SM3 domestic sales top 60,000

Renault Samsung Motors Co. announced Thursday that the number of SM3compact cars sold in the domestic market broke the 60,000 mark in June, a year since the vehicle made its debut.

SM3

According to the company, the SM3 has maintained an average domestic market share of 20 percent. The company said that the car has been particularly popular among those in their 20s who are buying their first cars, while an increasing number of motorists in their 50s have been purchasing the vehicle. 

By sex, 74 percent SM3 buyers were male and the LE trim was the most popular during the past year, the company said.

Galaxy S selling fast; pre-orders reach 1m

SK Telecom said Friday that 10,000 units of Galaxy S, Samsung Electronics’ flagship smartphone, sold out in the first five hours of going on Thursday. 

The number of mobile application downloads also surged 20 percent on SKT’s T Store. About 8,400 new customers registered to use the service, up from the daily average of 5,600, only on Thursday, said its officials.

Galaxy S was available in all branches of SKT beginning on Friday, however, some stores were equipped with the new mobile model Thursday due to the customers’ soaring demands, they said. 

The local electronic giants’ flagship smartphone, powered by Google’s mobile operating system, is planned to be sold through 100 carriers across the world, Samsung officials said earlier. 

Officials added that Samsung has already received 1 million pre-orders from the operators. 

People buy Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy S smartphones at an SK Telecom store in Seoul on Friday. Yonhap News

Kim Yu-na receives two Fs in college last year

 Figure skating Olympic gold medalist Kim Yu-na was given two Fs in her university courses last year, school officials said Friday, according to Yonhap News.



   The 19-year-old skater is a sophomore at Seoul's Korea University, but has hardly attended classes because she trains in Toronto, Canada, throughout the year.

   University President Lee Ki-su told reporters on Thursday that Kim failed two classes, but did not say on which subjects.

   Kim has mostly studied through the Internet while training, and submitted papers in place of taking midterm and final exams.

   "Kim received F grades as she was unable to take midterms and finals," said an official at Korea University. "I believe the professors who gave her Fs judged that they could not give her credits based on papers alone."

   Kim won three Grand Prix titles last year and earned the country the first ever Olympic gold in figure skating at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in February. She is currently back in Canada preparing for the season opener slated for October.

Man runs across U.S. to mark Korean War

A retired New York City businessman of Korean descent made it in his Forrest Gump-like run across the United States. 

The 65-year-old Kwon Yi-joo began the coast-to-coast marathon from Los Angeles on March 23, ran for eight hours every day for 95 days, and finally crossed the finish line in front of the United Nations in New York City on June 25. 

The distance of his was about 5,100 kilometers. 

He finished the cross-country ordeal to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1950-1953 Korean War, the Yonhap news agency reported. On June 25, ceremonies were held across the U.S. as well as Korea. 

He started the race with an intention to promote world peace and the need for Korean reunification, and also with a hope of letting the world know that the Dokdo islets belong to Korea, not to Japan as it claims. 

“My experience of the cruelty and inhumanity of war prompted me into taking up marathon campaigns for world peace and the reunification of my native Korea,” said the Vietnam War veteran on go2marathon.org, a website about his cross-country marathon.

Kwon Yi-joo crosses the finish line in front of the United Nations on June 25 after running across the U.S. from Los Angeles in 95 days. Yonhap News

B-Boy World Cup to kick off in Seoul

World class break dancers from around the globe will converge in Seoul next month to battle for the title of world’s best B-boy crew.

The annual dance competition titled “R-16 KOREA 2010,” organized by the Korea Tourism Organization, will be held at the Olympic Park in Jamsil, southern Seoul. 

An estimated 120 members from international crews, emerging DJs and hip-hop artists from 16 countries will participate in the forthcoming competition set to begin July 3-4.

The competition, which was established to boost inbound traffic for the growing travel industry, is in its fourth year. 

All participating crews were chosen through preliminary competitions in their respective countries, ensuring only top-level dancers will showcase their talent. 

A local B-boy crew performs at last year’s R-16 Korea competition in Seoul. KTO

Samsung, LG products among year’s best

Samsung Electronics’ refrigerator, LED television and LG Electronic’s air conditioner were among the 34 best products of the year chosen by the Korea Management Association Corporation. 

The organization announced Monday the result of its survey with 12,668 customers in the metropolitan region. 

