DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ South Korea gives protesting doctors end-February deadline to return to work
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

South Korea's government on Monday told young doctors they had until the end of February to return to work or risk being punished for staging a week-long protest that has disrupted services for patients at several major hospitals. South Korea's government on Monday told young doctors they had until the end of February to return to work or risk being punished for staging a week-long protest that has disrupted services for patients at several major hospitals. "If you return to the hospital you left behind by Feb. 29, you won't be held responsible for what has already happened," he said. "We urge you to remember your voice will be heard loudly and most effectively when you are by the side of patients." The young doctors who are protesting say the government should first address pay and working conditions before trying to increase the number of physicians.

Persons: Lee Sang, soo Organizations: Monday Locations: Korea's, South

☆ South Korea raises health alert to 'severe' over doctors walkout
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

during a rally to protest against the government's plan to raise the annual enrolment quota at medical schools, near the presidential office in Seoul on Feb. 21, 2024. South Korea raised its health alert to the highest level on Friday after a mass walkout by trainee doctors this week, while the prime minister said public hospitals would extend working hours to respond to growing strains on the medical system. "The operation of public medical institutions will be raised to the maximum level," Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said at the opening of a disaster management meeting. Public hospitals will extend operating hours and will also open on weekends and holidays, he said. So far, more than 8,400 doctors have joined the walkout, the health ministry said, equivalent to about 64% of the entire number of resident and intern doctors in South Korea.

Persons: Han Duck Locations: Seoul, South Korea

☆ Burned-out South Korean trainee doctors walked off their jobs over a plan to boost med school enrolment
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Over 1,600 trainee doctors in South Korea walked off their jobs on Tuesday over a government plan to increase med school enrolment quotas, according to media reports. They comprise nearly half of all 13,000 trainee doctors in South Korea. Trainee doctors in South Korea regularly work shifts that stretch over 24 hours, according to a survey from a major medical trade union. AdvertisementDoctors also say an increase in medical school enrolment could compromise the quality of education and services, per Yonhap. AdvertisementIt's not the first time doctors in South Korea have walked off the jobs against a planned expansion of enrolment in the country's medical school quota.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, South Korea —, Organisation for Economic Co, Korean, Gallup, Associated Press, South Locations: South Korea

BERLIN (AP) — The 74th Berlin International Film Festival opens Thursday with the world premiere of “Small Things Like These” starring man of the moment Cillian Murphy. Festival directors Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian, who will step down after this year, expressed their aim for “open dialogue” surrounding the war. The duo’s previous film, “Ballad of a White Cow,” premiered in competition in Berlin in 2021. Kenyan-Mexican actor Lupita Nyong’o will serve as the Berlinale’s first black jury president at this year’s festival. Isabelle Huppert will return to Berlin to collect her unclaimed lifetime achievement from 2022, when the French acting icon could not attend.

Persons: Cillian Murphy, Murphy, “ Oppenheimer, ”, “, Blinders, Tim Mielants, Eileen Walsh, Michelle Fairley, Emily Watson, Magdalene laundries, Mariette Rissenbeek, Carlo Chatrian, ” It’s, haven’t, Ayo Tsalithaba, Suneil Sanzgiri, Maryam Moghaddam, Sanaeeha, Berlinale, AfD’s, Kristin Brinker, Lupita Nyong’o, Brady Corbet, Jasmine Trinca, Ann Hui, Christian Petzold, Albert Serra, Oksana Zabuzhko, Kristen Stewart, Adam Sandler, Stephen Fry, Lena Dunham, Marvel’s Sebastian Stan, Martin Scorsese, Golden Bear, Isabelle Huppert, Hong Sang Organizations: BERLIN, Berlin, West Bank, Palestinian, Germany, Kenyan Locations: Ireland, Gaza, Germany, Israeli, American, Israel, Tehran, Berlin, Berlin’s, AfD’s Berlin, Mexican, Ukrainian, Czech, Poland, French, South Korean

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

The order by the Hong Kong High Court also is not a remedy for the crisis of confidence haunting China’s financial markets. Markets in both Hong Kong and Shanghai fell Tuesday while share prices of property developers sank. State-owned Chinese banks and other domestic entities own most of the debt owed by Chinese property developers. David Goodman, director of the University of Sydney’s China Studies Center, said he thinks China’s property debt burdens are unlikely to precipitate a major financial crisis. “The fact of the matter is that the Chinese financial system is not as open or as marketized (as in the United States),” he said.

