Zipel Brightens Up Kitchen Life

Zipel has been the synonym for the prestigious side-by-side refrigerators for the past 10 years in Korea. The latest Zipel Quartro sets a new paradigm _ a fridge with four compartments that can be programmed and cooled separately. 

There are two evaporators for each compartment and the refrigerator senses which compartment needs cooling and cools only that compartment. It results in a more efficient refrigerator with powerful performance. Thanks to the Twin Cooling System, strong food odors, from fish, or onions, are filtered out so that they won't be transferred to other foods.

The four-door compartments also make food access and storage a breeze. The design is sleek and versatile for any lifestyle or shopping need.

The Zipel Quatro refrigerator combines beauty and function for everything you need in a refrigerator. The sleek, four-door design combines the benefits of a side-by-side refrigerator with two separately controlled, drawer-type compartments, named the Arctic Fresh Zone and the Fresh Select Zone.

Will Samsung’s iPhone killer hit jackpot?

Samsung’s Galaxy S

Late this February, Samsung Economic Research Institute (SERI) gave a briefing on smartphones to President Lee Myung-bak and his aides as the Apple iPhone fad was enveloping the country. 

After the presentation a SERI economist was asked whether Samsung Electronics, the world's No. 2 cell phone maker and a sister firm of the research institute, was ready to take on Apple and its iPhone. His answer was ``100 percent yes.''

What gave him such confidence? Many observers point out that it's due to the Galaxy S smartphone, which Samsung plans to launch across the world this month as their ultimate iPhone killer. 

``We launched the Galaxy S in Singapore and Switzerland and it will be introduced in Korea next week. It is the culmination of Samsung's 20-years of handset technologies,'' a Samsung spokesman said. 

``Armed with the capabilities for fast processing of high-definition video clips and a super-clean display, it is expected to make a splash. In addition, it is ultra slim at a mere 9.9 millimeters in thickness compared to other thicker smartphones.''

The Galaxy S is powered by the Android 2.1 operating system and features a 1GHz processor, which is strong enough to run high-definition videos or three-dimensional games on its upgraded active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AM OLED) display. 

IBK Gears Up to Bolster Green Growth Industries

Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) CEO Yun Yong-ro, second from right, delivers a speech at a meeting with CEOs of green growth companies at Guro Digital Industrial Complex in Seoul, on Sept. 28. / Courtesy of IBK

The Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK), as a policy lender, has stepped up its efforts to foster green growth industries in a move to support the government's ``low carbon, green growth'' strategy.

The state-run lender allocated one trillion won to green industries this year. In April, it introduced a ``Green Growth Corporate Loan'' for companies engaged in eco-friendly businesses, such as renewable energy.

Samsung goes toe to toe with iPhone

The impending arrival of the next-generation Apple iPhone, which may or may not be called iPhone 4G, is clearly the most-anticipated event for global tech lovers since, well, the debut of the current iPhone 3GS.

But this hasn't discouraged Samsung Electronics, wielding a new sleek and cool smartphone of its own, from attempting to lure eyeballs away from Apple's massive hype machine.

The South Korean technology giant has timed the worldwide release of its new Galaxy S smartphone to Apple's annual developer conference that starts Tuesday (KST), which is where the company is widely expected to refresh its iPhone product line.

Korean space rocket cleared for launch

The Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1) is placed on the launch pad at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, Tuesday. The KSLV-1’s maiden flight in August last year ended in disappointment when the rocket failed to deliver its payload satellite into the orbit. Engineers at KARI, the country’s space agency, have made technical adjustments to the upper part of the rocket, which holds and releases the satellite, to reduce the possibility of another malfunction. / Korea Times

GOHEUNG, South Jeolla Province ― After months of anticipation, the day has finally arrived when South Korea can reintroduce itself as a serious player in the Asian space race. 

Evolution of Linux computing and its implications

Thirty years ago, computers were so physically immense that they often had to have rooms and buildings built with the purpose to accommodate them. Yet even with such bulky restrictions, the main problem posed by computers at the time was that each one had a different, unique operating system. Software was mainly created or customised to suit the specific needs of individual computers and inter-compatibility between operating systems had yet to be considered nor developed. Understandably, computers at the time were extremely costly items, were temperamental, and more often than not caused headaches for both users and system administrators alike.

KT&G introduces 'Davidoff' brand

KT&G’s Davidoff Classic

KT&G, Korea's foremost tobacco manufacturer, is poised to bring the world-famous ``Davidoff''-branded products in the nation under a partnership with Imperial Tobacco Group. 

The Seoul-based outfit said Monday that the products, dubbed Davidoff Classic, will be released Wednesday nationwide at the price of 2,500 won (around $2) a pack. KT&G said that the new tobaccos are designed to meet local tastes.

``Davidoff cigarettes are typically 9.3 centimeters long but we cut down the length to 8.4 centimeters, which are loved by a vast majority of domestic smokers,'' a K&G spokesperson said. 

Woori Investment eyeing Asian market

Woori Investment & Securities CEO Hwang Sung-ho

Woori Investment & Securities is set to become a player in Asia's regional financial markets, expanding its business overseas.

"Within the year, we plan to integrate the research center in Beijing and a liaison office in Shanghai into a consultative body, and it will work in line with the investment bank (IB) team in Korea to invigorate business in China," Woori Investment CEO Hwang Sung-ho said in a press conference, marking the first anniversary of his inauguration in Seoul, Tuesday.

The 56-year-old said that the soon-to-be-built local subsidiary would part of the IB department and it would prepare an initial public offering (IPO) - the act of selling shares in a company for the first time - after recruiting local employees.

Hyundai-Kia signs fair trade pact with suppliers

Yoon Yeo-cheol, sixth from left in the front row, vice chairman of Hyundai Motor, poses with Jeong Seok-soo, ninth from left in the same row, vice chairman of Hyundai Mobis and chief executives of the automotive group’s parts suppliers after the group signed a fair trade pact with 2,700 domestic parts makers, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group

The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group has inked a fair trade pact with its 2,700 domestic parts suppliers, a move seen as improving the quality of its finished products.

National Assembly elects new leaders

Park Hee-tae New National Assembly Speaker

Park Hee-tae, a six-term lawmaker, has been elected the new speaker of the National Assembly, in a plenary session, Tuesday. He replaces Kim Hyong-o.

Park was the only candidate running for parliamentary leadership, which typically goes to the majority party under a bipartisan agreement. He won 236 of 249 votes cast.

He will lead the National Assembly without party affiliation for the two-year remainder of the 18th National Assembly as the speaker is prohibited from having party membership. 

A native of Namhae, South Gyeongsang Province, Park previously worked as a prosecutor. He is known for his sharp tongue. 

Samsung out to steal iPhone’s thunder on domestic market

Shin Jong-kyun, president of Samsung Electronics’ mobile division, unveils Samsung’s Galaxy S during a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics has teamed up with Google and SK Telecom in an attempt to dethrone Apple as the leader on the domestic smartphone market. 

"Samsung can take on Apple and the Galaxy S will lead the way," Shin Jong-kyun, president of Samsung's mobile division, said in a news conference unveiling the latest Samsung smartphone. Top executives from Google and SK Telecom were also present. 

The unveiling came on the heels of Steve Jobs' presentation of the latest iPhone 4 model. KT, Apple's Korean partner, said that the smartphone will be marketed here from July.

The Galaxy has everything Samsung can throw into the smartphone: It has a "Super AMOLED" screen, which makes the gadget more power-efficient and gives sharper pictures.

The 1GHz processor provides an improved touch-screen experience, and talks are underway with Google to offer more customized applications.