The US military said Wednesday it was looking into the death of an American soldier dispatched to South Korea on a rotational mission. US Army Sgt. Joe Haflei, 33, of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, was pronounced dead on Oct. 17 at a South Korean Army base near the central city of Daejeon, the US military said in a press release. Authorities are investigating details of the soldier's death, it said, adding that foul play was not suspected. (Yonhap)

President Moon Jae-in held a summit with Hungarian President Janos Ader on Wednesday and agreed to upgrade relations between the two countries to a strategic partnership as two-way trade grew at a solid pace despite the COVID-19 pandemic. “In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral trade reached a new high last year,” Moon said during a joint press briefing after the talks, adding that he hopes the two nations will step up cooperation in electric cars and batteries. The two side

  There have been talks about disbanded boy band Wanna One reuniting, according to local media reports on Wednesday. 　 Following the reports, CJ ENM confirmed that it is discussing a range of plans, including an appearance at the Mnet Asian Music Awards, a concert and an album, which would include every member of the group. 　 The project group was formed on the second season of audition program “Produce 101” in 2017 and officially disbanded after approximately 1 1/2 years toge

In a bid to respond more swiftly to changes in the global business environment, South Korean asset managing giant Mirae Asset Financial Group said Wednesday that it has appointed new executives at affiliates as part of a new shake-up. Two chief executive officers -- Choi Chang-hoon and Lee Byeong-seong -- were named as the new chiefs of Mirae Asset Global Investments as part of the firm’s efforts to accelerate innovative growth. “Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the group&rsquo

A boy was reportedly injured from biting into fried chicken that had a metal screw in it, sold from a local franchise. According to local media reports Wednesday, the boy, 12, had to have two teeth pulled out after a screw found inside a chicken wing became stuck in his gums.  The chicken was reportedly from a major Korean fried chicken franchise brand. Included in the media reports were a photo of the boy’s bloody gums and a doctor’s note showing the boy had two of his te

Representatives of Hyundai Motor Group and Seoul National University pose for photographs after the two organizations signed an agreement to establish a joint battery research and development center at SNU’s campus in Gwanak-gu, southern Seoul, Wednesday.  Hyundai Motor will invest more than 30 billion won ($25.4 million) over 10 years into the research center to develop next-generation batteries with significant improvements in driving range and charging time. From left are SNU Pres

The Daesan Foundation announced the four winners of the 29th annual Daesan Literary Awards on Wednesday. The organization founded by Kyobo Life Insurance awards winners in four categories, recognizing the best poetry, novel, drama or literature review and translated work. The award for best translated work is given to English, French, German and Spain translations, one for each year in sequential order. Poet Kim Eon won the award for “Dear Blank Paper,” which describes the self-con

Nationwide shortage of diesel exhaust fluid set to disrupt cargo delivery

The 47th Seoul Independent Film Festival will be screening films mostly created since the beginning of COVID-19 last year. “The largest number of films ever were submitted this year. A total of 1,550 films were submitted,” said SIFF director Kim Dong-hyun during a press conference Wednesday. “We had the largest number of submitters last year so I thought the number would decrease this year. Especially since last year was not an easy time to make films,” Kim said. &ldq

Samsung Group’s leader Lee Jae-yong will have to pay a 70 million won ($59,200) fine for illegal use of propofol, an anesthetic medication, judicial sources said Wednesday. The fine was finalized as both prosecutors and the defendant have not filed an appeal by Tuesday, the last day of the seven-day window to appeal the court order. The Seoul Central District Court last week ordered Lee to pay the fine and an additional forfeiture of 17 million won for violating the Narcotics Control Act