In the electric houseware and information technology sector, Samsung’s Zipel refrigerator designed by Massimo Zucchi, Samsung PAAV LED television, LG Electronic’s Whisen air conditioner, Apple’s iPhone, Chungho Nais water purifier and Canon’s EOS digital camera were chosen among the best. 

For the automobile and residential sector, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Hillstate of Hyundai Construction and Simmons’ mattresses were picked as the most prestigious items.

Lock and Lock Glass, Cheil Industries’ men wear Galaxy, Chanel, Hermes and Amore Pacific Sulwhasoo were picked in the fashion and living areas.

For the financial sector, W-CMA cash back service of Tong Yang Investment Bank and Hyundai’s “The Black” premium credit card ranked No. 1 and Samsung Medical Center, Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System were rated best among hospitals.

Shilla Hotel, Hilton Namhae Golf and Spa Resort, Galleria Department Store’s luxury good hall and the culture center in Hyundai Department Store were listed in the top for the service sector.

The list of attention-grabbing new services and items included Daum Communications’ map service Road View, Nongshim’s Doongji rice noodles, known better as pho to foreigners, Kooksoondang’s fresh makgeolli and Kia Motors’ K5 model.

[NEWS ANALYSIS] Seoul awaits U.N. decision after summit

All eyes are on the U.N. Security Council as Seoul expects a decision on the international organization‘s response to the sinking of the Cheonan after a meeting with leaders of the world’s major powers.

In particular, how nations such as China and Russia -- countries with traditionally close ties with North Korea -- will react will be of significant interest as they both have the right to veto.

A no-go from either of the permanent members indicates that the Council will be unable to adopt a new resolution condemning Pyongyang.

Government officials and experts here have hinted that a chairman‘s statement denouncing the North may also suffice as long as there is a clear message.

“The Council needs to make sure that it sends a clear message criticizing the North for its actions,” said one official on the condition of anonymity. “If it does not, and then allows the North to come back to the six-way talks, how would it look?” 

A five-nation investigation team led by Seoul in May concluded that Pyongyang sank its 1,200-ton Navy corvette with a torpedo in March. The incident led to the deaths of 46 of the sailors aboard.

South Korea referred the issue of the Cheonan to the Council on June 4, calling it a clear military provocation that violates the U.N. Charter and the Armistice Agreement.

The 1950-53 Korean War ended in a cease-fire banning both Koreas from taking military action against the other. 

The U.N. Security Council, as it makes its decision, may take into account a recent statement issued by the G8 countries on Saturday while wrapping up a two-day summit in Canada.

President Lee Myung-bak (left) holds talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Toronto on Sunday. Yonhap News

Military exemption debate heats up

South Korea’s World Cup campaign is officially over after a close defeat to Uruguay on Saturday. However, the debate over the military service waiver for the national team players will likely begin this week.

The issue was first put on the table by Cho Chung-yun, chief of Korean Football Association, last Wednesday. 

“What the players want is to be exempted from their military service duty,” Cho told reporters after South Korea drew 2-2 with Nigeria to secure the berth in the second round of the World Cup. 

(Yonhap)

Leaders of allies press China over Cheonan sinking

TORONTO -- Leaders of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan pressed China on Sunday to join the condemnation of North Korea for its alleged torpedo attack on a South Korean warship, while Beijing continued to underscore peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

During his meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao on the sidelines of the G20summit, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak stressed the need for “appropriate international cooperation” to prevent further North Korean provocations.

“As North Korea’s continued provocation poses a grave threat to the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asian region, appropriate international cooperation is necessary to prevent recurrence (of provocation),” Lee was quoted by his aides as telling Hu.

Hu responded that Beijing disapproves of any act that disrupts peace on the peninsula but did not directly blame North Korea, according to Seoul’s presidential office.

”I fully understand South Korea’s position. Let’s continue close consultations in the process of responding (to the issue) at the U.N. Security Council,” Hu was quoted as saying. 　

Earlier Sunday, U.S. President Barack Obama criticized China’s “willful blindness” in being reluctant to acknowledge North Korea’s culpability for the sinking of a South Korean warship.

President Lee Myung-bak (center, front row) and other leaders of G20 nations wave at the end of their two-day summit in Toronto on Sunday. Yonhap News