[Herald Interview] Korea culture promotion agency seeks bigger role in elevating national branding

Despite being founded 50 years ago to promote Korea’s national brand, Korean Culture and Information Service is far from a household name within Korea, though it intends to change that this year. The organization plans to push for greater cultural exchange with Korea‘s partner nations, according to Park Jung-youl, the director of the KOCIS, who took the helm in September 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of Hallyu. A veteran government official, Park told the Korea He

Jan. 7, 2022

Singapore ambassador, Herald Corp. chairman discuss emerging areas in post-pandemic

South Korea and Singapore should use the pandemic as an opportunity to plan and prepare for the future, the Singaporean ambassador and Herald Corp. chairman said in a meeting on Wednesday. Singapore Ambassador to Korea Eric Teo paid a courtesy visit to Herald Corp. headquarters in central Seoul where he, The Korea Herald CEO Choi Jin-young and Herald Corp. Chairman Jung Won-ju exchanged views on the emerging trends amid the COVID-19 pandemic, such as education trends, carbon neutrality, d

Jan. 5, 2022

COVID-19 lessons pave way for cooperation between Indonesia, Korea: Indonesian charge d’affaires

   COVID-19 provided valuable lessons for future cooperation between Indonesia and South Korea in health, biopharmaceuticals, energy and technology, said Indonesian charge d’affaires Zelda Wulan Kartika at the Eurasian Economic and Cultural Forum on Wednesday. According to Kartika, by promoting strategic projects and investments in infrastructure, the food industry and the digital economy, and expanding market access through e-commerce, tourism and digital platforms, Indonesia

Dec. 26, 2021

Lee Sook-kyung of Tate Modern to helm Gwangju Biennale in 2023

A London-based Korean curator has been appointed to head the 2023 Gwangju Biennale. Lee Sook-kyung, senior curator of International Art at the Tate Modern, will take on the role of artistic director of the 14th Gwangju Biennale scheduled to take place in April 2023, the Gwangju Biennale Foundation announced Tuesday. Lee, who has been active in the global art scene for the past 28 years, specializes in “transnational curating.” Her previous posts include being commissioner and curat

Dec. 22, 2021

India offers huge opportunities to Korean investors: Indian ambassador

India is an attractive investment destination for Korean entities, with the country’s $1.4 trillion infrastructure development plan representing attractive opportunities, Indian Ambassador to Korea Sripriya Ranganathan said at the Eurasian Economic and Cultural Forum 2021, hosted Wednesday by The Korea Herald. The ambassador said that the size of Indian economy, India’s infrastructure development plans, demography and digital ecosystem, outstanding human resource, private equity, v

Dec. 19, 2021

Kim Jong-kook puts end to steroid abuse allegation

Singer and entertainer Kim Jong-kook released his doping test results Thursday, in a bid to clear himself of suspicions of steroid use. Kim uploaded an 18-minute video on his YouTube channel on Thursday, showing clips of videos showing himself submitting to doping tests on Nov. 13 and receiving the test results on Dec. 9. The video included his message to the public and to the Canadian bodybuilder Greg Doucette, who had alleged steroid use by Kim. Kim’s doping tests were conducted by th

Dec. 17, 2021

[Herald Interview] ‘Guerilla artist’ leaves encouraging messages all over city

Walking through the bustling streets of Seoul and encountering a rose sprouting from a piece of charcoal, one might wonder, “Is this installation art or a personal message to someone?’ The artist who made the piece says it is both. Lee Hyo-yeol, 36, better known as Yeol, considers himself a freelance advertiser by day and a guerilla artist by night. Since 2014, when he made “Flowers Bloom Through Heat,” Lee has worked on over 20 guerilla installation projects in the c

Dec. 12, 2021

Korean pianist Lee Hyuk wins Animato Piano Competition, special Mazurka award in Paris

Korean pianist Lee Hyuk was declared the winner of the 17th Animato Piano Competition and also took home the special Mazurka award, Lee’s management agency Etoile Classic announced on Friday. The recital competition, held by the Animato Association, ended on Tuesday (local time) in Paris, France. The contestants were young pianists in their late teens to mid-20s recommended by prominent pianists and educators under the slogan of “The Future Great Pianists Today” (unofficial

Dec. 10, 2021

Yoo Jae-suk named best comedian of the year for 10th consecutive year in poll

Entertainer Yoo Jae-suk has been chosen as the top comedian of the year for the tenth consecutive year. According to the survey released by Gallup Korea on Thursday, the 49-year-old took first place in the entertainment broadcaster/comedian category of the "person of the year" for the tenth straight year, gaining 56.9 percent of votes. The pollster canvassed 1,700 people aged 13 or over across the country from Nov. 5-28, and those surveyed were asked to select up to two comedians who

Dec. 10, 2021

First British envoy to NK to receive Woodang Award

  The Woodang Foundation for Education and Culture is honoring James Edward Hoare, former member of the British diplomatic service and current research associate in Korean studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies University of London, for his contributions to the nation with this year’s Woodang Award. Initiated in 2019, the annual award goes to domestic and foreign figures who follow the spirit and vision of Woodang Lee Hoi-young, who worked for the nation’s indepe

