Category: General

The Hollywood blockbuster “Dune: Part Two” has exceeded 1 million admissions in South Korea, Warner Bros. Korea said Friday.

Released Feb. 28, the movie achieved the milestone 10 days earlier than its predecessor, “Dune” (2021).

“Dune: Part Two” continues the epic sci-fi saga, delving deeper into the story of Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) as he discovers his true potential and sets out on a quest for vengeance.

The main actors, Chalamet and Zendaya, visited the country last month to promote the film.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

A court has issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting a former researcher at SK Hynix from migrating to its competitor Micron Technology. The employee was engaged in designing semiconductors at the major chipmaker. But there are concerns about the possibility of the researcher having handed over SK’s crucial technologies to Micron.

The Seoul Central District Court last month accepted SK Hynix’s request to disallow the worker’s migration to Micron. The interim injunction is effective until July 24. If the employee violates the injunction, he must pay 10 million won ($7,500) in fines each day. While working for SK Hynix, the researcher was involved in developing high-bandwidth memory chips. Before leaving the company, he submitted a written oath to not migrate to rivalling companies for two years. But it turned out that he was working for Micron with a hefty pay on executive levels.

Industry insiders suspect that the chipmaker’s core technologies were already transferred to Micron, as implied by Micron’s d
eclaration last October to dominate fifth-generation chips after skipping over fourth-generation chips. But SK Hynix could not detect any sign of his defection to Micron for a year. The court did shorten the deliberation period, yet it took six months for the court to deliver a provisional verdict.

The chip industry festers with frequent leaks of cutting-edge technology and manpower. The defection of a Samsung Electronics executive to a Chinese chipmaker last year to help it build a new factory in China shocked our society. Chinese companies were bent on attracting talents from Korean rivals in the past, but tech companies in advanced economies are no exceptions these days.

Such industrial defections are not only difficult to prevent, but their punishments are also very mild. Among the 33 cases involving the violation of the Industrial Technology Protection Act in 2021, 60 percent of the accused were found not guilty while 27 percent received a suspended sentence. Even if they were found guilty, their avera
ge jail term was shorter than 15 months. Our companies must manage their employees more carefully, and the court must deliver a stricter sentence than before.

The government must also broaden the scope of criminal punishment for espionage activities. The current law cannot apply espionage charges to those who leak national secrets if the counterpart is not North Korea. So even if an employee is caught trying to leak sensitive technology for our KF-21 fighter jets, espionage charges cannot be applied. The race for military and other essential technologies is fiercer than ever. If the government does not toughen the law, technology leaks will repeat again and again.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Bangkok: The price of gold opened the market down 50 baht from yesterday’s closing price. Gold jewelry sells for 36,800 baht per baht. The market awaits important data reports on the US labor market.

Gold Traders Association Announcing the price of gold for the first time today, down 50 baht from yesterday (March 7). The market opened for gold bars with a domestic purchase price of 36,200 baht per baht and selling price of 36,300 baht per baht. Price gold jewelry Buying at 35,550.20 baht per baht, selling at 36,800 baht.

Meanwhile, the world gold market price (Gold Spot) is at 2,158.00 US dollars per ounce. Created a new high. The gold price dropped after that. According to the gradual selling to make a profit, however, the gold price is still able to maintain a high movement direction.

Mr. Poon Panitchpibun, money market strategist, Krungthai GLOBAL MARKETS, Krung Thai Bank, revealed that the views of the main central banks that have signaled their readiness to gradually reduce interest rates. has support
ed the price of gold (COMEX gold contract for delivery in April) can continue to rise above the level of 2,160 dollars per ounce. Reaching a new all-time high, some market players are gradually selling gold to make a profit. And this transaction flow also helps to strengthen the baht. Make the price of gold in the baht currency It may not have improved much. Compared to the price of gold in dollars

