Latest news with #SeoulNationalUniversity
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
K-pop star's contribution to support future doctors, compassionate health care leaders
Jennie of Blackpink has donated 100 million won ($73,000) to the Seoul National University's College of Medicine. The university's development fund committee announced Friday that the K-pop star made the contribution to help nurture future medical professionals with 'warm hearts to heal the world.' Seoul National University plans to use her contribution toward strengthening its educational and research environment while fostering medical leaders who combine clinical excellence with empathy and social awareness. 'We deeply appreciate Jennie's generosity, which goes beyond financial support and embodies positive influence,' said Kim Jeong-eun, dean of the university's medical school. 'We will do our best to cultivate future leaders who possess compassion, communication skills and a strong sense of responsibility to earn the public's trust.' In 2023, Jennie's label Odd Atelier also donated 100 million won to the same institution, highlighting her ongoing support for the development of future health care professionals. Meanwhile, Jennie launched Odd Atelier in 2023 as her own management company in support of her solo career. Her first full-length solo album, 'Ruby,' topped various global charts, showcasing her wide-ranging artistic potential and marking a new chapter in her career. The album's main song 'Like Jennie' entered the Billboard main singles chart, the Hot 100, at No. 83 on the chart dated March 22, while B-side 'Handlebars (Feat. Dua Lipa)' debuted at No. 80.
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Blackpink's Jennie donates 100 million won to SNU Medical School
K-pop star's contribution to support future doctors, compassionate health care leaders Jennie of Blackpink has donated 100 million won ($73,000) to the Seoul National University's College of Medicine. The university's development fund committee announced Friday that the K-pop star made the contribution to help nurture future medical professionals with 'warm hearts to heal the world.' Seoul National University plans to use her contribution toward strengthening its educational and research environment while fostering medical leaders who combine clinical excellence with empathy and social awareness. 'We deeply appreciate Jennie's generosity, which goes beyond financial support and embodies positive influence,' said Kim Jeong-eun, dean of the university's medical school. 'We will do our best to cultivate future leaders who possess compassion, communication skills and a strong sense of responsibility to earn the public's trust.' In 2023, Jennie's label Odd Atelier also donated 100 million won to the same institution, highlighting her ongoing support for the development of future health care professionals. Meanwhile, Jennie launched Odd Atelier in 2023 as her own management company in support of her solo career. Her first full-length solo album, 'Ruby,' topped various global charts, showcasing her wide-ranging artistic potential and marking a new chapter in her career. The album's main song 'Like Jennie' entered the Billboard main singles chart, the Hot 100, at No. 83 on the chart dated March 22, while B-side 'Handlebars (Feat. Dua Lipa)' debuted at No. 80.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- 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.
Japan Forward
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
South Korea's Presidential Election: Can Kim Moon-soo Overcome the Odds?
With South Korea's presidential election looming, ruling party contender Kim Moon-soo is making a last-ditch effort to turn the tide. On May 11, Kim officially registered as the People Power Party's nominee after a hard-fought primary. His path to candidacy was anything but smooth. He narrowly fended off what seemed to be an internal push by senior lawmakers to unseat him, while coalition talks with former Prime Minister Han Duk-soo fell through. Trailing behind the lead opposition candidate Lee Jae-myung in the national polls, Kim faces an uphill battle. A recent Realmeter survey puts Lee at 50.2%, Kim at 35.6%, and third-party candidate Lee Jun-seok at 8.7%. Kim Moon-soo was born in 1951 in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province. In 1970, he entered Seoul National University, where he soon joined a hunger strike demanding an investigation into deteriorating labor conditions in factories. The experience propelled him into South Korea's leftist student movement. Kim speaks at a left-wing organization in October 1988 (©Kim Moon-soo Election Camp) During South Korea's authoritarian era in the 1970s and 80s, Kim emerged as a prominent labor activist. He organized underground unions, championed workers' rights, and took aim at what he viewed as systemic injustice. Twice ejected from university, he dedicated his youth to the labor movement, even serving time in prison for his activism. It would take Kim more than two decades to complete his college degree. With the fall of the Berlin Wall and fading faith in communism, Kim began drifting rightward in the late 1980s. The turning point came after the 1992 general election, when the leftist Minjung Party, which Kim helped found, failed to secure any seats and dissolved. Politically adrift, Kim accepted an offer from then-president Kim Young-sam to join the conservative Democratic Liberal Party in 1994. Since then, Kim has served three terms in the National Assembly and twice as governor of Gyeonggi Province. Kim returned to the national limelight in August 2024 when he was appointed Minister of Employment and Labor under Yoon Suk-yeol's government. Kim sits firm during a plenary session in December 2024, refusing Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-kyo's demand for an apology over the December 3 martial law declaration. (©JTBC Youtube Snapshot) Observers familiar with Kim's political journey note that his conservative convictions have become deeply rooted. "Emerging from the radical left, Kim has established himself as a principled conservative in the ruling party," said former South Korean parliamentarian Min Kyung-wook. "At this point, no one is better suited to carry forward the Yoon administration's commitment to conservatism." In the lead-up to the June election, Min said Kim's key challenge will be "widening his support base and appealing to undecided voters." Kim has unveiled a comprehensive policy agenda covering infrastructure, artificial intelligence, labor, economic reform, and national defense. On