G20 summit officially opens in Japan's Osaka

Leaders of the Group of 20 opened a high-stakes summit in Japan's Osaka Friday that is expected to be one of the most fractious in years.Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe opened the meeting, which will be dominated by contentious discussions on trade, geopolitical tensions, and climate change. But the mood appeared friendly in the opening minutes, with smiles on the faces of the arriving leaders as they posed for the traditional "family photograph".US President Donald Trump and China's

InternationalJune 28, 2019

[Newsmaker] Korean woman, in Barcelona on official trip, dies after robbery attempt

A South Korean woman who was part of a government delegation to Spain died Thursday at a Barcelona hospital after being treated for head injuries she suffered during an attempted robbery there, according to news reports. The deceased woman, who served on a government advisory committee, was injured Sunday night while trying to avoid a motorcyclist who attempted to steal her purse. “As a result of the robbery, the victim suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital where she d

Social AffairsJune 28, 2019

[Weekender] Places for power nap in and around Seoul

Seoul is often described as a city that never sleeps. But for those who wish to sleep, the city has some amazing, extraordinary places for a restful retreat in the middle of the day. In the busy financial district of Yeouido, multiplex cinema chain CGV offers its sofas to dozy office workers during the lunch hour, a win-win for both the cinema and office workers nearby.    The “Siesta Program,” available only in Yeouido, runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through T

Life&CultureJune 28, 2019

Opposition lawmakers visit defense minister's office in protest of security failure

A group of opposition lawmakers made a protest visit to the defense minister on Friday over a recent border security failure that led to the undetected arrival of a North Korean boat at an eastern sea port. Six lawmakers from the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) met with Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and lodged a protest against the military's dubious handling of the June 15 arrival of the boat at the eastern port of Samcheok. Criticism has mounted following revelations that the mil

PoliticsJune 28, 2019

[Herald Interview] Woman’s devotion revives art of silver threads

Hong Jung-sil, master of metal inlay arts, hopes for a renaissance of centuries-old craft Inside a building in southern Seoul dedicated to the government-designated national intangible cultural assets, Hong Jung-sil, 72, works, studies and teaches as one of 12 resident artisans. Her area of expertise is “ipsa,” the art of inlaying thin threads of silver, gold and other precious metals onto harder surfaces such as iron, creating exquisite decorative patterns. The craft, which dat

CultureJune 28, 2019

[Weekender] The price of a good night’s sleep

It is well-known that South Koreans work too much and don’t get enough sleep. But as more Koreans become aware of the impact of sleep deprivation on health, memory, work productivity and other aspects of life, they are more willing to invest in a good night’s sleep. Among them is Kang Hyo-jung, an office worker in Bucheon, west of Seoul. Sleeping around six to seven hours daily on weekdays, she struggles to get up in the morning, though she needs to head out by 7:30 a.m. for a one-ho

Life&CultureJune 28, 2019

[Weekender] From tech to tonics, sleep aids are all around

Sleepless in South Korea? Tech could be just the ticket. A range of sleep aids are now available to help you rest, from mobile applications and home electronics to more conventional options like food and supplements.  For Lee Ji-woo, a sleep-deprived mother with an 18-month son, a good night’s rest has become the most precious thing in her life. Having slept for more than nine hours a day for most of her life, she has suffered from a chronic sleep deficit since the baby was born. 

Life&CultureJune 28, 2019

US nuke envoy Biegun to hold talks with S. Korean officials ahead of Trump's visit

Top US nuclear envoy Stephen Biegun held talks with his South Korean counterpart in Seoul on Friday, a day before President Donald Trump's trip to the Asian ally aimed at boosting efforts to bring North Korea back to the negotiation table.US Special Representative for North Korea Biegun met Lee Do-hoon, Seoul's special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, to discuss joint efforts to resume the stalemated nuclear negotiations with Pyongyang and move the Korean Peace pro

Foreign AffairsJune 28, 2019

Last body found confirmed as S. Korean missing in Danube boat sinking

A body found in Hungary's Danube River last week has been confirmed to be a South Korean woman missing from a deadly tour boat sinking, the foreign ministry in Seoul said Friday. That brought the number of South Koreans still unaccounted for in the May 29 sinking to two, with 24 other Koreans and two Hungarian crew members confirmed dead.A DNA test identified the body as a female in her 60s, one of the 33 South Korean passengers aboard the sightseeing boat, when it capsized and sank after being

Social AffairsJune 28, 2019

Far-right party ignores Seoul mayor’s ultimatum, may stall feud during Trump’s visit

A far-right conservative party ignored Seoul Metropolitan Government’s ultimatum ordering all of its protest facilities be cleared out from a downtown square by 6 p.m. Thursday. Seoul City said it has yet to decide when it will execute another forced removal.Meanwhile, Our Republican Party Chairman Rep. Cho Won-jin told The Korea Herald Thursday afternoon that the party will decide whether to vacate the square during US President Donald Trump’s visit to South Korea through a meeting.

