‘Sarang, celebration of India’s cultural wonders in Korea’

As the third annual installment celebrating thriving ties with Korea, the Indian Embassy in Seoul will organize a string of events from Friday to Nov. 18 across the country in collaboration with the Indian Cultural Centers in Seoul and Busan. The events -- “Sarang: The Festival of India in Korea” -- range from traditional and contemporary Indian art, music and dance to cuisine and films. “My colleagues and I are delighted to present the third edition of ‘Sarang: The Festival of India in Korea’ t

Oct. 16, 2017

Sudan hails end of sanctions, readies global engagement

The government and people of Sudan welcome the United States’ decision on Oct. 6 to permanently revoke the decadeslong sanctions placed on the country, which is expected to pave the way for its global engagement with renewed energy, according to the Sudanese Embassy in Seoul. “Sudan welcomes this resolution and considers it an important development in the history of Sudan-America relations and natural outcome of a frank, transparent and constructive dialogue on all issues of mutual concern,” the

Oct. 16, 2017

‘Iraq opposes Kurdish independence vote’

By Iraqi Ambassador to Korea Wadee Al Batti The international community has rightfully acknowledged the illegitimacy of the referendum for Iraqi Kurdistan on Sept. 25 and refused its results, while at the same time expressing its due support to the unity of Iraq. The supportive countries and organizations included the United Nations Security Council, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Russia as well as regional count

Oct. 16, 2017

‘South Australia gateway to business Down Under’

Owing to the vast geography and historical legacy, Australian states have retained sizeable powers and freedoms from the national government since Australia became a federation of colonies in 1901.In a world economy where cities and regions reign supreme in sustainable development, South Australia is keen to strengthen its relationship with South Korea in trade and investment, science and technology, defense and aerospace as well as food and wine, according to South Australian parliamentarian Ma

Oct. 16, 2017

US Embassy approaches Seoul parliament over Trump speech: source

The US Embassy in Seoul recently sounded out South Korea's parliament about a possible speech by President Donald Trump at the National Assembly during his visit here next month, a source said Monday.Trump is slated to visit Korea for the first time as president early next month, as part of an Asia trip that would also take him to Japan, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. No exact schedule has been announced yet."Late last week, the US embassy asked the legislature's secretariat if President Tr

Oct. 16, 2017

PM to make first overseas trip to Greece, Bulgaria next week

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon will visit Greece and Bulgaria next week in his first overseas trip since taking office to attend a torch-lighting ceremony for the PyeongChang Olympics and to discuss ways to bolster cooperation with the two countries, his office said Monday.Lee's trip to Greece will make him the first South Korean prime minister to visit the European country since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1961. The Oct. 22-24 visit includes a meeting with President Prokop

Oct. 16, 2017

Korea to provide assistance to hurricane-hit Caribbean countries

South Korea plans to provide $550,000 worth of humanitarian assistance to four Caribbean countries recently hit by multiple deadly hurricanes, the foreign ministry said Monday. (AFP-Yonhap)The assistance will be given to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Antigua and Barbuda, which suffered hurricanes, including Irma, resulting in significant casualties and property damage, according to the foreign ministry. Of the total, Cuba will get $300,000 worth of help, with the Dominican Republic

Oct. 16, 2017

Korea, Guatemala to discuss closer cooperation

Senior foreign ministry officials of South Korea and Guatemala will have a policy coordination meeting this week to discuss cooperation in various areas, including trade, economy and consular affairs, the South Korean foreign ministry said Wednesday.The meeting will be held between Huh Tae-wan, director general of the ministry's bureau for Latin America affairs and his Guatemalan counterpart Georges De la Roche in Seoul on Friday, according to the ministry. They will discuss issues of mutual con

Oct. 11, 2017

Korea to provide $2m in humanitarian aid to hurricane-hit US

South Korea said Tuesday that it will provide $2 million in humanitarian assistance to regions in the United States recently hit hard by massive hurricanes. "We expect this assistance will help stabilize the lives of people residing in the affected areas as soon as possible and contribute to recovery efforts underway," the foreign ministry said. Waves crash over a seawall at the mouth of the Miami River from Biscayne Bay, Fla., as Hurricane Irma passes by, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Miami. (AP)T

Oct. 10, 2017

Korea's amb. to China voices optimism THAAD feud will be resolved

BEIJING  -- South Korea's new ambassador to China said Tuesday that consensus is growing that the ongoing dispute over a US missile defense called THAAD is "not desirable" for their bilateral ties."The feud prompted by the THAAD (deployment) cannot go on this way," Amb. Noh Young-min told reporters upon arriving in Beijing to start his duties. "I believe that the consensus is growing in both countries that it is not desirable to let economic relations (harmed) by the THAAD issue continue this wa

