The Korea Herald

Nine North Koreans defect to South by sea, Seoul officials say

(Yonhap News)Nine North Koreans who crossed the tense western sea border aboard a small engineless vessel over the weekend for apparent defection are being questioned by South Korean officials, the Seoul government said Wednesday. The nine people, including family members, arrived on a frontline South Korean island around 6 a.m. Saturday, and are seeking asylum in the wealthier South, a government

North Korea June 15, 2011

Nine North Koreans defect to South by sea, Seoul officials say

Actor Cha In-pyo publishes second novel

A heartwarming story can give hope to those who want to give up their lives: Cha Actor Cha In-pyo remembers one day he went out for a bike ride in 1998. Korea was going through a major financial crisis. While riding his bike along the Han River he ran into a middle-aged man who was sobbing alone near a notorious suicide spot. Cha did not know what to do, so he just passed him by. Cha In-pyo (Yonha

Culture June 14, 2011

Disgruntled iMac users may seek class action

An alleged defect occurring in Apple Inc.’s iMac computers appears likely to lead to a class suit against the IT giant. According to industry sources, Apple Inc.’s iMac computers can develop blots on the monitor under certain circumstances.The company had at first provided free replacements for products that have developed the problem, but has since stopped such services, claiming that the cause o

Technology June 14, 2011

Illegal human egg brokers busted

The police on Tuesday sought arrest warrants for two people suspected of brokering illegal sales of human eggs and booked 13 ovum donors without detention. Seoul police on Tuesday sought arrest warrants for two people on charges of brokering in the illegal trade of human eggs via the Internet. (MCT)The ovum brokers identified only by their last names Koo and Chung ran a website where people shared

Social Affairs June 14, 2011

Regulator vetoes KDB’s bid for Woori

Korea's top financial regulator said Tuesday it is not desirable for KDB Financial Group Inc. to bid for state-run Woori Finance Holdings Co., raising the chances that the much-awaited sale of the group will hit a snag.Korea announced a road map for the sale of state-run Woori Finance, the country's No. 2 banking group, on May 17, after it suspended the deal worth around $6 billion to sell its 56.

June 14, 2011

Gandhi's 'face' found on Google Mars

An Italian named Matteo Ianneo claims to have found a mound on Mars that looks like a the face of Mahatma Gandhi, Space.com reported.He is one of space enthusiasts who are looking for interesting objects using Google Mars, a new online map pieced together from satellite images of the Red Planet.In the past few weeks he claims to have found vegetation, entrances to underground tunnels and city ruin

Technology June 14, 2011

N.K. leases pier on northeastern port to Switzerland

North Korea has leased a pier on its port located near China and Russia to Switzerland, a source said Tuesday, citing an unidentified Chinese government official.North Korea has already leased two other piers on Rajin port to China and Russia, and various consultations are also under way for three other piers, according to the source who has knowledge on the North Korean economy.The port, located

North Korea June 14, 2011

U.S. expresses concerns over N.K.'s suspected arms trade

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) -- The United States has "concerns" that a North Korean ship recently intercepted by a U.S.destroyer might have been carrying contraband weapons in breach of U.N. Security Council resolutions, the State Department said Monday."There was a vessel that was suspected of carrying materials prohibited by the United Nations Security Council resolutions,"spokesman Mark Toner said

North Korea June 14, 2011

S&P cuts Greece credit rating to lowest

ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Standard & Poor's cut Greece's credit rating deeper into junk territory Monday, saying the country is likely to default on its massive debts at least once by 2013 -- a decision Athens said ignored its efforts to secure continued funding in coming yearsThe rating agency said the downgrade from B to CCC ``reflects our view that there is a significantly higher likelihood of one

World Business June 14, 2011

'U.S. intercepted N.K. ship suspected of carrying military contraband'

The United States recently intercepted a North Korean ship suspected of carrying military-related contraband, causing the vessel to eventually sail back home, a U.S. official said Monday.The remarks by Gary Samore, special assistant to U.S. President Barack Obama, came after local media reported that the North Koreans turned back after apparently sensing their cargo would be inspected if they stop

North Korea June 13, 2011

Last wishes of girl fighting cancer coming true

A British girl who has been fighting cancer for four years posted her wish list on a blog, bringing about sensation on the Internet.Alice Pyne wrote “I’m 15 and I have terminal cancer. I’ve created a bucket list because there are so many things I still want to do in my life … some are possible, some will remain a dream.”Most of her wishes were typical teenage desires, but her first wish was to “ma

Social Affairs June 13, 2011

Last wishes of girl fighting cancer coming true

Monster black hole twins found in galaxy center

Scientists have found two rare active, “supermassive” black holes about 425 million light-years away, Space.com reported. The galaxy Markarian 739 in the constellation Leo is known to have one enormous black hole at its core. New observations by NASA’s Swift satellite and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory revealed that the galaxy, which resembles a smiling face, has another monster black hole at its c

Technology June 13, 2011

Monster black hole twins found in galaxy center

Opposition leader offers to talk with president over economy

The opposition leader proposed a rare meeting with President Lee Myung-bak, saying Monday that he wants to discuss a string of challenges the country faces in efforts to improve people's livelihood.The offer from Rep. Sohn Hak-kyu of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) comes as the government is grappling with growing calls for lowering college tuition costs and rising home rental prices, an

Politics June 13, 2011

Ex-minister under graft probe dies in apparent suicide

Former Agriculture Minister Im Sang-gyu was found dead in his car in the southern city of Suncheon, in what appears to be a suicide, police said Monday. He was 62. Im, president of Sunchon National University since July, was under two separate criminal investigations led by prosecutors ― one regarding a bribery scandal over construction-site catering contracts and the other, the unfolding savings

Social Affairs June 13, 2011

Ex-minister under graft probe dies in apparent suicide

Prince Philip marks 90th birthday with new title

LONDON (AFP) ― Britain’s Prince Philip received a new royal title from his wife Queen Elizabeth II as a gift on his 90th birthday Friday, as the outspoken consort said he would finally scale back his workload.The queen made him Lord High Admiral ― the titular head of the British Royal Navy and an office until now held by her ― partly in recognition of the promising seafaring career Philip gave up

People June 12, 2011

Prince Philip marks 90th birthday with new title

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