Most Popular
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Torrential rainfall forces 1,500 to evacuate, causes widespread damage to homes, roads
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[KH Explains] Can smart chargers ease tensions over EV fires?
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1 in 5 households to have breadwinner over 80 in 30 years
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[Online Predators] Online reviews of sex tourism in Southeast Asia proliferate
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Assembly to review disputed appointment of national soccer team coach
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New Fifty Fifty off to strong start
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Arrival of fall calls for more outdoor festivals
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Evicted guest burns down inn; 3 killed
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[Herald Interview] US election may unleash growth for Korea: Laffer
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Yoon's Prague visit sets stage for W24tr nuclear power plant deal
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Park to unveil vision for peace, cooperation in Northeast Asia
President Park Geun-hye will outline her vision for peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia for the first time during her visit to the U.S. this week.The new initiative envisions a long-term trust-building process among regional countries including North Korea, which starts from nonpolitical concerns and progresses to security cooperation.During her summit with President Barack Obama, Park is expected to request Washington’s support for the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative as well
May 5, 2013
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ASEAN-Korea Center hosts ambassadorial lecture series
The ASEAN-Korea Center is organizing a special lecture series with former ambassadors to East Asian countries on the topic of “Rising ASEAN and Korea” in cooperation with the chambers of commerce and industry in Busan, Daejeon and Gwangju. The first of the lecture series’ three sessions saw former Korean Ambassador to China Shin Jung-seung speak at the Daejeon Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Shin is currently the research director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the Korea National Diploma
May 5, 2013
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Famous Italian novelist promotes women’s literature
Despite progress in leveling the playing field in publishing, women still face discrimination, award-winning Italian poet and novelist Dacia Maraini said in a lecture organized by the Italian Embassy in Korea at Ewha Womans University on Thursday.“The market might be open to women writers but, when the lists are made of great must-read writers, there are few women writers represented,” Maraini said during her talk with an audience of female students at Ewha’s Asia Center for Women Studies.“We su
May 5, 2013
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Dutch Embassy honors last Queen
Dutch Ambassador to Korea Paul Menkveld commemorated Queen’s Day and the coronation of a new king with the hosting of a reception at his residence in Seoul on Tuesday.Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, the oldest reigning Dutch monarch, abdicated the throne to her son Crown-Prince Willem-Alexander at Dam Square in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on the day. Tying in with her 75th birthday, the abdication and coronation in Amsterdam’s central square was marked by revelry across the country with the Du
May 5, 2013
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Iraq oil minister visits to boost energy ties
Iraqi exports of oil to Korea are on track at 200,000 barrels per day under term contracts, but Korea should reopen direct flights and lift its travel ban to further strengthen ties, the Middle East country’s oil minister said during his visit here last week.“Relations between Korea and Iraq are very strong and are developing very fast,” said Iraqi Oil Minister Abdul Kareem Al-Luaibi in Seoul on Tuesday.Al-Luaibi said further strengthening of ties could be achieved by reopening direct flights an
May 5, 2013
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EU, Korea eye foreign policy tie-up
The European Union and Korea are in talks to upgrade political and economic dialogue on managing crises around the world in a new agreement that could eventually see cooperation on military operations against piracy in the Indian Ocean.It is the latest in a series of landmarks for Korea and Europe. In 2010, they officially elevated their relationship to a “strategic partnership,” the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement entered into force in 2011 and two-way trade surpassed the $100 billion mark last y
May 5, 2013
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Allies to start USFK cost talks
South Korea and the United States are expected to begin senior-level negotiations this month to renew a cost-sharing agreement for American troops stationed in the South, diplomatic sources here said Thursday. Some 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea under a mutual defense treaty aimed at deterring potential aggression from North Korea. The agreement, last revised in 2008, will expire at the end of this year. “South Korea and the U.S. may launch their first talks soon, as the both si
May 2, 2013
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Australia smashes Korean spy ring: newspaper
SYDNEY (AFP) ― A South Korean spy ring has been uncovered in Australia trying to cultivate public servants to obtain trade secrets, a report said Thursday, but officials insisted relations with Seoul remained robust.The Sydney Morning Herald said previously suppressed information revealed that South Korea’s National Intelligence Service had sought “to obtain sensitive information” on trade negotiations between Canberra and Seoul.It reported that the Australian Security Intelligence Organization
May 2, 2013
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Japanese envoy counters criticism of Tokyo's history view
A top Japanese envoy sought Wednesday to calm negative sentiment in the U.S. against the Shinzo Abe government's controversial take on history.In an op-ed piece in the Washington Post, Ambassador to Washington Kenichiro Sasae said his country has already expressed its "feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology" for wartime atrocities."The (Japanese) government believes that it is always important to face history head-on and with humility," he said. "It is also desirable that efforts to do s
May 2, 2013