Persons: Brock Silvers, haven't, Silver, ”, Seng, David Goodman, —, Soo Organizations: Evergrande, Hong Kong High, Kaiyuan, ”, Sunac China Holdings, F Properties, Shanghai, Swiss Re Institute, Swiss, University of Sydney’s China Studies Center Locations: BANGKOK, Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, United States, U.S, Singapore

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong begun public consultation Tuesday on enacting its own national security law, beginning a process to implement legislation that for years was widely opposed by residents who feared the erosion of their civil liberties. Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 and a crackdown on dissent followed. Both the Hong Kong and Beijing governments have hailed the law for restoring stability after the massive pro-democracy protests in 2019. But the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, requires the city to enact its own national security law. Officials have said the “painful experiences” of the 2019 protests demonstrated that national security risks are real.

Persons: Hong Kong’s, “, John Lee, “ It’s, ___ Soo Organizations: Apple Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Beijing, U.S, Singapore, British

☆ Kari Lake just successfully pushed out Arizona's top Republican Party official after he allegedly tried to bribe her to stay out of politics
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThe chairman of the Arizona Republican Party resigned on Wednesday, alleging the GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake all but forced him into doing so. Lake, apparently recording the in-person interaction herself, can be heard repeatedly rejecting the entreaties, saying she wouldn't even do it for $1 billion. Lake later told NBC News in Hampshire — where she was attending the election night party for former President Donald Trump — that DeWit should resign. "I received an ultimatum from Lake's team: resign today or face the release of a new, more damaging recording," said DeWit. AdvertisementIn a statement to Business Insider, a spokesman for the Lake campaign denied DeWit's account, saying that "no one from the Kari Lake campaign threatened or blackmailed DeWit."

Persons: —, Kari Lake, Jeff DeWit, who's, Soo, DeWit, Sen, Kyrsten, Lake, Donald Trump, He's, 8tF4sodXf3, 4XBSzoVyYL — Vaughn Hillyard, Katie Hobbs —, Ruben Gallego Organizations: Service, Arizona Republican Party, GOP, Business, Daily Mail, Lake, Senate, NBC News, Republican Party, U.S . Senate, Arizona GOP, Democratic Gov, Democratic Locations: East, Hampshire —, Arizona

☆ North Korea claims to test underwater nuclear-capable drone after US, South Korea and Japan show off naval might
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Brad Lendon | Gawon Bae | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —North Korea on Friday claimed it had successfully tested an underwater nuclear weapons system earlier this week in response to naval drills by the United States, South Korea and Japan. North Korean state media on Friday did not show evidence for the success of the latest test, but warned the US, South Korea and Japan of the “catastrophic consequences” of their actions. Warships from South Korea, the US and Japan perform a trilateral exercise in the waters south of Jeju between January 15 and 17, 2024. South Korea's Defence MinistryAnalysts say it all points to an even more intractable North Korea. “If North Korea’s artillery fire near the inter-Korean maritime border was just part of routine training, it would be less concerning.