Today, the baht opened at 35.51 baht per dollar. ‘Slightly strengthened’ from the previous day’s closing level of 35.57 baht per dollar. The baht has gradually strengthened since the morning. That was supported by the rapid appreciation of the Japanese Yen (JPY) from market players’ expectations that the Bank of Japan or BOJ might start raising interest rates at its March meeting. As for last night The baht is still supported by the flow of gold trading transactions. After the price of gold continued to increase

For today, the market is awaiting important data reports on the US labor market. Both the total employ
ment outside the agricultural sector unemployment rate and wage growth. Market players will also be keeping an eye on the statements of Fed officials. To assess the views of Fed officials on economic trends and monetary policy directions.-516-Thai News Agency

Source: Thai News Agency

Nan 8 Mar. – Director General of the National Parks Department Providing financial compensation to the families of officers who died while on patrol to prevent and monitor forest fires. Ready to give encouragement to all officers.

In the case of Mr. Pansak Jaimongkol, official of Khun Nan National Park Died while performing patrol work to prevent and monitor forest fires. On the evening of March 4 at Ban Na Kok, Phu Fa Subdistrict, Bo Kluea District.

Mr. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Went to pay respects to the corpse. Ready to provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased, totaling 160,000 baht, stating that he would like to encourage all officers who work hard to prevent forest fires. Due to the difficult to access area. together with the hot and dry weather in this period We request all officers to consider their physical readiness as a priority before performing their duties. In order to prevent any further
losses in the performance of such duties.

Meanwhile, the sky in Nan city today (March 8) is covered in dense forest fire smog that can be clearly seen with the naked eye, with PM 2.5 values higher than the standard at 110-118 micrograms per hour. cubic meter It is within the red level criteria and has an impact on health. causing people to begin to be affected When you have to come out of the house, itchy eyes and itchy skin. and difficulty breathing

Source: Thai News Agency

Bangkok: Nai Mai Co., Ltd. reported operating results for 2023 with total sales of 200,181 million baht, an increase of 2.1%, cost of goods sold increased by 0.5%, along with increased sales and administrative expenses. 13.4%, causing operating profits to decrease by 10.2%, found in the agriculture and food industry group – real estate and construction group – financial business group There were operating results growing in both sales and profits.

Mr. Praphan Charoenprawat, Manager of the Market for Alternative Investment (mai), revealed that there are 207 companies listed on mai, accounting for 96% of a total of 215 companies (not including companies in the group that fall under the criteria). May be revoked or NC and companies that do not close their budgets in time) submit operating results. In 2023, there were 148 companies that reported net profits, accounting for 72% of all companies that submitted financial statements.

The annual operating results for 2023 of mai Co., Ltd. compared to the previous ye
ar had total sales of 200,181 million baht, an increase of 2.1%, cost of sales of 147,987 million baht, an increase of 0.5%, causing the gross profit margin (GPM) to increase from 24.9%. was 26.1%. However, the increase in selling and administrative expenses by 13.4% resulted in the company having an operating profit of 12,186 million baht, a decrease of 10.2%, and a total net profit of 5,901 million baht, a decrease of 35.1. %

‘In 2023, more than half of the companies had increased sales. In line with the policy of opening the country But from the increase in sales and administrative expenses that increased according to economic activity. while financial costs are increasing This causes the profit rate of the company to decrease. There are 3 industrial groups that continue to grow in both sales. Operating profits and net profits include the agricultural and food industry groups. Real estate and construction group and financial business groups,’ Mr. Praphan said.

In terms of financial status, mai Co., Ltd.
has total assets of 339,046 million baht, an increase of 10.11% from the end of 2022, with a debt-to-equity ratio (D/E ratio) of 0.79 times, decreased from the end of 2022 at 0.81 times.

Currently, there are 215 listed companies in mai (information as of March 7, 2024). The mai index closed at 409.80 points. The total market capitalization was 414,235.76 million baht, with an average trading value of 2,017 million baht per day. -516-Thai News Agency

Source: Thai News Agency

South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul spoke by phone with his Philippine counterpart, Enrique Manalo, on Friday and discussed ways of enhancing bilateral relations, Cho’s office said.

