean capital of Seoul went on strike on Thursday after last ditch efforts at negotiating a wage hike broke down, snarling the commute for the city of more than 9 million people and another million from the outskirts. With disruptions expected during rush hours, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said the subway will run for extended hours with additional trains put into service. The full scale strike by the city's bus drivers is the first in 12 years. The negotiations between the Seoul Bus Labor Union, which represents drivers serving 97% of bus operations, and their employers failed after the union demand for a 12.7% hike in hourly wages was dismissed as "excessive," Yonhap reported.

Persons: Yonhap Organizations: Bus, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul Bus Labor Union Locations: Jongno, Seoul

☆ Asia’s 50 best restaurants for 2024 revealed
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —After losing the number one spot to Bangkok in 2023, Tokyo has reclaimed its crown as the city with the top eatery in the region at the annual Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards, which were announced in Seoul, South Korea on Tuesday evening. The list – part of the global “World’s 50 Best” brand – is compiled by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, which is made up of more than 300 food critics, writers, chefs and restaurateurs, all selected for their knowledge of Asia’s restaurant scene. Though Singapore didn’t have any restaurants in the top five, nine of its venues made the top 50 list – more than any other city. Courtesy The World's 50 BestThe “Asia’s Best Female Chef” award went to Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij, owner of Bangkok restaurant Potong, which came in at 17 on this year’s list. Mineko Kato of restaurant Faro in Tokyo won the Asia’s Best Pastry Chef award and Kevin Lu of Logy, in Taipei, was voted Asia’s Best Sommelier.

Persons: Daniel Calvert, Calvert, “, ”, Sézanne, I’ve, we’d, Gaggan, Seroja, Gaggan Anand, Thitid “, Sühring, Le Du –, Ton, Bangkok –, Odette, Pichaya, Pam ’ Soontornyanakij, Ton’s Nusara, Mineko Kato, Kevin Lu, Logy, Sung Anh, Mosu, Danny Yip, Hong, Le, Fu, Hui, Samrub, Villa, Ling Long, Ando, Les Amis, Baan, Goh, Anan, Tam’s Organizations: CNN, Marunouchi, Restaurants Academy, Hospitality, Toyo, Meta, Studio, Bund Locations: Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, South Korea, Japan, France’s Champagne, Maronouchi, Asia, ”, Kolkata, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thai, ” Singapore, Faro, Taipei, Nusara, Suhring, Osaka, Odette, Sorn, Le Du, Potong, Shanghai, Logy, Masque, Mumbai, Manila, Delhi, Seroja, Taichung, Taiwan, Mume, Wakayama, Lolla, Avartana, Chennai, India, Fukuoka, Jakarta, Kyoto, Anan Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Macao

☆ A South Korean mailman got a prison sentence for throwing out 16,000 pieces of mail. He said he was 'overworked.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A South Korean mailman was sentenced to six months in prison for discarding 16,000 pieces of mail. AdvertisementA mailman in South Korea was handed a six-month prison sentence for dumping 16,003 pieces of mail. AdvertisementLee's sentence is suspended for two years, The Korea Herald reported, meaning he may avoid serving time behind bars. Lee, who delivered mail in Gangseo-gu, a district of Seoul, dumped the mail between January 2021 and September 2022, the outlet said. It found that the South Korean workforce's overall levels of emotional exhaustion increased, owing to perceived threats of job insecurity, feelings of isolation, and the pressures of their jobs.

Persons: mailman, —, Lee Organizations: Service, The Korea Herald, Seoul Southern, Court, Postal Services, South Korean, Korea Herald, Korean Locations: South Korea, Seoul

☆ ‘Squid Game’ Actor Found Guilty of Sexual Misconduct
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( John Yoon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

A South Korean court on Friday found Oh Young-soo, an actor who won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of a contestant in the Netflix survival drama “Squid Game,” guilty of indecent assault. Mr. Oh, 79, was given an eight-month suspended sentence and ordered to attend 40 hours of classes on sexual violence. The verdict and sentencing were announced on Friday at a district court in Seongnam, a city southeast of Seoul. Mr. Oh had publicly denied the charge. Prosecutors charged Mr. Oh in 2022 after an actress filed a complaint accusing him of inappropriately touching her while the two were on tour for a play in 2017.

Persons: ” Organizations: Globe, Netflix Locations: Seongnam, Seoul

CNN —Thousands of doctors in South Korea took to the streets of Seoul on Sunday to protest the government’s plans to increase medical school admissions and what they see as a broader lack of support for the country’s medical system. The doctors say the government needs to address a wider range of challenges facing the healthcare system than just the total number of doctors trained per year. Around 8,000 trainee doctors in South Korea began striking on February 21 by submitting their resignation. A doctor writes messages during a rally to protest against government plans to increase medical school admissions in Seoul on Sunday. Compounding the challenge, South Korea has the world’s lowest birth rate, which has been falling continuously since 2015.

