[Newsmaker] Does skin color still matter in Korea?

Back in 2007, a small but significant step was taken by the Ministry of Education when it decided to revise school textbooks to remove a certain widely used phrase: “Our country has continued a tradition of a mono-ethnic country, which is rare in the entire world.” Despite the government making various policies for the rising population of people with different ethnic backgrounds in recent years, Korean society hasn’t moved on from its long-held perception of homogeneity. F

Social AffairsMay 25, 2022

New confrontation along Cold War lines? China, Russia warplanes maneuvers spark concerns

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry conveyed regrets to the Chinese and Russian governments via diplomatic channels after the two countries deployed multiple warplanes into Korea’s air defense zone without prior notice, and warned against a recurrence, the ministry said Wednesday. Early Tuesday, two Chinese and four Russian fighter jets entered the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone without notice to the Korean government, an apparent show of protest as US President Joe Biden wrappe

Foreign AffairsMay 25, 2022

H.eco Forum to discuss ‘Climate Crisis and the Ocean’

This year’s H.eco Forum, held under the theme of “Climate Crisis and the Ocean,” is to shed light on the risks our oceans are facing and the possible consequences for humanity. H.eco Forum, launched last year, is an annual event designed to bring awareness on climate crisis. It invites environment experts in and out of Korea, serving as a platform for discussions. The upcoming edition of the forum will take place at Multipurpose Hall on Nodeulseom in Seoul, Thursday, featu

Social AffairsMay 25, 2022

[KH Explains] Who’s winning where for June 1 elections?

With just seven days left until the local elections and parliamentary by-elections on June 1, latest public opinion surveys are hinting a clear lead for the ruling People Power Party and its candidates in many regions. Out of 17 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial elections, the People Power Party has shown a strong lead in 10 of the posts, compared to four for the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea. The prospects are still uncertain for three out of the 17 major posts. The country o

PoliticsMay 25, 2022

[Herald Interview] Democratic Party Seoul mayor hopeful says he will be ‘balance that Yoon needs’

In the aftermath of a divisive race that put a conservative back into presidency, the Democratic Party of Korea’s candidate for mayor of Seoul, Song Young-gil, said he would serve as “a voice for the other half.” On June 1, Koreans head to polls for elections to pick municipal heads and fill vacant parliament seats. “0.73 percent. That’s how thin the margin was,” he said as he sat down for an interview with The Korea Herald on Tuesday at his office in Yeouid

PoliticsMay 25, 2022

Yoon says his vision was ‘narrow’ in response to gender criticism

President Yoon Suk-yeol said Tuesday he would try to create “bold opportunities” for women when appointing public officials, amid growing criticism over a lack of women serving in his government. “I will work hard to give bold opportunities to women when it comes to public personnel appointments,” Yoon was quoted as saying during a meeting with outgoing leaders of the National Assembly at his office in Seoul, according to presidential spokesperson Kang In-sun. The remar

PoliticsMay 25, 2022

Spy chief nominee vows to bolster intelligence capabilities on N. Korea

The nominee to head the country's spy agency vowed Wednesday to significantly bolster the agency's intelligence capabilities on North Korea amid rising tensions in the wake of Pyongyang's missile launches. "If I can serve as the director of the National Intelligence Service, I will sharply reinforce intelligence capabilities on North Korea, such as early detection of provocation signs," Kim Kyou-hyun said during his confirmation hearing. "I will reform and reform ag

PoliticsMay 25, 2022

WHO verifying N. Korea's COVID-19 data amid outbreak: report

The World Health Organization (WHO) is checking suspected COVID-19 data released by North Korea after the secretive country shared related information on its virus outbreak, the UN agency's report showed Wednesday. The North reported to WHO over 1.62 million people with fever and 23 associated deaths between May 13 and 18, according to the organization's latest regional COVID-19 situation report. The report, however, noted the North has not provided the case definitions for the figures

Social AffairsMay 25, 2022

Estonia, Korea Herald agree to strengthen digital transformation

Estonian Ambassador to Korea Sten Schwede and The Korea Herald CEO Choi Jin-young on Monday agreed to facilitate business and innovation in accelerating digital transformation. The ambassador said Estonia is keen on solidifying digital innovation with Korea’s private sector and exploring future prospects. Schwede said at least 2,000 Koreans have registered for Estonia’s e-Residency -- a government-issued digital identity and status that provides access to Estonia’s business

Diplomatic CircuitMay 25, 2022

Yoon's office strongly condemns NK missile launches

The office of President Yoon Suk-yeol strongly condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launches as a grave provocation Wednesday as Yoon ordered measures to ensure the US "extended deterrence" commitment to South Korea. The presidential office released the statement shortly after Yoon presided over a National Security Council meeting to discuss North Korea's launch of three ballistic missiles, including a presumed intercontinental ballistic missile, earlier in the day. "The pa

