Morning Tidings

Tag: Korea

  • Google Fined USD 176.8 Million in South Korea for Anti-Competition Practice in Mobile Operating System and App Markets

    Seoul, September 14: South Korea’s antitrust regulator said on Tuesday it has decided to fine global tech giant Google 207.4 billion won ($176.8 million) for its alleged abuse of the market dominance in the mobile operating system and app markets. Since 2016, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has been looking into Google over allegations it obstructed local smartphone makers, such as Samsung Electronics Co, from using operating systems developed by rivals.

    Google has hampered market competition by requiring smartphone makers to clinch an “anti-fragmentation agreement (AFA)” when they sign key contracts with Google over app store licenses and early access to OS, according to the regulator. Apple Event 2021 LIVE News Updates: iPhone 13 Pro & iPhone Pro Max Unveiled.

    Under an AFA, device makers are not permitted to install modified versions of Android OS, known as “Android forks” on their products. They are also not allowed to develop their own Android forks.

    This practice has helped Google cement its market dominance in the mobile platform market and undermined innovation in the development of new OS for smart devices, according to the regulator. In addition to the fine, the KFTC ordered Google LLC, Google Asia Pacific and Google Korea to take corrective steps, reports Yonhap news agency.

    The regulator has ordered Google to ban its practice of forcing Android manufacturers to sign an AFA and to make corrections on details about the AFA before reporting them to the commission.

    “We expect the latest measures will help set the stage for competition to revive in the mobile OS and app markets. This is also expected to help the launch of innovative goods and services in smart device markets,” the KFTC said. The regulator is separately investigating three more cases related to Google’s alleged anti-competition activity.

    The KFTC is looking into whether Google allegedly forced mobile game applications to be only released on its Play store. A probe is underway for Google’s unfair business practice over the sale of digital ads.

    The commission has been also probing into whether Google’s new billing policy has harmed market competition. Google earlier announced a plan to charge a 30 per cent fee to all app developers over in-app digital content purchases in South Korea. Separately, the National Assembly endorsed an act in August that will curb the dominance Google and Apple exert over payments on their app stores. The move enabled South Korea to become the first nation in the world to enact such a law.

    (The above story first appeared on Morning Tidings on Sep 14, 2021 11:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website morningtidings.com).

  • South Korea to Fine Google USD 177 Million for Forcing Software on Devices

    Seoul, Sep 14: South Korea’s competition watchdog plans to fine Google at least 207.4 billion won (USD 177 million) for allegedly blocking smartphone makers like Samsung from using other operating systems, in what would be one of the country’s biggest antitrust penalties ever.

    Google said it plans to challenge the fine. It has accused South Korean authorities of disregarding how its software policy benefits hardware partners and consumers.

    Tuesday’s announcement came as South Korea also began enforcing a revised telecommunications law that prohibits app market operators like Google and

    Apple from requiring smartphone users to pay with their in-app purchasing systems. It is the first nation to adopt such regulations. Twitter Launches ‘Communities’ Feature To Take On Facebook Groups.

    South Korea has always closely scrutinized how foreign technology companies behave in its market. Much of the focus in recent years has been on Google and Apple as officials vowed to prevent them from abusing their dominant market positions in mobile internet.

    Joh Sung-wook, chairwoman of South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission, said Google has hampered competition since 2011 by obligating its electronics partners to sign “anti-fragmentation” agreements. This has prevented the companies from installing modified versions of Google’s operating systems on devices like smartphones and smartwatches.

    That gave Google an easy way to cement its leadership in mobile software and app markets, she said.

    Joh said manufacturers like Samsung and LG had to agree to the terms when signing contracts with Google for app store licensing or early access to computer codes so that they could build devices in advance before Google released new versions of its Android and other operating systems.

    In an emailed statement, Google said the FTC is ignoring how Android’s compatibility program, which defines the requirements for device makers and developers to achieve compatibility with the operating system, has spurred “incredible hardware and software innovation, and brought enormous success to Korean OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and developers.”

    “This in turn has led to greater choice, quality and a better user experience for Korean consumers,” Google said. “KFTC’s decision released today ignores these benefits, and will undermine the advantages enjoyed by consumers. Google intends to appeal the KFTC’s decision.”

    Joh pointed out that Samsung, the maker of the globally popular Galaxy Android phones, suffered a huge setback in 2013 when Google forced it to abort its plans to use a customized version of Google software on its Galaxy Gear smartwatches.

    Samsung switched to a little-known operating system called Tizen but gave up on the software after struggling with a lack of applications. The company’s new smartwatches are now powered by Google’s Wear OS. LG was also thwarted from releasing smart speakers based on customized Google software.

