SEOUL - Hyun Cheol, the celebrated trot singer famous for his hit "Garden Balsam Love," died from a chronic illness at the age of 82, announced by his close friend on Tuesday. Composer Jeong Won-su, who also served as Hyun's manager, confirmed that the singer succumbed to his illness on Monday afternoon.
According to Yonhap News Agency, born Kang Sang-soo in 1942, embarked on his singing career at 27 with the debut song "My Heartless Love." Despite a slow start in the industry, he gained popularity with hits like "I Think of You Whenever I Sit or Stand" and "Love Is Like a Butterfly." Hyun's career peaked in the late 1980s and early 1990s, culminating in winning the grand prize at KBS' year-end music awards in 1989 and 1990 for "Garden Balsam Love" and "Not Anymore," respectively. In his later years, Hyun faced health challenges, including a significant surgery for a cervical spinal disc issue, which resulted in neural damage and required prolonged treatment. He leaves behind a son and a daughter.
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South Korea and Israel Forge Ahead with Joint Tech Research Initiatives
SEONGNAM - The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced the commencement of the Korea-Israel Innovation Day in Seongnam, aiming to explore joint research and development opportunities between South Korea and Israel in advanced technologies. The event, held in collaboration with the Israel Innovation Authority, focused on enhancing cooperation particularly in the semiconductor and smart mobility sectors.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Industry and Energy, the discussion involved major South Korean companies such as Samsung Electronics Co., Hyundai Motors Co., and LG Electronics Inc., alongside notable Israeli tech firms including Classiq Technologies, TriEye, and NewPhotonics. This collaboration is part of a broader effort to deepen ties between the two countries in high-tech industries, with plans to fund competitive projects that emerge from this initiative through bilateral research funds. The engagement has grown significantly, with joint project applications rising from seven in 2020 to 34 last year. Since 2021, the governments of South Korea and Israel have invested a total of US$93 million in 206 joint projects, reflecting a robust partnership in technology development.