British Ambassador to Korea Charles Hay speaks in front of the children’s choir of the Seoul Foreign British School at the Christmas reception at the envoy’s residence in Seoul on Wednesday. On Saturday, the envoy participated in a ceremony remembering the old site of the British legation during the 1950-53 Korean War in Busan. During the war, in which some 80,000 British troops fought and 1,100 died, the embassy in Seoul moved to Busan. Hay, Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Sue Kinoshita, Rep. Yo

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 18, 2017

Despite the distance between them, Georgia and Korea share many similarities that have made them freedom-loving, free market-oriented partners increasingly drawing on one another, the top Georgian envoy here has stressed. As the two countries celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, they can also cherish having transformed their tumultuous legacies under foreign occupations into independence and solid development, Georgian Ambassador to Korea Otar Berdzenishvili told The

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 18, 2017

Before the Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392), from which the name “Korea” comes, the Korean Peninsula was a battleground for three ancient kingdoms -- Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla -- from the first century BC through the seventh century AD. The Silla Kingdom in the southeast, originating from what is today’s North Gyeongsang Province, was the unifier of the rivalrous kingdoms. Silla conquered Baekje in 660 and Goguryeo in 668, leading to Unified Silla (668-935), where culture, religion and arts flourished

Travel Dec. 14, 2017

The ASEAN-Korea Centre recently published a book that takes stock of the last 50 years of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and evaluates its prospering strategic partnership with South Korea. “Partnering for Tomorrow: ASEAN-Korea Relations in Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN and ASEAN-ROK Cultural Exchange Year,” compiles researches and opinions reviewed at the International Conference on ASEAN-Korea Partnership in Seoul in August. The book covers three pillars of the bilat

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 11, 2017

On the northwestern corner of South America, Ecuador is uniquely positioned to engage with the outer world, including the economically dynamic East Asia across the Pacific Ocean. The equatorial country -- hence the name “Ecuador” -- offers the rule of law, political stability, a dollar-based growing economy, and an abundance of natural resources, Ecuadorian Minister of International Trade, Pablo Campana Saenz said in an interview with local media on Dec. 5.“Our government under President Lenin M

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 11, 2017

Aided by long-sighted policies and smart technologies, the Nordic countries have grown their economies while cutting down on carbon emissions, effecting what’s dubbed the “decoupling.” As the world moves toward a carbon-free future powered by clean energy, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden are poised to spearhead sustainable development and reap its commercial benefits, experts pointed out at the Nordic Energy Research Conference on Thursday. Their technological and policy-related expertise wo

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 11, 2017

The Korea America Friendship Society held its annual year-end reception on Dec. 5 that celebrated the two countries’ deepening alliance amid growing military threats from North Korea. Some 360 guests, including military officers and noncommissioned members, diplomats, members of the KAFS and their spouses, participated in the event at Millennium Seoul Hilton. Music performances were provided by Songpa-gu Boys and Girls Choir. “Despite the tumultuous international relations surrounding the Korean

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 11, 2017

The Central European Jazz Connection, a quartet comprised of musicians from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, plays at a concert at the JCC Art Center in Seoul on Wednesday. (Hungarian Embassy)In celebration of the rotational presidency of the Visegrad Group -- also known as the V4, an alliance of four Central European states the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia -- the Hungarian Embassy held the concert “European Quartet One Melody” at the JCC Art Center in Seoul on W

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 11, 2017

In director Lee Jang-ho’s 1980 film “A Fine, Windy Day,” the pojangmacha is a place where members of Seoul’s growing underclass meet daily to talk about their pains, gains and fantasies over cheap food and soju.In a country notorious for its die-hard drinking, pojangmacha — meaning “covered wagon” in Korean and referring to a tented outdoor food stall — have been at the center of Korea’s after-work camaraderie. Thirty-seven years have passed since the release of movie that portrayed the country’

Culture Dec. 8, 2017

Cozy staycation at Millennium Seoul Hilton Millennium Seoul Hilton is offering a cozy staycation package for the winter holidays through Feb. 28 next year. The Winter Escape Package offers accommodation in a deluxe room with a view of the city, a buffet breakfast for two at Cafe 395, two gingerbreads and access to a fitness center and swimming pool. The package starts from 240,000 won and is only available to Korean citizens or foreigners with an alien registration card. There is an additional c

Food Dec. 8, 2017

London Mayor Sadiq Khan (right)London‘s first Asian-origin mayor Sadiq Khan said the British government should apologise for a colonial-era massacre in India as he visited the site on Wednesday.The 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, in which British troops opened fire on thousands of unarmed protesters in the city of Amritsar, remains an enduring scar of British colonial rule over the subcontinent.The then British prime minister David Cameron described it as deeply shameful when he visited the memo

World News Dec. 6, 2017

Beijing accused Australia Wednesday of stirring “anti-China hysteria” after Canberra proposed a suite of foreign interference laws, labelling comments by some government officials as irresponsible.Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull on Tuesday announced wide-ranging reforms to tackle rising concerns of foreign interference, noting “disturbing reports” about Chinese influence. That came after Turnbull ordered an inquiry in June in the wake of media revelations that the nation‘s spy agency had warned t

World News Dec. 6, 2017

Pope Francis Wednesday defended the “status quo” of Jerusalem, hours ahead of an announcement by US President Donald Trump in which officials said he will recognise the disputed city as Israel‘s capital.“I cannot silence my deep concern over the situation that has emerged in recent days. At the same time, I appeal strongly for all to respect the city’s status quo, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions,” the pope said in his weekly address.The Argentine pontiff‘s call came a day after he

World News Dec. 6, 2017

The Kremlin on Wednesday cautioned against an “emotional” response after Russia was banned from the Winter Olympic Games, as politicians and athletes reacted with anger and disappointment.Russia was banned Tuesday from the 2018 Winter Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over its state-orchestrated doping programme -- something it has always denied -- but clean Russian athletes will be allowed to compete under an Olympic flag.“The situation is serious, it calls for deep analysis an

World News Dec. 6, 2017