Latest news with #JoongAngDaily
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Farmers devastated as unprecedented event wipes out nearly all of key crop: 'I've never seen the blossoms freeze and die off like this'
Devastation struck farmers across South Korea after an unexpected spring frost wiped out newly blossomed crops. An unprecedented spring frost fell upon South Korea, with temperatures falling to 22.6 degrees Fahrenheit. This led to new pear blossoms becoming frostbitten and dying. The pistils of the flowers turned black, indicating the death of the blossoms. Lee Mi-suk, an orchardist who has spent over three decades growing pears, has never seen anything like this. "In over 30 years of growing pears, I've never seen the blossoms freeze and die off like this," Lee told JoongAng Daily. "What good is inspecting the pollen when there are no ovaries?" Other crops in the region, including peaches and apples, also suffered due to the erratic weather. Hundreds of cases of cold-damaged crops were reported in nearby North Chungcheong. "In the past, we believed that warmer weather and earlier flowering would boost crop productivity. But what we're seeing is the opposite — more frequent spring frost damage and worsening productivity," Jeong Su-jong, professor at Seoul National University, told JoongAng Daily. The unseasonal cold was made worse by erratic weather patterns, including an unexpected warm spell in mid-March, which led to early blooming. This unusual weather event, which resulted in the loss of so many crops, is yet another example of mass global warming disrupting typical seasonal patterns. This disruption in our ecosystem affects not only the lives of crops but also the habitats and food supplies of every animal, including humans. Critical climate issues worldwide continue to rise, and environmentalists everywhere are looking for solutions to stop this widespread issue. Do you worry about how much food you throw away? Definitely Sometimes Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Efforts to address erratic weather events are increasingly focused on prevention and adaptation. Climate experts are pushing for a reduction in the creation of planet-warming gases, a reduction of waste to create smaller landfills, and better climate insurance to protect farmers from financial loss. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
South China Morning Post
24-04-2025
- South China Morning Post
Chinese pair caught photographing South Korea military base twice in days
Two Chinese nationals, previously detained and released for photographing a military base in South Korea , were caught repeating the offence just two days later – marking the second consecutive month such an incident has occurred. Advertisement Police said the two were reported by US military personnel on Wednesday morning for photographing fighter jets near the US air force's Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, some 65km (40 miles) southwest of Seoul. They had been caught two days earlier taking unauthorised photos near the same airbase, according to JoongAng Daily, the English-language edition of the JoongAng Ilbo national newspaper. Authorities had released the suspects on Monday evening, eight hours after their detention, after investigations concluded that there were no security risks. 'There were no signs of espionage in the photos,' a police official said at the time, according to JoongAng Daily. 'They only captured fighter jets flying near the outer perimeter of the base, which doesn't constitute a chargeable offence under the military base protection law.' Advertisement The same thing happened on Wednesday. After police determined that their photographs again posed no national security concerns, the two were released.
South China Morning Post
16-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Massive North Korean phishing attack used K-pop and horoscope lures: South Korean police
North Korean hackers posed as K-pop promoters, horoscope services and tax officials as part of a sweeping phishing campaign that flooded South Koreans with more than 120,000 malware-laced emails and links to spoofed websites, police in Seoul have revealed. Advertisement The National Police Agency said on Tuesday that 126,266 such phishing emails had been sent to 17,744 individuals between November 2024 and January this year. 'In the past, these actors targeted individuals interested in North Korean affairs,' said Kim Young-woon, head of the agency's cyberterrorism unit. 'This time, they deployed 30 different promotional formats in a broad campaign.' The phishing emails mimicked legitimate content ranging from daily horoscopes and health newsletters to tax refund notices and concert invitations featuring Lim Young-woong, one of South Korea's most popular pop ballad singers, according to JoongAng Daily. Victims who clicked on links in the emails were taken to phishing websites designed to resemble trusted platforms such as Naver or Google, and were prompted to enter login details. 02:35 From survival to stardom: North Korean defectors set for historic K-pop music debut From survival to stardom: North Korean defectors set for historic K-pop music debut One email, titled 'Defence Counterintelligence Command's Martial Law Documents Revealed', urged recipients to download an attachment purported to contain official documents reviewing whether ousted president Yoon Suk-yeol had the right to refuse a National Assembly request to lift martial law.
South China Morning Post
10-04-2025
- South China Morning Post
Seoul palace installs spy-cam detection in public toilet to combat illegal ‘molka' filming
South Korean authorities have installed a restroom equipped with a spy-cam detection system at a tourist hotspot, in a bid to address the rampant issue of illegal filming, which has become a growing concern in the country. Advertisement The toilet is located in Changgyeonggung Palace in central Seoul, which attracts more than a million visitors annually. It features ceiling-mounted thermal sensors that can detect hidden cameras in real time, as well as monitors designed to identify attempts to film over partition walls, creating what officials called a highly secure monitoring set-up, JoongAng Daily reported on Tuesday. We plan to create a safer environment for visitors by gradually expanding the installation Kim Eung-rye, Changgyeonggung Palace Office head To deter illegal recording, warning stickers have been placed inside and outside the restroom. 'We plan to create a safer environment for visitors by gradually expanding the installation of these permanent illegal filming detection systems to other public restrooms within the palace,' Kim Eung-rye, head of the Changgyeonggung Palace Office, told JoongAng Daily. The installation highlights South Korea's ongoing struggle with illegal filming, a pervasive issue fuelled by the widespread availability of small, easily concealed cameras known as molka. The Changgyeonggung Palace in Seoul, South Korea, has taken steps to stop illegal filming in public restrooms. Shutterstock Images Images captured by these hidden cameras – often placed in public restrooms, changing rooms, and hotels – primarily target women and are frequently uploaded to websites where men pay to access them.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
7-Eleven Taiwan to go ahead with Kim Soo-hyun's event
24 Mar - Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding his relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron, it was revealed that Kim Soo-hyun will continue to hold his scheduled meet & greet session in Taiwan. As reported on JoongAng Daily, the actor will be meeting his fans on 30 March in an event organised by 7-Eleven Taiwan, making it his first public appearance since the scandal first emerged. If Kim cancels the event, he could be liable for compensating 7-Eleven NTD 30 million, media reported. However, it was said that 7-Eleven has still decided to forgo some of the original plans, including hanging pictures of Kim on the doors of their convenience stores around Taiwan and releasing Kim Soo-hyun-themed beverage and food products. They have also reportedly prepared police officers for the event to ensure everyone's safety. Other brands have already cancelled cooperation with the actor, while several TV shows have decided to rethink the actor's appearances. This causes a backlash towards 7-Eleven, with many saying that the company is jeopardising its own business by continuing on with the event despite 200 fans already signing up. (Photo Source: 7-Eleven Taiwan IG, Kim Soo-hyun IG)
