The Korea Herald

Cameras get smarter, sleeker in smart society

TechnologyJun 27, 2012

Samsung, Sony, Canon go after premium compact, smart camera marketsWith the country’s craze for smart gadgets like smartphones and tablet PCs, cameras are also getting smarter, sleeker and more stylish to attract wider attention.Camera makers such as Sony, Samsung Electronics and Canon are now going after the premium compact and mirrorless camera market with products that exceed the functionalities of those attached to handsets and wireless devices.The camera industry can be split into three cat
Samsung, LG's key display technologies leaked by Israeli firm

TechnologyJun 27, 2012

Key technologies to manufacture advanced flat-panel displays at Samsung Mobile Display and LG Display have been leaked by an local unit of an Israeli company, local prosecutors said Wednesday, raising concerns the leakage could pose a major threat to the national interest.The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office indicted under physical detention three employees at the local unit of an Israel
Seoul shares inch down on lingering eurozone woes

Jun 27, 2012

South Korean stocks closed marginally lower Wednesday as lingering concerns over the eurozone debt crisis kept investors reluctant to make risky bets, analysts said. The local currency rose against the U.S. dollar.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) edged down 0.15 points, or 0.01 percent, to finish at 1,817.66. Trading volume was moderate at 315.3 million shares worth 4.26 trillion won
Sony introduces new color for PlayStation Vita

TechnologyJun 27, 2012

Sony Computer Entertainment Korea will unveil on Thursday a white version of the PlayStation Vita. The Wi-Fi-enabled game console will be coated in Crystal White, the first color variation for the gadget from the original piano black. PS Vita is designed to help users experience “a portable entertainment world” in their daily life with a 5-inch OLED touch-sensitive screen, dual analog stick and sophisticated motion sensors.To celebrate the launch, Sony will give away a white accessory pack which
Apple wins preliminary injunction against Samsung tablet

TechnologyJun 27, 2012

Apple Inc. won a court order immediately blocking U.S. sales of Samsung Electronics Co.’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer while the companies litigate Apple’s patent-infringement claims. U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California, issued the order today after rejecting a similar request in December. Apple’s request, part of a broader patent dispute over smartphones and tablets, was based on an appeals court finding that it will probably win its patent-infringement claim relating to the
Global PC sales may fall up to 10 percent in Q3: report

IndustryJun 27, 2012

Global sales of personal computers (PCs) may drop as much as 10 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier due to weakening demand, according to a Forbes report known in Seoul on Wednesday.PC sales could fall around 5-10 percent in the July-September period from the previous year as PC giants such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard continue to suffer softening demand, according to a recent Forbes r
Seoul shares open lower on Spain woes

Jun 27, 2012

South Korean stocks got off to a weak start Wednesday, as low demand on Spanish bonds last night sapped hopes for a smooth bailout of the debt-mired region, analysts said.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) slipped 14.31 points, or 0.79 percent to 1,803.50 in the first 15 minutes of trading.Shares fell across the board, with market behemoth Samsung Electronics dipping 0.53 percent.The lo
Iran warns of possible embargo on S. Korean imports

Jun 27, 2012

Iran may halt all South Korean imports in protest against Seoul's decision to ban Iranian oil following European Union sanctions against the Middle East nation, Iran's top envoy here warned Wednesday.Iranian Ambassador Ahmad Masumifar said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency that his country "may decide to fully stop importing Korean goods" if Seoul imposes the import ban on Iranian oil.He als
EU sanctions on Iran raise fears over oil supply

Jun 26, 2012

The European Union decided to impose the embargo on Iranian crude oil starting this Sunday as planned, signaling setbacks in crude supply to Korea and a rise in petroleum product prices. The EU said in a statement on Monday after a meeting of the foreign ministers of the 27 member countries that all contracts for importing Iranian oil will have to be terminated from July 1. European companies will also be prohibited from insuring shipping companies that transport Iranian oil as part of the sanct
Unionized construction workers to go on strike

Jun 26, 2012

Unionized construction workers will go on strike Wednesday to demand a better guarantee of labor rights, including due payment of wages, the nationwide union of construction workers said.About 29,000 union members as well as non-members are expected to take part in the indefinite strike, with a massive rally in Seoul planned for Thursday, the union said.The planned walkout comes after unionized truckers launched a separate strike Monday to demand higher trucking fees and a cut in fuel costs, amo
Samsung’s Lee openly recruits luncheon partners

IndustryJun 26, 2012

Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Kun-hee publicly announced plans to hold a luncheon with 10 Samsung employees, accepting applications until July 13.According to Samsung Group, Lee arranged the event for the first time to strengthen communication channels with its employees as this year marks his 25th year since being seated as chairman of the country’s top conglomerate.Any employee of Samsung’s affiliates could apply for the luncheon by sending in a one-page essay on what he or she expects to d
LGE’s Spain unit chief to head Hermes Korea

Jun 26, 2012

Hermes Korea has appointed the current head of LG Electronics’ Spanish division, Han Sung-hun, to fill the company’s vacant CEO post. The 51-year-old Han will assume his new duties as managing director of the French luxury brand’s Korean division on July 1. Han started his career at the multinational consumer company Proctor & Gamble, and has also worked at the Coca-Cola Co., and NHN Corp. He later made a career move to LG Electronics, entering the company as a brand communication team leader in
Kimberly-Clark, Yuhan at odds over management control

IndustryJun 26, 2012

Yuhan Corp. and Kimberly-Clark, its 42-year-long business partner, are at odds over how to compose the board of directors in their jointly-invested firm, Yuhan-Kimberly.Yuhan Corp., a Korean pharmaceutical company, has applied to Seoul Central District Court for a court injunction against the Hungarian arm of Kimberly Clark, the world’s largest paper company, regarding the appointment ratio of Yuhan and Kimberly directors, according to news reports. Yuhan-Kimberly is a joint venture the two comp
KT launches ‘Smart’ automotive solution

TechnologyJun 26, 2012

KT has launched a new information and technology service targeting the industrial automotive industry.Korea’s second-largest mobile carrier said the new service, named “Smart Eco Drive,” is integrated with vehicle telematics applications and offers drivers real-time monitoring and analysis on the condition of their automobiles. Telematics is the combining of telecommunications and information technology, but commonly refers to automation in vehicles. Data including speed, driving time and locati
FTA to boost Korea’s auto exports to Colombia

Jun 26, 2012

The bilateral free trade agreement with Colombia is expected to boost Korea’s exports of autos, auto parts and petrochemicals to the South American country.The trade pact with the third-largest market in Latin America, which has inked FTAs with nine countries and is in talks for four more, will also help Korean companies expand business to other nations in the region, the Seoul government said. Korea and Colombia announced Monday during President Lee Myung-bak’s visit to Bogota that they have co