German firms dig into Korea’s medical tourism

Germany’s leading health care companies participated in the 2015 Korea International Medical and Hospital Equipment Show earlier this month in Seoul, laying the groundwork for joint ventures and research innovation with Korean partners. Fifteen German firms producing specialized medical equipment took part in the 31st convention at Coex in southern Seoul from March 5-8 to showcase their products and services in consultations, clinical examinations, radiology, dentistry, surgery, physiotherapy, m

March 15, 2015

Colombia, Korea seal defense ties

Building the blood-sealed relationship forged during the Korean War, Colombia and Korea marked a milestone of future defense cooperation with Colombia’s top military official visiting Korea last week. Colombian Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon visited for a three-day trip to meet Korean counterpart Han Min-koo and sign a memorandum of understanding geared at joint exercises, training exchange, intelligence sharing and humanitarian relief. With progress in the peace process launched in 2012 to

March 15, 2015

Tunisian Embassy exhibits mosaic works

The Tunisian Embassy hosted an exhibition showing prints of the country’s traditional mosaic and handicraft masterpieces at the Korea Foundation Gallery in Seoul from March 4-12. Showcasing patterns of mosaics, ceramics, carpets and jewelry covering 1,800 years of history, the exhibition displayed the cultural mosaic of Tunisian life formed by Carthaginian, Byzantine, Roman, Arabic and Ottoman civilizations.“The idea was to combine and show Tunisia’s two main cultural heritages of mosaics and ha

March 15, 2015

U.S. envoy to S. Korea Lippert to be back to work next week

U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert said Saturday he plans to return to work later next week after an attack by a South Korean extremist, expressing gratitude to people here for support. (Yonhap)The top envoy to Seoul has been recovering from wounds on his face and wrist after being slashed by the man during a breakfast forum in Seoul last week. The  assailant said he did so in opposition to the Seoul-Washington joint military exercises."Thanks for all of the friendship and support! Mean

March 14, 2015

ASEAN-Korea Center gets new chief

Korea’s former ambassador to Indonesia Kim Young-sun will take the helm at the ASEAN-Korea Center on Friday, vowing support for the region’s political, economic and social integration. Kim Young-sunThe 60-year-old career diplomat succeeds Chung Hae-moon and will serve for three years as the agency’s third secretary-general. Kim called 2015 a “momentous year” as the 10-member coalition gears up to introduce the ASEAN Economic Community for greater security, economic and sociocultural integration.

March 13, 2015

U.S. has conducted site survey for THAAD: USFK

The U.S. has carried out a site survey for a possible stationing of its advanced missile defense asset, the U.S. Forces Korea said Thursday, adding that no final decision had been made on the deployment. The monthslong study is believed to have taken place early last year at five sites including Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province; Wonju, Gangwon Province; and Busan. The statement was the U.S. military’s first official confirmation of the survey. The Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system would he

March 12, 2015

Korea ups pressure on Japan over sex slavery at U.N. meet

Korea stepped up pressure on Japan to resolve the issue of its sexual enslavement of Asian women during World War II at the U.N. on Monday, as bilateral negotiations continue to make little headway. At the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, Gender Equality and Family Minister Kim Hee-jung tacitly urged Tokyo to face up to history and resolve the issue in line with its commitment to tackling violence against women. It was the first time for Seoul to raise the issue at the panel. “I am encour

March 10, 2015

President visits U.S. envoy

President Park Geun-hye on Monday visited U.S Ambassador Mark Lippert, who was attacked by a radical activist last week, immediately upon her return from the Middle East tour and wished him a swift recovery while pledging a more robust alliance.Park’s visit topped throngs of calls made by Seoul’s high-level officials and politicians, as various religious and civic groups continued to hold rallies and events to send well-wishes to the ambassador who suffered deep cuts to his face and left hand.Du

March 9, 2015

Bulgaria, hotbed of ICT collaboration

Bulgaria’s competitive ICT and business process outsourcing sectors are waiting to be tapped by Korean companies, Bulgarian Ambassador to Korea Petar Andonov told The Korea Herald last week. At a time when Korea’s IT industry profits are dwindling amid a sagging economy, Bulgaria offers a blue ocean of well-educated workers and a business-friendly environment, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, Andonov said. “Korea’s strength in developing computer hardware and Bulgaria’s stren

March 8, 2015

Korea, Turkey to join hands at G20

Turkey and Korea can cooperate as middle-power nations to bridge the polarized global economy and address increasingly integrated problems facing the international community, Turkey’s foreign deputy undersecretary said during her visit to Korea in late February. Sherpa Ambassador Ayse Sinirlioglu, who will preside over the 10th annual meeting of G20 heads of government in Turkey’s southeastern city of Antalya from Nov. 15-16, participated in a MIKTA senior officials’ meeting in Seoul. “Between T

March 8, 2015

New Zealand to boost commerce with Korea

New Zealand will build upon the free trade agreement signed with Korea last year and bolster economic cooperation across the Asia-Pacific, newly appointed Ambassador to Korea Clare Fearnley said in front of business leaders at a forum last week. Fearnley, who officially started her ambassadorship on Feb. 12, spoke in front of some 50 business leaders from both countries and said, “The Korea-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement sealed in November last year will give new momentum to our wide-ranging r

March 8, 2015

SIWA cooks Ukrainian food with folk music

The Seoul International Women’s Association held a cooking event in end-February where traditional Ukrainian dishes were presented alongside folk music and dance.Yulia Savelieva, second secretary at the Ukrainian embassy, cooked “Varenyky” ― a dumpling dish made of potato, stewed cabbage, mushrooms and strawberry and enjoyed during the Christmas, New Year and Easter ― and “Kutia” ― a rice-pudding-like dish made of wheat or boiled rice with raisins and nuts.Savelieva’s father, Valentin, who is a

March 8, 2015