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[Editorial] Task ahead

EditorialDec 10, 2019

Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki, who marked one year in office Tuesday, recently posted a message on Facebook to stress the importance of psychology in running the economy.The direction of the national economy hinges on the psychology of economic actors plus economic fundamentals, he said, asking all economic actors to have confidence that they can overcome difficulties by joining forces.His message sounds hollow and inappropriate, as the fundamentals of the economy have been weakening, with all ec
[Monitor] Owner families’ presence in boardrooms down

IndustryDec 10, 2019

Conglomerate owners or family members accounted for 17.8 percent of the board members of affiliates this year, according to the Fair Trade Commission. The number has been falling steadily since it reached 27.2 percent in 2012, the watchdog said.Chaebol chiefs have been refraining from officially joining company boards as the positions are subject to legal responsibility in case of disputes or accusations, according to observers.(khnews@heraldcorp.com)
[Contribution] Breakthrough in exports decline needs support of overseas

MarketsDec 10, 2019

South Korea’s exports fell in November on-year, keeping its downward trend for the 12th consecutive month. Concerns are growing over the protracted slump in exports, the nation’s key driver for growth -- due to the sluggish semiconductor industry and falling exports to China. It is important to recover the level of export duties collected from key industries and on shipments heading to major overseas destinations. However, we need to think whether our nation is heavily dependent on a
경기중 ‘역대급’ 방해...모든 선수가 ‘추격’

Dec 10, 2019

크리켓의 나라로 유명한 인도에서 황당한 사건이 발생했다. 다름 아닌 ‘뱀’이 경기장에 출몰해 란지 트로피를 두고 펼쳐진 안드라와 비다르바의 경기가 지연됐다. 상황은 이렇다. 선수들이 필드로 나와서 각자 위치에 자리를 잡고 위치하고 준비하면서 발생한 어이없는 일이었다. 해당 사건 직후 크리켓 관리 위원회는 경기 전 선수들이 뱀을 내쫓는 영상 하나를 게재했다. 다행히 뱀은 경기장을 떠났고 비다르바가 우승을 차지했다. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)
[Ted Gover] NK's frustrations indicate Trump is holding the line

ViewpointsDec 10, 2019

North Korea’s Nov. 28 test-firing of a “superlarge multiple-rocket launcher” -- accompanied by recent ultimatums and criticism of Washington’s negotiating style -- indicates the Kim Jong-un regime’s frustration with the US over the lack of sanctions relief. It also shows that the Trump administration is pursuing a measured and deliberate approach that protects both US and allied interests amid North Korean provocations. It is well known that Pyongyang is disappointe
[Editorial] Keep innovation alive

EditorialDec 9, 2019

The Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee of the National Assembly passed an amendment to the passenger transport service act on Friday. Considering that earlier the related subcommittee had agreed on the amendment unanimously and that the bill caused few controversies, it is expected to pass the plenary session without a hitch.If the amendment is implemented, Tada -- a South Korean rented van-hailing service -- will be unable to operate in the current form.The act prohibits car rental com
[Daniel Moss] Former sex slaves shouldn’t become trade weapons

ViewpointsDec 9, 2019

A retirement home nestled in farmland 90 minutes from Seoul isn’t what most people would consider a trade-war frontier. But this is no ordinary assisted-living community. Here, visitors can step into a replica of a World War II-era “comfort station”: a dimly lit cabin with a narrow wooden bed, topped with a thin mattress and cheap sheets -- where sex slaves once serviced Japanese soldiers. A photo of a military-issue condom, with holes, is on display.The residents of the House
[Ivo Daalder] Cracks in NATO alliance significant

ViewpointsDec 9, 2019

There are really only three ways NATO could end:-- The United States, NATO’s most powerful member, could walk away.-- Europe, led by one of the continent’s larger and more ambitious nations, could break off to try and fend for itself.-- Or an outlying member could throw a wrench in the alliance’s decision-making process, which requires unanimity, therein vetoing the organization into paralysis.All three threats lurked on the horizon as allied leaders headed to London earlier la
[Monitor] Half of Korean firms plan to downsize in 2020