It was the first talks between the two top diplomats since Cho’s inauguration in January.

During the talks, Cho noted the 75th anniversary of the two nations’ establishment of diplomatic ties this year and the recent exchange of congratulatory letters between their leaders, according to Seoul’s foreign ministry.

Manalo proposed active high-level exchanges to build a new partnership and to achieve deeper future-oriented ties, the ministry said.

For a stronger relationship, the two officials agreed to arrange their schedules to visit each other’s country at an early date.

Cho also asked for the Southeast Asian nation’s support for the upcoming Summit for Democracy and Manalo vowed active backing.

The summit is a U.S.-led multilateral platform meant to promote solidarity among democracies, and the third session is sched
uled to take place in Seoul on March 18-20.

Cho offered deep condolences for the death of two Philippine crew members in an attack by Houthi rebels based in Yemen, the ministry said.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

The chief of the National Human Rights Commission voiced concerns Friday over the government’s move to abolish the gender ministry, calling for continued efforts to address gender discrimination.

Song Doo-hwan, chairman of the commission, said in a statement marking International Women’s Day that the move to abolish the ministry raises concerns whether it would be possible to formulate policy for rooting out gender discrimination and realizing gender equality.

Song pointed to various figures showing the country’s deep-seated gender inequality problem, including the gender wage gap, which came to 31 percent in 2022, which makes South Korea the sole country to surpass the 30 percent mark among OECD countries.

The percentage of female lawmakers in the 21st National Assembly only stood at 19 percent, with the country ranking 120th in the world in the proportion of female lawmakers as of late 2023, he added.

“Our society still has a lot of tasks that need improvement to create a safe environment for women,” S
ong said. “We will continue efforts to realize women’s human rights and gender equality values.”

Source: Yonhap News Agency

The exit ban imposed on former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup in connection with an ongoing probe into last year’s death of a young Marine will be dealt with in consideration of his plan to leave the country to take office as new ambassador to Australia, Justice Minister Park Sung-jae said.

“(Lee’s planned overseas travel) is intended to perform official duties rather than to conduct personal business or flee,” Park told reporters on his way to his office.

“Lee had filed an appeal against his travel ban and underwent questioning. Thus, the matter will be handled in consideration of such circumstances,” the minister said, suggesting the immigration authorities may lift the exit ban on Lee.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials banned Lee from leaving the country in January and questioned him as a power abuse suspect Thursday over allegations that he exerted influence to hold off the findings of an internal probe by the Marines on the death of the soldier during a search operation fo
r downpour victims in July last year.

The travel ban was made public after Lee was appointed as the new envoy to Australia earlier this week.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Korea needs foreign caregivers

Proactive steps essential to employ migrant workers

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon reiterated the need to introduce foreign caregivers in Korea to address the increasing demand arising from rapid aging and a declining population. However, he clarified his opposition to the notion of applying the minimum wage to foreign caregivers, citing it as “unrealistic” due to the financial burden it would impose. “As (families) need to pay more than 2 million won ($1,500) per house (in case of employing the foreign workers under the minimum wage system), it would eventually become too expensive,” Oh said on Facebook Wednesday.

The pilot project will kick off this year through a collaboration between the central government and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. But the financial cost will be an obstacle,” he said. Oh’s statement echoes a similar action taken by the Bank of Korea a day earlier, which held a press briefing on “strategies to alleviate labor shortages and reduce cost burdens in care
giving services.”

The BOK introduced a series of measures, including initiatives such as boosting the recruitment of migrant workers and enabling households to directly hire workers on an individual basis, all while circumventing the requirement for minimum wages.

The BOK said the nation is expected to face a shortage of up to 1.55 million caretakers by 2042, primarily for services catering to children and older adults. The disparity between supply and demand in care services has exacerbated financial burdens for those who require them. Last year, employing a caregiver at nursing facilities required an average of 3.7 million won, whereas hiring a housekeeper cost 2.64 million won.

