[Eye Plus] Seoul -- an open runway where life and fashion coexist

Raised aisles stretch out under the glare of the spotlight, chic models parade up and down the catwalk, top-notch designers give brusque last-minute directions, and front-row celebrities flaunt their outfits for the cameras.This is how runways are often perceived by the general public -- sophisticated yet disconnected from everyday life.But what if fashion shows broke out of the conventional frame and models posed in the streets, under natural light and at eye level with the audience? Every part

Arts & DesignJune 21, 2019

[Weekender] What would you do for fried chicken?

A majority of Koreans love fried chicken, but some take it to a whole new level. For instance, those who attend BBQ Chicken University, dedicated to the art of the deep-fried dish. Established by the fried chicken franchise Genesis BBQ, the institute is not a real university. It is a training camp for new employees and franchisees. But it also welcomes those who would like to know more about the secret to delicious fried chicken.  According to the institution, its one-day program instructed

FoodJune 21, 2019

Seoraksan and Chiaksan: gems in Gangwon worth a visit

This is the second part of a two-part series on Korea’s mountains. For part one on Bukhansan, visit http://khnews.kheraldm.com/view.php?ud=20190613000624&md=20190616003108_BL. -– Ed. A note to those wishing to scale up South Korea’s mountain ranges: Avoid spring, as many parts of the country’s famous mountains could be closed off to minimize the risk of wildfires. Korea’s national parks had roped off some routes from Feb. 15 to May 15 this year. The early d

TravelJune 21, 2019

[Weekender] The new KFC: Korean fried chicken

With a crispy crust, juicy meat and a variety of flavors to choose from, South Korean-style deep-fried chicken seems to be the food world’s latest craze. Call it the new KFC. Korean fried chicken joints are springing up in the homeland of Kentucky Fried Chicken, drawing rave reviews from food lovers and critics. Falling hard for the East Asian fare, people even ask on Reddit, “Why is Korean fried chicken so good?” Well, it didn’t happen by chance. With a population o

CultureJune 21, 2019

[Herald Interview] Korean grandparents’ Instagram love letters to grandkids

In 2015, it seemed Lee Chan-jae had nothing much to look forward to in life. With his two grown children and three grandsons far away in the US and South Korea, the then-73-year-old Korean immigrant in Brazil spent most of his time watching Korean TV in his Sao Paulo home or passing the time at a nearby park. Then an idea from his son, worried about his empty-nester father, changed everything. At first reluctantly, Lee started to draw for his grandsons -- Arthur, Allan and Astro, whom he missed

CultureJune 21, 2019

US names N. Korea worst human trafficking nation for 17th year

The United States on Thursday designated North Korea as one of the worst human trafficking nations for the 17th consecutive year.The State Department's annual Trafficking in Persons Report placed North Korea among the lowest Tier 3 countries, along with China, Iran and Russia, among others. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called out the regime for its use of forced labor."In North Korea, the government subjects its own citizens to forced labor both at home and abroad and then uses proceed

North KoreaJune 21, 2019

S. Korea open to summit with Japan 'any time,' Cheong Wa Dae says

South Korea's presidential office said Thursday it's willing and ready to hold a summit with Japan regardless of timing in a "two-track" approach to pursue forward-looking bilateral ties separate from history issues.It was responding to growing skepticism about President Moon Jae-in's push for a one-on-one meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the G-20 summit to open in Osaka next Friday.  "There's nothing decided for now in connection with a Sou

PoliticsJune 20, 2019

2 Russian bombers enter S. Korea's air defense zone

Two Russian military aircraft violated South Korea's air defense identification zone on Thursday, prompting the Air Force to scramble fighter jets in response, a military source here said.The Tu-95 bombers entered the KADIZ without prior notice above the East Sea once at around 3:37 a.m. and stayed in the zone for about 29 minutes, according to the source. The Air Force, in response, deployed multiple jets, including F-15Ks, to track them and send warning messages in accordance with it

DefenseJune 20, 2019

Man accused of faking blindness for 8 yrs

A man in his 40s stands accused of living as a blind person for eight years and fraudulently receiving government money after a neighbor apparently saw him driving a car. The Busan Yeonje Police Station said Thursday that it had arrested the man, whose identity was not revealed, without physical detention on suspicion of violating the Act on Pensions for Persons with Disabilities. The man is suspected of misrepresenting himself as a person with a level 1 visual impairment -- the most seriou

