Koreans Comprise 14% of Foreign Students in US

Koreans comprise nearly 14 percent of foreign students in the U.S, second among all nationalities. 

Second-quarter data by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement say 733-thousand foreign students were in the U.S. as of this month, with Chinese accounting for the most with 118-thousand. 

Second came Koreans with 101-thousand, Indians 100-thousand and Canadians and Japanese with 29-thousand each. 

By major, business was the most popular major among foreign students in the U.S. with 150-thousand students, followed by engineering with 99-thousand. 

By state, California had the most foreign students with 123-thousand, trailed by New York, Texas and Massachusetts.

Lee Chung-yong Says He'll Stay at Bolton

Rising soccer star Lee Chung-yong has ended speculation over a possible transfer by saying he will stay with the Bolton Wanderers of the English Premier League.

He told a news conference Sunday afternoon at Incheon International Airport before leaving for England that Bolton is a good team and that he is not considering leaving at this time. 

Lee says he does not want to go to an ordinary team but one that he earnestly wishes to join.

Rumors have spread that Liverpool and other European teams are interested in signing the midfielder.

Lee is nicknamed "Blue Dragon" and has scored five goals in 26 games for his national team, including two in the last World Cup. He also scored four times in 34 games in his first Premiership season.

Bolton has doubled his salary for the upcoming season to three million U.S. dollars.

F-22 Raptors Participate in Joint Drills

The newest U.S. stealth fighter, the F-22 Raptor, has been disclosed to the public.

The world's most advanced stealth fighter jets on Monday were shown at Osan Air Base in Gyeonggi Province. 

Commander of the U.S. 7th Air Force Jeffrey Remington told a news briefing that the employment of F-22 jets for the drills demonstrate Washington's strong commitment to deter and defeat any provocative acts that threaten the stability of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia. 

F-22 jets equipped with an advanced radar can identify and detect objects sized one meter in diameter from a distance of up to 250 kilometers. 

Four F-22 Raptors flew over the Korean Peninsula on Monday for the first time.

Public View of Firms Improving

A survey finds that the public's view of companies has improved for two straight years. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry surveyed two-thousand South Korean men and women ages 20 and older and says the favorable impression index on businesses scored a record 54 out of 100 in the year's first half. As for moves the respondents hope companies take in the future, 45 percent sought increases in hiring, 24 percent better employee welfare and 15 percent higher national competitiveness. Some 64 percent believed antibusiness sentiment is relatively high in the nation, and 51 percent said entrepreneurial spirit has heightened. Both figures are increases from the survey conducted in last year's second half.

'US to Penalize Banks Not Complying with NK Sanctions'

The United States is reportedly planning to back its new financial sanctions on North Korea with potential penalties for financial institutions in other countries that don’t comply with the sanctions. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, a ranking diplomatic source in Washington who asked to remain anonymous said the U.S. will first name the sanction targets and will then advise third-nation financial institutions to halt transactions with the named entities. The source said that if the institutions refuse to cooperate, all transactions with U.S. banks will be cut off. The source noted that the majority of North Korea-related accounts are in China and Southeast Asia. The U.S. government is believed to have drafted a new administrative order sanctioning North Korean organizations and individuals whose illegal activities have been verified.

S.Korea, US Joint Drills Enter Day 3

South Korea and the U.S. began antisubmarine attack drills on Tuesday morning, the third day of joint maritime exercises in the East Sea. The Combined Forces Command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul say the drills in waters just east of Gangwon Province will be comprised of underwater infiltrations and simulated attacks on enemy subs. Antiaircraft and antiship drills will also take place, as will live-fire drills against submarines and exercises using depth charges. A special warfare unit will simulate detecting and attacking North Korean forces attempting to infiltrate via the sea. F-15K and F-16 fighter jets will fly from the East Sea to areas over the Gangwon and Gyeonggi provinces as part of air-to-surface maneuvers. The North Korean Navy is believed to own 260 troop transport vessels including 130 hovercrafts and 90 high-speed landing crafts.

Hyundai chairwoman under siege

Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jung-eun

Hyundai Group’s worst fear appears to be coming true. 

Hyundai Motor is now openly saying that its takeover of Hyundai Engineering and Construction shouldn’t be ruled out. 

Hyundai Group’s main creditor, the Korea Exchange Bank (KEB), is showing no signs of backing off from its demand that the conglomerate should pay off all its debts. 

The picture is complicated. The group, led by Hyun Jung-eun, the widow of Chung Mong-hun, the fifth son of the later founder Chung Ju-yung, is engaged in a standoff with KEB over the lender’s demand that the conglomerate should follow up on its recommended debt restructuring.