Korea Times K-Culture Reporter
Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Fuel and oxidizers are injected into the locally-developed Nuri satellite launch vehicle, erected on a launch pad, at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, Thursday, before its 5 p.m. lift-off. The three-stage liquid-fueled rocket, also known as the Korean Satellite Launch Vehicle II, is the country's first indigenously developed spacecraft. Joint Press Corps
FA's headquarters in Sejong / Courtesy of HLBBy Baek Byung-yeulThe local biotech company HLB acquired the local in vitro diagnostic company FA in a move aimed at diversifying its business portfolio and securing a sustainable profit, the company said Thursday.HLB's board approved a plan to acquire a 100 percent stake in FA for 101.92 billion won ($86.7 million). Established in 2003, FA manufactures and sells in vitro diagnostic tools, alcohol swabs, sanitizers and veterinary medicines. Its in vitro diagnostic medical devices are exported all over the world, including to the United States, Australia and European nations.FA also manufactures household goods for major companies such as LG Household & Health Care, Yuhan Corporation and 3M. The company's corporate value has risen vertically since the outbreak of COVID-19. Its sales, which stood at 9 billion won in 2019, grew to 60 billion won in 2020 and are expected to surpass 120 billion won this year.Once the necessary acquisition procedures are completed, FA will be incorporated as a subsidiary of HLB and its operating profit will
By Baek Byung-yeulSamsung C&T employees read a notice informing laborers of their right to stop working in the event of an urgent risk, Aug. 31. Courtesy of Samsung C&TSamsung Group's compliance committee has told the conglomerate to have its affiliates embrace regulations on workplace safety and employee health, which will be strengthened starting next year.The “Severe Disaster Law” has drawn keen attention from the country's manufacturing companies, which will be required to strengthen safety requirements at industrial sites starting Jan. 27, 2022.The National Assembly passed the law early this year aiming to increase the level of accountability for business owners to prevent workplace fatalities caused by a lack of safety measures.Under the new law, business owners and CEOs can be imprisoned for at least one year or fined up to 1 billion won ($852,645) for industrial accidents caused by poor workplace safety measures.The compliance committee, led by former Supreme Court Justice Kim Ji-hyung, held its regular meeting at Samsung Life Insurance's headquarters in S
Korean space rocket Nuri is erected at a launch pad at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, June 1. Courtesy of Korea Aerospace Research InstituteBy Baek Byung-yeulKorea is set to launch its domestically developed Nuri rocket, Oct. 21, which will be a historical step forward for the country to become a prominent player in the space industry.The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), which will oversee the launch, said the 200-ton Nuri rocket will lift off from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, 473 kilometers south of Seoul, Thursday. It is expected to be launched at around 4 p.m., but KARI will announce the exact time in the morning, after considering weather conditions.If the launch is successful, Korea will be the seventh country to launch a space rocket with domestically developed technology ― following Russia, the United States, France, China, Japan and India ― that has the independent capability of placing an over 1-ton satellite into orbit.A single-stage launch vehicle, propelled by a 75-ton liquid-fueled engine is launched on a test flight from the Naro
Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki speaks during a meeting on the external economy and security at the government complex in Seoul, Monday. YonhapSeoul to make final decision on CPTTP entry soonBy Baek Byung-yeulThe government will closely cooperate with domestic semiconductor manufacturers to help them cope with growing pressure from the United States with its recent demand that they disclose sensitive information, Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said Monday. Hong also added the country will soon make decision on whether to apply to join the CPTTP, a mega-size free trade pact comprised of 11 Asia-Pacific countries including Japan, Australia and Canada, after “comprehensively considering the economic impact, strategic value and other issues of concern.”Regarding Washington's demand that Korean chip makers share classified information, Hong said, “We need to respond with three principles in mind ― corporate autonomy, government support and cooperation between Korea and the U.S.” His comments came during his presiding over a meeting on the economy and security at the Gov
