Video shows envoy in Chile harassing minors

A Korean diplomat in Chile was caught harassing teenage girls on a video released Monday by a television network there, prompting officials to launch an investigation. In an episode of the reality show “En Su Propia Trampa,” which roughly translates to “Caught in Your Own Trap,“ the diplomat attempted to hug and kiss a girl, apparently saying he liked her eyes, lips and breasts. He also sought to take her into another room.Tio Emilio, who runs the program, said via his Facebook and Twitter pages

Dec. 19, 2016

Korea steps up efforts to meet global development agenda

Since the country began doling out development aid in 1987, South Korea has been chiefly focusing on improving education, public administration and health in recipient countries, building on its experience from a rapid economic ascent. Technology transfer and capacity building are the overarching theme across the sectors, given Seoul’s relatively small scale of official development assistance compared with that of countries like Japan and China which are investing heavily in infrastructure build

Dec. 18, 2016

Portrait of outgoing U.N. chief Ban unveiled

A large portrait of outgoing U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was unveiled at the U.N. headquarters on Wednesday.Ban's portrait was placed next to that of his predecessor Kofi Annan on a wall at the lobby of the U.N. secretariat. Ban and his wife, Yoo Soon-taek, pulled blue cloth off the portrait in an unveiling ceremony attended by U.N. officials and diplomats from various countries. The portrait, painted by South Korean artist Lee Won-hee, depicts Ban wearing a blue tie standing next to a gl

Dec. 15, 2016

Trump should send oral message to N.K. leader to propose resumption of talks: U.S. expert

Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump should send an oral message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il shortly after taking office to propose a preparatory meeting between the two countries in a first step toward reopening formal denuclearization negotiations, a U.S. expert suggested Wednesday.Joel Wit, a senior fellow at Johns Hopkins University's US-Korea Institute and founder of the website 38 North, made the suggestion in a policy recommendations report to the Trump administration, saying negot

Dec. 15, 2016

Trump’s foreign policy lineup mounts challenges for Seoul

With an atypical pick for secretary of state, US President-elect Donald Trump is forecast to abate his predecessor’s refocus toward Asia while toughening the stance against North Korea over its nuclear program. The billionaire real estate magnate picked ExxonMobil Chief Executive Rex Tillerson to be his secretary of state Tuesday. The announcement effectively completed his foreign policy team, which includes Secretary of Defense-designate retired Marine Gen. James Mattis and Assistant to the Pre

Dec. 14, 2016

Finland, Korea mark innovation, education and tourism ties

The Finnish Embassy last week marked the 99th anniversary of national independence and thriving ties with Korea centered on innovation, education and tourism.Speaking at a reception in Seoul on Dec. 6, Finnish Ambassador to Korea Eero Suominen said Finland’s image here was “extremely positive,” as Koreans have taken note of its world-class education and innovation as well as the Nordic lifestyle and welfare system. “The relations between Finland and Korea are excellent,” the envoy said. He added

Dec. 13, 2016

‘Philippines offers stable, secure investment environ’

In part energized by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s nationwide crackdown on crime and corruption, the Philippines’ business climate has become more stable and secure, according to its commercial bureaus. Duterte’s administration has laid out its 10-point socio-economic agenda aimed at shoring up macroeconomic conditions, international competitiveness, integration into regional and global value chains, rural development, human capital and innovative capacity. The Philippine economy grew a

Dec. 13, 2016

Nordic embassies advocate gender equality

The embassies of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland hosted a forum last week to shine light on policies and experiences related to gender equality. The event, Policy Forum on Gender Equality: Cooperation Between Korea and Nordic Countries, was held at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on Dec. 5 and co-organized by Korea’s Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.Delving into policies aimed at utilizing female talents and breaking the glass ceiling, the seminar featured presentations by Pernille Rav

Dec. 13, 2016

Forum rouses entrepreneurial minds of ASEAN, Korea

The dream of Rendra Umbu Leha, an Indonesian student in Korea, is to improve his country’s health care system by commercializing prescription dispensing machines. “It takes a long time for patients in Indonesia to describe their problems to doctors,” Leha told The Korea Herald last week.“The machine would help them get accurate information about their health and facilitate medical services,” he added. “I believe it would also help fight corruption in our country, as the system would be transpare

Dec. 12, 2016

U.S. looking forward to cooperating with S. Korean acting president: White House

The United States has told South Korea that it is looking forward to cooperating with Seoul‘s acting president in light of the recent parliamentary passing of the presidential impeachment bill.South Korean presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Sunday that Avril Haines, White House deputy national security advisor, spoke to Cho Tae-yong, Seoul’s deputy chief of the National Security Office, on Saturday night.Cheong Wa Dae (Yonhap)According to Cheong Wa Dae, Haines reiterated the U.S. commitment

Dec. 11, 2016

‘Mosul on path to liberation from Islamic State’

The siege of Mosul, a city in in Iraq held by the Islamic State extremist group, is making headway, and its recapture is “a matter of time,” a top Iraqi envoy to Korea said in late November.Speaking to journalists at the Iraqi Embassy in Seoul, Iraqi Ambassador Wadee B.H. al-Batti stressed that the ongoing onslaught by the Iraqi Army and US-led coalition forces had significantly weakened the IS group, adding the vital issue was safeguarding civilians. The battle for Mosul started on Oct. 17, bac

Dec. 5, 2016

US, Korea celebrate blooming friendship

The Korea America Friendship Society hosted an annual year-end reception Thursday, celebrating 66 years of military alliance and burgeoning trust and fraternity between the two countries. At the Millennium Seoul Hilton, KAFS President Han Chul-soo said despite North Korea’s growing nuclear threat and volatile peninsular circumstances, the two sides should further strengthen their alliance.“We have trusted each other and fought shoulder to shoulder in the Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraq War and the

Dec. 5, 2016

‘Ontario open for innovative enterprise, education’

In an era of slowing growth and closing borders, the province of Ontario, Canada, is open for innovative business and education, its chief politician said during a trade mission to Korea last week. Kathleen Wynne, the premier of Ontario, came to Seoul on Thursday with a delegation of 48 business and academic leaders, eager to shore up ties with Asia’s fourth-largest economy. Her mission is expected to generate over $120 million in new partnerships. She signed 13 new agreements in health sciences

Dec. 5, 2016

FM Yun urges China's key role in implementing new UN sanctions

South Korea's foreign minister on Saturday called for China's "constructive" role in thoroughly implementing new UN sanctions on North Korea amid widespread concern about their effectiveness."It is crucial for member countries including China to play a constructive role in implementing important elements of the resolutions without leaving a loophole," Yun Byung-se told Yonhap News Agency at the Incheon International Airport. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se (Yonhap)He was leaving for Vienna to atte

Dec. 3, 2016