Persons: Kim Hong, ’, Yoon Suk Yeol, ”, Jessie Yeung, Yoonjung Seo Organizations: CNN, South, Gallup Locations: South Korea, Seoul

☆ South Korea Halloween crush: 3 former police officers sentenced for destroying evidence
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Yoonjung Seo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —Three former police officers were sentenced in a Seoul court on Wednesday for destroying evidence related to the deadly Halloween crowd crush in the city’s Itaewon neighborhood in 2022. They are the first officers to be convicted of crimes related to the crowd crush, in which nearly 160 people were killed. The court document said Park ordered his officers to delete police reports warning of crowd-related incidents and raising public safety concerns ahead of the Halloween celebrations in 2022 shortly after the Itaewon crowd crush occurred. One of the deleted police reports stated a need for measures to prevent male police officers from hitting on women during Halloween. Most of those killed in the October 29 crush were young adults and teenagers, who were among tens of thousands of partygoers who poured into Seoul’s Itaewon district to celebrate Halloween.

Persons: Sung, Kim Jin, Young, seok, Kim Kwang Organizations: South Korea CNN —, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul’s, Seoul police Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Seoul’s

☆ How a Dior bag shook South Korean politics
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Yoonjung Seo | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is months out from a crucial election seen as a barometer of his mid-term popularity, but surveys show he has a big problem – the latest scandal surrounding his wife. “But with the Dior bag, there is this powerful visual evidence.”South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, attend an Independence Movement Day event in Seoul on March 1, 2023. The channel also provided Choi with the wristwatch and the Dior bag, according to the pastor. By appearing to not reject the bag, Kim gave ammunition to critics who have long accused her of using her position for personal gain. In a Gallup Korea survey last month, 56% of respondents said Kim should apologize for allegedly receiving the Dior bag.

Persons: Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim Keon Hee, Yoon, Kim, Dior, “, ”, Cho Hee, Jung Yeon, Choi Jae, Choi, Yoon Suk, ” Yoon, Shin Pyeong, ’, Cho, it’s, Hongik University Choi, Kim Yun, Park, hye, Patrick van Katwijk, Marie Antoinette, Han Dong, Han, he’d, Leon Neal, ” Kim, ” Kim Yun, Kyung Hee University “ She’s, Deutsch, Kim’s Organizations: South Korea CNN — South, CNN, Hongik University, “, Getty, of, KBS, Kyung Hee University . South, Gallup Korea, Gallup, Power Party, Democratic Party, PPP, South, Kyung Hee University, Kookmin University, Deutsch Motors, BMW Locations: Seoul, South Korea, American, of Seoul, North Korea, Pyongyang, Netherlands, Gallup Korea, Bali , Indonesia, Korea

The Fall-Winter 2024 edition of Seoul Fashion Week, which wrapped up earlier this week, saw runway shows from more than 20 established and emerging brands. Jean Chung/Getty ImagesA Fashion Week attendee in all-black, complete with hoodie, bomber jacket and chunky futuristic footwear. Jean Chung/Getty ImagesJeong Yoon-gyeong, left, and Lee Yosep, right, wear gray bags from South Korean label Nos Couleurs. Jean Chung/Getty ImagesModels (from left) Yun Mi-young, 58, Choi Soon-hea, 80, and Kang Seun-hee, 64, on the first day of Seoul Fashion Week. Jean Chung/Getty ImagesWearing a black dress and adorned with lipstick kisses, model Shlee Nau was excited to see South Korean brand Ulkin's show.

Persons: Sooy Park’s, Maison, Jean Chung, Kahyun Lee, CNN Parnika, ” Kahyun Lee, CNN Ha, Choi, Jeong Yoon, Lee Yosep, Yun Mi, Kang Seun, Kang, Soeun Kim, CNN Wu Qin Qin, Shlee Nau, Kang Hyun, Jeong Organizations: South Korea CNN, Seoul Fashion, Maison Nica, CNN Locations: Seoul, South Korea, York, London, Milan, Paris, South, South Korea’s

☆ Asia markets poised for a stronger start as Wall Street rebounds from Fed day sell-off
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In a photo taken on November 4, 2019 a subway train crosses a rail bridge over the Han river, before the skyline of the Yeouido business district of Seoul. Asia-Pacific markets were set to rise early Friday in Asia, mirroring Wall Street's rebound from the sell-off earlier this week after Chairman Jerome Powell indicated the U.S. Federal Reserve was unlikely to cut rates in March. In Asia, investors will wrap up the week with January inflation figures out of South Korea and producer prices from Australia. South Korea's consumer price index grew 2.8% year on year, slightly below the 2.9% expected in a Reuters poll of economists.

