Most Popular
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Ex-presidential official’s leaked phone call rattles conservative bloc
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Pay debate plagues foreign nanny pilot
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35% of S. Koreans view unification 'unnecessary'
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Slew of top K-pop stars ready to return from military
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S. Korea, US clinch 2026-30 defense cost-sharing deal in pre-election push
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[Reporter’s Notebook] Was Netflix film opening BIFF really a bad thing?
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N. Korean leader's sister derides Seoul's Hyunmoo-5 missile as 'useless'
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Controversial cult leader’s sentence reduced to 17 years
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Concerns raised over chronic labor shortage at state-run center for digital sex crime victims
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[KH Explains] Is private equity giant MBK a risk-taker or renegade?
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Samsung C&T merger clears last hurdle
Samsung C&T, the construction and trading arm of Samsung Group, is taking the final steps to complete its $8 billion merger plan with sister firm Cheil Industries by buying back shares from dissenting investors. The company said Friday shareholders who opposed the merger deal had exercised appraisal right to request Samsung C&T to repurchase 11.7 million shares, about 7.5 percent of stakes in the company. Local laws give shareholders the right to sell shares they held before a merger announcem
IndustryAug. 7, 2015
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[Weekender] Winds of change sweep universities, student life
Like almost everything else in Korea, universities here have seen dramatic changes over the past few decades. In the years immediately following the 1950-1953 Korean War, universities were home to the offspring of the few who could afford higher education for their children. As the country’s economy grew, university education became more widely available and the universities became the breeding grounds for diverse aspects of society, from democracy movements and political ideologies to popular c
Social AffairsAug. 7, 2015
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Doctors recommend vaccines for expats
A group of doctors Friday recommended foreign residents in South Korea to get vaccinated against five infectious diseases in an effort to better prevent the possible spread of contagious illnesses. The Korean Society of Infectious Diseases encouraged foreigners to receive five vaccines -- Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis A, MMR, chicken pox and DTaP, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. This is the first time Korean doctors have released a list of recommended vaccines f
Social AffairsAug. 7, 2015
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[Weekender] Graduation albums a rite of passage
College seniors have many things on their minds. From midterm grades and postgraduate plans to love interests, twentysomethings go through some busy years. In Korea, taking graduation album photos adds to that lengthy to-do list before they can walk in their cap and gown. Seniors dress up in glittering suits with full makeup, aiming for a look worthy of an A-lister. They pose for photographs on their campus in the spring or fall, three or four months before commencement. Graduates take selfies
Social AffairsAug. 7, 2015
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[Weekender] Housing shapes college students life
An off-campus jachui roomIn Korea, college students’ accommodations are an important factor that determines their lifestyle. There are three major types of housing for Korean students -- “jachui,” dormitory and family home -- each of which comes with its own set of pros and cons. “I don’t like to tell people that I’m a ‘jachui-saeng’ because then they would target me as an ‘easy’ girl,” said a university student who declined to give her name. The Korean word “jachui-saeng” refers to a student wh
CultureAug. 7, 2015
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[Editorial] Diverse composition
Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae on Thursday recommended Lee Gi-taek, head of the Seoul Western District Court, as the successor to a justice who is to retire in September. A justice is appointed by the president after parliamentary approval. Lee was chosen from three final candidates selected by a recommendation committee earlier this week. They were all male senior judges in their 50s, who graduated from the same school -- Seoul National University’s College of Law. Their selection has been met w
EditorialAug. 7, 2015
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[Editorial] Frayed ties
Lee Hee-ho, the widow of former President Kim Dae-jung, is on a four-day visit to North Korea, at a time when tension lingers on the divided Korean Peninsula. The two Koreas have not held high-level talks since February 2014. They remain far apart from agreeing to hold joint events to mark the 70th anniversary of the peninsula’s liberation from Japan’s colonial rule, which falls on Aug. 15. When the 93-year-old former first lady, accompanied by an 18-member entourage, arrived in Pyongyang on Wed
EditorialAug. 7, 2015
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Chinese airlines lure Korean pilots
A growing number of experienced South Korean pilots are choosing to leave their home turf and instead work for Chinese airlines, which offer exceptionally higher wages and alluring benefits for foreign pilots. Some 50 Chinese airline companies have been stepping up efforts to recruit pilots from Korea’s major airlines, including Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, according to industry sources. Chinese companies are reportedly offering Korean pilots with about 10 years of work experience around 200
IndustryAug. 7, 2015
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Prosecutors seek detention warrant for opposition lawmaker
Prosecutors sought a detention warrant Friday for an opposition lawmaker over suspicions that he took bribes from a businessman. Rep. Park Ki-choon of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy is suspected of receiving illegal political funds worth 350 million won ($299,000) and valuables such as luxury watches and bags from the head of a distribution agency, only known by his surname Kim, prosecutors said. The Seoul Central Prosecutors' Office suspects that the three-term lawmaker helped
