[Graphic News] History of moon landings

The successful landing of lunar probe Odysseus, developed by Houston, Texas-based private space company Intuitive Machines, on the moon on Feb. 22 has rekindled a race of space powers to explore the moon. With Odysseus’ successful landing, the United States began its Artemis program to reestablish a human presence on the moon for the first time in more than 50 years. Odysseus will collect data necessary to send astronauts to the region in the next few years. So far, the US, the former So

World NewsMarch 20, 2024

[Graphic News] Immigration is most important problem facing US: survey

Over a quarter of Americans - 28 percent - perceive immigration to be the most important problem facing the US, now surpassing the “government” as the most often cited problem. The figure marks the first time since 2019 that Americans consider immigration the country’s most important problem. More than half of the US adult respondents said “large numbers of immigrants entering the United States illegally” is a critical threat to US vital interests, the survey said

World NewsMarch 19, 2024

[Graphic News] Number of IPOs in S. Korea rises 17% in 2023

The number of initial public offerings rose from a year earlier in 2023 amid signs of easing economic woes, data showed. A total of 82 companies made their debuts on the main Korea Composite Stock Price Index and the tech-heavy Kosdaq markets last year, up from 70 companies going public in 2022, according to the data from the Financial Supervisory Service. However, the amount of funds raised from IPOs dropped sharply to 3.3 trillion won ($2.48 billion) from 15.6 trillion won over the cited p

CompaniesMarch 18, 2024

[Graphic News] Ryu Hyun-jin signs megadeal with Eagles

Former Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin made KBO history with an eight-year contract worth 17 billion won ($12.8 million) with the Hanwha Eagles on Feb. 22. The Eagles said Ryu’s contract has no incentives baked into the contract and all 17 billion won is guaranteed. It is also the longest contract in KBO history. Initially, the Eagles had been expected to offer Ryu, who turns 37 later this month, 17 billion won over four years. But by spreading out the same amount of mone

BaseballMarch 15, 2024

[Graphic News] Internet use common worldwide but not everyone is online

While internet use is nearly ubiquitous in many countries, not everyone is online. Divides still exist in technology usage between people in some advanced economies and those in some emerging economies, according to Pew Research Center data from 27 countries in 2022 and 2023. Smartphone ownership and social media use also vary around the world. While most adults in the countries surveyed own smartphones and use social media, there are still pockets where many do not. In addition, there are div

World NewsMarch 14, 2024

[Graphic News] NATO expands to 32 countries

NATO marked Sweden’s entry into the alliance Monday with a flag-raising ceremony in Brussels as the 32nd member two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine persuaded its reluctant public to seek safety under the alliance’s security umbrella. Hungary’s president signed in early March the law on Sweden’s bid to join NATO, a final technical step before the Nordic country becomes the alliance’s 32nd member. Hungary’s parliament ratified Sweden&

World NewsMarch 13, 2024

[Graphic News] 2024 Cherry blossoms forecast

Cherry blossoms, one of the most beloved spring flowers in South Korea, are forecast to begin blooming nationwide from late March to early April this year, 1-7 days earlier than usual. Cherry blossoms are forecast to begin blooming in Seoul on April 3 after starting in Seogwipo, Jeju on March 24, according to local weather information center Weatheri. Considering that it takes about a week for cherry blossoms to go from just opening to full bloom, they are expected to be at their peak around A

Social AffairsMarch 12, 2024

[Graphic News] 5,750 Russian nationals seek asylum in Korea

More than 5,000 Russian nationals submitted asylum applications in Korea in 2023, according to a government report. The Ministry of Justice said a total of 18,838 refugee applications were reported last year, a 63 percent increase from the previous year. Russians accounted for over 30 percent, followed by Kazakhstan nationals, Chinese, Malaysian and Indian nationals. The annual record for Russian nationals marks a fivefold surge from a year earlier, 1,038, and is tantamount to the aggregate nu

World NewsMarch 11, 2024

[Graphic News] What is Ramadan?

The world’s Muslims observe Ramadan, a month of spiritual discipline, by fasting and prayer during daylight hours. This year, it begins in the evening on March 10 and ends on April 9.

