Customers of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, Nonghyup, have been unable to withdraw cash or use online banking services after the shutdown of the bank's computer system began around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2011. (Yonhap News)Authorities launch investigation into network failure of NonghyupThe prosecution and financial regulators began their investigation into the unprecedent

Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun has been named honorary counselor for Brazil, the company said Thursday.As a civilian counselor, Hyun said she hopes to play a critical role in facilitating exchange between the two nations during the appointment ceremony at Brazilian Counselor Edmundo Sussumu Fujita’s home in Seoul. Hyun Jeong-eun“We are seeing a surge in all sectors of trade and exchange w

Regulator under fire for not consulting industry playersThe government’s latest hints that it might try to offer text messaging for free were met with fierce protests from local telecom operators, according to industry watchers. KT Corp., SK Telecom and LG Uplus all appeared to be upset by recent remarks from Choi See-joong, chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, who told lawmakers Wedne

Apple Inc. will begin selling a white model of the iPhone 4 in the next few weeks after a 10- month delay, according to three people familiar with the plans. The new version will be available from AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless by the end of April, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans aren’t public. The release was stalled as Apple resolved manufacturing challen

U.S. president pitches spending cuts, laying down markers for 2012 campaignWASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) ― President Barack Obama coupled a call for $4 trillion in long-term deficit reductions with a blistering attack on Republican plans for taxes, Medicare and Medicaid on Wednesday, laying down markers for a roiling debate in Congress and the 2012 presidential campaign to come.Obama said spending cuts an

Lee Eun-chul, the 1992 Olympic gold medalist in men’s 50m rifle prone, has qualified as an international shooting referee. Lee Eun-chulLast month he completed an international refereeing course in Korea and passed the final examination. Lee will referee in domestic competitions for the rest of this year, and take to international meets from next year.The 44-year-old former shooter studied computer

Actor Jang Keun-suk has donated 10.1 million yen ($121,000) in proceeds from his recent charity event for its earthquake and tsunami victims to the Japanese Red Cross. Jang Keun-sukHis management agency Tree J Company said on Wednesday that the 24-year-old actor raised the funds by selling wristbands, cards and other items with well-wishing messages for Japan at his Japanese fan site from March 17

Former Soviet veteran astonished that modern South Korea recalls conflictIn a Seoul coffee shop, his jacket jangling with medals, the 79-year-old man grew animated as he recalled the war of his youth. Like many other veterans of the conflict, he was astonished by modern South Korea, but also saddened that the 1950-53 Korean War is virtually unknown back home.This veteran was not, however, a member

CAIRO ― They make an unlikely trio of “founding fathers” for the new Egypt: One is a wily old-school politician, the second is a reticent scientist who won the Nobel Peace Prize, and the third is a hard-nosed business tycoon. But they are emerging as the country’s senior political voices and, interestingly, they share similar views about Egypt’s transition to democracy. The three leaders are Amr M