    The fine announced for Google would be the ninth largest the FTC has ever imposed. The company may end up paying even more.

    Kim Min-jeong, another FTC official, said the amount announced by her commission was tentative, based on the revenue Google generated in South Korea from 2011 to April this year. She said the finalized fine, which could be announced in October or November, might be slightly higher.

    “We will ban (Google) from requiring device manufacturers to sign anti-fragmentation agreements in relation to (business contracts) regarding Play Store licensing and early access to operating systems,” Joh said in a news conference.

    “Our corrective measures … will allow domestic device manufacturers to release fork’ devices in the domestic and foreign markets and foreign manufacturers to release fork’ devices in the domestic market,” she said, referring to devices powered by customized operating systems.

    The FTC began examining the case in 2016 and is conducting other investigations of Google, including its behaviour in mobile applications and advertising markets.

    Earlier Tuesday, the Korea Communications Commission, the country’s telecommunications regulator, said a revised telecommunications law prohibiting Google and Apple from requiring developers to use their in-app purchasing systems has taken effect.

    The tech giants face global criticism over forcing developers to use in-app purchasing systems, for which the companies receive commissions of up to 30 per cent. The companies say the commissions help pay for the cost of maintaining the app markets.

  • Minecraft Java Edition Game Purchase Reportedly Blocked for Teenagers in South Korea, Here’s Why

    Minecraft Java Edition Game Purchase Reportedly Blocked for Teenagers in South Korea, Here’s Why

    Seoul: A version of Minecraft, one of the world’s bestselling video games, effectively became unavailable for purchase by teenagers in South Korea apparently due to technical complications stemming from the country’s so-called Cinderella law that restricts kids from late night gaming. Minecraft recently posted on its website that South Korean players face an age limit to buy Minecraft Java Edition, the original version of the game developed by Mojang Studios, which was purchased by Microsoft in 2014. Pokemon Unite Strategic Battle Game Reportedly Coming to Apple iPhone & iPad This September.

    “For players in South Korea, you must be 19 years of age or older to purchase and play the Java edition of Minecraft,” reads the website for the game, which is rated for ages 12 or older in the country.

    The move comes after the US tech giant recently began migrating user accounts on the Java edition of the sandbox game to Microsoft accounts globally to improve the game’s security and required new buyers of the version to have a Microsoft account. The process has resulted in complications in South Korea as only adults can sign up for Microsoft’s accounts, reports Yonhap news agency.

    South Korean law restricts those aged under 16 from playing PC video games from midnight to 6 a.m., which has forced video game operators to implement additional measures to follow the rules, popularly called the “Cinderella law” or “shutdown law” as children have to log off from PC gaming by midnight.

    While most video game companies operate a system that follows the rules for children, Microsoft has apparently skipped the measures since 2012 and instead required its account users to verify that they are 19 or older. The latest move has effectively created an age restriction on the game, which has sold 200 million copies globally since its launch in 2011 and is widely popular among children. While existing Minecraft players have yet to face issues, problems will likely surface once Microsoft’s account migration speeds up.

    “We’re working on a longer term solution for existing and new players under the age of 19 in South Korea and will have more to share on this later this year,” said a Microsoft spokesperson in a statement.

    The move has angered South Korean Minecraft gamers who are blaming the country’s “Cinderella law.” The law, first enacted in 2011 to curb late night gaming and help prevent gaming addiction among children, has stirred controversy over the years.

    (The above story first appeared on Morning Tidings on Jul 06, 2021 05:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website morningtidings.com).

  • LG Likely To Sell iPhones at Its Stores in South Korea: Report

    LG Likely To Sell iPhones at Its Stores in South Korea: Report

    Seoul: As the South Korean tech giant LG exits the mobile business, it may soon start selling iPhones at its stores in the country, the media reported. According to Business Korea, tech giants Apple and LG are still in the process of negotiations with some major pieces to work out, like will these Apple corners within the LG stores be operated by Apple employees or will LG employees from the mother-store help out, reports GSMArena. LG Electronics Officially Announces Exit From Mobile Business After Money-Losing Performance.

    A final decision has not been reached yet, according to an LG Electronics official. However, “LG probably wants to close the deal by the end of July, which is when the last sales of LG phones will come to an end”. There are over 400 LG Best Shop locations around South Korea, so this could be a major expansion of Apple retail space in the country. In April, the company announced that it will be withdrawing from the mobile business.

    The South Korean company said in a regulatory filing that its mobile communications (MC) unit will no longer produce and sell handsets after July 31, citing a slump in business and fierce competition in the industry as the reasons behind the decision. The announcement came two months after the company said its MC division is open to “all possibilities” for its future operations. The company said its exit from the mobile business will lead to a decline in revenue in the short term but will eventually improve its financial status and management efficiency in the longer period.

