The Korea Herald

Colombian F.M. visits to bolster free trade

For Korean companies eyeing Latin America’s emerging markets, Colombia could be a launch pad for kick-starting their business. The country is breaking out of years of protectionist legacies to become a safe haven for investment and trade. Millions have moved out of poverty to form a fledgling middle class, ready and willing to splurge on consumer goods. After half a century of bloody armed conflicts with the guerrilla organization FARC, the clouds are finally parting with progress in the peace p

Jan. 11, 2015

Colombian F.M. visits to bolster free trade

[Herald Interview] Experts talk history, future of unification

This year marks Korea’s 70th independence anniversary from Japanese colonial rule and division of the Korean Peninsula. Following reconciliatory overtures by Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae at the end of last year, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un extended an olive branch by displaying his willingness to hold a summit with the South and improve cross-border ties in his New Year’s address. The Korea Herald interviewed German Ambassador Rolf Mafael and senior researcher Park Young-ho at the Kore

Jan. 11, 2015

[Herald Interview] Experts talk history, future of unification

Seoul, Washington hold first space policy talks

South Korea and the United States have held their first talks to discuss the issue of growing space debris and ways to beef up cooperation, Seoul’s foreign ministry said Friday.At the so-called space policy dialogue held in Washington Thursday, officials from Seoul and Washington exchanged views on how to cooperate with each other on the peaceful use of outer space, it said.Space debris refers to an array of now-defunct objects flying in universe such as spent satellites and used rocket parts th

Jan. 9, 2015

New Russian envoy to Seoul to take office this month

Russia’s former ambassador to North Korea is expected to start his job as Moscow’s top envoy to Seoul starting in late January, a diplomatic source said Friday.Alexander Timonin was named as Moscow’s new ambassador to South Korea in late December and will likely replace Konstantin Vnukov around Jan. 23, when he arrives here, the source said.Timonin had served as Russia’s ambassador to Pyongyang since May 2012. Before that, he had experience in dealing with trilateral cooperation among the two Ko

Jan. 9, 2015

‘Abe will balance nationalism, pragmatism’

This is the third installment in a special New Year’s series of interviews with preeminent scholars on international politics and security. ― Ed.Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s push for the nationalist policy agenda would be curbed by the pressing need to boost the sluggish economy and the U.S.’ desire to maintain a stable regional security landscape, a political scientist said.Sohn Yul, the dean of the Graduate School of International Studies at Yonsei University, noted Abe may strive to “

Jan. 7, 2015

‘Abe will balance nationalism, pragmatism’

USFK chief ‘hopes for’ inter-Korean talks

PYEONGTAEK, Gyeonggi Province ― The U.S. Forces Korea Commander on Tuesday raised hopes for a fresh round of dialogue between the two Koreas despite concerns over heightened tension after Washington slapped new sanctions on Pyongyang. Yet Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti stressed the need for “strong and credible” defense readiness in order for their talks to be effective, calling for U.S. and South Korean servicemen to maintain an airtight posture. “Discussion between North and South Korea is always a g

Jan. 6, 2015

Opposition leader urges talks with Tokyo

The leader of the nation’s main opposition party on Monday urged President Park Geun-hye to pursue talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, saying disagreements over history should no longer hold back summit meetings.“Our differences with Japan (over history) must be resolved through policies based on principles. But the disagreements themselves should no longer be cited as reasons for not holding summit talks with Japan,” New Politics Alliance for Democracy chair Rep. Moon Hee-sang said.S

Jan. 5, 2015

Seoul-Tokyo ties face series of challenges

The relationship between South Korea and Japan is set to go through a sensitive time, as relations could be aggravated by a series of coming events, including Japan’s celebration of a day for Dokdo islets next month.Analysts expressed hopes that the leaders of the two countries will meet face to face early this year in a three-way summit that also involves the Chinese leader, to explore ways to address their differences over historical and territorial issues, and forge future-oriented relations.

Jan. 5, 2015

Economists discuss benefits of free trade in N.Y.

In the 1980s and ’90s, housewives from Korea traveling to Japan made sure to purchase a Zojirushi rice cooker, which, with its iconic elephant logo, was beloved by middle-class Korean families. Sony’s Walkman was another hot seller among youngsters and hipsters, eager to free themselves from the confines of classrooms and cubicles. These items were so popular in Korea, and such a threat to nascent domestic companies, that they were banned from being imported. The painful structural reforms that

Jan. 4, 2015

Economists discuss benefits of free trade in N.Y.