Many women, unable to bear the burden, are forced to choose between quitting their jobs, sacrificing their careers, or taking on the role of primary caretaker at home. This dilemma often leads families to avoid having children altogether. Similarly, family members who must care for their relatives face a similar predicament.

The
BOK estimates the economic losses resulting from this will reach 77 trillion won in 2041, equivalent to 2.1 percent to 3.6 percent of GDP. In light of this, we welcome Oh and the BOK’s suggestions to utilize foreign workers for care services.

We can draw lessons from the practices in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan, where households directly hire workers through private contracts. Reports suggest that they employ caretakers at costs ranging from only 15 to 24 percent of those in South Korea. Meanwhile, Japan and Germany have implemented a work permit system for care workers. In light of these examples, the BOK cited the necessity of refraining from implementing the minimum wage system.

The crux of the problem lies in the evident social conflicts surrounding the issue.

Human rights advocates vehemently oppose the introduction of the foreign caretaker system, labeling it as “modern slavery.” Simultaneously, the labor sector advocates for the equal application of the minimum wage system to migrant workers.

But it is time to adopt a different perspective.

The labor sector, in particular, should acknowledge that the most urgent need for caregivers often arises among the less privileged and minority populations. Unable to bear the expenses, most nursing facilities have been tempted to hire only a minimum number of caregivers, leading to a poor quality of services offered.

There is an urgent need to expedite the introduction of foreign caregivers, considering the rapidly aging population and low fertility rate. Unfortunately, a revised bill aimed at hiring foreign workers for caregiving services failed to gain traction last year. This was primarily due to pushback from the labor sector and civic organizations, compounded by opposition from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.

Another bill proposing the differentiated application of minimum wages based on various industries also failed to be passed. Now, the ball is in the court of the government and the political parties. They should respond affirmativ
ely to the seemingly audacious proposal put forth by the central bank.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Grand Richmond School, March 8 – The Minister of Public Health announced the promotion of proactive cooperation to prevent cervical and breast cancer. On International Women’s Day Accelerating the expansion of testing units because of quick knowledge and cure. Ready to set up a cancer fund to increase access to treatment. Meanwhile, data reveals breast cancer is the number 1 cancer among Thai women. There are approximately 17,000 new patients per year. As for cervical cancer, More than 5,000 new cases are found per year.

Dr. Chonnan Srikaew, Minister of Public Health Chaired the opening of the conference to discuss and strengthen women’s cancer policy and opportunities for cancer care in women under the topic “Enhancing Women’s Cancer Care: Thailand Women Cancer Policy Forum” for the 2nd time on International Women’s Day, organized by the Gynecological Oncology Association. Thai Breast Disease Association of Thailand Cancer Network Foundation Breast Cancer Patients Club of Thailand and government and privat
e sector network partners To discuss strengthening guidelines for prevention, treatment, and expanding opportunities for care for patients with cervical and breast cancer. To be able to further develop strategies and service systems for cancer in women. Drive awareness in society about prevention and screening for early disease detection. and support equal access to treatment with innovative medicine through ‘Cancer Fund’ to increase access to treatment for early stage cancer Emphasis is placed on integrating cooperation in the form of joint investment between the public and private sectors. To increase speed and flexibility in service Including not increasing the workload of government hospitals too much.

Dr. Chonnan said that this meeting is in line with driving the next step in implementing the Ministry of Public Health’s proactive policy on cancer in women. After the National Health Security Office included benefits for cervical cancer screening with HPV DNA Test and screening etc. Self-sampling test (HP
V DNA Self-sampling Test) free of charge for all treatment rights. The National Health Security Committee also considered and approved it. ‘Breast cancer screening proposal with mammography and ultrasound machines’ in the national health insurance system to discuss guidelines as well as concrete methods of action, such as increasing access to screening. Establishing a cancer fund for equal access to innovative medicines for treating cancer at early stages without cost is a barrier. Including preparing a system to support breast cancer screening according to additional benefits.