    (The above story first appeared on Morning Tidings on Jun 18, 2021 12:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website morningtidings.com).

  • Women in South Korea Ridicule Men Using ‘Pinching Hand’ Emoji to Protest Pay and Labor Inequalities

    Women in South Korea Ridicule Men Using ‘Pinching Hand’ Emoji to Protest Pay and Labor Inequalities

    A ‘pinching hand’ emoji started trending on Twitter after women in South Korea used it to ridicule mens’ penises. The women in South Korea are currently protesting about pay and labor inequalities. However, the emoji has sparked a lot of reactions from the men. They are saying that the women are insulting their bodies. Take a look at Los Angeles Times post to more about the whole incident.

    (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user’s social media account and Morning Tidings Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of Morning Tidings, also Morning Tidings does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)

  • Cyber Attacks Surge in South Korea, Country Under Mega Ransomware Attacks in COVID-19 Pandemic-Driven Online Era

    Cyber Attacks Surge in South Korea, Country Under Mega Ransomware Attacks in COVID-19 Pandemic-Driven Online Era

    Seoul, June 5: Reports of ransomware attacks in South Korea have surged in the past year, shutting down hospitals to shopping malls as the coronavirus pandemic led to increased online activities.

    On Thursday, a major plastic surgery hospital in southern Seoul posted on its website that its servers had been breached by a ransomware attack and that hackers appear to have stolen personal data of its patients, the latest in a series of reported ransomware attacks here — a tactic used by cyber criminals to breach businesses’ systems and hold their data hostage or lock up their systems until a ransom is paid.

    The number of ransomware attack reports here stood at 127 last year, more than tripling from 39 in 2019, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT. Cyber Attacks: 1 Indian Firm Paying Average Rs 55 Lakh After Ransomware Attack.

    As of Friday this year, there have been 65 cases this year, reports Yonhap news agency. Ransomware attacks have been aimed at various businesses. Last month, food delivery company Super Hero’s operations were paralyzed for hours after a ransomware attack, impacting 15,000 delivery workers nationwide.

    In November last year, local fashion and retail giant E-Land Group was breached by hackers, forcing 23 of its 50 branches of NC Department Store and NewCore Outlet to halt their operations.

    Cyber security attacks have increased in not only number but also in profile as the pandemic has made online activities essential.

    As companies increase reliance on remote work during the pandemic, ransomware attacks have become a greater threat as they can cripple their entire work system, said Kim Seung-joo, a cyber security professor at Korea University.

    That has led more companies to pay out the ransom, which encourages even more ransomware attacks. “It’s a vicious cycle,” said Kim, urging investment into cyber security to ward off the threat in the first place. The attacks are part of a broader global trend. Airlines Data Breach: SITA PSS Servers of Air India And Star Alliance Hacked in Cyber Attack; Personal Data, Including Credit Card Details of 45 Lakh Customers Compromised.

    Romanian cybersecurity firm BitDefender said in a recent report that global ransomware attacks grew 485 percent last year from 2019. Recent notable attacks include a hack last month into Colonial Pipeline, a major oil pipeline operator in the United States, which forced the company to pay US$4.4 million in ransom.

    South Korea expects ransomware attacks to continue and the ICT ministry last month set up a 24-hour monitoring team to support companies targeted by the attacks. The government currently provides support to companies that have been targeted by the attacks, such as restoring their systems.

    (The above story first appeared on Morning Tidings on Jun 05, 2021 07:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website morningtidings.com).

  • LG To Launch a 32-inch Gaming Monitor This Week in South Korea: Report

    LG To Launch a 32-inch Gaming Monitor This Week in South Korea: Report

    New Delhi: LG Electronics said on Monday that its new gaming monitor will be available in South Korea this week as the tech giant aims to expand its sales amid the pandemic-driven stay-at-home trend. LG’s latest 32-inch UltraGear monitor, 32GP850, will hit local shelves Tuesday with a price tag of 799,000 won ($720). The addition of the 32GP850 expands LG’s gaming monitor portfolio to 19 models, with their display sizes ranging from 24 inches to 38 inches. 2021 LG OLED, QNED Mini LED and NanoCell TVs Announced Globally: Report.

    The new monitor comes with Nano IPS display supporting quad high definition (QHD) resolution of 2,560×1,440 pixels and a 180Hz refresh rate, reports Yonhap news agency. LG has been targeting the domestic gaming monitor market that expands sharply amid the contactless trend. The company released a 27-inch gaming monitor earlier this month.