Persons: ”, Carl Vinson, KCNA, Kim Jong Un, Kim, Kim Jong, Kim ramped, Staff Kim Myung, Leif, Eric Easley, Easley Organizations: South Korea CNN, Korea Central News Agency, JS Hyūga, Korea’s, Chiefs, Staff, Warships, Korea's Defence, US Navy, Fleet, People’s Assembly, CNN Relations, South Korean Joint Chiefs, Korea's Defence Ministry Analysts, Ehwa University Locations: Seoul, South Korea, North Korea, United States, Japan, Korean, Pyongyang, Jeju, U.S, Republic of Korea, Korea, KCNA, North, “ Pyongyang

☆ Why the controversial mullet is having a moment
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Fawnia Soo Hoo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Long hair, don’t careThe “modern day” mullet largely originates from David Bowie’s genre-defining and gender-norm defying persona, Ziggy Stardust, Glasscock said. “People from the Continental Congress wore what we would read as a full metal, 1992 mullet,” said Glasscock. (“Hockey hair” was, meanwhile, a popular synonym for mullet at the time, given its prominence among players and fans.) Devin Yalkin/Courtesy A24While playing Kerry Von Erich in “The Iron Claw,” White also wore his dynamic, sweeping mullet off-set — but not entirely by choice. “I was like, ‘I’m sorry, here’s a ponytail holder.”But that dedication may have played an integral part in a mullet revival kicking off 2024.

Persons: Von Erich, ”, Napoleon Bonaparte’s, Paul Barras, Ridley Scott’s “ Napoleon ”, Jessica Glasscock, Tahir Rahim, Napoleon, Aidan Monaghan, Paul Mescal’s, Kristen Stewart’s, Von Erichs, David, Harris Dickinson, Kerry, Jeremy Allen White, Kevin, Zac Efron, They’re, Natalie Shea Rose, hairdos, Rose, David Bowie’s, Ziggy Stardust, Glasscock, Vivienne Westwood, Malcolm McClaren, David Bowie, Aladdin, Joseph, Michael Putland, Procopius, Bowie, Suzi Ronson, “, Yamamoto, “ Bowie, ” Glasscock, “ Napoleon ”, Francesco Pegoretti, Pegoretti, Tahir, mullets, Benjamin Franklin, Joseph Siffred Duplessis, Duran Duran, Bono, —, ’ ” Glasscock, Joe Namath, Nicolas Cage’s, Air ”, David Spade’s, Joe, Rambo, Von Erich mullets, Taghizadeh, Harry, Paul Mescal, Adam, Andrew Scott, Zoe Clare Brown, Mescal, ’ ”, Brown, Devin Yalkin, Kerry Von Erich, ” White, ” Rose, I’m, “ There’s Organizations: CNN, Apple, Globe, Lone Star State, Continental Congress, Sporting, New York Jets, Air Locations: Ridley, Texas, London, Celtic, Nez Perce, Roman, France, Barras, United States

☆ The company behind the unbearably spicy instant ramen that sparked countless food-eating challenges went through 2 tons of sauce and 1,200 chickens to perfect its flavor
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

AdvertisementThe two couldn't handle the spiciness, but Kim still believed there was a market for a spicier ramen. "We have to do a ramen version of this," she recalled to WSJ. According to Kim, Samyang's food development team took months to perfect the flavor, going through 1,200 chickens and two tons of sauce. Kim herself initially couldn't handle the spiciness of Buldak — its original flavor rated at around 4,000 Scoville Heat Units. Costco also has been selling Buldak at some West Coast locations and is considering expanding the ramen's availability throughout the US, Samyang told the publication.

Persons: —, Kim Jung, soo, Kim, Buldak, Samyang Organizations: Service, Business, Wall Street, Walmart, Costco Locations: South Korean, Korea, West Coast

☆ Asia’s year in review: Who had it good — and who had it bad — in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-22 | by ( Curtis Chin | Jose B. Collazo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

As 2023 comes to a close, we take a look at the year that was in Asia and the Pacific region. But who had it good and who had it bad in 2023? Bad year: China's property marketWith millions of Chinese citizens still waiting for homes they put down payments on — but might never be built — 2023 was a particularly bad year for China's property market. A newly built property is seen from the air in Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province, China, Dec 15, 2023. Chinese families and individuals who once saw homes as more than somewhere to live but also as investments have reason to fear 2023 won't be the last bad year they face.