Dec. 6, 2021

Israel proposes new Western policy for Korea

South Korea should implement a “new Western policy” to further strengthen ties with Israel, Israeli Ambassador to Korea Akiva Tor proposed at the Eurasian Economic and Cultural Forum on Dec. 1. Tor recommended forging a new defense alliance, as Korea and Israel are both democracies facing severe nuclear and missile threats. “We need a new Western policy for Korea and a new Eastern policy for Israel: Korea should seek to form an alliance in West Asia based on relations with t

Dec. 5, 2021

South African who stopped Han River suicide wins Seoul honorary citizenship

One September day, a South Africa-born resident of Seoul, Harvey Justin John was walking along the Han River with his parents, who were visiting him, when he saw what appeared to be a suicide attempt. He immediately threw himself into the water and rescued the drowning person. His act of bravery was officially recognized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday, which conferred honorary citizenship upon him and eight other foreigners here. During a ceremony held at City Hall, th

Dec. 1, 2021

New CEO takes helm at LG Arts Center

LG Arts Center’s new CEO Lee Hyun-jung officially took the reins of the cultural institution Wednesday. The 50-year-old Lee replaces Sim Woo-seob. Her appointment was announced in the annual reshuffling of conglomerate LG Group’s executives last week. Lee joined LG Arts Center, operated by LG’s nonprofit organization LG Yonam Cultural Foundation, in 1996 as the group was gearing up to launch the cultural complex and served as the head of programming for 22 years. Lee play

Dec. 1, 2021

[Newsmaker] Cardinal Yeom retires after 10 years of service

Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung on Tuesday retired as the Catholic archbishop of Seoul, after some 10 years of service in the post. Yeom, who also held the post of apostolic administrator of the diocese, Pyongyang of North Korea, will soon leave Myeongdong Cathedral and move to Bishop’s Hall at the Catholic University of Korea Songsin Campus in Seoul where many of the country’s priests are educated. “Even after I leave the diocese, I will be grateful for every moment and pra

Nov. 30, 2021

The foundation of the Third Renaissance is being laid in Uzbekistan

On Nov. 15, a grand ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of the independence of Uzbekistan and the 29th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Uzbekistan was held at the Lotte Hotel Seoul at the initiative of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. The event was attended by representatives of the government, ministries, companies, heads of diplomatic missions and compatriots working and studying in South Korea. Welcoming participants of the event, A

Nov. 21, 2021

Kuwait’s Vision 2035 is opportunity for Korea-Kuwait cooperation: Kuwait’s top envoy

Kuwait’s Vision 2035 aims to transform the country into financial and trade hub presents opportunities for Korean participation, Kuwait’s top envoy to Korea Bader M. al-Awadi said last week. Speaking at the Eurasian Economic and Cultural Forum 2021 hosted Wednesday by The Korea Herald, Al-Awadi highlighted the pillars of Vision 2035 and introduced underlying projects and opportunities for Korean companies at the forum. A key part of Vision 2035 is the Silk City project, to be buil

Nov. 21, 2021

Sumi Jo inducted into Asian Hall of Fame

Soprano Sumi Jo has been inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame, her agency SMI Entertainment announced Wednesday.　 Founded in 2004 in Seattle by the Robert Chin Foundation, the Asian Hall of Fame works to recognize Asian excellence, cultural unity and racial equity by honoring Asian contributions in national and international narratives. Jo, a celebrated soprano, is the first Korean national to be inducted to the Asian Hall of Fame. She is also the first opera and classical music artist to be i

Nov. 17, 2021

Kim Jong-kook 'enjoys' steroid abuse allegation made by Canadian YouTuber

Singer and entertainer Kim Jong-kook, who has gained more than 2 million subscribers just months after launching his YouTube channel “GYM JONG KOOK,” has responded to a suspicion of steroid use. Greg Doucette, a renowned Canadian bodybuilder and fitness YouTuber, recently raised suspicion that the Korean singer and well-known body builder could be using steroids. In a video posted on Oct. 31, titled “Kim Jung Kook || Natty or Not,” the trainer accused Kim of abusing st

Nov. 5, 2021

Free-spirited young artist sends heartwarming donations to Myanmar, Malawi

Shin Dong-min, a painter sponsored by The Korea Herald, has inspired many with his artworks, and now he is using his extraordinary talents to help people in Myanmar and Malawi. On Oct. 26, Shin and his mother invited The Korea Herald CEO Choi Jin-young, BT&I Group President Kay Song, and two officials from the Korean office of a Burmese government in exile -- Yan Naing Htun, the government’s special representative, and Soe Moe Thu, secretary-general of the National Unity Government of

Nov. 4, 2021

Paik Kun-woo refutes accusations of neglecting his wife

Pianist Paik Kun-woo spoke up on accusations made by terrestrial broadcaster MBC’s investigative journalism TV program “PD Note” and his wife’s siblings that he and his daughter Paik Jin-hee are not taking proper care of actor Yoon Jeong-hee, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Over the past several months, Yoon’s siblings have claimed that Paik and his daughter are not providing proper care for Yoon who suffers from severe Alzheimer’s dise

Oct. 28, 2021