AsiaMedia :: KOREA: JoongAng Ilbo publisher questioned

AsiaMedia :: KOREA: JoongAng Ilbo publisher questioned:

"Hong Seok-hyun investigated for his acquisition of 'JoongAng Ilbo' shares from Samsung chairman

The Korea Herald
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
By Song Sang-ho

Hong Seok-hyun, chairman and publisher of the JoongAng Ilbo, was questioned yesterday as part of a special inquiry into corruption charges against Samsung Group.
'I will respond to the inquiry in earnest. There are false allegations, which I believe will be thoroughly cleared up,' Hong told reporters at the office of independent counsel Cho Joon-woong in southern Seoul."

Web 2.0 Asia :: "Korean internet users are prisoners of their language barrier"

Web 2.0 Asia :: "Korean internet users are prisoners of their language barrier": "Michael Hurt left a long comment to my post 'Social network fatigue is clear and present'. To re-post the comment (with Michael's consent - boldings are mine):

Cyworld and their ilk are pumped-up, top-down, bloated extensions of Web 1.0-ware: Friendster/Cyworld are the same.

The difference between those and Facebook is that FB isn't a 'social networking site' per se, but a network and PLATFORM upon which 3rd-party developers can add all sorts of (monetizable) functionality.

That difference is seen in the success of Scrabulous, or the fact that any OTHER non-FB service can write a plugin for FB that adds the user's existing network to the utility if that particular application.

What you see is nearly unbounded potential in FB, whereas Cyworld is still very much just a MINI-'hompy.' Much more than they know, Cyworld is less than a homepage and not really much of anything else.

That's why I saw Cyworld moving anywhere outside of Korea as a stupidly arrogant mistake. I called this as soon as Cyworld went into the US and Europe.

The only reason half of the Korean Internet even remains used by the Korean population is because there's no other choice – they're prisoners of the Korean language barrier. If and when FB made a platform in other languages, namely Korean – goodbye Cyworld, with a quickness."

Web 2.0 Asia :: Myspace Korea launched

Web 2.0 Asia :: Myspace Korea launched: "Myspace Korea is up now, and the first thing I notice is that it's not just a simple word-by-word translation of the original Myspace service. The Korean version has its own site menus that include 'Minilog', something that's not found in the US version. Minilog is apparently the aggregation of snippets of messages composed by Myspacers. Overall, the site is quite well localized - but it remains to be seen if the service will become the 'post-Cyworld' in Korea."

Web 2.0 Asia :: Cyworld pulls plug from European market

Web 2.0 Asia :: Cyworld pulls plug from European market: "Cyworld, a Korean social network service, announced the company is shutting down its European operation (Cyworld Europe GmbH). Well, honestly I'm surprised they are closing the money-losing European service only now."

AsiaMedia :: KOREA: JoongAng Ilbo head to be questioned today

AsiaMedia :: KOREA: JoongAng Ilbo head to be questioned today:
"Hong Seok-hyun, who is also Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee's brother-in-law, accused of letting Lee retain voting power over 'JoongAng Ilbo' shares sold to Hong

The Korea Herald
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
By Song Sang-ho

The independent counsel team investigating Samsung will question Hong Seok-hyun, head of the JoongAng Ilbo, today, as part of its inquiry into corruption allegations surrounding the nation's top business group.

Hong, 58, who is Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee's brother-in-law, is alleged to have waived his company's right to acquire a partial stake in Samsung Everland, in exchange for becoming the owner of the major daily. The purported goal was to help Lee's only son, Jae-yong, acquire a controlling stake. In 1996, the daily had a 48.2 percent stake in the nation's largest amusement park operator."

Yeosu World Expo:

[Korea.net News, Society, November 27 2007] Korean city of Yeosu wins bid to host World Expo in 2012

[Korea.net News, Society, November 26 2007] [Photo News] Fan dance for Yeosu's Expo bid

[Korea.net News, Society, November 26 2007] Yeosu making final spurt for 2012 World Expo

[Korea.net News, Society, November 24 2007] Yeosu begins final race in Paris for 2012 World Expo

[Korea.net News, Society, November 24 2007] PM leaves for France to lobby for 2012 World Expo

[Korea.net News, Society, November 23 2007] PM leaves for France to lobby for 2012 World Expo

[Korea.net News, Society, November 22 2007] S. Korea positive about N. Korea's participation if its city wins 2012 World Expo

[Korea.net News, Society, November 22 2007] Hyundai Motor chief leaves for France to help Korean city's Expo bid

[Korea.net News, Society, November 21 2007] Korean delegation leaves for Paris to support Yeosu's Expo bid

[Korea.net News, Society, November 27 2007] Yeosu's hosting of 2012 World Expo to bring about huge economic benefit

Korea has won a bid to host an international exposition in Yeosu in 2012 after two-years of lobbying, which is likely to create more than 10 trillion won ($11 billion) in economic benefits, analysts said Tuesday (Nov. 27).