Persons: Curtis, Chin, Jose B, —, Vikram, Amit Dave, Narendra Modi, Taylor Swift, Kim Ji, Jennie, Kim Jennie, Roseanne Chae, Lisa, Lalisa, King Charles, Rose, Roseanne Park, Jisoo Kim, Jennie Kim, King Charles III, Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim Keon Hee, Victoria Jones, Blackpink, Michelle Yeoh, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, San Francisco —, China Evergrande, Moody's, Asia's Organizations: Asian Development Bank, RiverPeak Group, ISRO —, Indian Space Research, Orbiter, ISRO, Buckingham, Sustainable, COP26, Getty, YG Entertainment, APEC, U.S, International Monetary Fund Locations: U.S, Asia, Turkey, Syria, Maui, Hawaii, Lahaina, Pacific, India, Gujarat Science City, Ahmedabad, Korea, British, LONDON, ENGLAND, Glasgow, London, England, South Korea, Malaysian, New Zealand, Thailand, China, San Francisco, United States, Taiwan, South China, Country, Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province

☆ A groundbreaking new Ralph Lauren collection celebrates Indigenous design
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Fawnia Soo Hoo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

In 2020, Ralph Lauren launched initiatives to expand its “collegiate sensibility,” which first resulted in a 2022 collaboration with Morehouse and Spelman Colleges incorporating the traditions and styles of historically Black colleges and universities. “Ralph Lauren has always been inspired by the people, art and cultures that make up America,” wrote David Lauren, son of founder Ralph and the company’s chief branding and innovation officer, in an email to CNN. Courtesy Ralph LaurenThe designer, activist and TikTok-famous skateboarder enthusiastically “reimagined” signature Ralph Lauren silhouettes, like the Great Ranch Coat, an outerwear piece she’d admired for years. “So it was just me, weaving exactly how they would, just true to their own style.”"Heritage and tradition are at the center of everything I love," said Ralph Lauren in a statement. Ryan RedCorn/Courtesy Ralph LaurenGlasses' collection features 32 pieces total, in colors "inspired by her homeland on Navajo Nation," the brand said.

Persons: Ralph Lauren’s, “ It’s, Ralph Lauren polos, nava, “, ”, Ralph Lauren, ’ ”, Ryan RedCorn, Ralph Lauren “, Tyler Sr, —, Gabriella Hearst, Jai Al, “ Ralph Lauren, David Lauren, Ralph, America —, Glasses, I’m, Ralph Lauren Glasses, Piki Wadsworth, Ralph Lauren flagships, Osage multihyphenate, ’, Daryn, “ Ryan, Ralph Lauren's, Ralph Lauren That’s, Phillip Bread, Mato Mayuhi, Tyler Organizations: CNN, New, Futures, Morehouse, Spelman Colleges Locations: Rock Point , Arizona, Navajo, New York City, Oxford, America, concho, Saltillo, White, Phoenix, lensed

"With this (decision) Yoon is trying to make sure there is policy continuity in place ahead of election," said Park Sang-hyun, an economist at HI Investment & Securities. "Choi has been long-time finance ministry person and he basically spearheaded major economics policies of the Yoon administration from the very beginning so its a safe choice." Choi has a bachelor's degree from the Seoul National University law school, where Yoon also studied around the same time. Choi's career in government service has been mostly at the finance ministry, overseeing economic policy making, financial market policies, and external business relations. Yoon doesn’t need parliamentary approval to appoint a new finance minister, who also serves as deputy prime minister.

Persons: Yoon Suk, Choi Sang, mok, Choi, Choo, Yoon, Yoon's, Yoon doesn’t, Soo, hyang Choi, Ed Davies Organizations: HI Investment, Securities, Gallup, Bank of, Seoul National University, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, Gallup Korea, Daegu

☆ South Korea flies solid-fuel rocket amid space race with North Korea
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] A solid-fuel space rocket is launched during a test flight over the sea near Jeju Island, South Korea, December 4, 2023. The Defense Ministry/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Dec 4 (Reuters) - South Korea on Monday successfully conducted a flight of a solid-fuel rocket carrying a satellite over the sea near Jeju Island, the defence ministry said, amid a growing space race with neighbouring North Korea. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried South Korea's first spy satellite into orbit on Friday from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base. North Korea on Monday denounced what it called Washington's "double standard" over the two Koreas' satellite launches and said such "brigandish" American standards would never be tolerated. A functioning reconnaissance satellite could allow North Korea to remotely monitor U.S., South Korean, and Japanese troops.

