South Korea's weak investment and slowing exports have undermined its economic growth, the finance ministry said Friday."Overall industrial output and consumption are on the rise, but a sluggish trend persists in exports and construction investment, weighing on economic growth," the Ministry of Economy and Finance said in its monthly economic assessment report. The report, called the "Green Book," is based on the latest economic indicators of such key factors as output, expor

South Korean stocks opened almost flat on Friday as investors attempted to cash in recent gains amid a lack of market momentum.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index inched down 0.91 point, or 0.04 percent, to 2,138.32 in the first 15 minutes of trading.Large caps were mixed, with market kingpin Samsung Electronics unchanged.No. 1 portal operator Naver shed 2.78 percent and carmaker Hyundai Motor was down 0.4 percent.In contrast, chipmaker SK hynix climbed 0.48 percent and POSCO, the No

South Korea and the United States held annual defense ministers' talks in Seoul on Friday as the allies face tricky issues such as a soon-to-expire intelligence-sharing pact between Seoul and Tokyo and defense cost-sharing negotiations. Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper held the 51st Security Consultative Meeting for "in-depth discussions on various pending security issues," the defense ministry said.Details of their discussions were not immediate

Two film distributing powerhouses, CJ ENM and Walt Disney Company Korea, were neck-and-neck at the South Korean box office in the first 10 months of this year, data showed Friday.In January to October, CJ ENM, an entertainment unit of CJ Group, distributed 13 films, garnering 45.4 million admissions and taking up 24.5 percent of the total tickets sold.Walt Disney Company Korea, the local unit of the U.S.-based media titan, also managed 13 movies, which attracted 45.2 million moviegoers with a ma

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- Donald Trump on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to bar a prosecutor from obtaining his tax returns, arguing that as president he has blanket immunity.Trump, a former New York businessman, is the first American president since Richard Nixon not to make his tax returns public, arguing they're under audit by the Internal Revenue Service.Opposition Democrats have turned to the courts to force their release in a case that's considered a crucial test of the separation of powers. A

Since the early history of the Korean Peninsula, the Han River has served as a strategic waterway and was the center of a power struggle among the Three Kingdoms of Baekje, Silla and Goguryeo.It was also near its banks that Joseon-era kings visited to observe the training of the nation’s Navy.Seoul Battleship Park, located on the river’s northern bank in Mapo-gu, is the first shipbuilding theme park in Seoul, providing an ideal destination for family outings.The 9,952-square-meter ar

Teahouse serves sweeter variation of sipjeondaebo-tang in Daechi-dong

Winter packages at Park Hyatt SeoulPark Hyatt Seoul is offering special promotions for winter vacationers as well as those planning year-end gatherings. The “Winter at Park” package offers a 20 percent discount for all food and beverage in the hotel and those who book suites will receive a bottle of red wine and voucher for the sauna. A separate promotion for year-end gatherings is available for events with eight to 60 guests. Prices vary depending on the options. For inquires and re

War refugees’ soul foods become city’s most sought-after delicacies

Korea-ASEAN summit host city brims with culture, history and vitality

BEIRUT -- South Korean attacking aces Son Heung-min and Hwang Ui-jo took the blame for their team's second straight scoreless draw in the World Cup qualifying campaign on Thursday. South Korea couldn't get one past Lebanon as they ended up in a 0-0 draw in Group H action in the second round of the Asian qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Beirut. The match at Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium in Beirut was played behind closed doors for security concerns, arising from nationwide protests

President Moon Jae-in plans to meet with US Defense Secretary Mark Esper at Cheong Wa Dae on Friday, his office confirmed amid speculation that they may touch on such sensitive issues as the fate of a Seoul-Tokyo military information-sharing accord and the cost of hosting American troops here.The Pentagon chief is scheduled to visit the presidential compound soon after having bilateral talks with South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo. The defense chiefs of the two sides hold annual Secu