Bulgarian idol singer expounds hallyu boom

Miryan Kostadinov, 23, is a Bulgarian singer, songwriter and guitarist with ambitions bigger than life. A popular idol singer in his country, he wants to be a global pop star with songs he composed. Last year, he appeared on national television show “X Factor,” a music contest among aspiring artists similar to “American Idol,” where he had already finished sixth place. Capitalizing on the success, he signed a gentlemen’s agreement with indie-pop label Homeovox Music. Bulgarian singer, songwriter

Oct. 18, 2015

[Newsmaker] German politician stabbed in 'racist' attack

A German mayoral candidate active in helping refugees was seriously wounded on Saturday in what police described as a stabbing with a “racist, political” motive, heaping further pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkel over the migrant crisis.　The German leader expressed her “shock” over the attack in the western city of Cologne which left mayoral hopeful Henriette Reker with serious neck wounds.　The stabbing comes as Merkel prepares to travel to Istanbul on Sunday for talks on the crisis with Turki

Oct. 18, 2015

Spain marks national day amid economic recovery

The Spanish embassy last Monday marked its national day ― “Fiesta Nacional de Espana” ― within a scope of deepening engagement with Korea over trade, tourism, investment and culture. The holiday, which falls on Oct. 12, celebrates Christopher Columbus’s discovery of the Americas in 1492. This year is also the 65th anniversary of established ties between Madrid and Seoul in diplomacy. Spanish Ambassador Gonzalo Ortiz (left) raises his glass with his wife Ana Ortiz and daughter Laura Ortiz at the

Oct. 18, 2015

Park faces tasks after U.S. trip

President Park Geun-hye returned to Seoul on Sunday from her four-day trip to the U.S. with a set of diplomatic achievements such as obtaining Washington’s stronger commitment to North Korea’s denuclearization and its support for her initiatives for unification and regional peace.President Park Geun-hye shakes hands with Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yong after her arrival at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province on Sunday. (Yonhap)Her trip also helped ease the growing impression that Seo

Oct. 18, 2015

Japan PM offers gift to Tokyo war shrine

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Saturday made a ritual offering to the controversial Yasukuni war shrine seen by neighbouring countries as a symbol of Tokyo's militarist past.Abe donated a sacred "masakaki" tree bearing his name as prime minister to coincide with the start of the four-day autumn festival at the shrine in central Tokyo, a shrine official said. Visitors look at a "masakaki" tree dedicated by Japanese Prime Minsiter Shinzo Abe to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine for its autumn f

Oct. 17, 2015

Korea, U.S. renews alliance to deter NK

WASHINGTON -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye and her U.S. counterpart Barack Obama on Friday adopted a joint statement on North Korea, renewing their strategic alliance to effectively contain its nuclear ambitions and provocations.During a summit held at the White House, the highlight of Park’s four-day trip to Washington, the two leaders also reaffirmed their bilateral partnership and agreed to upgrade their ties for shared economic prosperity and regional peace. Joint efforts, alongside

Oct. 17, 2015

TPP would benefit businesses of South Korea, U.S.: Park

WASHINGTON ― President Park Geun-hye said Thursday that both Korean and U.S. businesses could enjoy benefits of the Trans-Pacific Partnership if Seoul becomes a part of it.“If South Korea, which established free trade agreements with mega economic blocs like the EU and China, joins the TPP, it could deliver more benefits to companies from both countries,” she said in a speech delivered at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington.She was expressing her keen interest in joining the TPP for the f

Oct. 16, 2015

Park visits Pentagon, hails alliance

WASHINGTON ― South Korean President Park Geun-hye’s first visit to the Pentagon on Thursday morning underscored her commitment to Seoul’s alliance with the U.S. before she sits down for a summit at the White House.Park’s visit to the military superpower’s core defense organ was seen as a way to show off their bilateral ties and that they remain unshaken by growing concerns over Seoul inclining toward Beijing. President Park Geun-hye and U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter walk down stair at

Oct. 15, 2015

WFP urges Korea’s continued support in Afghanistan

The country director of the World Food Program in Afghanistan, Claude Jibidar, visited Korea this week to express appreciation and rally continuing support for humanitarian and food relief programs. During his four-day visit ― from Tuesday to Friday ― Jibidar met officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Korea International Cooperation Agency and the National Assembly, and updated them on the operational progress.He also attended a photo exhibition titled “Our vision for zero hunger” at th

Oct. 15, 2015

Park seeks U.S. ties on space industry

WASHINGTON -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Wednesday visited the Goddard Space Flight Center, a major NASA space research lab in Washington, to seek wider bilateral cooperation in the space industry.The visit, a rare schedule by a foreign leader, was viewed as her attempt to enhance the Korean space technology that still stands far behind other advanced nations. President Park Geun-hye attends a special session demonstrating new satellite-servicing technologies at NASA`s Goddard Space

Oct. 15, 2015

Blue House slams NPAD’s electoral fraud allegations

WASHINGTON ― Just hours after touching down in Washington for summit talks, a presidential official lambasted an opposition lawmaker Tuesday for alleging fraud in the 2012 presidential election.Chief presidential press secretary Kim Sung-woo, accompanying President Park Geun-hye on her four-day U.S. trip, offered an impromptu briefing to the accompanying media some three hours after arrival.He slammed Rep. Kang Dong-won of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy for suggesting th

Oct. 14, 2015

On U.S. trip, Park staying at Blair House

WASHINGTON ― South Korean President Park Geun-hye will stay at the Blair House, a state guest house near the White House in the heart of Washington, during her four-day trip to the U.S., Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday.Amid growing interest over how Park will be treated during her “official working visit” ― one level down from a “state visit” ― the presidential office said the South Korean leader was invited to the house, calling it a barometer of how much Washington values having her here.  A group

Oct. 14, 2015

How will Park be treated in U.S.?

How President Park Geun-hye will be treated during her visit to the U.S. this week is drawing keen attention as it comes at a delicate juncture when she should show strong unity with the U.S. against North Korea and dispel the growing impression that Seoul is tilting toward Beijing.President Park Geun-hye shakes hands with Saenuri Party leader Kim Moo-sung before boarding the presidential plane at the Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on Tuesday. (Yonhap)Like her visit to the U.S. in

Oct. 13, 2015