The country’s southern coastal city of Yeosu was chosen on Monday as the venue of 2012 World Exposition in the voting at the 142nd General Assembly of the Paris-based Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), which selects the host city for the internationally recognized event.

[Korea.net News, Society, November 27 2008] General introduction of Yeosu, 2012 World Expo venue

The following is the general introduction of Yeosu, Korea’s port city, which host an international exposition in 2012.

1. Overview of Yeosu
2. Yeosu’s Infrastructure
3. Accommodation Conditions
4. Industry
5. Tourism

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, February 25 2008] Hynix develops cost-efficient memory module

Hynix Semiconductor Co., the world’s No. 2 memory chip maker, said Monday (Feb 25) it has developed a new type of cost-efficient memory module for high-powered servers.

The Korean company’s new 8 gigabyte DDR2 memory module, developed jointly with U.S. chipmaker MetaRAM Inc., allows a memory controller to recognize installed DRAMs to be equipped with a higher capacity, the company said in a statement.

The module allows a single 1 gigabyte DRAM to provide capacities similar to those of a 2-gigabyte DRAM, providing cost efficiency for users, according to the company.

"The product’s high capacity is expected to pave the way for new server applications," said Kim Ji-beom, director at Hynix’s marketing division.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, February 24 2008] Hybrid car to fill Seoul streets by 2015

What will happen when a car can go 20 kilometers on a liter of fuel? The innovation will save drivers half their costs in gasoline fuel purchases.

So-called hybrid cars are not only economical but also environmentally friendly. Such cars will be common on Korean roads by 2015. At the 2008 Detroit Motor Show in January, Korea’s Hyundai showcased its next generation of automobiles, including a hybrid car along with GM, Honda and BMW.

The world is facing rapid resource depletion and car manufacturers are trying every method possible to develop a next-generation engine that does not use gasoline. The most typical cars of the future are the hybrid car and the hydrogen-fueled car.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, February 17 2008] Space development, Korean dream and hope

By Kim Chang-woo
Director General for Space Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology

Korea is set to have a monumental year for space development in 2008. The first Korean astronaut with the Korean flag on his chest will perform space science experiments in the International Space Station in April. Korea’s first space center which is the outpost for space exploration will be completed in Goheung, Jeollanam-do in September. Also, Korean Space Launch Vehicle will be launched from our space center in December.

Although Korea began to invest in space development 30 to 40 years later than other space powers, we have already experienced good results in the space field. We have started to develop space technology, launching the first Korean satellite KITSAT 1 in 1992, followed by 11 other satellites including KOMPSATs, STSATs, and Korea Satellites. From developing a sounding rocket KSR-3 with a liquid rocket engine in 2002, we acquired the fundamental technology for further space science. Additionally, we have successfully developed and launched KOMPSAT 2 in 2006 which provides Earth with high resolution images.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, February 14 2008] KT plans to launch satellite in 2010

KT Corp., Korea’s top fixed-line operator, said Thursday (Feb. 14) it plans to launch a new satellite to meet the growing demand of the country’s satellite broadcasting service.

The company plans to launch the new satellite, named Mugunghwa-6, in June 2010 to replace the currently operating Mugunghwa-3, scheduled to be shut down in late 2011.

Mugunghwa-3 relays satellite broadcast service of Skylife Co., a commercial satellite broadcaster, which has some 2.14 million subscribers.

The new satellite will be equipped with the latest device capable of relaying high-definition digital images, according to KT.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, February 13 2008] Free internet phone service between Korea, Japan

A free internet phone service will be available between Korea and Japan starting Thursday, a local service provider revealed Wednesday (Feb. 13).

Samsung Networks Co., which provides free internet phone call service “Samsung Wyz070” announced it has joined hands with Japan’s Softbank BB Corp., to provide free internet phone service between the two countries.

The partnership between Samsung Wyz070 and Softbank BB is the first attempt in the world to bring two countries together through free internet telephony.

