The debate over the 52-hour workweek is intensifying among government officials. Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-kwan and Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon have taken opposing stances in public forums just a day apart.During a recent discussion at the Kwanhun Forum, Minister Kim emphasized that the issue of the 52-hour workweek should be compared not with domestic standards but with those of competing countries like China. He argued that in sectors where speed is c

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, resulting in at least 111 fatalities. Many residents are trapped under collapsed buildings, raising the possibility of further casualties.On August 10, Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella reported that the earthquake has claimed at least 111 lives and injured 87 others, according to Reuters and AP.The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) indicated that the earthquake occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time near San José del Palmar in Chocó province,

Kim Sang-ho, Chief of the Blue House Press Office, responded to reports that part of the parking area of a multi-family housing unit he owns in Gangnam, Seoul, was illegally converted into a studio apartment for rental purposes. He stated, "The space was already modified before I purchased it, and I did not directly carry out or instruct any renovations." However, he acknowledged that he failed to complete necessary administrative procedures after becoming aware of the situation and expressed i

Democratic Party leadership candidates Kim Min-seok, Jung Cheong-rae, and Song Young-gil engaged in a heated debate on August 10, ahead of the upcoming regional primary in Honam. The candidates addressed various allegations against each other, aiming to win over the party's base in the region.During the televised debate held at KBC, the candidates presented their views and discussed issues such as the merger with the Justice Party and allegations surrounding Shincheonji. Given that the debate wa

On August 9, at a bulk pharmacy in Yongsan, Seoul, shopping carts were being emptied like those in a large supermarket. Customers entering the store headed straight for the health supplement section. A woman in her 50s spent about 30 minutes comparing products, initially looking for probiotics for her family but ending up with omega-3 and artificial tears in her cart. "Thirty minutes isn't enough," she remarked as she returned to the supplement aisle. Bulk pharmacies, which resemble large superm

The Chinese government has issued a preliminary ruling that imports of pecans from the United States and Mexico are being dumped, determining a dumping margin of 54% for U.S. products.According to Yonhap News Agency, the Ministry of Commerce of China announced on August 10 that its anti-dumping investigation, which began in September of last year, found that "dumping exists, the Chinese pecan industry has suffered substantial damage, and there is a causal relationship between the two parties."Th

U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel visited the Seoul National Cemetery on August 10, accompanied by U.S. Forces Korea Commander Javier Brunson.According to Yonhap News, Steel expressed on her X account, "It was an honor to pay tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of Korean War veterans alongside Commander Brunson at the National Cemetery."Steel's husband, attorney Sean Steel, who has been accompanying her on key engagements since her arrival, also joined the visit.The embassy noted

Ukraine has raised concerns about the potential deployment of an additional 30,000 to 50,000 North Korean troops to Russia, urging South Korea to provide air defense support. However, the South Korean government has reiterated its cautious stance.According to Yonhap News Agency on August 10, a Foreign Ministry official stated that President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has expressed hope for South Korea's air defense support, and that diplomatic contacts between the two countries are ongoing. T

Kolmar Holdings announced on August 10 that its consolidated operating profit for the second quarter reached 253 billion won, a 54.7% increase compared to the same period last year.Revenue for the quarter was 1.423 trillion won, a decrease of 19.0%, while net profit fell by 10.1% to 353 billion won.For the first half of the year, cumulative operating profit stood at 457 billion won, marking a 134.4% increase from the previous year. Revenue for the first half was 2.943 trillion won, down 10.3%, w