Serbia hails Korean investors in silver jubilee celebration

For Korean companies looking westward to globalize their business, Serbia offers distinct advantages in economic and cultural attractiveness. Since the democratic revolution of late 2000, the enchanting Balkan country has made itself available to the world as a safe haven for investment.The Serbian government has recently stepped up its efforts to promote the country’s stable political system, strategic geographic location, low operating costs, lucrative financial incentives, and young and skill

Jan. 4, 2015

Exhibition to showcase ASEAN multimedia artworks

An exhibition featuring multimedia artworks from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will offer a glimpse into the lives of Southeast Asians.The ASEAN-Korea Multimedia Exhibition at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul from Jan. 8-18 will display photographs and videos highlighting ASEAN’s vibrant cultures and lifestyles through fashion, food, handicraft, architecture and much more. The works are selected from the 2014 ASEAN-Korea Multimedia Competition in May last year, which was held under

Jan. 4, 2015

Paraguayan Embassy donates harp to Seoul Museum

The Paraguayan Embassy donated a traditional harp to the Multicultural Museum of Seoul on Dec. 26 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Korean immigration to Paraguay. The hand-carved harp was provided by Itaipu Binacional ― Paraguay’s renewable energy company.Paraguayan Ambassador to Korea Ceferino Valdez Peralta told the Korea Herald, “Korean immigration to Paraguay has had an enormous impact on our society, and this donation is the first step in our effort to promote multiculturalism between

Jan. 4, 2015

Japan ties face bumpy road ahead of 50th anniversary

Relations between Seoul and Tokyo face a rough ride yet again in 2015 as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to expedite a series of revisionist foreign and security policies while showing little signs of atoning for the country’s imperial past. The Park Geun-hye government is coming under mounting pressure, entering its third year and gearing up to reset the relationship with the old foe to mark the 50th anniversary of its normalization this year. At home, President Park faces the challen

Dec. 31, 2014

Glocalization: Globalization and separatism in flux

Park Hee-kwonThere are several definitions of globalization. The commonly used globalization index encompasses four main types of cross-border flows: trade (in both goods and services), information, people (including tourists, students and migrants) and capital. Judging by this index, history shows that over the past 60 years, the trend of globalization has been on the march. After some backpedaling since the 2008 financial crisis, the trend of growing global interconnectedness resumed in 2013.

Dec. 29, 2014

Seoulites light candles for peace after Pakistani school massacre

Amid the hustle and bustle of Seoul’s Itaewon district on a busy Saturday night, a group of people gathered solemnly in response to an atrocity in their faraway home country. Candles in paper cups formed a large peace sign on the sidewalk in Seoul’s largest international district on Dec. 20, where some six dozen citizens joined hands in a solemn prayer vigil for the victims of Pakistan’s Peshawar school massacre on Dec. 16, in which 145 innocent people, 132 of them children, were killed.The even

Dec. 28, 2014

Ukrainian exhibition marks ‘Revolution of Dignity’

In Ukraine during the Euromaidan uprising last year, civil protests took the form of piano performances, painting and singing in front of riot police near the city square. The blue and yellow flags of Ukraine and the European Union were waved beside the smoke of burning tires and street food, with hardboiled Ukrainians bent on resetting the course of their country’s history. Chanting “Glory to Ukraine, Glory to Heroes,” throngs of nationalists congregated in Independence Square in central Kiev,

Dec. 28, 2014

Georgian wines titillate at reception

The last of this year’s embassy receptions fell on the eve of Christmas Eve, and befitting the seasonable occasion, featured red and white decorations and wine. Tables full of Georgian wine and food enriched the flavors of the annual year-end reception organized by the Georgian and Ukrainian embassies at Lotte Hotel in Seoul last Tuesday, where wine lovers sampled Georgia’s finest spirits. A variety of homey Georgian cuisines ― highlighted by vegetable and herb dishes, grilled lamb and nutty pas

Dec. 28, 2014

Danish Embassy comforts orphans with Lego donations

Children’s tear-stained faces lit up with smiles at the sight of Lego blocks spread across the orphanage floor. Thanks to donations by Lego Korea in collaboration with the Danish Embassy, the children of Haesim Orphanage in Seoul will enjoy a Christmas chock-full of creative joy and wonder. The Christmas charity event on Dec. 12 was the second partnership between the embassy and Lego Korea. The donation was comprised of different Lego sets for children from babies to high-school students. Danish

Dec. 21, 2014

Juan Valdez Cafe introduces Colombian coffee to Korea

In the Hollywood film “Bruce Almighty” (2003), protagonist Bruce Nolan, played by Jim Carrey, is given a cup of coffee after an all-nighter by character Juan Valdez, wearing his trademark sombrero and poncho and holding a carriel bag. After taking a sip, Nolan sighs with relief and exclaims, “Now that’s fresh mountain-grown coffee from the hills of Colombia!” Korean connoisseurs thirsty for top-notch coffee might utter similar words of joy after visiting Juan Valdez Cafe, which opened its second

Dec. 21, 2014

Bulgaria marks 10th anniversary of NATO membership

As an eastern Balkan state, Bulgaria has tactfully aligned itself with hegemonic powers, including the Ottoman, German and Soviet empires, throughout its tumultuous history. Bulgaria’s London Embassy wrote, “Bulgaria has proved to be a constructive force in the region under socialist and democratic governments alike,” thanks to its strategic relations with neighboring countries.Following the fall of the Eastern Bloc in November 1989, Bulgaria became part of greater Europe by adopting parliamenta

Dec. 21, 2014

Equestrian spectacle steals Seoulites’ breath

A horde of muscular horses gallop at full throttle, splash water as they abruptly turn about and perform perfectly synchronized moves. Witnessing this display of equestrian art resembling a scene right out of a medieval horse-riding saga, normally introverted Korean audience members, from babies to grandmothers, let out whoops of fascination.  The equestrian theatrical spectacular “Cavalia,” which kicked off on Nov. 12 at Jamsil Seoul Sports Complex’s Big Top Theater, will be performed until Dec

Dec. 21, 2014