the economic front, he pledges to lower corporate and inheritance taxes and establish an agency to carry out regulatory innovation. Labor proposals include introducing flexible working hours through voluntary agreements and expanding labor protections for small businesses. On foreign policy, Kim advocates a pragmatic, national interest–focused approach. He reaffirms the importance of the South Korea-United States alliance and calls for bolstering the country's defense posture. Additionally, he proposes negotiations with Washington to address regional security challenges, including the potential pursuit of nuclear latency capabilities and the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula. Kim rallies supporters at Seoul Station during his presidential campaign. (©Kim Moon-soo Twitter) Lew Seok-choon, a former sociologist at Yonsei University, says this election comes at a critical crossroads. "As illiberal states challenge traditional alliances and Western values, Kim has been steadfast in defending our way of life," Lew said. "Having maintained close ties with Trump's circle, Kim understands the strategic importance of the traditional alliance in countering the North Korea, China, and Russia axis," he added. But while Kim generally backs Yoon's foreign policy, he has shown a willingness to chart his own path. When asked by a Kyodo reporter on May 3 whether he would continue Yoon's approach to Japan, Kim replied: "Japan is our neighbor, but history is baggage we still carry. We need honest dialogue to heal and move forward. Beyond the usual quarrels over the past and Dokdo [Takeshima], there's little reason for conflict." Like most elections in South Korea, the June 3 race will likely hinge on swing voters. For now, polls show a clear advantage for Lee Jae-myung, the former head of the main opposition Democratic Party and ex-Gyeonggi Governor. To close this gap, Kim must expand his reach beyond his ideological stronghold. But for a hardline conservative, that's easier said than done. Forming a coalition appears to be a natural move, yet that option remains uncertain. So far, Lee Jun-seok, the conservative third-party contender, has declined to join hands. Kim at the May 18 presidential debate, flanked by Lee Jun-seok (third from left) and Lee Jae-myung (fourth). (©National Assembly Reporters) Still, many conservatives argue that the current situation differs from when left-leaning Moon Jae In rose to the presidency following the ouster of conservative Park Geun-hye in 2017. Though embattled Yoon was impeached and removed from office, he still commands substantial public support. Even during his impeachment proceedings, his approval rating often hovered over 40%. And Kim is expected to inherit much of that backing. Likewise, the shared urgency among conservatives of different stripes to prevent a liberal victory leaves the possibility of a last-minute unity against Lee. South Korean politics are notoriously unpredictable. And much can happen in the next two weeks. South Korea's Choice of Next Leader Crucial to National Security Lee Jae-myung: Economic Pragmatist in a Shadow of Illiberalism Why the Rise of Lee Jae-myung Is Unnerving Tokyo and Washington Author: Kenji Yoshida
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sitting Could Be Shrinking Your Brain (And Exercise May Not Help)
Sitting might be a comfortable and convenient way to spend much of your day, but a new study of older adults suggests it can lead to brain shrinkage and cognitive issues, irrespective of how much exercise you're managing to fit in. The research counters the idea that periods of sitting can be balanced out by periods of being active, at least when it comes to brain health in people aged 50 or above. The study researchers, from Vanderbilt University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Seoul National University, think that too much sitting or lying down (known as sedentary behavior) can impact the brain and increase the risk of different types of dementia later in life, including Alzheimer's disease. "Reducing your risk for Alzheimer's disease is not just about working out once a day," says neurologist Marissa Gogniat, from the University of Pittsburgh. "Minimizing the time spent sitting, even if you do exercise daily, reduces the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease." The researchers recruited 404 volunteers, tracking their activity levels with wearables over the course of a week. Then, over the next seven years, cognitive tests and brain scans were used to assess their brain health. Even though 87 percent of the volunteers were meeting the recommended weekly guidelines of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, those who sat more overall showed worse cognition. They also showed more signs of neurodegeneration – including a faster thinning of the hippocampus, a part of the brain crucial to memory function and one of the first areas to show damage from Alzheimer's. The association wasn't huge, and doesn't prove direct cause and effect, but it was noticeable: spending more time sitting seems to age the brain faster, and reducing that amount of time, rather than just exercising more, appears to be the best antidote. Stronger associations were found in those already at a higher genetic risk of Alzheimer's, the data shows. "This research highlights the importance of reducing sitting time, particularly among aging adults at increased genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease," says neurologist Angela Jefferson, from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. "It is critical to our brain health to take breaks from sitting throughout the day and move around to increase our active time." Of course, these findings aren't a reason to give up more vigorous exercise. We know that being active does wonders for our physical and mental health, and even small amounts of exercise can keep the brain sharp. What's most important here is that extra hours sitting down were linked to certain kinds of wear and tear in the brain. This isn't the first time that sedentary behavior has been linked with dementia and Alzheimer's, but it's another important and comprehensive set of data that researchers and health professionals can draw on. "It is critical to study lifestyle choices and the impact they have on brain health as we age," says Jefferson. The research has been published in Alzheimer's & Dementia. Want to Live to 100? These Four Habits Might Help Get You There. Common Energy Drink Additive Could Be Fueling Growth in Leukemia Yellow Fever Resurgence Could Make COVID Look 'Pale' by Comparison