Persons: California's, Kim Jong, Hyunsu Yim, hyang Choi, Ed Davies, Gerry Doyle Organizations: The Defense Ministry, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Agency for Defense Development, Korea's Hanwha, Hanwha Systems, SpaceX, California's Vandenberg Space Force, White House, Pentagon, U.S, Thomson Locations: Jeju, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, North Korea, Pyongyang, United States, Korea, Norfolk , Virginia, South

☆ North Korea begins spy satellite operations -KCNA
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, Dec 3 (Reuters) - North Korea has begun reconnaissance satellite operations, state news agency KCNA said on Sunday, after the country launched its first military spy satellite last month in a move that drew new sanctions from the U.S. and its allies. North Korea says it successfully launched its first military spy satellite on Nov. 21, transmitting photos of the White House, the Pentagon, U.S. military bases and "target regions" in South Korea. The move raised regional tensions and sparked fresh sanctions from the U.S., Australia, Japan and South Korea. The article also argued that South Korea's own, first military reconnaissance launch this month proved to be self-contradictory. On Friday, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried South Korea's first spy satellite into orbit from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Persons: KCNA, Kim Myung, Jihoon Lee, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Pyongyang General Control Centre, National Aerospace Technology Administration, White, Pentagon, Korea's, Chiefs of Staff, ., SpaceX, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, North Korea, U.S, Pyongyang, South Korea, Australia, Japan, Korean, Seoul, Lincoln

☆ North Korea's Kim calls for military readiness against any 'provocation'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits Korean People's Army Air Force headquarters on the occasion of Aviation Day in North Korea, in this picture released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on December 1, 2023. On Thursday, the United States targeted North Korea with fresh sanctions over the satellite launch, designating foreign-based agents it accused of facilitating sanctions evasion. Local media reported that North Korean soldiers at the Joint Security Area (JSA) inside the DMZ had started carrying firearms again after the North withdrew from the inter-Korean military deal. The DMZ tours had restarted last week; they had been halted after a U.S. soldier's unauthorised crossing into North Korea while on a tour in July. Private Travis King was later handed back by the North and returned to the United States, where he faces charges.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Kim Jong, Kim, KCNA, Travis King, Soo, hyang Choi, Richard Chang, Ed Davies, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Korean People's Army Air Force, Aviation, North, Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, United Nations, United, Local, Joint Security Area, Korean, Thomson Locations: North Korea, Rights SEOUL, Pyongyang, Seoul, United States, Korea, South Korea, U.S

☆ Why Mark Cuban is leaving 'Shark Tank'—and 3 of his biggest moments on the show
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

It's official: Mark Cuban says he's leaving ABC's "Shark Tank" after more than a decade on the show. His 12 years — and counting — on "Shark Tank" have produced memorable moments, ranging from laugh-inducing to heartstring-pulling. Here are three of the most notable ones:The largest offer in 'Shark Tank' historyDuring Season 6, Cuban made the biggest offer in "Shark Tank" history to Arum, Soo and Dawoon Kang, the sisters behind dating app Coffee Meets Bagel. "How many people can say they baited a Shark ... even better, the biggest Shark, and [still] came away with a deal?" Disclosure: CNBC owns the exclusive off-network cable rights to "Shark Tank."