PoliticsMay 25, 2022

N.Korea fires 3 ballistic missiles after Biden’s first trip to Asia

North Korea fired three consecutive ballistic missiles toward the East Sea early on Wednesday, the South Korean military said, just one day after US President Joe Biden wrapped up his first visit to Asia. The three ballistic missiles were launched from the Sunan area in the capital city of Pyongyang at around 6 a.m, 6:37 a.m. and 6:42 a.m., respectively, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. “Our military, in close coordination with the US, is maintaining a ful

North KoreaMay 25, 2022

Regulator begins reviewing shippers' alleged price fixing for S. Korea-Japan sea routes

South Korea's antitrust regulator on Wednesday began reviewing possible punitive measures against shippers over their alleged collusion of fixing freight rates for the Korea-Japan sea routes for nearly two decades. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) held a deliberation session as part of its ongoing investigation into allegations that about 15 domestic and foreign shippers had colluded to fix higher freight rates for the sea routes since 2002 to gain illegal profits. A separate session to deci

Social AffairsMay 25, 2022

Police forward trespassing case of Terraform Labs CEO to prosecution

Police said Wednesday they have wrapped up an investigation into a crypto investor accused of trespassing at the apartment of Do Kwon, co-founder and CEO of Terraform Labs, and sent the case to the prosecution suggesting he be indicted. The suspect, whose identity has been withheld, allegedly entered the apartment complex in eastern Seoul through a main entrance gate while another resident was entering on May 12, then rang the doorbell, looking for Kwon, while his wife was at home, according to

Social AffairsMay 25, 2022

S. Korea's new COVID-19 cases in 20,000s for 2nd day amid receding omicron wave

South Korea's new COVID-19 cases stayed in the 20,000s for the second consecutive day Wednesday, down nearly 7,400 cases from a week ago, as the COVID-19 pandemic is in retreat. The country added 23,956 new infections, including 21 cases from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 18,017,923, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. The daily tally fell to a 16-week low for a Wednesday and declined 23.5 percent from a week earlier, in an apparent sign of the pandemic slow

Social AffairsMay 25, 2022

Deputy CFC chief Gen. Kim tapped to lead Joint Chiefs of Staff

Army Gen. Kim Seung-kyum, the deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC), was named to lead the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the defense ministry said Wednesday, in the first reshuffle of top military officers since the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. The shake-up was announced hours after North Korea's launches of three ballistic missiles into the East Sea. Lt. Gen. Park Jeong-hwan, the vice JCS chief, was named the new Army chief of staff while Lt.

DefenseMay 25, 2022

Yoon to preside over NSC meeting after NK missile launch

President Yoon Suk-yeol will preside over a meeting of the National Security Council following North Korea's ballistic missile launch Wednesday, his office said. The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. North Korea fired three ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, according to South Korea's military. (Yonhap)

North KoreaMay 25, 2022

Yoon promises 'bold opportunities' for women in public posts

President Yoon Suk-yeol said Tuesday that in the process of appointing public officials, he will work to give "bold opportunities" to women, amid calls for his administration to enhance gender equality.    Yoon made the remarks during his meeting with outgoing leaders of the National Assembly at his office in Seoul, according to presidential spokesperson Kang In-sun.    "I will work hard to give bold opportunities to women when it comes to public personnel a

PoliticsMay 24, 2022

May 23 as day without verbal abuse in cyberspace

Around 40 organizations and schools joined a weeklong campaign to promote the eradication of verbal violence on the internet, as the campaign’s leader called for more continued efforts in making the cyberspace a safe place. Sunfull Foundation, a nongovernmental organization aimed at countering cyberbullying, hate speech and human rights violations on the internet, designated May 23 as the day without verbal abuse in cyberspace. A series of campaigns were launched from May 17-23 so mor

Social AffairsMay 24, 2022

Multiple Russian, Chinese warplanes enter KADIZ without notice: JCS

Multiple Russian and Chinese warplanes entered South Korea's air defense identification zone (KADIZ) without notice on Tuesday, prompting the Air Force to scramble fighters to the scene, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.    The JCS said that two Chinese and four Russian warplanes entered the KADIZ, but did not violate South Korea's territorial air.    "Prior to their entry into the KADIZ, our military deployed Air Force fighters to conduct tactical steps in pr

DefenseMay 24, 2022

US support for Japan’s military ambitions may spell concerns for Korea

During his trip to Japan this week, US President Joe Biden endorsed Japan’s bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, and expressed support for the country’s plan to beef up its military. While Japan becoming a permanent member of the UN’s highest decision-making body is unlikely, Biden’s support is interpreted by some as “lip service” for the Japanese prime minister, who promised close military cooperation as the US seeks to strength

Foreign AffairsMay 24, 2022