U.K. Embassy helps North Koreans resettle

Many Koreans here dedicate themselves to studying English with the sole aspiration that their proficiency will some day translate into middle-class employment.But 29-year-old Jang Eun-mi wants to leverage her foreign language ability to help people oppressed in North Korea. “I really want to become a specialist in North Korean studies and will do my best in order to help people suffering from the North Korean dictatorial government,” Jang said during a media event at the residence of British Amb

Oct. 21, 2012

Spanish envoy focuses on debt crisis

Spanish Ambassador Luis Arias Romero zeroed in on the European sovereign debt crisis to talk up the financial health of the debt-ravaged Spanish economy during a reception celebrating his nation’s National Day on Oct. 12 in Seoul.Romero said Spain’s financial stability is “guaranteed” because of steps already taken to strengthen the European Union and on account of financial reforms enacted in Spain by the conservative People’s Party with its parliamentary majority.Korea, which has an export-dri

Oct. 21, 2012

Korea-Africa Forum marks strongest ties yet

Korea to dispatch peacekeepers to South Sudan, expand development assistance to African continentKorea and African nations sent relations to new highs as they wrapped up the 3rd Korea-Africa Forum in Seoul on Thursday, highlighting the East Asian nation’s pledge to contribute fresh military personnel to peacekeeping efforts in the restive Darfur region and South Sudan.The 3rd Korea-Africa Forum is the largest yet ― the marquee event of a week of “Korea-Africa Cooperation,” which brought together

Oct. 21, 2012

Korea, China call for calm over fisherman’s death

South Korea and China agreed Friday to work together to prevent the recent death of a Chinese fisherman during a Korean Coast Guard raid from damaging diplomatic ties. Chinese Ambassador Zhang Xinsen visited Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Ahn Ho-young to discuss the incident that occurred in the West Sea Tuesday.Xinsen expressed hopes for “appropriate handling and humanitarian treatment” of the death and detained fishermen, a ministry official said.“The ambassador said he wishes for reinforced co

Oct. 19, 2012

UNSC seat to give Korea bigger say

South Korea’s entry into the U.N. Security Council will boost the country’s say in global security issues and help facilitate cooperation in addressing North Korea’s nuclear threat, officials and experts said Friday. The country was selected as a non-permanent member of the council during a vote on Thursday. It will replace India whose two-year term expires at the end of the year.Seoul beat Cambodia in the second round 149 to 43 over the slot reserved for Asia. Other newly elected members are Au

Oct. 19, 2012

Fisherman’s death a new thorn in Korea-China ties

Seaman who died wielded saw against Korean maritime policeRelations between South Korea and China are taking a turn for the worst following the death of a Chinese fisherman during a raid by the South Korean Coast Guard in the West Sea on Tuesday. The Chinese government expressed “serious concern” over the incident on Wednesday. The Chinese Foreign Ministry demanded a thorough investigation and “concrete measures to prevent violent law enforcement and similar incidents from happening again,” its

Oct. 17, 2012

[Newsmaker] Japan’s risk-taking mogul makes another gamble

Masayoshi Son, the founder and CEO of Japanese Internet and telecoms venture SoftBank Corp., is no stranger to playing the odds. The Japanese ethnic Korean has the distinction of losing more money than any other individual in history, having seen some $70 billion of his personal wealth evaporate during the dotcom crash of 2000. For Son, though, risk continues to bring great reward: Son remains Japan’s second-richest person, worth over $7 billion. In keeping with his reputation, Son, who recently

Oct. 16, 2012

Chavez sends school chum to bolster Korea ties

Chavez and Ortiz are both from Barinas, a city of about 250,000, and attended high school togetherVenezuela sent a high-school friend of President Hugo Chavez to Korea as the South American country’s new chief diplomatic representative in a bid to bolster bilateral ties. Charge d’Affaires Yadira Hidalgo de Ortiz, former vice minister of communes and social protection who attended high school with Chavez, arrived in Korea on Sept. 12 to head up her nation’s diplomatic mission here.Chavez and Orti

Oct. 14, 2012

Iran, Korea celebrate 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties

The Iranian Embassy in Korea and World Masters Association organized a performance extolling Iranian culture at the Yeoksam Culture Institute in southern Seoul, Thursday.Iran marked the half-century anniversary of diplomatic ties by promoting Iran’s image in Korea with a week-long series of art and cultural events.The series kicked off with the Islamic Cultural Festival, co-organized by Seongbuk Global Village Center, on Oct. 6.“This anniversary is a celebration of a meaningful occasion but it a

Oct. 14, 2012

Psy brings ‘Gangnam Style’ to embassy meet-up

K-pop star Psy did it “American Embassy style” when he stopped by on a visa-related matter, according to the latest blog post by U.S. Ambassador to Korea Sung Y. Kim.Psy’s star went super nova this past summer with his single “Gangnam Style,” in which the rapper-singer shows off his infectious equine dance move. The music video went viral in the weeks since it went online on July 15 ― it was recognized by Guinness World Records in September as the most “liked” video ever.Kim heaped accolades on

Oct. 14, 2012