The Korea Herald

N.K. prepares for massive military drill

North Korean soldiers are gathering for a massive military drill involving land, sea and air forces on its western coast, according to a government source on Tuesday. “We noted preparations for a military exercise from the North’s naval base in Nampo and its aerial base in Onchon in South Pyongan Province,” the source said.“Warships and fighters have been assembled there, and although it depends o

Social Affairs July 26, 2011

Racial discrimination complaints rise sharply

The number of petitions against racial and religious discrimination doubled last year from five years earlier.The National Human Rights Commission said Tuesday that it received 64 complaints in 2010 regarding discrimination based on race, religion, nationality, ethnicity and skin color, doubling from the 32 cases filed in 2005.The increasing reports of discrimination have drawn attention as more a

Social Affairs July 26, 2011

Korea, China to commence defense talks

The Chinese and Korean defense ministries will hold inaugural strategic defense dialogue in Seoul this week, hoping to thaw their relationship that has been chilled since two deadly North Korean provocations last year, said Chinese officials Sunday.A top-level delegation led by Air Force Gen. Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of the general staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, will arrive in Seo

Social Affairs July 25, 2011

First comprehensive census of North Korean defectors

Seoul will conduct its first ever census of North Korean defectors to determine their quality of life, the North Korean Refugees Foundation said Monday. According to the public organization, they have conducted interview surveys of all North Korean refugees over 8 years old on family conditions, standard of living, education and other factors. This is the first time the government has held a censu

Social Affairs July 25, 2011

North Korea tested missile engines last October: source

North Korea had tested the rocket engines for its intercontinental ballistics missile ahead of the deadly attack on Yeonpyeong Island in 2010, according to a high-ranking source on Sunday.“In October of last year North Korea tested the rockets for its intercontinental ballistics missile at its Dongchang-ri base,” said the high-ranking government official. “We believe they conducted the test as a d

Social Affairs July 24, 2011

Seoul City plans women-only subway cars

Female commuters may soon have a safe haven from sex offenders when riding the subway, as the capital plans to introduce women-only cars, city officials said Wednesday.In order to protect women from sexual assault, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to gather public opinion on the measure by next month, and implement a trial run by September. According to officials, the trial run will be held

Social Affairs July 20, 2011

Military to randomly inspect Marine bases

The Defense Ministry will hold random inspections of all Marine Corps bases within the year to stem abuse among soldiers, a military official said Wednesday.“The ministry will form special inspection teams involving different areas, such as operations and personnel, and will conduct random checks on Marine bases from August to the end of the year,” said the source.“Soldiers and commanders who are

Social Affairs July 20, 2011

Military adopts new rules against barracks abuse

The military has introduced new rules to block the physical and verbal abuses that are allegedly rampant inside barracks, officials said Tuesday.The measures came in the wake of a deadly shooting spree by a marine in his barracks early this month. Under the rules adopted by the Defense Ministry, enlisted soldiers, excluding squad or team leaders, may no longer order or instruct fellow soldiers, an

Social Affairs July 19, 2011

Military adopts new rules against barracks abuse

Nation’s first nudist forest to open at end of this month

The nation’s first nudist forest spa will be opening late this month in South Jeolla Province, allowing “free spirits” a chance to walk among nature in their birthday suits.Woodland, a forest spa offering various cypress related treatments, will open its newest venue, Vivi Ecotopia, on July 30. The idea of a nudist forest drew much media attention after the announcement to open the venue nearly a

Social Affairs July 19, 2011

Nation’s first nudist forest to open at end of this month

Heat wave forecast this week as storm clouds subside

As the rainy season comes to an end, the country is expected to face sweltering weather throughout the week, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration on Sunday. The North Pacific high-pressure system developed north, placing the Korean peninsula on its outer edges, bringing about a heat wave and partly cloudy skies in place of wet weather.Temperatures will remain at hotter than 30 degr

Social Affairs July 17, 2011

Profiteers of social ills

Citizens make big money reporting violationsIn the waiting room of one internal medicine clinic in Seoul, an inconspicuous pair of investigators is conducting a sting. These sleuths do not have fedora hats or trench coats, but designer purses, blouses, and most importantly, a camcorder hidden out of sight.Kim, the veteran of the two, exhibits such nonchalant behavior in the clinic that it is hard

Social Affairs July 15, 2011

VOA thanks KMA for N.K. broadcast

Voice of America, a U.S.-funded radio broadcaster, awarded Seoul’s weather agency a certificate of appreciation for its collaborative weather broadcasts into North Korea, according to officials on Wednesday. The Korea Meteorological Administration’s partnership, which started in 2010, offers residents of the hermit kingdom weather forecasts and other relevant information segments through the radio

Social Affairs July 14, 2011

Foreigners advise Seoul to improve openness

Global enterprise executives in Korea held the Foreign Investment Advisory Council in Seoul on Wednesday to discuss plans for improvement of the foreign investment environment in the capital.Seoul city, the government and various chambers of commerce officials and heads of multinational corporations gathered in hopes of making Seoul a top global city.“Seoul’s competiveness has advanced greatly ove

Social Affairs July 13, 2011

Super typhoon may hit Korean Peninsula

Weather agency predicts two or three more heavy storms by SeptemberThe Korean Peninsula is expected to face a mega typhoon of disastrous proportions this summer, according to the state’s weather agency on Tuesday. The Korea Meteorological Administration predicts that two or three more typhoons could hit the two Koreas up till September, after analyzing computer simulations. The KMA found that the

Social Affairs July 12, 2011

Seoul to broaden tourism drive ahead of Winter Olympics

The capital is hoping to ride the wave of PyeongChang’s successful 2018 Winter Olympics bid to attract more foreign tourists, officials said Sunday.The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to expand its sale of tourist packages to the U.S. and Middle East on top of the current eight Asian countries including China, Taiwan and Malaysia.The Seoul City tourism packages are made by domestic tour compan

Social Affairs July 10, 2011

Articles by 이종민