Social AffairsJune 28, 2019

President’s adviser calls on NK to take bold steps to resume talks

North Korea should take bold actions to resume the stalled denuclearization negotiations with the United States, a security adviser to South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Thursday.Moon Chung-in, a special presidential adviser for unification, foreign and security affairs, suggested that the North should take bold actions, such as allowing open inspections of Punggye-ri nuclear test site and dismantlement of the Dongchang-ri missile launch site, if it wants the US to take its offer.  &ld

North KoreaJune 27, 2019

In Japan, Trump begins talks on trade, Iran, North Korea

President Donald Trump began his most consequential overseas trip of the year on Thursday with a warm dinner with the prime minister of Australia, a friendly opening act before the impending gauntlet of negotiations on international crises, trade wars and a growing global to-do list.Trump landed in Osaka, Japan, for the annual Group of 20 summit amid a tropical cyclone that is predicted to turn into a typhoon _ a possible metaphor for the four days of high-stakes diplomacy that lie ahead. As his

World NewsJune 27, 2019

Korea seeks stronger ties with young, fast-growing economies of Southeast Asia

South Korea is deepening ties with Southeast Asia in hopes of creating new growth engines in the region’s young, fast-growing economies and seeking a breakthrough amid growing uncertainties in global trade. In 2017, the Moon Jae-in administration launched the New Southern Policy as its key foreign economic policy, reflecting its strong commitment to prosper with ASEAN countries -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. As a f

EconomyJune 27, 2019

Labor leader released on bail

Kim Myeong-hwan, the leader of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, a militant labor umbrella group, was released on bail Thursday, a week after being arrested on charges of masterminding assaults on police during outdoor rallies.The Seoul Southern District Court approved Kim's release on a bail of 100 million won ($86,360) but attached a condition under which he should only stay in his residence.Kim was also ordered to obtain court approval before moving out of his residence or going on an

Social AffairsJune 27, 2019

[Graphic News] Average spending by foreign tourists in S. Korea tumbles in Q1

　Average spending by foreign tourists visiting South Korea has decreased to a level last seen 10 years ago, data showed.　According to the data from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, foreign tourists coming to Korea spent an average of $1,268 per person per trip in the first quarter of this year. 　The figure is down 12.1 percent from $1,442 a year ago and marks the fourth quarterly decrease in a row.　Average spending hovered around $1,200 in the mid-2

TravelJune 27, 2019

[Breaking] Xi asks Moon to resolve THAAD issue, Moon says that's why denuclearization is needed: Cheong Wa Dae

On request of Chinese President Xi Jinping to resolve issues involving the deployment of a US anti-missile system in Korea, President Moon Jae-in said that is why denuclearization is needed, Cheong Wa Dae said on Thursday.

North KoreaJune 27, 2019

Xi says many things possible from China-S. Korea cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed "unswerving support" Thursday for South Korea's efforts for regional peace and an improvement in inter-Korean relations, holding summit talks here with President Moon Jae-in, Cheong Wa Dae said.At the outset of the talks, which pool media were allowed to cover, Xi said Beijing would contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability."If our two nations join hands, (we) can do a lot of things," he told Moon. "China will push ince

North KoreaJune 27, 2019

NK’s Kim remains firm on denuclearization: Xi

OSAKA, Japan -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s intentions regarding denuclearization and dialogue remain unchanged, and he is open to engaging with South Korea, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday. At the summit meeting with President Moon Jae-in held in Osaka, Japan, Xi relayed these and other plans Kim has, briefing his South Korean counterpart on his trip to Pyongyang. “(Kim’s) intentions on denuclearization are unchanged,” Xi was quoted as saying by Cheong W

North KoreaJune 27, 2019

Moon, Xi discuss NK, agree to seek more cooperation

OSAKA, Japan -- President Moon Jae-in on Thursday met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, to discuss bilateral and Korean Peninsula issues, including Xi’s recent visit to Pyongyang. The meeting with Xi, Moon’s first engagement in Japan, comes less than two weeks after the Chinese leader’s trip to Pyongyang amid hints from US President Donald Trump that denuclearization dialogue could resume.  According to Cheong Wa Dae, Mo

Foreign AffairsJune 27, 2019

Kakao launches blockchain platform for enterprise service

　Kakao’s blockchain subsidiary Ground X on Thursday launched a public network platform for companies and developers, as dozens of regional tech giants pledged to work with it to promote blockchain-based businesses. 　Ground X said that its blockchain platform Klaytn has officially begun operations by releasing its mainnet for commercial use. Klaytn is designed for easier access and faster speed compared with existing blockchain platforms, and various companies have joined its test operation

TechnologyJune 27, 2019