France to transform as global tech hub

France, which has Europe’s second-largest venture capital ecosystem, is vying to transform the entire country into a start-up incubator. The government of President Francois Hollande has unveiled an ambitious “French Tech” initiative backed with 215 million euros ($236 million) in funding, aimed at harnessing countrywide entrepreneurship and global competitiveness in the information communications technology, e-commerce and innovative industries, as well as med-tech, bio-tech and clean-tech sect

Dec. 14, 2015

U.S. troop relocation to take one more year

With delays in the expansion project of the U.S. military base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, the relocation of the bulk of troops from central Seoul and other northern regions due to conclude in 2016 will take another year, the commander of the 8th U.S. Army said Thursday. Under the plan, initially slated to take place in 2008 but delayed until 2012, Camp Humphreys will be home to some 42,000 U.S. forces and their families as they shift in stages, said Lt. Gen. Bernard Champoux, who is also

Dec. 13, 2015

‘China has used nationalism for domestic purposes’

This is the ninth installment in a series of interviews with scholars and experts on China as a resurgent Asian power that is changing the regional order. This installment looks into China’s growing nationalism. -- Ed.　　　China has utilized growing nationalism for domestic purposes such as fostering national unity and reinforcing the governing legitimacy of the Communist Party, China expert Lee Dong-ryul said, calling its nationalism a “state-controlled” one.Lee Dong-ryulUnlike South Korea, the C

Dec. 8, 2015

Korea elected to chair U.N. human rights panel

South Korea was elected to chair a U.N. human rights panel for a year, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said Monday, boosting the expectation that it would play a more influential role in enhancing North Korea’s woeful human rights conditions.  Amb. Choi Kyong-lim  MOFAThe election came as the member nations of the Human Rights Council supported South Korea by consensus, Seoul officials said. Ambassador Choi Kyong-lim, who heads the country’s permanent mission in Geneva, Switzerland, will serve as the c

Dec. 8, 2015

H.C. Andersen’s works showcased at exhibition

The literary wonders of late Danish author Hans Christian Andersen (1805-75) are unveiled to the public free of charge at the Seoul Museum of History until Feb. 21. A collaboration with the Odense City Museum in Denmark, the exhibition titled “I Belong to the World” showcases the classic writer’s artifacts, including his bed, manuscripts and hand-cut paper crafts, as well as artworks by Danish Queen Margrethe II and late American artist Andy Warhol (1928-87), who were inspired by Andersen.Visito

Dec. 7, 2015

U.S., Korea celebrate robust defense alliance

The Korea America Friendship Society held an annual year-end party Thursday to reflect on the 65 years of military alliance that has safeguarded the prospering commercial and cultural links between the two countries. “The security and stability ensured by our alliance is the foundation for the strong partnership between the U.S. and Korea,” said the U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Mark Knapper in a speech at the reception at Millennium Seoul Hilton. Also in attendance were the Deputy Comman

Dec. 6, 2015

Romania, Korea mark silver jubilee with music

Marking the silver jubilee of official ties with Korea, the Romanian Embassy held a National Day reception last Wednesday in Seoul, featuring joint performances by Romanian and Korean artists. Romanian musicians Grigore Lese and Zamfira Muresan and Korean artist Lee Kyung-hwa performed traditional songs and dances to accompaniment from wind and percussion instruments. Romanian musicians Zamfira Muresan (left) and Grigore Lese. Joel Lee / The Korea Herald“I have performed in many countries, and i

Dec. 6, 2015

Latin America marks anniversary of regional body

The embassies of Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Venezuela, in collaboration with the World Culture Open, celebrated the establishment of a regional organization with a promotional event dubbed “Hello! Alba-Latin America” in late November.The Bolivian Alliance for the Peoples of our America, or Alba, was founded by Cuba and Venezuela on Dec. 14, 2004, for the purpose of integrating Latin America and the Caribbean. Since then, Alba has acted as an institutional vanguard for human rights, public h

Dec. 6, 2015

U.K. firms in Korea mark strong year

The British Chamber of Commerce in Korea finished off a productive year with an annual Christmas luncheon in Seoul that attracted over 440 guests from 110 companies, including Santa Claus.“The party is a combination of British swankiness and waggishness,” Michael Breen, author, journalist and CEO of Insight Communications Consultants, told The Korea Herald, at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, where the event was held. Santa Claus entertains the participants at the British Chamber of Commerce in Kor

Dec. 6, 2015

Korean, Czech leaders celebrate partnership upgrade

Although it has been 25 years since South Korea and the Czech Republic forged diplomatic ties, it was only in 2005 that Koreans were introduced to the central European state’s culture, history and food, through the popular Korean drama “Lovers in Prague.”A decade after the hit drama bridged mutual interests in both countries, South Korea and the Czech Republic are now ready to expand their ties in major fields including politics, economy and technology. President Park Geun-hye’s visit to the Cze

Dec. 6, 2015

S. Korea, V4 open new chapter of ties

Relations between South Korea and a group of four central European nations opened a new chapter on Thursday as they agreed to step up their cooperation in infrastructure development, security, climate change and other areas during their first-ever summit in the Czech Republic. President Park Geun-hye (second from left) and the leaders of the four-nation "Visegrad Group" hold a joint press conference in Prague, the Czech Republic on Thursday. (Yonhap)At the summit with the “Visegrad Group” -- als

Dec. 4, 2015