Persons: Jerome Powell Organizations: U.S . Federal Locations: Seoul . Asia, Pacific, Asia, South Korea, Australia

☆ US F-16 fighter crashes off South Korea in third loss of Korea-based jet in a year
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Brad Lendon | Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —A United States Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed after suffering an in-flight emergency off the coast of South Korea Wednesday, in the third crash of one of the US military’s Korea-based warplanes in less than a year. The pilot, assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing, ejected safely and was recovered about 50 minutes after the crash, the Air Force statement said. Wednesday’s crash was the third of a South Korea-based F-16 in less than a year, though there are no indications they are related. An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron takes off from Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, on September 18, 2023. In May 2023, an F-16 crashed into an agricultural area near Osan Air Base, south of Seoul, during training.

Persons: ”, Matthew Gaetke ,, Samuel Earick, Kunsan Organizations: South Korea CNN, United States Air Force, Kunsan Air Base, 8th Fighter, Air Force, Matthew Gaetke , 8th Fighter, 80th Fighter Squadron, . Air Force, Korean, Osan Air Base, US Air Force, Air Forces, Air Force Safety Center Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Korea, Korean, Republic, Osan

☆ Lounges, lay-flat beds, and award-winning menus. Here's what you can expect from this Australian airline's premium offering.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Sponsor Post | Sponsored Qantas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Meanwhile, Qantas' Business lounges offer stylish interiors, productivity-focused workspaces, exclusive shower suites, free-flow drinks, and delicious meals and snacks. Business passengers can enjoy equally inviting ergonomic lay-flat beds. Enjoy a peaceful night in the Business Class beds. Inspired by seasonal ingredients and blending Asian flavors with modern Australian cuisine, First presents an à la carte menu featuring signature dishes, including premium plant-based options. Business passengers also enjoy a selection of Neil Perry-designed dishes celebrating Australian produce and flavors along with a standard full formal dining offering.

Persons: Read, armchairs, it's, Martin Grant, terry, Neil Perry, David Caon Organizations: Qantas Airlines, Qantas, revel, Best Business, Airport, Insider Studios Locations: Australia, Singapore, Sydney, London, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Qantas Singapore, —, Melbourne, Los, Seoul, Qantas Australian, Sydney , Melbourne, Auckland

☆ Seoul Police Chief Indicted Over Halloween Crush
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean prosecutors have indicted the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, charging him with contributing through negligence to the Halloween crowd crush in Seoul in 2022 that killed nearly 160 people, according to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors Office. The indictment of Seoul police chief Kim Kwang-ho came more than a year after the crowd crush in October 2022, which killed 159 people on a Halloween weekend in the entertainment district of Itaewon in capital Seoul. Kim is the highest-ranking police official charged in connection with the crowd crush. In January last year, a special investigation team referred Kim and 22 other police, rescue and district office officials to the prosecution on charges related to the government's inadequate response to the stampede. (Reporting by Heekyong Yang; editing by Giles Elgood)

Persons: , Kim Kwang, Kim, Heekyong Yang, Giles Elgood Organizations: Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Seoul Western, Prosecutors Office Locations: SEOUL, Seoul, Itaewon

☆ An American tourist in Seoul said he sprayed graffiti in 155 places to raise awareness about teeth grinding
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A US tourist in South Korea was accused of vandalizing 155 places in Seoul. The unnamed American told police he was trying to raise awareness of the condition, bruxism. AdvertisementAn American tourist has been accused of spraying graffiti at 155 locations in Seoul's central Yongsan district, police said on Monday. The Yongsan police department said it arrested an unnamed American man in his 30s who arrived in October as a tourist, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported. The unnamed American told police that he suffers from severe bruxism, and wanted to let others know it can be a serious condition, the Seoul Shinmun Daily reported.

Persons: He's, —, Yonhap Organizations: Service, Chosun Ilbo, Police, Seoul Shinmun Locations: South Korea, Seoul, Yongsan district, Yongsan, Korean, Yonhap

☆ North Korea's Kim received photos taken by spy satellite of White House, Pentagon -KCNA
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un meets with members of the Non-Standing Satellite Launch Preparation Committee, in this picture released by the Korean Central News Agency on November 24, 2023. KCNA via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Nov 28 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un received photos of the White House, Pentagon and U.S. aircraft carriers in the naval base of Norfolk, taken by its recently launched spy satellite, state media KCNA said on Tuesday. North Korea last week successfully launched its first reconnaissance satellite, which it has said was designed to monitor U.S. and South Korean military movements. The photos were the latest in a series of images of what KCNA described as "major target regions" sent by the satellite, including the South Korean capital of Seoul and U.S. military bases. Seoul officials have said the North's satellite capabilities could not be verified as it has not released the photos.

