‘Tackling inequality, partnerships key to new development era’

The international community should continue to capitalize on political will and diversify funding sources through partnerships to achieve inclusive growth going forward, experts said Wednesday. Some 400 policymakers, academics and relief workers from around the world gathered for the Seoul ODA International Conference hosted by the Foreign Ministry and the Korea International Cooperation Agency. Under the theme “Looking Back and Moving Forward,” the two-day event sought to explore better ways to

Aug. 31, 2016

France finishes celebrating 130th year of ties with Korea

The France-based leg of the yearlong South Korea-France cultural exchange project has drawn the curtains with a colorful flourish, celebratory of the 130th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties.As of the end of August, the events of the "Years 2015-2016 of Korea-France Bilateral Exchanges" have hailed about 2.26 million visitors in France, which ran from September 2015, the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on Tuesday.Being the largest cultural project between the

Aug. 31, 2016

[Reporter’s Column] Seoul’s turn to console ‘comfort women’

On Monday afternoon, hundreds of people gathered at Namsan Park in central Seoul to mark the introduction of a memorial for the victims of Japan’s sexual enslavement during its 1910-45 colonial rule.  The establishment of the “Site of Memory” was funded by nearly 20,000 ordinary Koreans and steered by a civilian committee with the support of Seoul City. The 1,000-square-meter venue was once the home of the Japanese resident-general of Korea. It was exactly 106 years ago that day that Japan unila

Aug. 30, 2016

‘Diplomacy never too late to curb NK nuke’

With Pyongyang ratcheting up its nuclear brinksmanship and missile provocations, the international community has stood firm in sanctioning the regime through United Nations Security Council resolution 2270, considered the toughest in history. Predicting “North Korea will fall on a path of isolation and self-destruction through strengthened sanctions and pressure by the international community,” South Korean President Park Geun-hye has justified her preference for using sticks over carrots in dis

Aug. 28, 2016

[HERALD INTERVIEW] ICRC urges empathy on plight of the missing

In July 2007 in Afghanistan, 23 South Korean Christian missionaries were captured and held hostage by Taliban terrorists, who demanded a hefty ransom, the withdrawal of Korean troops from Afghanistan and the release of their imprisoned fighters. The whole debacle embroiled Korea in sleepless soul-searching and do-or-die dickering spanning six weeks. The National Security Council at Cheong Wa Dae was summoned, and eventually a reported $20 million was paid to free 21 survivors following the assas

Aug. 28, 2016

Sex slavery survivors each offered W100m

The fund for the victims of Japan’s sex slavery during World War II plans to offer each of its survivors some 100 million won ($89,500) and the families of the deceased victims 20 million won in cash benefits, Seoul officials said Thursday. The decision came one day after Japan’s Cabinet approved the transfer of 1 billion yen ($9.9 million) pledged under the two countries’ Dec. 28 settlement intended to end the disputes. Seoul has since set up the Reconciliation and Healing Foundation, a public-

Aug. 25, 2016

Korea, Hawaii sign pact to mutually recognize driver's licenses

South Korea and Hawaii have signed a pact to recognize the validity of noncommercial driver's licenses issued by each other, the foreign ministry said Thursday. Under the agreement, which went into force Wednesday in the US state after being signed, holders of driver's licenses issued by their own authorities are eligible for a driving permit in the counterpart region without additional training or tests, ministry officials said.  (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)Hawaii, home to 4,631 South Koreans

Aug. 25, 2016

Top diplomats from Japan, China, S. Korea start meeting

TOKYO (AFP) -- Foreign ministers from Japan, China and South Korea began a two-day meeting on Tuesday with their countries at odds over territorial disputes, a US missile defence system and perennial regional problem North Korea.Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, China's Wang Yi and South Korea's Yun Byung-Se met for dinner at a Tokyo hotel before the start of formal talks on Wednesday.The three shook hands and smiled for the cameras without making any remarks.Japanese Foreign Minister Fum

Aug. 23, 2016

Pakistan-Korea ties celebrated on Independence Day

The independence days of Pakistan and Korea are just one day apart, on Aug. 14 and 15, respectively. The two countries also have in common experiences of colonialism, emancipation and partition, which have inspired their postwar international engagement. The Pakistani Embassy hosted a reception earlier this month to celebrate its 70th Independence Day and expanding ties with Korea, as the two middle power nations seek to cooperate with one other for regional and global initiatives. “The Independ

Aug. 21, 2016

Singapore lays down sustainable future with Korea

Over the last few years, Singapore has navigated through a rough sea of global financial unpredictability, making structural reforms to secure its footing. The small island state at the foot of Malaysia, acclaimed for international competitiveness and openness, is moving past nearly six decades of guidance under national founder Lee Kuan Yew, who passed away last year in March. Amid the uncertainties of low growth in economy and population, it is searching for innovative solutions to ensure the

Aug. 21, 2016

Pakistan bids to join Nuclear Suppliers Group

Pakistan, one of nine states worldwide to possess nuclear weapons, aspires to be a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, an association of 48 nations that oversees the international trade of atomic and atomic-related materials and technologies with a shared commitment to global nonproliferation. Although not a signatory of the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons or the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, the country’s experience in civil nuclear program warrants attention of the NSG, s

Aug. 21, 2016