SEOUL, South Korea — On a recent nighttime visit to a drugstore, a double-masked Kim Jong Un lamented the slow delivery of medicine. Separately, the North Korean leader’s lieutenants have quarantined hundreds of thousands of suspected COVID-19 patients and urged people with mild symptoms to take willow leaf or honeysuckle tea. Despite what the North’s propaganda is describing as an all-out effort, the fear is palpable among citizens, according to defectors in South Korea with contacts in the North, and some outside observers worry the outbreak may get much worse, with much of an impoverished, unvaccinated population left without enough hospital care and struggling to afford even simple medicine. “North Koreans know so many people around the world have died because of COVID-19, so they have fear that some of them could die, too,” said Kang Mi-jin, a North Korean defector, citing her phone calls with contacts in the northern North Korean city of Hyesan. She said people who can afford … [Read more...] about Tea and infomercials: North Korea fights COVID with few tools
North korea 15 years
Best 15-Year Mortgage Rates for 2022
The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate nationwide is 4.87% and the 15-year jumbo mortgage rate is 4.82%, as of May 18, 2022. These rates are not the teaser rates you may see advertised but, based on our methodology, should more accurately represent what customers can expect to get depending on their qualifications. You can learn more about what makes our rates different in the Methodology section of this page. Just because it’s common for homeowners to take out a 30-year mortgage doesn’t mean you need to. Borrowers who score the best 15-year mortgage rates will be able to save tens of thousands of dollars in interest over the lifetime of the loans. While it does come with a higher monthly payment, those who plan properly will be able to take advantage of lower interest rates and will build home equity much faster. Even so, you’ll want to make sure your financial situation is rock-solid enough to afford the large payments. To help you with your decision, we’ve compiled a list … [Read more...] about Best 15-Year Mortgage Rates for 2022
[CELEB] HYO hopes to go deep with her latest EP
HYO, also known as Hyoyeon of Girls' Generation [SM ENTERTAINMENT] HYO, also known as Hyoyeon of Girls’ Generation, dropped her first EP “Deep” on Monday. The girl group member-turned-DJ’s album instantly took the No. 1 spot on iTunes Top Albums charts in Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Chile, Peru and Egypt. “It’s my first EP as a solo artist, so I’m really excited,” HYO said in a statement that she issued upon the EP's release. “The EP’s concept is what I paid the most attention to. I think I pondered a lot about how I can leave a strong impression on the public as HYO the artist.” Her new title track “Deep” compares the beginning of a romance to a predator and prey analyzing each other, then falling inescapably into each other. The EP features six other tracks, five of which she had previously released after launching her DJ career in 2018. A concept image for HYO's new title track "Deep" [SM ENTERTAINMENT] A concept … [Read more...] about [CELEB] HYO hopes to go deep with her latest EP
Electronic consumer product parts are getting pricier
A semiconductor wafer is displayed at a Samsung Electronics' showroom in Seocho District, southern Seoul. [NEWS1] Rising chip prices and freight costs are being felt by Korea's electronic consumer product manufacturers. According to an interim business report by Samsung Electronics issued Wednesday, the company had to pay 41 percent more for a smartphone mobile application processor (AP) in the first quarter compared to the same period last year. Suppliers of the chips to Samsung include Qualcomm in the U.S. and Taiwan’s MediaTek. Other key components got pricier too. Camera modules for smartphones were 8 percent more expensive in the first quarter compared to a year earlier, and semiconductor wafers 4 percent. Flexible printed circuit prices rose 19 percent and tempered glass for TV and monitor displays 2 percent. However, prices of display panels, which include liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, declined 42 percent from the same period last year due to slumping LCD … [Read more...] about Electronic consumer product parts are getting pricier
NCT 127’s Taeil tests positive for Covid-19, won’t perform in Nagoya
Taeil of NCT 127 [ILGAN SPORTS] Taeil of NCT 127 has tested positive for Covid-19. SM Entertainment said Thursday that Taeil will not be able to take part in the upcoming “Neo City: Japan-The-Link” concert in Vantelin Dome, Nagoya, on May 22. “NCT 127 members took PCR tests to fly out to Japan on May 15. All the members’ test results came out negative upon arrival and they were in a three-day quarantine as advised by the Japanese government,” said SM Entertainment. “However, in PCR tests conducted on May 18 to finish self-quarantine, Taeil’s result was positive.” “He has received three shots of a vaccine and has no symptoms,” said the label. “He’ll be isolated and treated privately.” NCT 127 debuted in 2016 as a subunit of SM Entertainment's 23-member boy band NCT, and is best known for its songs "Firetruck" (2016), "Cherry Bomb" (2017), "Simon Says" (2018), "Kick It" (2020) and "Favorite" (2021). BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [[email protected]] … [Read more...] about NCT 127’s Taeil tests positive for Covid-19, won’t perform in Nagoya
Hyundai Glovis establishes logistics joint venture in Thailand
