South Korea - The Korea Times

Solar power emerging as major energy source in Korea

This June 8, 2021 file photo shows the country's biggest solar power plant in Yeonggwang, South Jeolla Province. Korea Times fileSolar power generation accounted for close to 40 percent of Korea's overall electricity demand at one point in April, industry data showed Sunday, suggesting it has emerged as a major source of energy in the country.A total of 21,778 megawatts was generated through solar power between noon and 1 p.m. on April 9, accounting for 39.2 percent of the country's total power use of 55,577 megawatts, according to data from the Korea Power Exchange and state utility Korea Electric Power. The ratio of solar power generation in the country's overall energy demand remained at over 30 percent in the noon to 1 p.m. period on Feb. 26, March 19 and 26, April 1, 2, 8, 9 and 30, May 1 and 14, and June 3-6, according to the data.The number of solar power plants is growing in South Jeolla Province, Jeju Island and North Gyeongsang Province. It shows higher demand for solar power generation, together with nuclear, thermal and liquefied natural gas-based power generation. (Yonha

Jun 11, 2023

Solar power emerging as major energy source in Korea

Korea experiences warmest spring this year: weather agency

Flowers are in bloom in Gangwon Province, March 31. YonhapKorea experienced the warmest-ever spring this year, as warm winds from inland China and a heat wave from Southeast Asia drove up temperatures, the weather agency said Friday. The average temperature across the country during the March-May period stood at 13.5 C, 1.6 degrees higher than the average spring season temperature and the highest point since 1973, when the country's weather observation networks were laid out nationwide, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.Last year, Korea also saw its average spring season temperature hit the then record high of 13.2 C, a level previously recorded once in 1998. The weather agency attributed the unusually hot spring to warm northward winds fanned by high atmospheric pressure east of Korea and warm air blown from China's inland.In April, in particular, the "monster" heat wave that engulfed Southeast Asia also drove up the temperature in Korea, the weather agency said. (Yonhap)

Jun 9, 2023

Korea experiences warmest spring this year: weather agency

Dog meat traders condemn first lady, animal rights groups' push for ban

Members of the Korean Association of Edible Dog who work in the dog meat industry hold a rally to protest a proposed ban on their livelihood in front of the presidential office in Seoul's Yongsan District, Thursday. NewsisBy Lee Hae-rinKorea's dog meat traders condemned the first lady and animal rights groups' push to ban dog meat consumption, Thursday, urging the government to protect their livelihoods and people's freedom to choose what they eat.Around 300 members of the Korean Association of Edible Dog from across the country assembled and held a rally in front of the presidential office in Seoul's Yongsan District.“Over 10 million Koreans still consume dog meat and that's why we ― the dog farmers ― create and provide over 70,000 tons of dog meat every year. Oppressing these people's right to choose what they eat cannot be acceptable in a democratic society,” the group said in a released statement.Kim Byeong-guk, 30, the president of the group, told The Korea Times during the rally that animal advocacy groups, which he believes take advantage of animals to earn donatio

Jun 8, 2023By Lee Hae-rin

Dog meat traders condemn first lady, animal rights groups' push for ban

Rise in temperatures, solar radiation by 2100 inevitable: weather agency

GettyimagesbankLow-level ozone can be reduced significantly with carbon neutralization efforts, authority saidBy Ko Dong-hwanWhether humanity continues with scientific advancements to slow down the devastating impact of the climate crisis or halts efforts for a healthier world, Korea will inevitably see a rise in the amount of solar radiation and temperature by the end of this century, according to the country's top weather agency.The outlook for 2100 came from the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) on Wednesday. The research findings serve as a wake-up call not just for carbon emitters in Korea but also for the world, that carbon neutrality efforts should continue over the coming decades to minimize the climatic impact on the earth. The study was designed to show how humanity's eco-friendly efforts could create the formation of ideal atmospheric conditions for ozone generation around the globe. Key conditions include a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius or higher, a relative humidity level of 75 percent or lower, wind speeds of 4 meters per second or slower and solar radiation

Jun 7, 2023By Ko Dong-hwan

Rise in temperatures, solar radiation by 2100 inevitable: weather agency

Korean shorthairs among favorite cat breeds as more people choose to adopt pets

A Korean shorthair cat rests on a cushion at The Bom Center, a shelter for abandoned animals founded by domestic animal advocacy group KARA in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Sept. 9, 2021. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulBy Lee Hae-rinPark Mun-su, a 33 year-old Seoul-based program developer, rescued two Korean shorthair kittens ― Marry and Milk ― from his neighborhood seven years ago. He had never planned on bringing animals into his household, but said he felt an undeniable bond with the kittens after rescuing them, a connection he simply couldn't ignore.Park and his wife said they believe an animal's value and worth “cannot be determined by its breed.” If they had to do it again, they would still choose to rescue and adopt pets in need of help instead of buying purebreds from pet shops. Park added that they are particularly proud of their Korean shorthairs Marry and Milk, since such breeds are less prone to genetic disorders and hereditary health conditions while also being naturally amiable.Korean shorthairs are domestic mixed-breed cats of unidentified ancestry, stigmati