World NewsMarch 8, 2024

[Graphic News] Imports of frozen fruit hit new record in 2023 on higher fresh produce prices

South Korea’s imports of frozen fruit products hit a new record in 2023, data showed Sunday, amid the growing burden on consumers to purchase fresh goods due to lingering inflation. The country’s imports of frozen fruit products came to 64,000 metric tons in 2023, up 6 percent from a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Korea Rural Economic Institute. In 2023, prices of agricultural, livestock and fishery products climbed 3.1 percent on-year. Of major items, the pric

MarketMarch 7, 2024

[Graphic News] Biden ranks 14th-best US president, while Trump ranks last

In a survey of Americans as to how to evaluate the former US presidents’ achievements, Joe Biden placed 14th, and Donald Trump was 45th - rock bottom. The survey “Presidential Greatness Project” was conducted by the University of Houston and Coastal Carolina University, and asked around 200 experts working on presidential politics for their preferences. In a scale of zero to 100, Biden received 62.66 points, while Trump scored 10.92 and placed lowest, below 44th-ranked single

World NewsMarch 6, 2024

[Graphic News] Global military spending hits $2.2tr

Global defense spending rose 9 percent to reach a record $2.2 trillion amid multiple wars and ensuing uncertainties in 2023, a British military think tank said. The International Institute of Strategic Studies forecast that such budgets would increase further, considering the continued Russia-Ukraine war into a third year and international uncertainties surrounding the Middle East after the Gaza offensives. More than half of defense spending was made by NATO members, with US expenditure at

World NewsMarch 5, 2024

[Graphic News] S. Korea has fourth-most Starbucks stores in 2023

South Korea held the fourth-largest number of Starbucks stores around the globe as of last year, data showed, driven by solid demand from local consumers. South Korea held 1,893 Starbucks stores as of 2023, up 116 from a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the US coffee giant. The figure falls just behind Japan’s count at 1,901, despite the Asian neighbor having a population twice the size of South Korea’s. The Seattle-based coffee giant introduced its first store in Se

World NewsMarch 4, 2024

[Graphic News] Cultural heritage and assets outside of South Korea

More than 240,000 Korean artifacts are currently located outside of the country including those that have been stolen, plundered and sold or given as gifts. According to Korean Cultural Heritage Administration and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, 803 museums and art galleries in 29 countries around the world hold an estimated 246,304 artifacts as of January. This was a slight increase compared to January last year (229,655 artifacts). By country, Japan held the highest number

CultureMarch 1, 2024

[Graphic News] S. Korean children’s screen time 3 times WHO recommendation

According to the Korea Press Foundation, South Korean children were exposed to media three times longer than the duration recommended by the World Health Organization The average time that children aged 3 to 4 used media such as TV, smartphones, tablet PCs, and computers last year was 184.4 minutes per day. The WHO recommends that media use by 2 to 4-year-olds be limited to 60 minutes per day, but Korean children aged 3-4 spend an average of 80.4 minutes watching TV, 52.6 minutes on smartphones,

Social AffairsFeb. 29, 2024

[Graphic News] 50% more earthquakes hit Korean Peninsula

About 50 percent more earthquakes with a magnitude of 2 or stronger struck the peninsula and its surrounding seas last year than in previous years, a weather agency report showed. The sharp increase is attributable to a series of quakes reported in the East Sea from April to October last year, as well as those in the North Korean county of Kilju, where a nuclear testing site is located, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration’s annual 2023 earthquake report. The report showed

Social AffairsFeb. 28, 2024

[Graphic News] New cancer cases to soar 77% by 2050: WHO

The number of new cancer cases will rise to more than 35 million in 2050 - 77 percent higher than the figure in 2022, the World Health Organization’s cancer agency has warned. The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer cited the rapidly growing global cancer burden reflects both population aging and growth, as well as changes to people’s exposure to risk factors, several of which are associated with socioeconomic development. Tobacco, alcohol and obesity are key fact

World NewsFeb. 27, 2024

[Graphic News] Survey on direction of affairs in Ukraine

Ukraine has marked 2 years since Russia’s full-scale invasion as Ukrainian forces run low on ammunition and weaponry and Western aid hangs in the balance. A somber mood hangs over the country as the war against Russia enters its third year, and Kyiv’s troops face mounting challenges on the front line amid dwindling ammunition supplies and personnel challenges, and having withdrawn from a strategic eastern city that handed Moscow one of its biggest victories. Kyiv International Instit

World NewsFeb. 26, 2024

[Graphic News] Soju exports surpass $100m for 1st time in 10 years

Exports of soju, distilled Korean liquor, topped $100 million for the first time in 10 years in 2023, data showed. According to the Korea Customs Service, outbound shipments of soju reached $101.4 million in 2023, an increase of 8.7 percent from 2022. The last time soju exports surpassed $100 million was in 2013. Soju is a distilled liquor made of ethyl alcohol and water, with the addition of sweeteners. An industry source said soju sold overseas had been mostly consumed by South Korean resident

MarketFeb. 23, 2024

[Graphic News] Streamers’ total income surpasses 1 trillion won

The annual income declared by single-person media creators, such as YouTubers and internet broadcast hosts (BJs), was found to have exceeded 1 trillion won ($7.5 million) in South Korea. A total of 39,366 individuals reported their annual income as single-person media creators in 2022, with the total amount reaching 1.14 trillion won, according to the National Tax Service. The total income of 393 single-person media creators who were in the top 1 percent, was 333.3 billion won, accounting for 29

MarketFeb. 22, 2024