From left: CP Group Vice Chairman Korsak Chairasmisak,CEO Tarin Thaniyavarn of CP ALL's logistics subsidiary All Now and Hyundai Glovis CEO Kim Jung-hoon pose for a photo after signing a memorandum of understanding to partner to carry out delivery orders and make the logistics process more efficient. [HYUNDAI GLOVIS] Hyundai Glovis established a joint venture with two Thai logistics and auto parts makers, expanding business in the country. The joint venture is called Hyundai Glovis Thailand and was established with Eastern Air Logistics and Summit Auto Body Industry, both based in Bang Phli, Thailand. Hyundai Glovis said it had to establish a joint venture because Thailand only allows foreign companies a stake of less than 50 percent in logistics companies. It didn’t disclose how the stakes are broken down, but said Hyundai Glovis has the largest share it is allowed to hold. The joint venture will carry out logistics orders for Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group’s companies. It … [Read more...] about Hyundai Glovis establishes logistics joint venture in Thailand
Stocks drop more than 1 percent after Wall Street plunge
A screen in Hana Bank's trading room in central Seoul shows the Kospi closing at 2,592.34 points on Thursday, down 33.64 points, or 1.28 percent, from the previous trading day. [YONHAP] Shares dropped by more than 1 percent to snap a two-day winning streak, as investor appetite for risky assets fell amid fears about high-flying inflation that sparked a massive sell-off on Wall Street. The won fell against the dollar. The Kospi retreated 33.64 points, or 1.28 percent, to close at 2,592.34 points. Trading volume was moderate at about 663 million shares worth some 9.7 trillion won ($7.6 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 767 to 124. Institutions sold a net 483.4 billion won, and foreigners offloaded 97.9 billion won, while retail investors bought 520.2 billion won. The key stock index faltered below the 2,600-point mark at the opening bell, tracking an overnight plunge on Wall Street. The S&P 500 sank 4.04 percent Thursday, the sharpest drop since June 2020, as … [Read more...] about Stocks drop more than 1 percent after Wall Street plunge
Five Fascinating Monkey Species—And Where To See Them
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin From the fynbos of coastal South Africa to the lush jungles of Borneo, there’s no shortage of fascinating monkey species thriving across the globe—and these furry primates have been serving as a major draw for ecotourism for years on end. Though monkeys like the Panamanian white-faced capuchin are renowned for their playful antics and endearing appearances, not all simians are created equal. As you plan your next safari, Amazon river cruise, or Mediterranean vacation, be sure to save some space in your itinerary to search for these fascinating, eccentric, and downright bizarre primate species. Proboscis Monkey While the proboscis monkey is one of the largest simians found in Asia, the most noteworthy characteristic of this species is certainly its bulbous nose. It’s unknown exactly why these animals have developed such large appendages, but some scientists theorize that the size creates louder mating calls , serving as a … [Read more...] about Five Fascinating Monkey Species—And Where To See Them
Lotte Chemical to invest $8.9 billion in green businesses through 2030
Lotte Chemical Vice Chairman Kim Gyo-hyun talks at a press conference Thursday. [YONHAP] Lotte Chemical will invest 11-trillion-won ($8.6 billion) in hydrogen energy, secondary battery material and bioplastic businesses by end of 2030, with a sizable portion being invested in the United States. Among the 11 trillion won, the company said 4 trillion won will be invested in its battery materials business, 6 trillion won into the hydrogen energy business and 1 trillion won into bioplastic business, at a press conference Thursday. Some 60 percent of the 4-trillion-won battery material investment will be made in the United States. Lotte Chemical will establish a subsidiary in the United States in the first half of the year as the Biden administration encourages battery makers to manufacture in the United States by promising extra funding. It is considering building an anode foil and electrolyte plant in the country. “A lot of local battery makers are investing to build … [Read more...] about Lotte Chemical to invest $8.9 billion in green businesses through 2030
Cover Story: Rehabilitating a RM10 billion portfolio
This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly, on May 9, 2022 - May 15, 2022. - A + A DATUK Ahmad Nazim Abdul Rahman, who joined Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) last June, is its third CEO in two years. With his experience as CEO of Pelaburan Mara Bhd, he seems comfortable discussing investment and asset allocation strategies. But given the short stints of his predecessors, the question remains whether he will stay on long enough at the retirement fund to carry out the reforms that have been put in place. Following are excerpts of The Edge’s interview with Nazim. The Edge: LTAT’s main task is to give good dividends to its members. Since 2018, that has come down quite a bit. Are we going to go back and see the good days of 12% to 15%? Datuk Ahmad Nazim Abdul Rahman : It would not be sustainable to go back to that teen-per cent dividend returns. I’m happy to mention we recently announced a dividend of 4.1%, and that is the highest … [Read more...] about Cover Story: Rehabilitating a RM10 billion portfolio