Jun 5, 2023By Lee Hae-rin

Korean shorthairs among favorite cat breeds as more people choose to adopt pets

Korean elected as president of executive body at World Meteorological Organization

Administrator of Korea Meteorological Administration Yoo Hee-dong participates in the World Meteorological Congress in Geneva, Switzerland, Thursday (local time). Courtesy of Korea Meteorological AdministrationBy Ko Dong-hwanYoo Hee-dong, administrator of the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), was chosen as the chief of the Executive Council of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This is the fifth time since 2007 that Korea's representative to the organization was selected for the position.The 19th World Meteorological Congress in Geneva saw Yoo elected to a four-year term. Starting next year, Yoo will lead the WMO's executive committee, which consists of representatives from 37 countries, overseeing the organization's scientific technology program management and budgetary decisions. Yoo was chosen by a consensus from among the WMO's Asian representatives, which found no need for a vote, according to the KMA, Friday. The consensus derives from Korea's global reputation based on its dramatic rise from a war-torn, poverty-stricken country to an advanced nation with wor

Jun 2, 2023By Ko Dong-hwan

Korean elected as president of executive body at World Meteorological Organization

90% of government vehicles were low-emission in 2022

Officials from the North Gyeongsang Provincial Government pose in front of a hotel in central Seoul, May 7. The municipal authority announced on the same day they will introduce at least 2,000 fuel-cell hydrogen buses in the province by 2026. Courtesy of North Gyeongsang Provincial GovernmentBy Ko Dong-hwanThe central and local governments and state-run agencies in Korea are speeding up their green initiatives, with the number of government-owned clean-emission vehicles in 2022 hitting a record high. According to the Ministry of Environment on Thursday, in 2022, of the 8,072 vehicles purchased or rented by governmental bodies and agencies, almost 80 percent were emission-free vehicles ― those powered by fuel cells, electricity or hybrid technology. When considering vehicles operating on liquefied natural gas and gasoline that met the national standards for low emissions, over 90 percent of all vehicles fell under the broader "low-emission vehicle" category.The survey, jointly conducted by the ministries of environment and trade-industry-energy, showed an increase of 881 hydrogen and

Jun 1, 2023By Ko Dong-hwan

90% of government vehicles were low-emission in 2022

Korea's Fukushima inspection team says additional analysis needed for conclusion

Nuclear Safety and Security Commission Chairperson Yoo Guk-hee, at podium, talks during a press conference at the government complex in Seoul to give a briefing on an on-site inspection of the crippled Fukushima plant, May 31. Yonhap A team of Korean experts said Wednesday that meaningful progress was achieved in their inspection of the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, yet additional analysis is needed for a more accurate conclusion regarding the controversial release of contaminated water.The 21-member team, headed by Nuclear Safety and Security Commission Chairperson Yoo Guk-hee, returned home Friday after completing their six-day trip to Japan that included the on-site inspection of the plant ahead of its discharge of contaminated water into the ocean scheduled for this summer."This inspection has achieved meaningful progress in the scientific and technological review process through on-site inspection and the acquisition of more detailed data. However, we

May 31, 2023

Korea's Fukushima inspection team says additional analysis needed for conclusion

Members of anti-proliferation initiative agree to step up cooperation against changing security environment

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs Bonnie Jenkins reads a message on behalf of U.S. President Joe Biden during a high-level meeting of the Proliferation Security Initiative, aimed at stopping trafficking of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, at a hotel in the city of Seogwipo on Korea's largest island of Jeju, May 30. YonhapA group of countries endorsing the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to interdict the illicit transfer of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and related materials. The agreement was reached at a high-level forum on the 20th anniversary of the PSI on Korea's southern resort island of Jeju with delegates from 70 PSI-endorsing and observer countries, including the United States, Japan and Australia, joining the event.In a joint statement, the participating countries agreed to further commit to improving PSI capacity-building activities and training, as well as addressing the challenges posed by the emerging technologies and proliferation practices amid the

May 30, 2023

Members of anti-proliferation initiative agree to step up cooperation against changing security environment

Korean inspection team to announce results of Fukushima inspection Wednesday

Yoo Guk-hee, head of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, May 26. YonhapA team of Korean experts will hold a press conference Wednesday to announce the results of their inspection of Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, officials said.The 21-member team, headed by Nuclear Safety and Security Commission Chairperson Yoo Guk-hee, returned home Friday after completing their six-day trip to Japan that included the on-site inspection of the plant ahead of its controversial release of contaminated water into the ocean scheduled for this summer.The press conference, to be held at the government complex in Seoul, will be attended by Yoo and other undisclosed members, according to the Office for Government Policy Coordination. (Yonhap)