South Korean President Moon Jae-In will visit China next week for talks on North Korea and other issues, his office said Wednesday, amid tentative signs of diplomatic movement after months of high tensions over Pyongyang‘s nuclear and missile threats.The announcement came as a high-level United Nations representative held talks with a senior North Korean official during a rare trip to Pyongyang.Jeffrey Feltman, UN undersecretary general for political affairs, arrived Tuesday to discuss what the

Foreign Affairs Dec. 6, 2017

The Ukrainian Embassy in Seoul observed last week the annual remembrance of the “Holodomor” famine, orchestrated by the Soviet Union to wipe out Ukrainians in the early 1930s.Holodomor -- meaning “death by hunger” in Ukrainian -- took place from 1932-33 across Ukraine, then part of the Soviet Union, killing an estimated 7-10 million people. The man-made disaster was carried out under the order of Joseph Stalin, who saw a nationwide famine as instrumental in forestalling a Ukrainian independence

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 4, 2017

The Royal Thai Embassy on Friday marked Father’s Day, a national celebration of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday. Thai citizens from all walks of life gather together to show their “profound respect” for the monarch who passed away over a year ago, said Thai Ambassador to Korea Sarun Charoensuwan. He added that Bhumibol (Dec. 5, 1927-Oct. 13, 2016) worked tirelessly to uplift Thai people’s lives, particularly those on the bottom rungs of society, after he ascended to the throne in 194

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 4, 2017

The Master Plan for ASEAN Connectivity 2025 blueprints a “seamlessly and comprehensively connected and integrated Association of Southeast Asian Nations that will promote competition, inclusiveness and a greater sense of community.” Enhancing physical, institutional and social linkages across Southeast Asia is a priority of ASEAN governments, a goal shared and facilitated by Korea, which is pivoting toward the rising regional economic powerhouse. As ASEAN generally suffers from a shortage and di

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 4, 2017

When British Ambassador Charles Hay’s two daughters saw a freshly rescued black puppy in March last year, the envoy couldn’t say no to adopting the dog later to be named “Caspian.”Caspian was among 55 canines salvaged from a dog meat farm in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, in January 2016 by the Humane Society International, an organization dedicated to animal well-being.“When we got him, he was a very, very, very tiny puppy,” Hay said at an exhibition in Seoul on Thursday featuring photographs of do

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 4, 2017

Cozy staycation at Millennium Seoul HiltonMillennium 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 Korean citizens or foreigners with an alien registration card. There is an additional charge of 50,00

Travel Dec. 2, 2017

Georgian Ambassador Otar Berdzenishvili (Joel Lee/The Korea Herald)Charting a democratic and free economic path since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Georgia has adroitly exploited its strategic location in the South Caucasus to connect Europe and Asia.Georgia’s geostrategic value is set to multiply with the launch of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway on Oct. 30 and signing of the Lapis Lazuli Corridor Agreement with Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey on Nov. 15, according

Diplomatic Circuit Nov. 27, 2017

The Costa Rican government honored former Korean Ambassador Shin Soon-chull with the National Order “Juan Mora Fernandez,” which is endowed upon ambassadors and other high-level foreign individuals that have exceptionally served the Central American nation.The award is named after Costa Rica’s first elected head of state Juan Mora Fernandez (1784-1854), who channeled his patriotism and modesty to look after his compatriots’ well-being, according to the Costa Rican Embassy in Seoul. Shin served a

Diplomatic Circuit Nov. 27, 2017

South Africa is Korea’s largest trade partner in Africa, but there is much room to grow two-way trade and investment by targeting innovative sectors, according to the country’s top envoy here. The South African economy is being transformed to produce value-added goods and services, presenting opportune conditions for Korean companies, Ambassador Nozuko Gloria Bam stressed at an investment seminar at the Federation of Korean Industries on Thursday.“The transformation of our economy through the pr

Diplomatic Circuit Nov. 27, 2017

After Thae Yong-ho, former deputy chief of the North Korean Embassy in London, defected to South Korea in the summer of 2016, UK Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field had a chance to meet him in Seoul in late August during an official visit. Field grasped why Thae, acclimated to Britain’s liberal democratic society, risked the lives of himself and his family to flee to the South, forsaking their diplomatic privileges. “What the story shows is that Thae lived in London and saw his

Diplomatic Circuit Nov. 27, 2017

South Korean singer Psy’s global megahit “Gangnam Style” topped 3 billion views on YouTube on Sunday around 8 a.m.The single was released in July 2012, unleashing worldwide interest in Korea, from its music and fashion to tourism and food. “Gangnam Style” was viewed more than 500 million times within 100 days of its release. Major international media outlets such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, BBC and ABC spotlighted Psy’s “horse dance” as a worldwide sensation.  South Korean s

Performance Nov. 26, 2017

Christmas lunch buffet, dinner at Sheraton Grand Incheon HotelSheraton Grand Incheon Hotel will offer a Christmas-special lunch buffet of chicken wings, grilled turkey and beef on Dec. 25 from noon to 2:30 pm at its Grand Ballroom.The dishes are followed by sweet desserts, and for children a dance and photo-taking session with robot and cartoon characters are available. The promotion is 94,000 won for adults and 66,000 won for children under 13. For more information and reservations, call (032)

Food Nov. 26, 2017

Latvia and Korea -- separated by over 7,200 kilometers -- are said to share close, kindred aspirations for prosperity and cooperation, crystallized through centuries of struggle for self-determination. Latvia waded through devastating foreign reigns, but preserved its indigenous spirit, culture and language, a historical path that has similarly molded the modern Korean psyche. Akin to South Korea perennially under the menace of its bellicose northern neighbor, Latvia has had to confront increasi

Diplomatic Circuit Nov. 20, 2017

Indonesia, by virtue of its geography as a vast nation of 17,000 islands, couldn’t isolate itself from waves of Islamic influence that started arriving on its shores largely since the late 13th century. Islam was first introduced by Arab traders, then by Islamic scholars and their missionary activities. It was later adopted by local rulers and converts, and acted as a rallying call against foreign occupiers during the late colonial period.Religion, much like everything else in the heterogeneous

Diplomatic Circuit Nov. 20, 2017

The New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea, also known as the Kiwi Chamber, marked another year of innovation, growth and friendship between New Zealand and Korea at an annual year-end hui, or gathering, last week.The event at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul on Wednesday drew some 200 guests, including New Zealand Ambassador to Korea Clare Fearnley, Wellington Mayor Justin Lester, Chamber Chairman Tony Garrett and Dongwon CNS Vice Chairman Park In-koo.“The relationship between Korea and New Zeala

Diplomatic Circuit Nov. 20, 2017