    According to market researcher IDC, the gaming monitor market in South Korea grew to around 360,000 units last year from 130,000 units in 2018. LG hopes its gaming monitors can also perform well globally. The worldwide monitor market shipments are expected to reach 150 million units this year, up 7.3 percent from a year earlier, and gaming monitors are predicted to make up 17.3 percent of the total, or 25.9 million units, according to industry tracker TrendForce.

    (The above story first appeared on Morning Tidings on Jun 01, 2021 08:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website morningtidings.com).

  • The UN says there are no international workers left in North Korea

    The UN says there are no international workers left in North Korea

    Earlier this week, the last two international employees of the United Nations, both with the World Food Program, reportedly left Pyongyang.

    A UN spokesperson said the world body in North Korea has no international staff, who are now working remotely.

    Despite claiming to be Coronavirus (COVID-19) free, North Korea has closed its borders as part of stringent anti-pandemic measures that included the departure of diplomats and foreign nationals.

    Earlier this week, the last two international employees of the United Nations, both with the World Food Program, reportedly left Pyongyang.

    United Nations spokesman Stephen Dujarric said in New York on Friday that the United Nations office is open and functional, and continues to work remotely with local staff for the benefit of the people of North Korea.

    Mr. Dujarik said that after more than a year in North Korea, international staff from the United Nations had traveled home to visit their families and for the UN staff to return to Pyongyang as soon as the epidemic-related border was closed. are supposed to.

    Mr. Dujarik said that the WFP would be operated by local staff in Pyongyang and by international employees working remotely.

    Several UN agencies including WFP, WHO and UNICEF have offices in North Korea. But it is unclear how soon his international staff can return.

    Experts question North Korea’s claim of zero cases. North Korea, whose public health care system remains dilapidated, will be at risk of a humanitarian crisis if a major outbreak occurs.

    An international health group set up to promote the global use of coronavirus vaccines said last month that North Korea could potentially receive 1.9 million doses of vaccines manufactured in India during the first half of the year. There are approximately 26 million people in North Korea.

    “UN is working with the government in support of a COVAX vaccination campaign and hopes it will provide an opportunity for employees to return and increase our support,” Mr Dujarik said.

    North Korea’s rapid trade in external trade, coupled with UN sanctions and natural disasters that have killed crops in the past year, has been a major setback for its fragile economy.

    “Stricter COVID-19 prevention measures have affected humanitarian operations in (North Korea), leading to reduced operational efficiencies, out of stock of essential humanitarian supplies, and delayed delivery of humanitarian programs,” Mr. Dujarik said.

    .

  • The UN says there are no international workers left in North Korea

    The UN says there are no international workers left in North Korea

    Earlier this week, the last two international employees of the United Nations, both with the World Food Program, reportedly left Pyongyang.

    A UN spokesperson said the world body in North Korea has no international staff, who are now working remotely.

    Despite claiming Coronavirus to be free, North Korea has closed its borders as part of stringent anti-pandemic measures that included the departure of diplomats and foreign nationals.

    Earlier this week, the last two international employees of the United Nations, both with the World Food Program, reportedly left Pyongyang.

    UN spokesman Stephen Dujaric said in New York on March 19 that the United Nations office is open and full of work, and continues to work remotely with local staff for the benefit of the people of North Korea.

    Mr Dujaric said that after more than a year in North Korea, international staff of the UN had traveled home to visit their families and for the UN staff to return to Pyongyang as soon as the epidemic-related border was closed. are supposed to.

    Mr. Dujarik said that the WFP would be operated by local staff in Pyongyang and by international employees working remotely.

    Several UN agencies, including the WFP, WHO and UNICEF, have offices in North Korea. But it is unclear how soon his international staff can return.

    Experts question North Korea’s claim of zero cases. North Korea, whose public health care system remains dilapidated, will be at risk of a humanitarian crisis if a major outbreak occurs.

    An international health group set up to promote global use of coronavirus vaccines said last month that North Korea could potentially receive 1.9 million doses of vaccines manufactured in India during the first half of the year. There are approximately 26 million people in North Korea.

    “UN is working with the government in support of a COVAX vaccination campaign and hopes that it will provide an opportunity for employees to return and increase our support,” Mr Dujarik said.

    North Korea’s rapid trade in external trade, coupled with UN sanctions and natural disasters that hit crops last year, is a major setback for its fragile economy.

    “Stricter COVID prevention measures have affected humanitarian operations in (North Korea), leading to reduced operational efficiencies, out of stock of essential humanitarian supplies, and delays in delivery of humanitarian programs,” Mr. Dujarik he said.

    .

