Most Popular
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Torrential rainfall forces 1,500 to evacuate, causes widespread damage to homes, roads
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[KH Explains] Can smart chargers ease tensions over EV fires?
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1 in 5 households to have breadwinner over 80 in 30 years
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[Online Predators] Online reviews of sex tourism in Southeast Asia proliferate
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Middle East’s big AI push lures Korean tech firms
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[Herald Review] 'Culinary Class Wars': fresh, creative survival show minus the drama
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Arrival of fall calls for more outdoor festivals
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New Fifty Fifty off to strong start
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Assembly to review disputed appointment of national soccer team coach
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Pikki Pikki dance: Korean cheerleader dance routine takes social media by storm
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U.S. FTA may still be delayed: Kim
Consultations taking longer than expected; report predicts February implementationKorea’s Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan said the implementation of the free trade agreement between South Korea and the U.S. could be delayed until after Jan. 1, as further consultations with the U.S. may be needed.“Although we hope to have the Korea-U.S. FTA take effect on Jan. 1 next year, it might take a longer time for consultations on the implementation,” Kim told business leaders at a CEO forum in Seoul. “If t
Dec. 12, 2011
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Seoul to impose more sanctions on Iran soon
The South Korean government is expected to announce additional sanctions against Iran this week, apparently pressured by the U.S. to join its toughened stance against Tehran’s alleged nuclear weapons program, a source said.A diplomatic source said related ministries were in final consultations about sanctions likely to be drawn up this week.Potential sanctions mentioned include banning imports of Iran-made petrochemical products, worth $300 million, it said.The U.S. House of Representatives is t
Dec. 11, 2011
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Marking a much-loved monarch’s birthday
Celebrations of the Thai king’s birthday got a royal treat thanks to dancers in Seoul. Dec. 5 marks the birthday of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest reigning monarch who ascended to the throne in 1946. While the date known as “Wan Chalerm” is an important public holiday with celebratory fireworks and street parties in Bangkok, Thais in Korea marked the occasion with a reception featuring a traditional dance performance. Thai Ambassador to Korea Chaiyong Satjipanon spoke at the e
Dec. 11, 2011
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Green tourism steps forward in Seoul
Tourism chiefs from Southeast Asia and Mongolia have completed a project in Korea to boost green travel in their countries. Foreign government officials, lecturers and tour guides traveled around Korea taking in popular tourist spots such as temples and Seoraksan as well as studying the language for ten weeks until Dec. 9. Malaysian tour guide Loke Chew Koon said the experience would help her assist people traveling to her country, as 262,000 Koreans did last year. “It is very useful so that we
Dec. 11, 2011
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New home for Oman Embassy in Seoul
Oman’s embassy in Korea has moved to a new specially-designed building. The Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Seoul moved to the new building located in the Jongno-gu area of the city and resumed operations Monday. “Oman was keen to build an embassy using Omani architectural design in combination with Korean and modern design to appreciate art and history of both Oman and Korea,” an official at the Omani Embassy said. “We hope that the new building will be a landmark in Seoul, the world design
Dec. 11, 2011
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Award for boosting Spanish tourism
A Korean who has helped grow tourism from here to Spain is to be honored with a decoration this week. Chung Tae-wan helped to increase the number of Koreans visiting the European country over the last 17 years from 2,000 to 80,000 annual visitors. He is to be conferred on Tuesday with the Encomienda de la Orden de Isabel la Catolica for developing friendship and economic relations between the two countries. The Korean representative of the National Office of Tourism of Spain and Air Europa from
Dec. 11, 2011
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Vote open for Ireland’s EU logo
The Irish embassy is asking people to help choose a logo to represent its EU presidency. The poll has been launched by the Irish Tanaiste (deputy prime minister) and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, and Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton. Go to www.eu2013.ie to find details about the four designs and vote. The winning logo will be featured online and in print when Ireland holds the presidency during the first six months of 2013. Voting is open now unti
Dec. 11, 2011
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Diplomats learn more about Korea
New ambassadors and diplomatic staff in Korea have taken part in a program to introduce them to the country. The program run by the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security, which is affiliated with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, held cultural and information events for 62 people from 43 countries. Ambassadors to Korea from Belarus, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Gabon, Laos, Norway, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka attended events on Wednesday and Thursday last week. Diplomatic
Dec. 11, 2011
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Fiji to open embassy in South Korea
Fiji is to open a new embassy in South Korea next year, sending an ambassador from Suva to Seoul. The new embassy is expected to open in the first half of 2012 to foster trade and investment between Korea and the archipelago about 2,000 km northeast of New Zealand. It will employ about 5 staff, a Fiji government official said, adding that an ambassador may be selected in the next month. “We want to open an embassy there because Korea is right in the heart of Asia,” he added. “Korea and Fiji have
Dec. 11, 2011