Social AffairsJune 20, 2019

NHRCK, activists call for better treatment of asylum seekers

South Korea’s human rights watchdog and refugee activists on Thursday called for better protection of the human rights of asylum seekers, taking issue with what they see as unfair practices in health insurance coverage and human rights violations at the airport.  Marking World Refugee Day, the activists raised concerns about a family of asylum seekers who are stranded at Incheon Airport after being denied entry to the country, and about other cases of mistreatment by immigration offic

Social AffairsJune 20, 2019

Recovery of memory chip market likely to be delayed to next year

Forecasts for the global memory chip market are growing more pessimistic, as a rebound in prices is not likely to happen until next year amid tension between the United States and China’s Huawei Technologies, according to financial reports and industry insiders on Thursday. The negative outlook is dampening expectations about South Korean chipmakers’ performance for the next six months. Global financial institutions, including UBS Securities, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, recentl

TechnologyJune 20, 2019

[Around the Hotels] Packages and promotions

Going vegan at Grand Hyatt Seoul 　Grand Hyatt Seoul has introduced its new vegan burger at its poolside barbecue station.The Beyond Burger vegan patty that is nearly indistinguishable from meat comes with vegan cheddar cheese, vegan mayo and a variety of fresh vegetables. It is made from 100 percent plant-based ingredients.Listed on the Grab & Go menu offered at the poolside barbecue station, the burger can be ordered alongside other salads, sandwiches and low-calorie options. There are also

FoodJune 20, 2019

Practicing yoga in unexpected places

Friday is a big day for yoga, as it marks the fifth International Day of Yoga.In 2014, the UN declared June 21 the International Day of Yoga, saying that the sport could contribute to development and peace. Celebrating the day, around 1,200 people gathered at Gwanghwamun Plaza on Sunday to practice yoga together. The massive yoga session at the center of Seoul drew attention to the thousands-year-old practice, which has lately seen a resurgence.Boosted by a rise in its popularity, yoga classes a

CultureJune 20, 2019

[David Ignatius] Shanahan’s departure ill-timed

President Trump has a credibility problem at a time when his confrontation with Iran is moving toward a dangerous test. “There is no capital in the bank” in terms of trust with major European and Asian allies, said one former senior defense official. “We’ve managed to isolate ourselves, rather than Iran. This is a strategy-free zone.”Adding to the sense of vertigo surrounding US defense policy was the withdrawal Tuesday of Patrick Shanahan as Trump’s selection

ViewpointsJune 20, 2019

Seoul’s proposal on Japan’s wartime forced labor gets cold shoulder

Japan has outright rejected the South Korean government’s proposal that companies from the two countries create a joint fund to compensate victims of Tokyo’s wartime forced labor.The Japanese government turned down the offer less than an hour after Seoul’s Foreign Ministry announced the proposal Wednesday without prior consultation with the companies.  Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said the government could not accept it, as it would violate international law.The Jap

PoliticsJune 20, 2019

Who is murder suspect Koh Yu-jeong?

JEJU CITY -- Murder suspect Koh Yu-jeong was not a violent person, people who knew her say.　Koh was arrested June 1 on suspicions of murdering her ex-husband, surnamed Kang, at a vacation home in a remote town on Jeju Island. The alleged murder happened on May 25 -- on the day she allowed him to meet his son for the first time since the two divorced in 2017. She took custody of their 4-year-old. 　The two exes and their child had a day out at a theme park and went to a vacation house Koh had

Social AffairsJune 20, 2019

In summit with Kim, Xi vows active role in NK security, Korean Peninsula issues

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday began a two-day state visit to North Korea, fanning speculation about changes in the geopolitical dynamics on the Korean Peninsula, as well as denuclearization talks. Xi touched down in Pyongyang at about 11:40 a.m., beginning his first state visit to the North. He is also the first Chinese leader to make a state visit in 14 years. Although this is Xi’s first visit to Pyongyang as president, he has held four summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong

North KoreaJune 20, 2019

Denuke talks likely to expand to include China, warns former unification minister

A former unification minister called for government action Thursday, as he raised concerns that the denuclearization talks may be expanded to a four-way dialogue that includes China in addition to the two Koreas and the US.Former Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun made the statement during a conference at the National Assembly, saying Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Pyongyang attested to China’s intentions to play a bigger role in the denuclearization talks.  &ldqu

North KoreaJune 20, 2019