‘Access to innovative talent essential for global business’

To leap forward in the global marketplace, firms must attract diverse talents capable of engineering “what’s next” and disrupting “business as usual,” a leading Canadian computer scientist said. “The key to innovation is access to a pool of technical, creative and entrepreneurial talents that allows companies to target the global market from the get-go,” Paul Salvini, chief executive officer of Accelerator Centre, told The Korea Herald last week. “The city of Waterloo, Canada, where I work, has

May 1, 2016

Park’s visit to Iran landmark in bilateral relations

The following article was contributed by the Embassy of Iran. – Ed.Iran and Korea established their diplomatic relationship in 1962. Throughout these years, the two countries have maintained a relatively friendly and strong relationship. The presence of Tehran Street in Gangnam, Seoul, as well as Seoul Street in the north of Tehran are symbols and reminders of the long friendship between two countries. Iranian officials have always expressed positive views toward South Korea and supported the ex

May 1, 2016

Polish Day to jazz up downtown Seoul

The Polish Day -- celebration of the Central European country’s culture, literature and products -- will be held at the Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul on May 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Organized by the Polish embassy, the venue will feature tourism information, information on education opportunities in Poland and works of Polish Nobel laureates, poet Wislawa Szymborska (1923-2012) and physicist-chemist Maria Sklodowska-Curie (1867-1934). An exhibition on the life of Curie will be held at Ewha Womans Uni

April 24, 2016

EU marks Paris climate agreement signature

Coinciding with Earth Day -- an annual event celebrated worldwide on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection -- the European Union delegation to Korea hosted a reception Friday to mark the signing of the Paris climate agreement at the United Nations General Assembly by over 120 countries. The historic accord, which was agreed upon in Paris last December, was also signed on the same day Friday at the New York headquarters, paving the way for its entry into force. “Today, we a

April 24, 2016

Ecuador urges Korea's aid after earthquake

The Ecuadorian Embassy in Seoul is reaching out to Korea for pressing humanitarian support to facilitate relief and reconstruction efforts following the catastrophic earthquake that shook the country on April 16. During a press conference Friday, Ecuadorian Ambassador Oscar Herrera Gilbert underlined the cataclysmic events that struck his country. The quake has claimed over 600 lives, resulted in 150 missing persons and 8,400 injured people. On April 16, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Ecuador’s

April 24, 2016

‘Steadfast sanctions key to N.K. denuclearization’

To prevent North Korea’s nuclear and missile provocations and force the regime to denuclearize, the international community must apply sanctions steadfastly and extensively, according to a former senior U.S. diplomat. Robert Einhorn, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and former special adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State for nonproliferation and arms control, stressed that the world must share “a sense of urgency” in pressuring the recalcitrant regime. “Given the North’s insistence o

April 24, 2016

Sri Lanka, the land of Ceylon tea

COLOMBO -- Sri Lanka, a British colony between 1802 and 1948, was called Ceylon until 1972 when the country became a republic. Despite the name change, its hallmark produce -- tea -- has survived and fed the revival of postcolonial Sri Lanka as a national beverage. Much like Koreans who habitually drink coffee throughout the day, Sri Lankans have long taken pride in the production and consumption of Ceylon tea, introduced to the country in 1867 by British planter James Taylor. Unleashing a poten

April 18, 2016

Sri Lankan accommodations dazzle visitors

The hotel industry in Sri Lanka is rising, adding to a growing list of international accolades from guidebooks and magazines, including the Lonely Planet and the National Geographic Traveler. Along with infrastructures being built across the country, its connectivity with the world has improved, and the country welcomes tourists from all corners of the globe. Hilton Colombo, located in the capital city’s business district, offers a wide range of accommodation, from guest and executive rooms to s

April 18, 2016

Sri Lanka, paradise for the restless

SRI LANKA -- Sri Lanka, known as “the Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” is a cool getaway for restive minds, offering exotic travel, fine food and superb relaxation.From pristine beaches lined with palm trees to Buddhist sites exuding beguiling beauty, Sri Lanka provides a melange of experiences for visitors.Throughout the country, Buddhist shrines, Hindu temples, churches and mosques dot the verdant landscape teeming with wildlife, flora and fauna.  Religious festivals such as Kandy Esala Perahera, V

April 17, 2016

Norwegian PM to visit Korea

Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway. (Joel Lee / The Korea Herald)Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway, will visit Korea from Thursday to Saturday, her first visit since her inauguration in 2013.Solberg will have a summit meeting with President Park Geun-hye and discuss bilateral and global issues. She will also be invited to the National Assembly to speak on the importance of implementing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.On Thursday, Solberg will t

April 10, 2016

UNICEF, Korea strengthen collaboration

Following the adoption of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals last year, the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund is stepping up humanitarian efforts around the world and garnering Korea’s critical support, a senior agency official said last week. Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of UNICEF, director of public partnership division Olav Kjorven came to Korea to strengthen collaboration. “As Korea is becoming an increasingly important player in international affairs, UNICEF values the di

April 10, 2016

Ambassadors discuss female empowerment

Female envoys and professionals in Korea held a forum in late March to discuss empowering women in society, following the United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace on March 8. The venue at Seoul Club, titled “Empowerment of Women,” was hosted by South African Ambassador Nozuko Gloria Bam, joined by 10 female ambassadors. Korean Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kang Eun-hee and World Bank special representative Joyce Msuya also participated. “Today we recommit ourselves

April 10, 2016

India partners Korea at maiden maritime summit

India will host the first maritime summit to empower global partnerships and unveil investment opportunities, and Korea is the first single-partner country. As Asia’s third-largest economy, India has concentrated efforts to industrialize its mammoth capacities, choosing the marine sector as “a means of driving the country’s economic transformation and enhancing connections with the world,” according to Indian Ambassador Vikram Doraiswami.A maiden undertaking, the Maritime India Summit 2016 will

April 10, 2016

Guatemala opens honorary consulate in Busan

Guatemalan Ambassador Gustavo Lopez (second from left) and Honorary Consul of Guatemala Lim Soo-bok (second from right) pose beside their spouses at a ceremony marking the inauguration of the honorary consulate in Busan on March 23. (Guatemalan Embassy)The Guatemalan Embassy opened an honorary consulate in Busan in March. The inaugural ceremony on March 23 was attended by Guatemalan Ambassador Gustavo Lopez, Honorary Consul Lim Soo-bok, diplomats, related representatives and Guatemalans in Korea

April 4, 2016