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‘Budget woes may create hitches in Korea-U.S. alliance’
WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) ― Overall relations between South Korea and the United States are expected to remain healthy in the coming years but budget constraints on both sides may strain the alliance, a recent U.S. congressional report said.A new approach toward North Korea by South Korea’s Park Geun-hye administration is also a potential source of friction, according to the Congressional Research Service.“Considered by most analysts to be a strong supporter of the alliance, Park is expected to c
May 1, 2013
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Budget woes may create hitches in Seoul-Washington alliance: CRS
Overall relations between South Korea and the United States are expected to remain healthy in the coming years but budget constraints on both sides may strain the alliance, a recent U.S. congressional report said.A new approach toward North Korea by South Korea's Park Geun-hye administration is also a potential source of friction, according to the Congressional Research Service (CRS)."Considered by most analysts to be a strong supporter of the alliance, Park is expected to continue close defense
May 1, 2013
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Korea to attend international meeting on Somali pirates
A South Korean delegation plans to attend an international conference this week on how to tackle piracy problems in waters off the coast of Somalia, Seoul’s foreign ministry said Tuesday.The 14th plenary session of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, set for Wednesday at the U.N. headquarters in New York, is aimed at strengthening international cooperation and drawing up viable means to tackle piracy in Somalia and neighboring nations, the ministry said in a statement.The CGPCS
April 30, 2013
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Local group claims 113 war prisoners alive in N. Korea
About 113 South Korean prisoners of war have been confirmed to be alive in coal-mining regions in North Korea’s border with China, a local group claimed Monday.Dream Makers for North Korea, which campaigns for the release of South Koreans abducted by the North, disclosed the list of the names and North Korean addresses of the 113 war prisoners. The prisoners, formerly South Korean soldiers who could not escape the North following the 1950-53 Korean War, are currently living in several coal-minin
April 29, 2013
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Expert on N.K. to head state diplomatic academy
An academic with extensive knowledge of North Korean and Asian security affairs has been named as the new head of South Korea’s elite, state-run diplomatic academy, a government official said Monday. Yun Duk-min, who serves as a professor of international relations at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, was recently tapped as new chancellor of the academy, succeeding Kim Byung-kook who tendered his resignation in February before the new government of President Park Geun-hye was launched, the
April 29, 2013
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Mexican Embassy offers help for Spanish-Korean translators
The Mexican Embassy is extending financial support for Korean translations of Spanish-language Mexican literature and other publications, the Mexican Embassy in Korea said in a statement on Thursday.The Mexican Embassy will provide $15,000 for the translation and publication of specialized books in literature and the humanities that can be completed in 12 months, $15-20,000 for art books, and $30-50,000 for translation/publication series to be completed in two years or less.The support for trans
April 28, 2013
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UNESCO Korea puts on concert for International Jazz Day
The Korean National Commission for UNESCO organized a special jazz concert as part of celebrations for International Jazz Day at Olympus Hall in Samseong-dong, Seoul, on Friday.The concert featured well-known local jazz musicians including renowned jazz vocalist Na Yoon-sun, who is also the KNCU’s International Jazz Day ambassador.The 1st Generation Korean Jazz Band and the Yun Seok Cheol Trio also performed in the concert, which streamed live online Friday night on the KNCU’s website and on Ust
April 28, 2013
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Czech Embassy launches new cultural center
The Czech Republic launches its new cultural center in an opening ceremony at the Castle Praha Building near the trendy Hongdae district of Seoul on Monday.The Czech Centre Seoul aims to “promote bilateral cultural and people-to-people exchanges” between Korea and the Czech Republic, according to a statement from the center. It is part of the central European country’s efforts to promote Czech culture on the international stage and enforce an image of the country as a modern and creative country
April 28, 2013
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Israeli envoy points to innovation in nation’s history
Israeli Ambassador to Korea Tuvia Israeli highlighted the role of innovation in his nation’s history during a reception for the 65th anniversary of Israeli national independence in Seoul on Thursday.A book about innovation in Israel’s national development, which is being promoted by the Park Geun-hye government, was highlighted during the reception.“We are willing to share our experience in innovation and entrepreneurship,” he said. “We will encourage and welcome cooperation and partnership in f
April 28, 2013
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Slovak Night at Seoul Club
Slovakia regaled guests with the music of the Slovak Chamber Orchestra and star violinist Dalibor Karvay, national fruit liqueurs, signature caviar and an informative video presentation at the Seoul Club on Tuesday. Seoul Club members and foreign envoys and their families enjoyed the cultural program organized by the Slovak Embassy that also included the photo exhibition “Love Song To Slovakia” of work by Yuri Dojc.“I received an offer from the Seoul Club to introduce Slovakia to members here an
April 28, 2013
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In Africa, democracy spurs growth
The African Union’s role in spreading democracy should be credited in making Africa the fastest growing region in the world, said South Africa’s chief diplomatic representative here a week before commemorating his country’s first post-Apartheid elections in 1994.“The African Union has championed spreading democracy. Twenty years ago there might have been five countries that could be called democratic. Out of the 54 countries in Africa today, it would be fair to say that 95 percent are democratic
April 28, 2013