Persons: Kim Jong, KCNA, Kim, Hyonhee Shin, Chris Reese, Sandra Maler Organizations: Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, White House, Pentagon, U.S, ., Andersen Air Force Base, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Rights SEOUL, Norfolk, Korea, Korean, Seoul, U.S, U.S . Western, Guam, Newport, British, United States, South Korea

A satellite city 22 miles northwest of Seoul, South Korea, Paju is small, with a population of around half a million. The streets are quieter than those of the bustling capital, the air cleaner and the pace of life half a beat slower. While many people know the city for its military base, Paju is also home to the nation’s elaborate book publishing hub — officially known as Paju Publishing Culture, Information and National Industrial Park but commonly referred to as Paju Book City. Around 900 book-related businesses, including printing presses, distribution companies and design studios line the streets, and signs reading “Paju Book City” are everywhere.

Organizations: Paju Publishing Locations: Seoul, South Korea

☆ North Korea's Kim inspects spy satellite photos of 'target regions', US bases
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nuclear-armed North Korea launched the satellite on Tuesday, but South Korean defence officials and analysts said its capabilities have not been independently verified. Kim examined photos of Seoul and other cities of Mokpo, Kunsan, Pyeongtaek and Osan, where U.S. and South Korean military bases are located. The photos were taken as the satellite passed over the peninsula on Friday morning, state news agency KCNA said. On Saturday, Kim visited the control centre once again to examine more photos taken in the morning of different target regions in South Korea: Jinhae, Busan, Ulsan, Pohang, Daegu and Gangneung. On Thursday, South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik said North Korea had "exaggerated" by saying Kim had already viewed images of Guam.

Persons: Kim Jong, Kim, KCNA, Carl Vinson, South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won, sik, Yonhap, Josh Smith, Jihoon Lee, Clarence Fernandez, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Korean, National Aerospace Technology Administration, Naval, Hickam Air Force, U.S . State Department, U.S, South Korean Defence Minister, Thomson Locations: Rights SEOUL, Seoul, North Korea, Mokpo, Pyeongtaek, Osan, Pyongyang, South Korea, Jinhae, Busan, Ulsan, Pohang, Daegu, Gangneung, Korean, Harbor, Hawaii, United States, Japan, Pacific, Guam, U.S

In a photo taken on November 4, 2019 a subway train crosses a rail bridge over the Han river, before the skyline of the Yeouido business district of Seoul. Asia-Pacific markets largely rose on Tuesday, mirroring similar moves on Wall Street after a tech-fueled rally. Microsoft shares gained 2%, reaching a new 52-week high, after CEO Satya Nadella said former OpenAI chief Sam Altman will join the tech giant to lead a new AI research team. Chipmaker Nvidia also added 2.3%, closing at an all-time high for the stock ahead of its earnings report Tuesday. Investors in Asia will also assess South Korean producer prices for October, as well as New Zealand's October trade figures.

Persons: Satya Nadella, Sam Altman Organizations: Microsoft, Nvidia, Investors, South Locations: Seoul . Asia, Pacific, Asia, South Korean

☆ South Korea court grants ex-Samsung exec bail in industrial espionage case
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Employees walk past the logo of Samsung Electronics during a media tour at Samsung Electronics' headquarters in Suwon, South Korea, June 13, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Nov 14 (Reuters) - A South Korean court has granted bail to a former executive of Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) accused of stealing sensitive information developed by the technology giant, court records showed on Tuesday. The district court in Suwon, south of Seoul, accepted a bail request for Choi on November 10, court records showed, without providing further details. Lawyers for Choi were not immediately available for comment, but a source close to Choi confirmed he had been released on bail. Samsung Electronics did not immediately provide a comment.

Persons: Kim Hong, Choi Jinseog, Choi, Ed Davies Organizations: Samsung Electronics, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Suwon, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, South Korean, China, Seoul, South

☆ South Korea declares war on bedbugs after surge in reported cases
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Yoonjung Seo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —South Korea has become the latest country to declare war on bedbugs following a wave of outbreaks, with bathhouses, university dorms, and train stations across the country on high alert. Previously, the country had been practically free of bedbugs following past extermination campaigns, with just nine infestations being reported to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention (KDCA) since 2014. Meanwhile, pest control companies say they have become inundated with phone calls asking for help. “Bedbugs are developing resistance to the insecticides that we commonly use, so the most effective solution these days is heating. “Early and proactive responses are crucial.”In its “Bedbug Prevention and Response Guidelines,” the Seoul City Government advises people against bringing items with a risk of infestation into their homes.