  • After North Korea cuts ties, Malaysia orders its diplomats to be fired

    After North Korea cuts ties, Malaysia orders its diplomats to be fired

    Malaysia said on Friday that it would order all North Korean diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours over the escalation of a diplomatic dispute over Malaysia’s decision to extradite a North Korean criminal suspect to the United States.

    Just hours after Malaysia’s announcement, North Korea said it was ending diplomatic relations with Malaysia because it “carried out super-laser hostile actions … under US pressure.” North Korea called the allegations of money laundering “absurd construction and (a) sheer conspiracy”, which the United States recounted and warned that Washington would “pay a fair price.” This is the latest development of the growing hostility between Washington and Pyongyang as the North Ramp pressures the Biden administration over the nuclear deadlock.

    The Malaysian Ministry said in a statement that the government will “issue an order for all diplomatic staff of the Embassy (North Korea) in Kuala Lumpur and their dependents to leave Malaysia within 48 hours from today.” It added that Malaysia was now forced by North Korea’s decision to close its embassy in Pyongyang. Observers believe that no Malaysian diplomat is currently in North Korea and the operation of the embassy was suspended in 2017.

    Relations between North Korea and Malaysia have been almost frozen since the assassination of the brutal stepbrother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

    Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry website said the North Korean embassy is being led by Kim Yoo Song, Chare DeFair and the councilor and six other employees.

    “Yes, we will be closed.” Now we are discussing the plans with our employees here and liaising with our government.

    North Korea has long used Malaysia as an important economic center where it handled trade, labor exports, and some illegal businesses in Southeast Asia. Experts say North Korea is taking a tough stand on extradition because it sees it as a tactic of pressure against the North.

    “North Korea is taking a hard line because it feels it should not return (after extradition) because it will have a war of nerves with the Biden government over the next four years,” said Nam Sung-woo, a professor At Korea University of South Korea.

    Mr. Nam said that North Korea is also concerned that similar cases involving North Korean nationals may occur in other Southeast Asian countries.

    Threatening to cut ties with Malaysia was one of the North’s strongest options for expressing its anger with the Biden administration, without ultimately risking nuclear negotiations with Washington, Hong Min said That a senior analyst at Seoul’s Korea Institute for National Integration.

    North Korea has insisted it will not engage in negotiations with Washington unless it considers Pyongyang’s “hostile” policy. But experts say that North Korea will eventually try to return to diplomacy to find ways to relieve sanctions and revive its economic economy.

    Earlier this month, Malaysia’s top court ruled on North Korean Mun Chol Myong, who described the US charge as politically motivated. Mun had lived in Malaysia for a decade and was arrested in May 2019 after US authorities requested his extradition.

    Mr. Mun refuted the US allegations in his affidavit that he was involved in supplying luxury goods from Singapore to North Korea in violation of UN sanctions. He denied that he had looted the money through front companies and issued bogus documents to support illegal shipments to his country.

    Following that decision, Mr. Mun’s family hired a lawyer to challenge the validity of the extradition. Lawyer Emile Ezra said that after the new legal bid focused on Mun’s authority, the court refused to accept his affidavit and also imposed an injunction to stop his extradition.

    The North Korean statement states that Mr. Mun has been sent to the United States. Mr. Ezra said that the police had not responded to his query and that he could not confirm if Mr. Mun was still in Malaysia. He said that he had received information from the jail on Wednesday that Mun had been handed over to police custody.

    Home Ministry officials in Malaysia could not immediately be reached for comment.

    North Korea and Malaysia established diplomatic relations in 1973, but their ties suffered a major setback in 2017 over the assassination of Kim Jong Nam.

    Two women – one Indonesian and the other Vietnamese – were charged with the murder of Kim Jong Nam by sniffing her face with a VX nerve agent in association with four North Koreans. The day Kim died, four North Koreans fled to Malaysia. The women were later released.

    Malaysian authorities have never officially accused North Korea of ​​involvement in Mr. Kim’s death, but prosecutors made it clear throughout the trial that they suspected the North Korean relationship. North Korea denied that the victim was Kim Jong Nam and disputed that there was a role in his death.

    South Korea’s espionage service said North Korea tried to kill Kim Jong Nam for many years, though he once sent a letter to Kim Jong Un begging for himself and his family members after an assassination attempt. Was sent. Long-time North Korea watchers believe that Kim Jong-un ordered his brother’s assassination as part of efforts to oust potential rivals and tighten their grip on power.

    For Malaysia’s first diplomatic title, Malaysia revoked the visa-free entry for North Koreans and expelled North Korea’s ambassador, before North Korea barred all Malaysians from exiting the country. .

    .