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Jang transports envoys to the ‘Beautiful World’
He may be small in stature, but Jang Sa-ik proved he had the voice of a mountain when he entertained Seoul’s diplomatic community in an end-of-year concert Friday.The haegeum traditional fiddle and Korean percussion fused with piano and guitar as Jang took the audience on a “Voyage to the Beautiful World” at Seoul Women’s Plaza.At times he sang from the side of his mouth, at others he tilted his head back and let the emotive Korean lyrics pour freely out of him. His body bobbed up and down as if
Dec. 11, 2011
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H.K. proves might of an open legal market
Secretary says territory’s experience shows more foreign law firms may benefit KoreaHong Kong’s justice secretary has praised the opening-up of Korea’s legal market on a trip to Seoul, saying a more international outlook could be a “positive development.”During his relationship-building visit Thursday, Wong Yan Lung commented on foreign law firms’ new chance to work in Korea following the U.S. Fair Trade Agreement, likely to take effect Jan. 1, and the EU FTA which came into force this July. “Th
Dec. 11, 2011
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U.S. visa quota not in sight despite FTA
Seoul pushing U.S. Congress for visa allocation for Korean professionalsThe Korean government once set a U.S. visa quota for Korean professionals as a major goal of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.However, the bilateral trade deal, ratified by the Korean parliament last month, did not include the visa issue at all, disappointing many Korean professionals who hoped to find getting a job in the U.S. easier ― just like Australians who earned a quota of 10,500 a year through a bilateral trade de
Dec. 7, 2011
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South Korea, U.S. resume talks on revising nuclear energy pact
South Korea and the United States resumed talks Tuesday on revising a bilateral pact that defines the boundaries of the Asian country’s use of nuclear energy, with Seoul aiming to gain concessions in the area, officials said.The discussions in Seoul were led by Park Ro-byug, South Korea’s envoy for the talks and a former ambassador to Ukraine, and Robert Einhorn, the U.S. State Department’s special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control.The two sides were holding their fourth round of tal
Dec. 6, 2011
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Japan to return ancient books Tuesday
Some 1,200 Joseon Dynasty-era books looted by Japan during the colonial era will be returned to Korea on Tuesday afternoon, a government official said.According to the official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the books will be divided and delivered on two flights, each carrying 600 books. The books will arrive at the Incheon International Airport at 3:35 p.m. and 4:35 p.m., respectively, said the official.Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Park Suk-hwan and Japan’s ambassador to Seoul,
Dec. 5, 2011
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U.S. calls on S. Korea to add pressure on Iran
The United States called on South Korea Monday to add pressure on Iran over its alleged nuclear weapons program, indicating that the Seoul government could soon impose fresh sanctions on Tehran.The remarks by Robert Einhorn, the State Department‘s special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control, came after the U.S. and several other nations recently announced additional economic sanctions against the Islamic state for its alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons. The measures, targeting Iran’s o
Dec. 5, 2011
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Lindenbaum Concert looks to North Korea
Young Korean musicians have been given the chance to perform with top-notch international artists at a Swiss concert in Seoul. So far, 180 talented Korean musicians have practiced for and performed in the annual Lindenbaum Festival Concerts under Swiss Maestro Charles Dutoit, who founded the event along with Hyung Joon-won in 2009.Dutoit started establishing contacts with North Korea this year with the aim of being able to also invite young North Korean musicians to join future Lindenbaum Festiv
Dec. 4, 2011
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Denmark brings advent calendars to Korea
The Danish Embassy is bringing some European Christmas sparkle to Seoul by introducing shoppers to advent calendars. The tradition in northern Europe sees kids receive a small gift or sweet every day until Christmas. “A calendar can come in every shape and size, and the main point is that you open a new window every day from Dec. 1 to Dec. 24, the day we celebrate Christmas in Denmark,” explained Jens Busk Gronbech. “We want to introduce this tradition to the Korean people and therefore we are c
Dec. 4, 2011
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U.K. event to boost charities, scholarships
The Korea Britain Society will hold its annual dinner at the Westin Chosun Hotel on Wednesday. The dinner in the hotel’s grand ballroom will start at 6:45 p.m. with a speech from Minister of Strategy and Finance Bahk Jae-wan and a performance from celebrated South Korean pianist Yiruma. Funds raised will go toward several Korean charities as well as scholarships funded by the KBS. The society funds students via the Duke of Edinburgh and Chevening scholarships as well as supporting Korean school
Dec. 4, 2011
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UAE celebrates national day
The United Arab Emirates celebrated 40 years of its union with events around the world and in Korea on Friday.UAE Ambassador Abdulla Al Romaithi held a reception in Seoul to mark the anniversary of the joining of seven emirates on the oil-rich Arabian Peninsula in 1971.Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain joined as a federation of monarchies under one president that year with Abu Dhabi as the capital. The ambassador, who took his Korean posting this April
Dec. 4, 2011
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Poland, Germany share how they moved from foes to friends
Polish and German former politicians have visited Seoul to tell how “vanquishing prejudices” moved their countries from conflict to friendship, and ask whether Korea and Japan can learn from their experience. Both Polish-German and Korean-Japanese relations have been marred by long histories of conflict, culminating in the Second World War. While the two European nations are celebrating the twentieth anniversary of their Treaty of Good Neighborhood and Friendly Cooperation this year, Korea-Japan
Dec. 4, 2011