For those who are planning a local trip in the summer, the Korea Tourism Organization will support part of the accommodation fee and provide free Sonata Hybrid car rental service in partnership with Hyundai Motor. The program is part of government’s effort to promote Korean tourism in the summer when a large number of Koreans go on overseas vacations. The program will let travelers choose one of t

The Renaissance Seoul Hotel offers a “Summer Package” from June 17 to Aug. 31. Four different packages are offered with prices ranging from 129,000 won to 255,000 won per night. All packages include complimentary use of the indoor swimming pool, Renaissance Recreation Center and 50 percent discount on the sauna. The 129,000 won “Summer Saving Package,” includes a night in a deluxe room with genera

The number of people treated for sleep disorders has risen by 92 percent in five years, the National Health Insurance Corporation said Monday. The number of patients marked 290,000 in 2010, up 90 percent up from 150,000 in 2006 and the total fees for treatment soared 139 percent in the same period. Sleep disorders include insomnia, excessive sleeping and sleep apnea, among others. About 57,000 of

The Ministry of Health and Welfare advised outbound travelers to take extra caution to avoid the Escherichia coli that is sweeping some European countries, including Germany and Sweden. The authorities have released promotional materials at the airports and public venues asking people to eat cooked food; wash vegetables thoroughly and pay extra attention to personal hygiene. The ministry stressed

On the death penalty...China, India, the U.S., Japan and several other major countries still use the death penalty. Especially when you consider that technically Korea is still in a state of war, and does suffer the threat of attack, assassinations or sabotage from North Korean agents, I believe the death penalty is an appropriate deterrent/punishment to consider. Korea’s death penalty seems quite

Three South Korean representatives at a continental club football competition have drawn tough opponents in the quarterfinals.At the Asian Football Confederation Champions League, FC Seoul of the K-League drew a two-time champion, Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, in the quarters. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will clash against Cerezo Osaka of Japan.A third K-League club, Suwon Samsung Bluewings, will meet Zo

On nuclear energy...The environmental consequences and sheer capital intensiveness of nuclear power seals the deal on it being a complete loser as far as supplying our energy needs. We can’t replace oil, but we can use existing infrastructure and combine sludge from water treatment plants with other waste from agriculture and the food industry which otherwise are disposed of separately at great ex

The planned parliamentary ratification of the Korea-U.S. free trade accord is set to put to test the solidarity of opposition groups, gauging how far they could go in forming an alliance to beat the ruling party in next year’s key elections, political observers note.The Cabinet approved a new ratification bill for the trade agreement last Friday after fixing translation errors in its Korean text a

SAO PAULO (AP) ― Retired striker Ronaldo gets nervous just thinking about his upcoming farewell match with Brazil’s national team.Ronaldo said Monday he knows his emotions will get the best of him when he officially bids farewell to the Brazil squad in Tuesday’s friendly against Romania.“I’m so nervous that I’m shaking,” Ronaldo said after he was honored by the Brazilian football federation for hi

Volvo Group Korea is recalling 49 FH and FM truck models due to a fault in the steering system, the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs announced Monday. According to the ministry, the bolt keeping the steering arm in place in FH 6X4, FH 6X2 and FM 6X2 trucks produced between Dec. 13 and Jan. 14 may come loose. The recall applies to 39 FH 6X2 trucks, and five each of FH 6X4 and FM 6X2

The Bank of Korea will meet on June 10 to decide interest rates as policy makers try to tame inflation without damping an economic recovery.Korea’s inflation climbed 4.1 percent from a year earlier in May, exceeding the central bank’s target for a fifth straight month and adding to the case for an increase in interest rates even as export and output growth cools. Exports last month advanced 23.5 p