Serbia hails Korean investors in silver jubilee celebration

For Korean companies looking westward to globalize their business, Serbia offers distinct advantages in economic and cultural attractiveness. Since the democratic revolution of late 2000, the enchanting Balkan country has made itself available to the world as a safe haven for investment.The Serbian government has recently stepped up its efforts to promote the country’s stable political system, strategic geographic location, low operating costs, lucrative financial incentives, and young and skill

Jan. 4, 2015

Serbia hails Korean investors in silver jubilee celebration

Exhibition to showcase ASEAN multimedia artworks

An exhibition featuring multimedia artworks from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will offer a glimpse into the lives of Southeast Asians.The ASEAN-Korea Multimedia Exhibition at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul from Jan. 8-18 will display photographs and videos highlighting ASEAN’s vibrant cultures and lifestyles through fashion, food, handicraft, architecture and much more. The works are selected from the 2014 ASEAN-Korea Multimedia Competition in May last year, which was held under

Jan. 4, 2015

Exhibition to showcase ASEAN multimedia artworks

Paraguayan Embassy donates harp to Seoul Museum

The Paraguayan Embassy donated a traditional harp to the Multicultural Museum of Seoul on Dec. 26 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Korean immigration to Paraguay. The hand-carved harp was provided by Itaipu Binacional ― Paraguay’s renewable energy company.Paraguayan Ambassador to Korea Ceferino Valdez Peralta told the Korea Herald, “Korean immigration to Paraguay has had an enormous impact on our society, and this donation is the first step in our effort to promote multiculturalism between

Jan. 4, 2015

Paraguayan Embassy donates harp to Seoul Museum

First elected black US senator dies

The first elected black US senator, Edward Brooke, died Saturday. He was 95.Brooke was a trailblazer in Congress when he was elected a senator in 1966."A decorated war hero, this Massachusetts Republican was a highly respected legislator responsible for shaping our nation's laws and ensuring equal rights for all men and women," the northeastern state's Republican party said in a statement.A liberal Republican, Brooke represented Massachusetts in the 100-seat US Senate during two terms from 1967

Jan. 4, 2015

Park hopes S. Korea, China contribute to regional peace

President Park Geun-hye expressed hope Saturday that South Korea and China can contribute to peace and stability in Northeast Asia. Tensions persist in the region over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs as well as territorial and other history-related issues between South Korea and Japan and between China and Japan.Japan ruled the Korean Peninsula as a colony from 1910-45 and controlled much of China in the early part of the 20th century.Park said she hopes that South Korea and China can

Jan. 3, 2015

U.S. reiterates support for improved inter-Korean relations

The United States reiterated its support for better relations between the two Koreas after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a surprising expression of his willingness to hold a summit with the South."We support improved inter-Korean relations," a State Department official said on condition of anonymity. In his New Year's address, the North's leader said he sees no reason not to hold a summit with the South as he called for the two sides to make a "a big shift, a big change" in their relation

Jan. 2, 2015

Japan ties face bumpy road ahead of 50th anniversary

Relations between Seoul and Tokyo face a rough ride yet again in 2015 as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to expedite a series of revisionist foreign and security policies while showing little signs of atoning for the country’s imperial past. The Park Geun-hye government is coming under mounting pressure, entering its third year and gearing up to reset the relationship with the old foe to mark the 50th anniversary of its normalization this year. At home, President Park faces the challen

Dec. 31, 2014

Japan ties face bumpy road ahead of 50th anniversary

Korea, Japan hold vice foreign ministers’ meeting

Vice foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan met in Seoul on Monday to discuss an array of bilateral and regional issues, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said, amid strained ties due to long-running historical and territorial disputes.Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki arrived in Seoul earlier in the day for a one-day visit to have talks with Cho Tae-yong, a South Korean vice foreign minister, according to the Foreign Ministry.The rare meeting was reportedly held at the request of Japan ah

Dec. 29, 2014

Glocalization: Globalization and separatism in flux

Park Hee-kwonThere are several definitions of globalization. The commonly used globalization index encompasses four main types of cross-border flows: trade (in both goods and services), information, people (including tourists, students and migrants) and capital. Judging by this index, history shows that over the past 60 years, the trend of globalization has been on the march. After some backpedaling since the 2008 financial crisis, the trend of growing global interconnectedness resumed in 2013.

Dec. 29, 2014

Glocalization: Globalization and separatism in flux

S. Korea, U.S., Japan sign pact on sharing N.K. intel

South Korea, the United States and Japan have signed a military pact on sharing sensitive information on North Korea's nuclear and missile programs amid the communist country's growing security threats to the region, Seoul's defense ministry said Monday. The pact went into effect Monday after a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed last week by South Korean Vice Defense Minister Baek Seung-joo and his counterparts Robert Work and Masanori Nishi was delivered to the U.S. side earlier in the

Dec. 29, 2014

S. Korea, Japan to hold vice foreign ministers' meeting

Vice foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan were to meet in Seoul on Monday to discuss an array of bilateral and regional issues, Seoul's foreign ministry said, amid strained ties sparked by long-running disputes over territory and history. Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki will arrive in Seoul later in the day for a one-day visit to have talks with Cho Tae-yong, a South Korean vice foreign minister, according to the foreign ministry. The rare meeting is reportedly to be held

Dec. 29, 2014