Oct. 10, 2017

Korean miners, nurses recall their arduous days in Germany

When Yang Dong-yang came across a public noticeboard advertising a job opportunity in West Germany in the summer of 1963, he was elated.For the ambitious 24-year-old who arrived in Seoul from the countryside in search of work, opportunities for upward mobility were scarce.“I always had dreams of making it big in the world since my childhood, but there was no means to achieve my dream in Korea. The country was very poor in the early 1960s, barely moving ahead after decades of colonial rule and th

Oct. 9, 2017

‘Mexico puts action behind words of denuclearization’

The recent expulsion of the North Korean ambassador from Mexico was a fitting expression of disavowing Pyongyang’s defiance of international norms and principles, said Mexico’s top envoy to Korea, stressing his country is ready to muster action behind the talk of denuclearization. Leading the international coalition against North Korea’s nuclear and missile program, the Foreign Ministry of Mexico declared former North Korean Ambassador to the country, Kim Hyong-gil, “persona non grata” on Sept.

Oct. 2, 2017

‘Indonesia looks to shared prosperity with Korea’

The Indonesian Embassy marked the 72nd anniversary of the country’s independence last week, commemorating the spirit of national self-determination, peaceful coexistence and social justice that has buttressed thriving cooperation with key partners worldwide, and South Korea in particular.The national day celebrating Indonesia’s proclamation of independence from colonial Netherlands falls on Aug. 17, but the diplomatic mission held the reception on Sept. 28 for maximum attendance, the embassy tol

Oct. 2, 2017

[Herald Interview] ‘Germany, Korea shape globalization for sustainable future’

With the recent re-election of Angela Merkel as Germany’s chancellor, Germany and Korea are poised to continue their commitment to a rules-based international order prioritizing peace and security, multilateralism, democracy and liberal trade, the country’s top envoy to Korea told the Korea Herald, noting the two countries could spearhead the “fourth industrial revolution” together. Speaking ahead of the Day of German Unity on Tuesday, German Ambassador Stephan Auer stressed the two nations have

Oct. 2, 2017

PM meets with Missouri governor, discusses ways to bolster all-round cooperation

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon met with the governor of the US state of Missouri on Friday and discussed ways to bolster all-round cooperation between the two sides, Lee's office said.Gov. Eric Greitens was in South Korea as part of an Asian trip that also included a visit to China from Sept. 24-27.During Friday's meeting, Lee stressed the importance of the Korea-US alliance and expressed the hope that Missouri will play an important role in further strengthening the alliance, the office said in a s

Sept. 29, 2017

Korea to offer $1m worth of humanitarian aid to quake-hit Mexico

South Korea plans to provide $1 million worth of humanitarian assistance to Mexico recently hit by a massive deadly earthquake, the foreign ministry said Thursday.A 7.1-magnitude quake struck Mexico on Sept. 19, leaving 338 people dead and over 800 others injured. Dozens of buildings collapsed with over 14,000 homes damaged or destroyed, the ministry said. (EPA-Yonhap)The latest quake came on the heels of an 8.2-magnitude tremor on Sept. 7, followed by hurricane Katia that devastated the lives o

Sept. 28, 2017

S. Korean ambassador to Ethiopia to be dismissed over sexual harassment allegations

South Korea's top envoy to Ethiopia will be dismissed from his post over sexual harassment allegations, the foreign ministry here said Wednesday.The government's disciplinary board decided to relieve Ambassador Kim Moon-hwan in mid-September and notified the ministry of its decision on Tuesday, according to official sources. (Yonhap)The ministry conducted its own probe in July into allegations that Kim had sexually harassed several female staff members.Currently, prosecutors are investigating th

Sept. 27, 2017

Korean president congratulates German chancellor on election outcome

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has sent a letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to congratulate her on her recent re-election and invite her to visit his country in the near future, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday."I believe the outcome of the recent election reflects the German people's support and faith in the outstanding leadership you have shown, and that you will continue to spearhead Germany's development and prosperity," Moon said in his message, released by Che

Sept. 26, 2017

[Herald Interview] Copenhagen to champion sustainable living at 2023 UIA architecture congress

With Copenhagen’s hosting of the International Union of Architects (UIA) congress in 2023, Danish cities will encapsulate and further facilitate worldwide efforts for sustainable development at the milepost event, said the country’s top envoy to Korea. Following a general assembly vote at the UIA World Architects’ Congress in Seoul on Sept. 9, Copenhagen beat out contenders Antalya, Baku, Kuala Lumpur and Lausanne to secure the candidacy of the conference, dubbed, the “Olympics of architecture.”

Sept. 25, 2017