Samsung Networks is one of the country’s leading information and communication service providers. Samsung Wyz070 is the first commercial Internet telephony service that comes with a variety of easy-to-use add-ons.

Softbank BB, for its part, provides a “BB Communicator” service that allows one to make internet phone calls through softphone, USB phone, phone adapter and other methods. Phone adapter is the most popular in kind Japan for allowing one to use internet phone through an existing phone. Softbank BB, which began its commercial service in April, 2004 has about 5 million subscribers there.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, February 13 2008] LGE wins handset deal for global project

Korea’s LG Electronics Inc. said Wednesday (Feb. 13) that it signed an exclusive deal with a global mobile carrier association to supply handsets to the association’s envisioned worldwide network project.

The deal with a consortium of twelve mobile operators of the GSM Association (GSMA) calls for LG to supply third generation LG-KM560 and LG-KP330 models to GSMA’s project dubbed "Horizon," the company said.

Horizon aims to allow mobile phone service from anywhere in the world using third generation wireless mobile frequencies of 850 MHz, 1.9 GHz and 2.1 GHz.

The two folder-type phones have a download speed of up to 3.6Mbps and are equipped with bluetooth and high-end digital camera functions.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, February 10 2008] Seoul supports IT development in Paraguay

Korea’s effort to help build advanced technological infrastructure in Paraguay is expanding as exchange between the two countries is growing.

Korea and Paraguay have been close partners and collaborators in international relations and trade since they opened diplomatic relations in 1962.

...

The support increased not only in its size but in its content. A fourth of Korea’s support to the nation goes to telecommunication and IT development whereas in the past, most of the support was directed at modernizing its social infrastructure and government facilities.

Last year, the two countries expanded their cooperation in telecommunication, energy and administrative system development. Korea’s e-government system, in particular, is largely benefiting the Paraguayan government as it has completed the basic stage of e-government system.

As a result, Asuncion International Airport is now equipped with high-tech customs clearance facilities, such as electric passport readers, ID verification systems and fingerprint verification systems through computer networks. The systems, a project of $650,000, are considered to have facilitated the country’s immigration controls, thus moving its status closer to that of fast-growing emerging economies.

Korea’s advanced technology in IT infrastructure is also helping the country to get rid of the image of being the least developed South American country in terms of internet use. The KOICA has dispatched 37 volunteers to provide education on Internet usage and telecommunication in the last 12 years. Computer instructors dispatched to local secondary schools have encouraged students to improve their proficiency by hosting computer contests.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, February 9 2008] The vision and strategy of the Korean aerospace industry

By Dr. Hwang Chin-young
Director of Policy and International Relations Division
Korea Aerospace Research Institute

The aerospace industry is recognized as a high technology-oriented, high value-added and also strategically important industry. Especially in the 21st century, as air and space have been used more and more in various ways, many countries have become interested in the aerospace industry.

Korea joined the aircraft industry in late 1970s by producing 500MD helicopters under the license agreement with McDonnel Douglas of the United States. The country joined the space industry after 10 years of developing project of the KITSAT-1 satellite. The satellite was invented by KAIST SaTRec in cooperation with Surrey University in the U.K.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, February 8 2008] Plasma TV Industry to jump this year

Korea’s plasma TV industry is expected to fare well this year, after recovering from last year’s poor performance.

Last year, the country’s Plasma Display Panel (PDP) manufacturers went into the red, but that will change this year due to large-scale international sports events and the relatively weak performance of LCD televisions. Industry sources predict the flat TV manufacturers will make up for last year’s losses.

In the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, China’s demand for flat panel televisions is skyrocketing. Euro 2008, known to be more popular than the Soccer World Cup, will also boost flat panel TV sales in European countries, said the sources.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, February 7 2008] Semiconductor exports down sharply

Korea’s semiconductor exports fell sharply in January on weak global prices for DRAMs and NAND Flash memory devices, the government said Thursday (Feb. 7).

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said prices of semiconductors have been declining since September compared to the previous year with the total dipping to $2.83 billion in January.

Semiconductor exports have consistently exceeded the $3 billion level from June 2007 onwards.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, February 4 2008] Panels, handsets boost Korea's IT exports

Exports of Korean information technology (IT) goods grew 10.5 percent in January from a year earlier, as brisk sales of display panels and mobile handsets offset weak demand for semiconductors, a government report showed Monday (Feb. 4).

