Park urges greater economic ties with China

BEIJING ― President Park Geun-hye on Friday called for expanding economic cooperation between Korea and China during a meeting with business leaders of the two countries.“Building on the dazzling achievements in the past 20 years, South Korea and China should design a new vision for economic cooperation and make a leap toward qualitative growth beyond quantitative growth,” Park said in an address to a business forum hosted by business associations.Park arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a four-d

June 28, 2013

[Newsmaker] World’s eyes on Mandela

Nelson Mandela, Africa’s most famous son, is coming to the end of his time on earth. And the world’s media are desperate ― some would say to the point of being disrespectful ― to cover every moment he has left.On Tuesday, the media quoted comments by a member of the Mandela family that were interpreted to mean preparations were underway for the death of the 94-year-old former anti-apartheid revolutionary. Mandela has been in a “critical” state in hospital since Sunday.Given the saint-like status

June 26, 2013

Envoy: Academic is ‘unsung hero’ of Korean studies in Europe

One of Korea’s earliest heroes of Hallyu was not a K-pop crooner nor was he a director of violent art-house favorites. One of the Korean Wave’s earliest acolytes was a mild-mannered 20th-century historian of Neolithic culture and, according to Czech Ambassador to Korea Jaroslav Olsa, Jr., an “unsung hero” of Korean studies in central Europe. Scholar Han Hung-su was critical in establishing Korean studies in central Europe and made close Czech-Korean ties possible in the process, said Olsa, the C

June 23, 2013

Ambassador sees turning point for Ethiopia

Though Ethiopia and Korea’s five-decade relationship is Korea’s longest with any African nation and some 4,000 Ethiopian soldiers fought for the South during the Korean War, the East African nation’s top diplomat in Korea said he believes the two countries have yet to get know each other.“Even though Ethiopia and Korea share this war-time experience, it doesn’t mean we know each other well. For that matter, Korea does not know that much about Africa in general,” said Ethiopian Ambassador to Kore

June 23, 2013

Russia celebrates 23 years as market-oriented democracy

The Russian Embassy hosted dozens of foreign envoys, high-level Korean diplomats and other VIPs at its chancery in the historic Jeong-dong district of Seoul on Tuesday.They gathered on a drizzly evening to celebrate the 23rd National Day of the Russian Federation, enjoying a well-catered buffet that included traditional delicacies and toasting with Russian vodka. Russia has raised its international profile by hosting numerous global events recently, said Russian Ambassador to Korea Konstantin Vn

June 16, 2013

Envoy underscores Jordan as safe haven for Syrian refugees

Jordan emphasized the role the kingdom plays as a force for stability, tolerance and peace in the Middle East during a reception celebrating its 67th anniversary of independence from British colonial rule with local guests, members of the diplomatic community and friends of Jordan at a hotel in Seoul on Monday.“Jordan, by the grace of God and the wisdom of the Hashemite leadership, the awareness and dedication of its people, still maintains its long-established policy of development and stabilit

June 16, 2013

Diplomatic store underwhelms envoys

The dreary second-floor shop for foreign diplomats appeared as lonely as it was out of place amid the posh boutiques and upscale offices that populate southern Seoul. Seoul’s drab and gray Diplomatic Duty-Free Store could be better suited in the black-and-white show reel of an old Soviet-era marketplace, or maybe in a grocery store in the North Korean capital city of Pyongyang than in one of this city’s most bustling, glitzy and fashionable shopping districts. Kim Mi-yeon, a young female store c

June 16, 2013

UNESCAP calls for ‘transformative’ new development blueprint

With uneven progress toward the Millennium Development Goals, its succeeding framework should be focused on people, equality and the environment to better fight poverty and achieve sustainable growth, UNESCAP chief Noeleen Heyzer told The Korea Herald. Heyzer is executive secretary of the Bangkok-based United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, which oversees the development process in its 62 member countries. A group of top officials, scholars and activists from aro

June 11, 2013

Korea signs deal to host new U.N. Green Climate Fund

South Korea signed a deal with the board of the U.N. Green Climate Fund (GCF) Monday to help the new U.N. fund establish its headquarters here, ministry officials said. South Korea was chosen last October to host the U.N. fund that aims to channel $100 billion a year in aid to help developing nations combat climate change. The headquarters of the U.N. fund will be situated in Songdo, Incheon City. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and Co-Chairman of the Green Climate Fund Ewen McDonald, signed the a

June 10, 2013

Trust key to regional integration: Kupchan

In his 2012 book “No One’s World,” political scientist Charles Kupchan sketches a global landscape with multiple centers of power and diverse versions of modernity. The West and the rising rest will compete over principles, status and geopolitical interests as the sea change unfolds, he argues.Despite Pyongyang’s security threat, South Korea is well positioned to take advantage of the pluralistic order due to its economic vigor and democratic vibrancy, the scholar said in a recent interview with

June 10, 2013