The Minister of Public Health added that Screening is important. Especially women who are at risk for breast cancer. Therefore, it was considered and approved to increase the benefits of breast cancer screening with mammograms and ultrasound machines for all women aged 40 years and over, medical treatment rights who have a history of first-degree relatives having breast cancer. and set a target for screening services in 2024, numberin
g 40,600 cases, able to begin screening this April onwards. By assigning the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health to be the driving force. and the National Health Security Office Consider finding a source of funding. to reduce inequality

Ms. Sirinthip Khatiyakarn, president of the Cancer Network Foundation, revealed that she would like to call for urgent action to drive the cancer fund. To have new methods To increase access to treatment for treatment-resistant and chemotherapy-refractory patients with innovative drugs such as targeted drugs and immunotherapy. which gives good treatment results but is expensive Entering the list of essential medicines will help prolong the life and quality of life of cancer patients. ‘Cancer patients have Golden Time, having to fight against time because the tumor grows. progressively spreading But it will take more than 7-10 years before innovative drugs can be entered into the main drug list so that they can be reimbursed. This will have a gre
at impact on cancer patients. Because every second of a cancer patient is very valuable,’ while Ms. Ireel Traisansri, vice president of the Breast Cancer Patients Club It is seen that the Cancer Fund will help reduce the gap in medical expenses. equality in treatment Including the quality of life of patients and their families during the fight against cancer in a concrete way. This will help patients decide to undergo screening. and enter the treatment process in a timely manner Due to the detection of cancer and patient care in the early stages It is important in increasing your chances of survival.

However To raise the standard of holistic and equitable breast cancer treatment in Thailand. Breast Disease Association of Thailand, by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yaowanuch Kongdan, President of the Breast Disease Association of Thailand has signed an academic cooperation agreement to raise the standard of holistic and equitable breast cancer treatment in Thailand. Between the Breast Disease Association of Thailand with 8
hospitals including Ratchaburi Hospital, Surin Hospital, Vajira Phuket Hospital, Namarak Hospital, National Cancer Institute, Srinakarin Hospital Khon Kaen University, Buddhachinnarat Hospital and Central Hospital. In addition, in increasing access Treating early stage breast cancer by setting up a cancer drug fund while the drug is not yet on the list of mainline drugs. And there are new methods. To speed up the system for considering drugs into the list of main drugs more quickly. To increase the opportunity for Thai women to have access to new treatment methods and innovations in the treatment of early stage breast cancer, such as receiving medicine to reduce the size of the lump before surgery, receiving medicine for patients who have remaining lumps after surgery. and various targeted drugs with high efficiency

Prof. Siriwan Tangjitkamon, President of the Thai Gynecological Cancer Association, said there are still many Thai women who have not been screened for cervical cancer. Increasing access to cervi
cal cancer screening as well. ‘Cervical cancer self-sampling specimen collection kit’ or ‘HPV DNA Self-sampling’ expanding proactive cervical cancer screening in Bangkok Through the creation of a mechanism to coordinate cooperation between government and private sector partners. Including discussions between relevant agencies to consider guidelines for preparing and managing data registers from 3 funds, consisting of the National Health Security Fund Civil servant medical welfare fund Social security rights Including information from private hospitals In order to accurately present the overall picture of cervical cancer screening at the national level.

Data from the National Cancer Institute found that Cervical cancer is considered a serious threat to the health of women around the world. Each year, there are more than 5,000 new Thai women diagnosed with cervical cancer per year, or an average of 15 cases per day, and more than 2,200 deaths per year, or 6 cases per day. But cervical cancer is a cancer that c
an be cured. can If found in the early stages And it can be prevented by testing for HPV. that is the cause of the disease early on, while the breast cancer situation in Thailand It was found that each year there are 37.8 new women with breast cancer per 100,000 population, which in 2020 was 22,158 people, or 22.8 percent of the number of women with all types of cancer. While the death rate from breast cancer is 12.7 per 100,000 population, in 2020 the number is 8,266 people, or 14.6 percent of women who died from all types of cancer. -417-Thai News Agency

Source: Thai News Agency