According to the report by the Ministry of Information and Communication, Korea’s IT exports amounted to $10.89 billion last month, up from the 9.84 billion won recorded in the same period of 2007. It was the seventh consecutive month for the figure to exceed the $10 billion mark.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, February 4 2008] Seoul to send equipment into space before astronaut

Korea will send into space this week a domestically manufactured electrocardiograph (ECG) machine that will be used by the country’s first astronaut, who will travel into orbit in April, an Air Force official said Monday (Feb. 4).

The ECG, along with other medical equipment such as a tonometer used to measure eye pressure, will be sent into space Tuesday (Feb. 5) aboard a Russian spaceship, Progress, according to Col. Jung Gi-young, head of the Air Force’s space and air medical center.

The Russian cargo spacecraft, to be launched at 10:02 p.m. (Seoul time) from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Space Center, is to travel to the International Space Station, where Korea’s first astronaut Ko San will stay for 10 days after being sent into orbit on April 8.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, February 4 2008] Korea's digital exports up 7.6% in January

Korea’s digital electronics exports rose 7.6 percent year-on-year to $10.75 billion in January thanks to strong demand for mobile phones and digital TV sets, the government said Monday (Feb. 4).

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said January’s imports rose 17.2 percent to $6.26 billion with the trade surplus reaching $4.49 billion. It added January was the seventh month in a row that the country’s digital electronic exports exceeded the $10 billion mark.

Mobile phone exports rose 31.6 percent to $1.95 billion compared to the year before, while those for liquid crystal display TVs were up 39.0 percent in the cited period to 550 million. Parts for digital TV also rose 44.4 percent, the ministry said.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, February 2 2008] Is hydrogen for airheads?

As Korea pushes into the so-called hydrogen economy, the nation as a whole could be likened to children in the back seat of the family car, asking their parents over and over as each landmark is passed "are we there yet." The answer is not yet -- not even close, though milestones are flying by at a faster clip.

From the year 2000, when Hyundai introduced a fuel-cell powered Santa Fe SUV, to the opening of the nation’s first hydrogen fuel "gas station" last September, hydrogen has been praised as a potential savior in a world endangered by energy shortages, climate change and oil politics. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, and it is clean burning. But hydrogen, particularly in fuel cells, still poses daunting hurdles.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, January 31 2008] Next-gen mobile communication prototype unveiled

A domestic think tank has developed the prototype for next-generation mobile communication and demonstrated the service for the first time in the world.

The Information and Communication Ministry announced Wednesday (Jan. 30) the development of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GGP) LTE/SAE by the state-supported Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute in the Daedeok Science Town of Daejeon.

The new technology follows wideband CDMA and is considered the leading candidate for next-generation mobile communication technology.

Experts say the prototype will preoccupy the 2008 race for the fourth-generation (4G) international communication standard.

The think tank hosted a 3GGP LTE/SAE display at its building and demonstrated wireless transmission service, voice phone, video on demand and real-time WebCam broadcasting. The demonstration also featured data transmission on the move.

The technologies can be applied to every communication standard from modems to higher applications.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, January 30 2008] Google Korea to intensify R&D efforts this year

Google Inc., the U.S.-based Internet search giant, will work on expanding its research and development (R&D) activities in Korea to provide services tailored to meet rising demand from local web users, a top executive of its Korean branch said Wednesday (Jan. 30).

Google Korea is also increasing efforts to provide optimal search services, whereby users can find what they want on the Internet more swiftly and accurately, Google Korea CEO Lee Won-jin told reporters during a press conference on its 2008 business plans.

"Google’s basic business strategy is to invest 70 percent of its efforts into search engines, 20 percent into related projects and 10 percent into unrelated but experimental areas such as mobile businesses," Lee said.

"Especially, Google Korea plans to increase investment in the mobile sector given that Korea boasts an unparalleled mobile business environment," He said. "We are currently considering launching mobile content and mobile advertisement businesses."

To that end, Lee noted that Google needs to step up its R&D activities in Korea, adding that it will not just bring in foreign technologies but it will make efforts to localize them as well.
Google, the world’s largest Internet search engine, launched its Korean operation in 2004 but has been struggling to increase its presence here in the face of such homegrown tech giants as NHN and Daum.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, January 29 2008] LG Electronics starts selling 'Viewty Phone' in China

LG Electronics Inc., South Korea’s second-largest electronics maker, said Tuesday (Jan. 29) that it started selling one of its hit mobile phone models, the "Viewty Phone," in China as part of efforts to expand its presence in the world’s largest market with high-end products.