PoliticsAug. 7, 2015
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[Robert B. Reich] Revolt against the ruling class
“He can’t possibly win the nomination” is the phrase heard most often when Washington insiders mention either Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders. Yet as enthusiasm for the bombastic billionaire and the socialist senior continues to build within each party, the political establishment is mystified. Political insiders don’t see that the biggest political phenomenon in America today is a revolt against the “ruling class” of insiders who have dominated Washington for more than three decades. In two very
ViewpointsAug. 7, 2015
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Labor panel head returns to talks
Kim Dae-hwan, who had offered to resign as head of a tripartite committee of government, labor and management, said Friday that he would return to his post to resume stalled talks on labor market reform. “I will resume my role as head of the tripartite committee today,” he said in a press briefing held at a government complex in Seoul. “I will meet representatives from labor, management and government as soon as possible to resume the stalled dialogue.” Kim Dae-hwan, a triartite committee of g
Social AffairsAug. 7, 2015
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'Unwrap the gift within'
International humanitarian assistant Han Bi-ya carries many names.She is called a saint or angel who helps people whenever and wherever in need without conditions.She is often referred to as the Korean Mother Teresa.Han Bi-yaA traveler at heart and a passionate relief worker who has been to over 100 countries -- she is most widely known as “baram-eui ddal” or “daughter of the wind” in Korea.But Han now wants to translate the Korean word “baram” to hope, and become the Daughter of Hope to spread
CultureAug. 7, 2015
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Mikkeller Bar hits Seoul
Mikkeller Bar Seoul serves a whopping 30 draft beers -- primarily Mikkeller -- on continual rotation. (Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald) Craft, cult, genius ― these are words often used to describe the brews originating from Mikkeller, a much-buzzed-about Danish “gypsy” brewery that recently launched its second Asian bar in Seoul. Now, as of late June, beer aficionados in Korea can taste a diverse range of Mikkeller’s famed beer straight from the keg and deem for themselves whether or not these ex
FoodAug. 7, 2015
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Seoul shares end lower on U.S. rate, China woes
South Korean stocks closed lower Friday as investor sentiment was dented by prolonged uncertainty over a U.S. interest rate hike and China's economic slowdown, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 0.15 percent, or 3.06 points, to 2,010.23. Trading volume was moderate at 329.75 million shares worth 4.65 trillion won ($3.98 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 422 to 380. Analysts said the stock market was weighe
Aug. 7, 2015
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Share buyback claims to Samsung units top 670 bln won
Samsung C&T Corp., the construction unit of the top conglomerate, Samsung Group, said Friday that it has received requests from shareholders to buy back their shares worth 670 billion won ($578 million) in a move against a merger with its sister firm, which has fallen short of the amount required to thwart the deal. Thursday was the deadline for shareholders of Samsung C&T and its de facto holding firm, Cheil Industries Inc., to lodge their claims with the two if they want to exercise their ap
Aug. 7, 2015
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Around the Hotels
Romantic dinner courseat Sheraton Grande Walkherhill (Sheraton Grande Walkerhill) Sheraton Grande Walkerhill is introducing grill restaurant Clock 16, which offers a range of authentic grilled dishes. All dishes are seared atop the finest local hardwood charcoal for a rustic, savory flavor. The restaurant also offers a sparkling night cityscape and a sophisticated interior.For couples, a seven-course meal titled “Romantic Anniversary Dinner” will be served. The menu will start with a grilled sea
CultureAug. 7, 2015
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PM calls for strengthening punishment for sex offenders
Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn called Friday for removing public and school officials, as well as soldiers, from their posts when they are fined or criminally punished for sex crimes. "The government should actively adopt a system removing assailants and come up with countermeasures to stop the recurrence of (sex) crimes," Hwang said during a meeting with officials. The government has been pushing for a plan to eradicate sexual violence involving perpetrators with superior status than their vic
Social AffairsAug. 7, 2015
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Banks‘ foreign currency deposits fall most in 10 months in July
Foreign currency deposits at South Korean banks fell by the steepest pace in 10 months in July, due mostly to a decline in Chinese yuan-denominated deposits, central bank data showed Friday. Outstanding foreign currency deposits held by local residents reached $60.87 billion as of end-July, down $3.8 billion from the previous month, according to the Bank of Korea. The monthly decline marks the biggest fall since a $4.9 billion decline in September last year. Residents include individual citize
Aug. 7, 2015
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Travel Bits
Musical festival to celebrate 70th Liberation DayThe Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will hold a musical festival in Seoul to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the country’s liberation from Japan’s imperial rule.The festival, to held Aug. 14 from 7:30-9 p.m. at Seoul Plaza, will stage musical performances from Korean stars including Lee Seung-cheol, Sistar and Insooni.Renowned art director Yoon Ki-churl will direct the live cultural festival, themed “Grand Journey and New Takeoff.”Yoon s
TravelAug. 7, 2015
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Weekend Box Office Guide
Heading to theaters this weekend but not sure what to watch?The Korea Herald offers a summary of the top box office hits now playing or movies that are coming soon."Mission :Impossible -- Rogue Nation" and "Assassination" are battling it out in the box office, with action crime film "Veteran" fighting the good fight and Illumination's adorable "Minions" maintaining a steady audience particularly among moviegoers in their 20s. Next week, the battle gets fierce as the highly anticipated "Memories
FilmAug. 7, 2015