EconomyDec 9, 2019

The majority of South Korean firms foresee the current economy entering a long-term slump with half of them planning to downsize next year, a survey by the Korea Enterprises Federation led by Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, who is also CJ Group chairman, showed over the weekend.In the survey, 64.6 percent said the current economy was heading for a long-term recession. Nearly half, or 47.4 percent, said that they plan to downsize their businesses next year, followed by 34.1 percent who will maintain th
[Editorial] Reenacted brinkmanship

EditorialDec 8, 2019

President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump on Saturday held their first talks over the phone since early May, amid Pyongyang’s increasing threat to return to provocations if talks with Washington remain stalled.During the half-hour call held at Trump’s request, the two leaders agreed that the current situation on the Korean Peninsula was “severe” and “dialogue momentum should be maintained to achieve prompt results from denuclearization negotiations,”
[Letter to the Editor] Office of education avoids the elephant in the room

ViewpointsDec 8, 2019

Once again, the Korean government is chasing its own tail over an effective (and just) education policy. It was announced this week that the top 16 universities in Seoul would have to accept at least 40 percent of their students based on regular admissions, i.e. the College Scholastic Ability Test. The original introduction of the irregular admissions policy, which included assessment of students’ extra-curricular activities (such as award-winning records, club activities and volunteer wor
[Slawomir Sierakowski] Macron needs prudence, restraint to achieve goal

ViewpointsDec 8, 2019

You can be talented, handsome, rhetorically skilled, and politically brave, and yet suffer for it. In the long run, prudence and restraint are crucial ingredients of successful leadership, and it is precisely these two qualities that, up to now, French President Emmanuel Macron appears to lack.Macron wants to lead the European Union into the 21st century. But he will succeed only if he does not go too far. If he overplays his hand, he will open himself up to a challenge from some other rising po
Filipino Korean children celebrate 70th anniversary of S. Korea-Philippines ties

Social affairsDec 8, 2019

Filipino Korean children staged a musical Sunday commemorating the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations between South Korea and the Philippines.Performed bilingually in Korean and Tagalog, the musical was an adaptation of Korean folktale “Heungbu and Nolbu” dating back to the late Joseon era. The show staged at CJ Azit Auditorium in Jongno, central Seoul, was directed by Cherish Maningat, a Filipina stage actress based in Korea, and choreographed by Park Eun-hee.“We hav
세계에서 가장 큰 사탕의 크기는?

Dec 8, 2019

기네스북 기록에 도전하고자 뉴욕에 있는 한 제과업자가 약 2피트 (60.96cm) 높이의 거대한 스펀지 사탕을 만들어 화제다. 창업된 지 60년이 훌쩍 넘은 나이아가라 초콜릿은 해당 사탕의 무게는 131파운드이며 (약 59kg), 가로 21인치 (약 53cm) 세로 22인치(약 56cm) 라고 정확한 수치를 밝혔다. 업체의 엔지니어인 드류 켈러는 WKBW-TV와의 인터뷰에서 “(사탕이) 더 컸으면 포크리피트가 필요했을 뻔했다.”라고 소감을 전하며 “이 세상에서 제일 큰 사탕이어야 한다는 생각으로 일에 몰두했다.”라고 전했다. 회사 측은 공식적인 기록으로 인정받으려고 기네스 측에 필요한 증빙 서류를 제출했다고 말했다. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)
[Letter to the Editor] Key factors to consider when choosing a nursing hospital

ViewpointsDec 5, 2019

Nursing hospitals get asked most frequently about the amount charged for hospitalization fees. The reason appears to be that the patient’s children usually pay for the hospitalization fees. If the patients themselves pay the fees, they might ask about hospital facilities or services rather than costs. As the patient’s children bear the cost for the most part, the inquiry about the fees remains the top priority.Simply put, bills for nursing hospitals are specified under the comprehens