The Viewty Phone is one of the company’s latest mobile phone models, unveiled in October last year by the world’s fifth-largest manufacturer of handsets to target deep-pocketed customers in Europe.

Priced at around 740,000 won ($787), the phone is equipped with a 5-megapixel camera that provides semiprofessional-level digital camera features. It currently sells in 14 European countries including Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, January 29 2008] Samsung stays top global LCD seller in 2007

Samsung Electronics Co., Korea’s largest electronics maker, retained its global leading position in terms of sales of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels in 2007, an industry report showed Tuesday (Jan. 29).

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, January 29 2008] Hanarotelecom agrees to provide Disney movies

Hanarotelecom Inc., Korea’s No.2 fixed-line communications operator, said Tuesday (Jan. 29) that it has signed a deal with U.S. entertainment giant Disney to provide movies through its Internet-based TV service.

Under the deal, Hanarotelecom said it will gain access to Disney’s vast pool of content data, allowing its "HanaTV" customers to view the U.S. firm’s popular movies and animations such as the "Pirates of The Caribbean" and "Finding Nemo." Details of the financial terms and the contract period were not disclosed.

Launched in 2006, HanaTV provides a video-on-demand service through which customers can watch a variety of programs using a high-speed Internet connection. Since its debut, the service has attracted more than 800,000 customers, boosting hope in the business potential of a full-blown Internet protocol TV (IPTV).

Hanarotelecom, to be purchased by the nation’s top mobile carrier, SK Telecom Co., has been rushing to secure high-value content -- movies, dramas and animations -- in the hopes of gaining a solid foothold in the fledgling but lucrative IPTV market.

The agreement with Disney is the latest in a series of similar content-sharing deals. Hanaro has other contracts with six global movie producers including Warner Bros., Sony Pictures and Universal Studio, the company said in a press release.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, January 28 2008] Container ports to get new ID technology

All container ports will get new identification devices from Friday (Feb. 1).

The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministries said the country’s largest port of Busan adopted radio frequency identification technology two years ago to improve freight tracking. The technology uses chips embedded in products to send and process information via radio frequencies. The data is sent to customers, logistics companies and relevant institutions on a real-time basis.

The ministry initiated the ubiquitous port project in 2005 and had all 14 container terminals in Busan install the devices by the end of 2006. Ten more ports in Incheon, Pyeongtaek, Gunsan and Gwangyang installed them last year.

The u-port provides real-time reports and alerts on freight routes and missed shipments. Unlike a barcode, which needs direct contact with a scanner, the radio frequency code is read wirelessly.

The ministry said Korea’s u-port project will greatly cut logistics costs and enhance port productivity. The project is part of a government’s plan to enhance the efficiency and security of its global overseas shipping.

The radio frequency system enables streamlined operations with automated advance notification as to when containers reach port. It also records key data such as freights location, their security and changes in light, temperature and humidity of the containers. The data is automatically sent to ports, shippers and container carriers.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, January 24 2008] Korean chipmakers control 11.3% of world market

The world market share of Korea’s chip manufacturers was 11.3% last year, the Institute for Information Technology Advancement in Seoul said Wednesday (Jan. 23).

The institute quoted a December report by the Gartner Group, a U.S. information and technology research and advisory firm, as saying Samsung Electronics alone controlled 7.7% of the global market and Hynix Semiconductor 3.6% last year.

...

Driving Samsung were steady revenue growth in NAND flash memory and strong revenue in non-memory areas such as application processors, media integrated circuits, complementary metal-oxide semiconductor image sensors, smart card ICs and LCD driver ICs, according to the report.

[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, January 24 2008] Samsung, Hynix to join hands in chip R&D

The world’s two largest memory chip manufacturers agreed to join hands to develop next-generation semiconductors to enable Korea to stay ahead of rivals in this critical industry, the government said Thursday (Jan. 24).

Samsung Electronics and Hynix Semiconductor said they will jointly invest 9 billion won in a broader state-supported research and development (R&D) program to acquire the necessary technologies to make future memory chips, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said.

Under the three-stage plan that began in 2004 and runs until July 2011, a total of 52.58 billion won will be spent so that Korea will be able to design and build such futuristic chips as spin torque transfer magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) and various non-volatile memory devices.