Persons: Mark Cuban, He's, he's, Dawoon Kang, Kang, Bagel, Cuban, Justin Crowe, Crowe, Lori Greiner, Kevin O'Leary, O'Leary, Donovan, Trey Brown, Barbara Corcoran, Warren Buffett Organizations: Hollywood, NBA's Dallas Mavericks, CNBC, Cuban, Sharks, Golden State Warriors, Mavericks Locations: Cuban, Los Angeles

☆ North Korea cites rare dissent in elections even as 99% back candidates
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un casts his ballot during a local election, in South Hamgyong Province, North Korea, in this picture released on November 27, 2023. The North's parliament and regional councils serve as a rubber stamp to the ruling Workers' Party, with their elections usually registering over 99% voter turnout. This month's election marks the first time North Korea has referred to dissenting votes in local polls since the 1960s, an official at South Korea's unification ministry handling relations with the North said. Held every four years, the latest regional election was also the first polls since North Korea revised its election law in August to allow multiple candidates. "The portrayal of a more democratic society, particularly in comparison to South Korea and the U.S., is aimed at reinforcing the regime's legitimacy and authenticity on the world stage," think tank, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, said in a report.

Persons: Kim Jong, Kim Jong Un, KCNA, Soo, hyang Choi, Josh Smith, Ed Davies, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: KCNA, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Workers ' Party, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, Thomson Locations: South Hamgyong Province, North Korea, Rights SEOUL, North, Korea, South Korea, U.S, Pyongyang

☆ South Korean city turns to matchmaking to boost low birth rates
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

They were participants at a mass blind-dating event hosted by Seongnam city, an attempt by the local government to reverse a falling birth rate in a country where the popularity of marriage and enthusiasm towards parenthood have nosedived. Jung Jae-hoon, a professor at the department of social welfare at Seoul Women's University, said it was "nonsense" to expect these events to lead to higher birth rates. "You need to spend more money directly on supporting pregnancy, child delivery and parenting to call it a policy to boost birth rates," Jung said. Despite criticism, thousands of people have signed up for this year's blind-dating events arranged by the Seongnam city. "Low birth rates cannot be resolved with a single policy," Shin said.

Persons: Lee Yu, Hwang Da, Hwang, Jung Jae, Jung, Shin Sang, Shin, It's, Soo, hyang Choi, Daewoung Kim, Josh Smith, Stephen Coates Organizations: Seongnam, Organisation for Economic Co, Development, Seoul Women's University, Minwoo, Thomson Locations: SEONGNAM, South Korea, Seoul, Korean, United States, Japan, Seongnam

HWASEONG, South Korea, Nov 24 (Reuters) - As South Korea moves to ban eating dog meat, many of those involved in the centuries-old controversial practice are fighting to keep it legal. A Gallup Korea poll last year showed almost two-thirds of respondents opposed eating dog meat, with only 8% saying they had eaten dog within the past year, down from 27% in 2015. Despite its declining popularity and opposition from animal rights activists, previous attempts to ban dog meat have failed because of industry protests. With the backing of the public, and bipartisan support in parliament, there are signs that the ban could soon become law. Nam Sung-gue who has run a restaurant selling dog meat boshintang, or "restoring" soup, for the past 30 years, said the ban was unfair, even though his business is fast declining.

Persons: Lee Kyeong, I've, Nam Sung, Kim Keon Hee, Yoon Suk Yeol, gil, Daewoung Kim, Soo, hyang Choi, Jack Kim, Miral Organizations: Power Party, Gallup, Korean Association, Edible, Minwoo, Thomson Locations: South Korea, Korea, Seoul, Gallup Korea

☆ North Korea's Kim says satellite launch was exercise of right to self-defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 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 24 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country's recent launch of a spy satellite was an exercise of its right to self-defence, as Pyongyang celebrated the event as showing it could strike anywhere in the world, state media reported. North Korea hosted a reception to celebrate the launch on Thursday, where Premier Kim Tok Hun said the satellite would develop the North Korean military into "the world's best army possessed of capability for striking the whole world". Russia and North Korea have denied arms deals but have promised deeper cooperation. South Korea has said that the North Korean satellite was believed to have entered orbit, but that it would take time to assess whether it was operating normally.