Persons: “, ”, Eom Hae, Eom, Yoo, Lee, hasn’t, Lee Hee, ” Lee, It’s, Yang Nam, kyung Organizations: South Korea CNN, Korea Disease Control, South, bedbugs, Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul City Government Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Korea, France, United Kingdom, United States, Pest, Incheon, City

☆ South Korea stocks lead Asia markets higher after short selling ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In a photo taken on November 4, 2019 a subway train crosses a rail bridge over the Han river, before the skyline of the Yeouido business district of Seoul. South Korea stocks surged on Monday after the country re-imposed a ban on short-selling, while most Asia-Pacific markets took heart from a soft U.S. jobs report that helped reduce interest rate expectations. Financial authorities in South Korea said short-selling will be banned until the end of June 2024. Short-selling is when a trader sells borrowed shares to buy back at a lower price and pocket the difference. Japan's business activity expanded in October but at its softest pace this year, according to a private survey.

Persons: nonfarm, Dow Organizations: Federal Reserve Locations: Seoul . South Korea, Asia, Pacific, South Korea

☆ S.Korea exports snap year-long downturn, recovery in China demand slow
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Jihoon Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Overseas sales last month by Asia's fourth-largest economy rose 5.1% year-on-year to $55.09 billion, trade data showed on Wednesday. By destination, exports to the United States gained 17.3%, the most since May 2022, while China-bound shipments fell 9.5%, the least in 13 months. Exports of cars rose 19.8%, extending gains to a 16th straight month, while petroleum products also jumped 18.0%, after seven straight months of decline. Semiconductor shipments fell for the 15th consecutive month, but the 3.1% drop in October was the smallest in the streak. In October, South Korea's factory activity contracted for the 16th straight month, but the decline in new export orders softened, another survey showed on Wednesday.

Persons: Lee Jae, Asia's, Lee Jeong, Jihoon Lee, Christian Schmollinger, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Sonali Paul Organizations: Busan New, REUTERS, Rights, Overseas, United States, Eugene Investment Securities, Trade, Thomson Locations: Busan, Busan New Port, Seoul, Rights SEOUL, United States, China, United, Israel, South

☆ South Korea: Itaewon crush haunts survivors one year after Halloween crowd disaster
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Hye Minyi can still vividly recall what happened in Itaewon, South Korea, on the night of October 29, 2022. Whether the disaster in Itaewon last year will put a dent in this growing popularity is yet to be seen. “We are extremely concerned that there could be a repeat of the Itaewon tragedy,” said Shibuya mayor Ken Hasebe. The Itaewon crowd crush was South Korea’s worst peacetime disaster since the sinking of a ferry in 2014 killed 304 people – among them 250 students and teachers from the Danwon State High School. Lee is certain of one thing, however – that she is “never going back to the area again.”“For me, Halloween and the Itaewon tragedy are (inextricably) linked,” she said.

Persons: CNN — Hye, Amy, Hye, ” Hye, ”, “, Anthony Wallace, expats, Ken Hasebe, Hasebe, ” Hasebe, overtourism, Yuya Shino, Critics, Jung Yeon, Yoon Suk, Kim Kun, Chung Sung, Lee, Kim Ho, Lee Sang Organizations: CNN, Getty, “, Reuters, Danwon State High School, South Korean, Seoul Metropolitan Government, South, City, Facebook, Interior, Safety Locations: Itaewon, South Korea, Seoul, AFP, Asia, Tokyo, Taipei, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Japan, Shibuya, “, Tokyo's Shibuya, Guangzhou, China, South, Danwon, Yongsan

☆ Asia markets set for slight recovery after recent sell-off, but Hong Kong poised to fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Some markets also are poised to poised to recover slightly after Asia saw a broad sell-off in the last three sessions. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.36% in early trading, recovering from three straight days of losses. Japan's Nikkei 225 is also set to recover ahead of its October purchasing managers index reading from S&P Global. The futures contract in Chicago was at 31,130 and its counterpart in Osaka at 31,060 against the index's last close of 30,999.55. However, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index comes back from a holiday with a weak open, with futures for the HSI at 17,044, compared to the index's close of 17,172.13.

Persons: Natthapol, Hong Organizations: Nikkei, P Global Locations: Seoul, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Chicago, Osaka

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