The Korea Herald

U.N. rapporteur urges Russia to not extradite North Koreans

The U.N. special rapporteur on North Korea's human rights situation urged Russia Friday against implementing an extradition treaty with North Korea, saying it could lead to the forced repatriation of North Korean workers in Russia.Marzuki Darusman expressed alarm at the deal signed earlier this month, noting it calls for "transferring and readmitting individuals 'who have illegally' left their country and stay 'illegally' in another's territory."About 10,000 North Koreans are estimated to be wor

Foreign AffairsFeb. 26, 2016

North Korean leader could be using sports to win support

From frequent broadcasts of football matches to the construction of ski resorts and skating facilities across the country, North Korea appears to be infatuated with sports, which analysts say could be a tool that leader Kim Jong-un uses to rally public support and foster national unity.Pyongyang even created an expression, "sports-centric," and has included it in various slogans to promote sports.The communist state's fondness for sports was highlighted when its state television broadcast a foot

North KoreaFeb. 26, 2016

Actor Ryu Jun-yeol snags rookie award

Ryu Jun-yeol, the star of the hit local TV series "Reply 1988," was dubbed the rookie of 2015, star agency C-JeS Entertainment said on Friday. The 30-year-old Korean heartthrob was awarded two honors, the best rookie's award and the rising star's award, in this year's Maxmovie Best Films Awards, an annual awards ceremony hosted by online movie reviewer and reservation service provider Maxmovie, at the Universal Art Center in eastern Seoul in Thursday evening. Ryu, the latest contender for the ti

FilmFeb. 26, 2016

Parliamentary committee OKs North Korean human rights bill

A South Korean parliamentary committee on Friday passed a bill on improving North Korea's dismal human rights conditions, taking a step closer to endorsing the bill for the first time in more than a decade.The parliamentary committee on foreign affairs and unification passed the bill, which was subsequently sent to the judiciary committee.The judiciary committee is scheduled to deliberate the bill before sending it to the plenary session of the National Assembly for full approval.Still, it remai

PoliticsFeb. 26, 2016

Police beef up security measures against possible North Korean hacking attack

Police said Friday they have decided to prohibit their officials from using private email accounts on office computers as tension rises over North Korea's possible cyber attack.The move came about two weeks after the National Police Agency announced that North Korean hackers allegedly sent massive amounts of spam emails to South Korean public organizations last month.It was the latest in a series of hacking attacks on domestic public organizations in recent years, amid heightened tensions on the

North KoreaFeb. 26, 2016

Toxic humidifier disinfectant firm refutes product harmfulness

The manufacturer of the toxic humidifier disinfectant that allegedly caused lung damages to 126 people and killed 95, refuted the health impact of its product with experiment data, prosecutors said Friday. The special probe team of the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office said that it has received a product harmfulness test result from Reckitt Benckiser, which produced Oxy Ssak Ssak, the disinfectant used by about 70 percent of the victims. The test result, which was independently conducte

Social AffairsFeb. 26, 2016

Toxic humidifier disinfectant firm refutes product harmfulness

Tension continues to strain Busan and BIFF relations

Asia's biggest film festival is drifting.The general assembly of the Busan International Film Festival on Thursday failed to breach differences between the organizing committee and the sponsoring city, casting a cloud over the prospects of the 20-year-old event.Shortly before the meeting, the committee released a statement, signed by 106 people from the film industry, demanding the committee rules be amended so as to give the film festival "independence and autonomy" which it argues were damaged

FilmFeb. 26, 2016

Court backs ban against protest near U.S. Embassy

A local court has rejected an injunction seeking to stop police from banning one-man protests in front of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, court records showed Friday.Five progressive lawyers had taken the legal action after the Jongno district police force prevented them from taking turns staging one-man protests last week over the potential deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system.The police physically denied the lawyers access to the front of the embassy.The Seoul Central District Cour

Social AffairsFeb. 26, 2016

[Editorial] Go ahead with Guantanamo closure

Seven years after issuing an executive order promising “promptly to close detention facilities at Guantanamo,” President Obama pleaded with a skeptical Congress on Tuesday to accept a plan to shut that facility in Cuba and relocate some detainees to secure facilities in the United States. Congressional consent is necessary because of a law -- signed, albeit reluctantly, by Obama -- that prohibits the use of federal dollars to transfer Guantanamo inmates to the U.S. or to build facilities in the

EditorialFeb. 26, 2016

Yoon Mi-rae releases ‘Because of You’

Singer and rapper Yoon Mi-rae released at midnight Thursday, a digital single “Because of You” as the third artiste to participate in S.M. Entertainment’s Station project, announced S.M. Entertainment.　In a gentle and soulful voice, Yoon sings “Because of You,” a ballad featuring a love story between family members, friends, and romantic partners. The song is produced by Kenzie and Matthew Tishler who also composed Taeyeon’s “Rain” and EXO’s “Sing For You.” Promotional image of Yoon Mi-rae’s dig

PerformanceFeb. 26, 2016

Jang Hyuk to appear in Chinese drama

　Korean actor Jang Hyuk has signed on to appear in the Chinese drama “Mei Feng Mei,” the actor’s agency SidusHQ announced Friday.　It has been six years since Jang last appeared in a Chinese drama. In 2010 he starred in “Fall in Love with Anchor Beauty,” a Chinese remake of the Korean drama “All about Eve.” Actor Jang Hyuk (SidusHQ)　Jang’s new drama “Mei Feng Mei” will feature a story of ambitious immigrants seeking to make their dreams come true in a heaven-like city, where the actor will play