Persons: Kim Jong, Kim Jong Un, Kim, KCNA, Kim Tok Hun, Kim's, Vladimir Putin, Soo, hyang Choi, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, National Aerospace Technology Administration, DPRK, Democratic People's, Korean, Thomson Locations: Rights SEOUL, Pyongyang, North Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Russia, Korea

☆ South Korea court orders Japan to compensate 'comfort women', reverses earlier ruling
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Jason Reed/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Nov 23 (Reuters) - A South Korean appellate court on Thursday ordered Japan to compensate a group of 16 women who were forced to work in Japanese wartime brothels, overturning a lower court ruling that dismissed the case and prompting a stern protest from Tokyo. In response to the court's decision, Japanese vice minister for foreign affairs Masataka Okano summoned South Korean ambassador Yun Dukmin to lodge a "strong protest". The Seoul High Court, however, reversed the lower court's decision, recognising the jurisdiction of South Korean courts over the Japanese government as a defendant. In a statement, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said the judgment went against international law and agreements between the two countries, calling it "extremely regrettable and absolutely unacceptable." South Korea's foreign ministry said it was looking into details of the latest ruling, without elaborating.

Persons: Jason Reed, Yoon Suk Yeol, Fumio Kishida, Masataka Okano, Yun Dukmin, Yoko Kamikawa, Lee Yong, I'm, 1,294.3500, Hyonhee Shin, Chang, Ran Kim, Makiko Yamazaki, Ed Davies, Simon Cameron, Moore, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, South, Seoul Central, Court, Seoul High Court, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Korea, Rights SEOUL, Japan, Tokyo, South Korean, Seoul, South, Republic of Korea

North Korea said it placed its first spy satellite in orbit on Tuesday. South Korea's military said North Korea's military reconnaissance satellite was believed to have entered orbit, but it would take time to assess whether it was operating normally. Critics have said the pact weakened South Korea's ability to monitor the North's near the border while North Korea had violated the agreement. South Korea said it was suspending a clause in the agreement and resuming aerial surveillance near the border. North Korea had notified Japan of a satellite launch after two failed attempts to put what it called spy satellites into orbit this year.

Persons: Kim, Kim Jong Un, KCNA, Adrienne Watson, Jonathan McDowell, Shin Won, sik, Kim Jong, Shin, Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Moon Jae, Critics, Carl Vinson, U.N, Antonio Guterres, Vladimir Putin, Hong Min, Hyunsu Yim, hyang Choi, Josh Smith, Hyonhee Shin, Joyce Lee, Liz Lee, Satoshi Sugiyama, Ed Davies, Jack Kim, Gerry Doyle, Alex Richardson, Kim Coghill Organizations: Reuters, KCNA, REUTERS Acquire, North, ., U.S, Andersen Air Force Base, Pentagon, . National Security, Harvard – Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, U.S . Space Force, South Korea's Defence, National Security, South Korean, Korea's Defence, Korea Institute for National Unification, South, U.S ., Thomson Locations: North Gyeongsang Province, North Korea, Korea, South Korea, SEOUL, United States, . North Korea, Pyongyang, Pacific, Guam, U.S, South, Britain, North, Santa Fe, Korean, Japan, China, North Korea's, RUSSIA, Russian, Russia, Minwoo, Seoul, Beijing, Tokyo

☆ North Korea Received Russian Aid for Satellite Launch -South Korea Lawmakers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea received assistance from Russia for its successful launch of a reconnaissance satellite this week, South Korean lawmakers said on Thursday, citing the country's intelligence agency. North Korea had sent data on launch vehicles used in two failed previous satellite launches, and Russia offered its analysis of the data, Yoo Sang-bum, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, told reporters after a briefing by the spy agency. Youn Kun-young, another committee member, said the launch was successful since the satellite entered orbit, and North Korea could launch additional satellites and conduct a nuclear test next year. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin, Hyunsu Yim and Soo-hyang Choi; Editing by Kim Coghill, Ed Davies)

Persons: Yoo Sang, Youn Kun, Hyonhee Shin, Hyunsu Yim, hyang Choi, Kim Coghill, Ed Davies Locations: SEOUL, North Korea, Russia

Search resuls for: "Soo"

25 mentions found