President Moon Jae-in speaks during a joint press conference after a summit with his U.S. counterpart, President Joe Biden, at the White House, May 21 (local time). Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae ● Korea’s production capabilities and advanced U.S. technologies are teaming up to fight global vaccine shortages, according to President Moon Jae-in. ● Korea seeks to use a bilateral partnership to become a global vaccine production hub.   South Korea and the United State

Maesil (Korean plum) syrup. Photo by Shim Hyun-chul ● Fermented fruit syrup is becoming a popular sugar substitute. ● Summertime sugar consumption soars despite an overall drop. ● Popularity of Korean plum syrup is sparking a debate over health benefits.   A 2019 report released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs found an interesting pattern in the sale of food products between 2015 and 2018 at some 4,200 nationwide stores, including

President Moon Jae-in, left, talks with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won during a visit to SK Innovation’s battery plant facility in Georgia, U.S., May 22. Courtesy of Presidential Office of Choeng Wa Dae ● US$40 billion deal to benefit both Korean conglomerates and U.S. businesses ● US$14 billion earmarked to build EV battery production plants, form joint ventures with U.S. companies   In line with the Biden administration’s pursuit of eco-friendly energy innov

Marie Boes, left, and Kang Ji-hyun, founders of social impact fashion brand ISTORY. Photo by Choi Won-suk ● QR codes on clothes help this designer tell the stories of fellow defectors. ● Her aim is to help southerners learn more about the lives of their northern neighbors.   North Korean-born fashion designer Kang Ji-hyun always felt many stories of the harrowing escapes of her fellow defectors remained untold.   She went on a hunt to capture the re

Sam M. Richards, a professor of sociology at Penn State University. Courtesy of Sam Richards ● In the past, Hollywood movies and American culture influenced Korea and other countries. Today, however, the flow of cultural influence has reversed. ● “Korea has the ability to spread its culture to every corner of the world,” says Penn State University Sociology Professor Sam Richards. Hollywood movies, together with American pop music and lifestyle brands, have be