TelevisionFeb. 26, 2016

Brian Eno drawn by Titanic for experimental new album

NEW YORK (AFP) - Experimental artist Brian Eno has announced a new album that focuses on unencumbered human voices as he explores the legacies of World War I and the Titanic.　The groundbreaking British electronic designer, known for his work with David Bowie, Roxy Music and Talking Heads, said that the album, “The Ship,” would come out on April 29.　“On a musical level, I wanted to make a record of songs that didn't rely on the normal underpinnings of rhythmic structure and chord progressions but

PerformanceFeb. 26, 2016

Brian Eno drawn by Titanic for experimental new album

Metallica to release Bataclan live album for attack victims

NEW YORK -- Heavy metal giants Metallica on Wednesday announced a live album recorded at the Bataclan in Paris, with proceeds going to victims of the Nov. 13 attacks at the club.　The CD -- entitled, in reference to France’s national motto, “Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite, Metallica! -- Live at Le Bataclan. Paris, France -- June 11th, 2003” -- will come out on April 16 for Record Store Day, a growing annual event that promotes independent music stores.　The album features a recording of nine songs p

PerformanceFeb. 26, 2016

[Travel bits] Round up of travel news from around the world

Jeju Hueree Apricot Flower Festival　Jeju Hueree Maehwa (apricot flower) Festival is taking place at Hueree National Living Park until March 1.　The festival features numerous activities and contests in celebration of the apricot flower bursting into bloom.　As part of the festival, visitors can enjoy apricot flower photo contest, face painting, and calligraphy exhibition and contest as well as signature activities of Jejudo including picking tangerine and horseback riding. Visitors who want to par

TravelFeb. 26, 2016

[Travel bits] Round up of travel news from around the world

Home Cooking: Chwinamul bokkeum (Sauteed aster scaber)

In the winter, dried vegetables are a staple in Korean kitchens. Chwinamul (aster scaber) is a popular choice. It is a wild vegetable, with a bitter taste and distinct aroma, that grows in the mountains of Korea. Simply seasoned, chwinamul is delicious as a side dish or in bibimbap. Chwinamul bokkeum (Sauteed aster scaber) (Korean Bapsang)　There are several ways to rehydrate dried vegetables. Some people soak dried vegetables in water for several hours and then boil them, but I like to boil the

FoodFeb. 26, 2016

Home Cooking: Chwinamul bokkeum (Sauteed aster scaber)

[Around the hotels] Round up of hotel events and news

Belle-Essence Seoul Hotel to hold graduation celebration promotion　The Belle-Essence Seoul Hotel welcomes the graduation season with a complimentary meal worth 69,000 won to 140,000 won for the students graduating or entering an upper level school until March 6.　The promotion is for families enjoying a lunch or dinner buffet at Café Elysee or Ultimate Lunch Buffet or Dinner Set Menu at steakhouse Manhattan Grill. A minimum of three people including the alumni must be present and a graduation cer

TravelFeb. 26, 2016

[Around the hotels] Round up of hotel events and news

[Album review] Rick Springfield adds country chops to ’Rocket Science‘

Rick Springfield　“Rocket Science”　(Frontiers Records)　Rick Springfield sprinkles the sounds of country music across his 18th album, with banjos, steel guitars and mandolins underpinning electric guitars and his energetic vocals on “Rocket Science.”　Even at age 66, Springfield has been working hard, building up his resume like a Boy Scout trying to earn an elusive merit badge.　A stint on the second season of HBO’s “True Detective,” a role opposite Meryl Streep on “Ricki and the Flash,” a novel an

PerformanceFeb. 26, 2016

[Album review] Rick Springfield adds country chops to ’Rocket Science‘

[Album review] Vince Gill’s latest album shows artist at his best

Vince Gill　“Down To My Last Bad Habit”　(MCA Nashville) 　Perhaps Vince Gill highlights his Gibson ES-355_the guitar B.B. King made famous_in his new publicity photos and CD artwork for a reason. “Down To My Last Bad Habit,” Gill‘s first album in four years, features plenty of blues tones, sustained notes, and gut-bucket grooves. 　A top-tier guitarist, Gill emphasizes that skill on southern roadhouse rockers “Reasons For The Tears I Cry” and “Make You Feel Real Good.” His interplay with steel guit

PerformanceFeb. 26, 2016

[Album review] Vince Gill’s latest album shows artist at his best

[Album review] Lovely melding of cultures on Rodriguez 'Lola'

Carrie Rodriguez and the Sacred Hearts　“Lola"　(Thirty Tigers/Luz)　　On “Lola,” singer Carrie Rodriguez alternates between English and Spanish, sometimes switching in midsentence as she creates a distinctive musical language. 　The melding of cultures can be a beautiful thing, especially when orchestrated by such a talented cast. The Sacred Hearts includes bassist Viktor Krauss and the ubiquitous guitarist Bill Frisell putting their special stamp on the material.　And then there’s Rodriguez, a vers

PerformanceFeb. 26, 2016

[Album review] Lovely melding of cultures on Rodriguez 'Lola'

[Box office] Latest movie releases

　Unforgettable (Korea)Romance. Directed by Lee Eun-huiOpened Feb. 24　When radio show host Hyeong-jun (Park Yong-woo/Doh Kyung-soo) receives a letter from someone with the same name as his first love, he begins to reminisce about the memories he shared with his friends and his love, 23 years ago.　　Spirits' Homecoming (Korea)　Drama. Directed by Cho Jung-lae　Opened Feb. 24　Young shaman Eun-kyung (Choi Ri) inexplicably finds herself afflicted with fainting spells, during which she has flashbacks to

FilmFeb. 26, 2016