This rendered image created by Dutch tech site LetsGoDigital shows the Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S22, featuring four cameras and an S Pen stylus. / Captured from LetsGoDigitalBy Baek Byung-yeulSamsung Electronics is nearing the release of its 2022 premium smartphone, possibly to be called the Galaxy S22. Speculation has been brewing that the upcoming device will feature four cameras and the S Pen stylus, which was previously seen in the Galaxy Note smartphones.On Friday, a Dutch tech site LetsGoDigital unveiled a rendered image of a new Galaxy S smartphone for next year in collaboration with graphic designer Parvez Khan. The site said the Galaxy S22 Ultra, the highest-priced model of the S series smartphone, will feature four cameras for the first time ever to meet the demands of consumers who want to shoot high-quality photos and videos.The four-camera design may feature optical image stabilization (OIS) to counteract motion blur. In Samsung's previous models, the ultra-wide-angle camera was not equipped with OIS. Also, the new smartphone may be equipped with a laser autofocus sen
Korean Air's cargo planes are seen at Incheon International Airport, Dec. 16, 2020. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoonBy Baek Byung-yeulConcerns in the airline industry are growing as international oil prices are soaring and the value of the local currency is tumbling as the Korean won traded at around 1,200 won against the U.S. dollar.Despite the airline industry's struggle with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, carriers were expecting to recover soon as the country prepares to shift to a phased return to normal. But industry analysts said it remains to be seen whether they can manage the impending risks.An analyst here said Korean Air, the country's largest carrier, has weathered the crisis well by strengthening its air cargo business. But Korean Air has now been hit hard by soaring oil prices and a weakened won.“The average jet fuel price soared 74 percent to $75 per barrel in the third quarter, compared to the same period last year. There is a possibility that it will act as a burden on future performance as the jet fuel price is deemed inevitable to rise further due to t
Seen are digital lockers developed by Alec Conway from the U.K. Conway designed the lockers to offer secure storage spaces for homeless people, winning the U.K.'s first Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition in July. Courtesy of Samsung ElectronicsBy Baek Byung-yeulSamsung Electronics' logo / Courtesy of Samsung ElectronicsSamsung Electronics believes that a better future lies in bringing about social change by developing the potential of young people.Based on this belief, the tech giant operates what it calls “corporate citizenship programs,” such as the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow and the Samsung Innovation Campus, to help young people across the world develop their ideas and solve problems, providing support in the form of job opportunities in future technology fields.Samsung says that its Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is “an education program in which young people utilize their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math to solve regional issues and further develop their problem-solving skills.”First launched in the United States in 2010, the progra
Models pose with LG Electronics' indoor plant cultivator “tiiun” at a pop-up store in Seongsu-dong in eastern Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of LG ElectronicsBy Baek Byung-yeulLG Electronics has brought gardening indoors. The home appliance maker launched “tiiun,” which allows consumers to grow various plants, such as flowers and vegetables, at home.The company said Thursday that the new machine is a “plant household appliance” that automates most of the plant cultivation process so that even beginners can easily grow plants. By simply installing a seed kit in the inner shelf of the device and supplying water and nutrients, users can grow their own plants in four to eight weeks, depending on the plant type.The company named that the new device, “tiiun,” based on the Korean word meaning “sprouted.”The plant cultivator has two shelves and three kinds of seed kits for each shelf, which means that consumers can grow up to six plants at a time. Regardless of the season, vegetables can be harvested in about four weeks, herbs in about s
Seen is the poster for Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Unpacked Part 2, online event scheduled for Oct. 20 (KST). Courtesy of Samsung ElectronicsBy Baek Byung-yeulIn a move to secure its market share, Samsung Electronics is aiming to diversify its mobile lineup by releasing colorful new versions of its Galaxy Z Flip 3 foldable phones.On Wednesday, Samsung Electronics said it sent out invitations for its Galaxy Unpacked Part 2 event to be held online on Oct. 20.Unsurprisingly, it didn't unveil exactly which products it will showcase. However, the company is expected to release new color versions of its Galaxy Z Flip 3 foldable phones. Samsung didn't give much in the way of hints in the invitational letter, but the announcement will be more about “custom specifications” for Galaxy devices, which is similar to those seen in the company's BESPOKE customizable home appliances.“Our users are multifaceted and live life in so many colorful, interesting and unique ways. As such, the technology they use every day should reflect their individuality. Join Galaxy Unpacked Part 2 on