BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraqi government forces said Wednesday they had achieved their objectives in a lightning operation that saw them sweep through disputed Kurdish-held territory in a punishing riposte to an independence vote last month.On Monday and Tuesday, federal troops and allied militia retook the northern province of Kirkuk and its lucrative oil fields, as well as formerly Kurdish-held areas of Nineveh and Diyala provinces.The largely bloodless operation dealt a body blow to the finances of t

World News Oct. 18, 2017

BEIJING (AFP) - President Xi Jinping vowed on Wednesday to further open China’s economy to the world, but foreign companies and investors who have complained of “promise fatigue” called for deeds rather than words.Xi made his pledge during a wide-ranging speech to open a week-long Communist Party congress that will hand him a new five-year term as general secretary.“Openness brings progress for ourselves, seclusion leaves one behind. China will not close its doors to the world, we will only beco

World News Oct. 18, 2017

LONDON (AFP) - The 10-storey building may look like a hotel, but it is thought to be the world‘s biggest large-scale house-share, offering modest rooms and upscale services for hundreds of young adults caught in London’s housing crisis.The Old Oak building, situated on a canal bank in north west London, opened in the spring of 2016, and has become a pioneer of “co-living”, a concept that is beginning to catch on elsewhere, notably in the United States. “Today in cities, we don‘t know our neighbo

World Business Oct. 18, 2017

DUBAI (AFP) -- The fight against the Islamic State group has suffered in the Gulf crisis, which has seen Doha isolated from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Qatar‘s foreign minister said Wednesday. The closure of Qatar’s only land border and the airspace ban on Qatari planes “undermines the global efforts in countering” IS in Iraq and Syria, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said in an interview with CNBC. In June, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain announced a string of sanctions against

World News Oct. 18, 2017

As the third annual installment celebrating thriving ties with Korea, the Indian Embassy in Seoul will organize a string of events from Friday to Nov. 18 across the country in collaboration with the Indian Cultural Centers in Seoul and Busan. The events -- “Sarang: The Festival of India in Korea” -- range from traditional and contemporary Indian art, music and dance to cuisine and films. “My colleagues and I are delighted to present the third edition of ‘Sarang: The Festival of India in Korea’ t

Diplomatic Circuit Oct. 16, 2017

The government and people of Sudan welcome the United States’ decision on Oct. 6 to permanently revoke the decadeslong sanctions placed on the country, which is expected to pave the way for its global engagement with renewed energy, according to the Sudanese Embassy in Seoul. “Sudan welcomes this resolution and considers it an important development in the history of Sudan-America relations and natural outcome of a frank, transparent and constructive dialogue on all issues of mutual concern,” the

Diplomatic Circuit Oct. 16, 2017

Owing to the vast geography and historical legacy, Australian states have retained sizeable powers and freedoms from the national government since Australia became a federation of colonies in 1901.In a world economy where cities and regions reign supreme in sustainable development, South Australia is keen to strengthen its relationship with South Korea in trade and investment, science and technology, defense and aerospace as well as food and wine, according to South Australian parliamentarian Ma

Diplomatic Circuit Oct. 16, 2017

An open view of the azure sea, with glitters of sunlight, drifting clouds and forested shorelines, delighted passengers inside a Song-do marine cable car in Busan. “It was thrilling and impressive, a rare scenery in Korea,” Kim So-young, a Busan-native who now lives in Seoul, told The Korea Herald about her experience in early October. “There were many families, couples and children enjoying the spectacular view. Some cable cars also come with a transparent glass floor, which makes the ride all

Travel Oct. 13, 2017

Seaside getaway at Hilton Namhae Golf Spa ResortHilton Namhae Golf and Spa Resort is offering a seasonal package of accommodation, food, spa and coffee through Nov. 30. The Colorful Autumn Package features a one-night stay in a suite room, breakfast at the restaurant Breeze and access to the spa, as well as take-out coffee. The Namhae area in the southern coast of Korea is ideal for travel in fall, with its seaside walking trails and close proximity to scenic mountains. The resort has rooms offe

Food Oct. 13, 2017

When Yang Dong-yang came across a public noticeboard advertising a job opportunity in West Germany in the summer of 1963, he was elated.For the ambitious 24-year-old who arrived in Seoul from the countryside in search of work, opportunities for upward mobility were scarce.“I always had dreams of making it big in the world since my childhood, but there was no means to achieve my dream in Korea. The country was very poor in the early 1960s, barely moving ahead after decades of colonial rule and th

Diplomatic Circuit Oct. 9, 2017

The recent expulsion of the North Korean ambassador from Mexico was a fitting expression of disavowing Pyongyang’s defiance of international norms and principles, said Mexico’s top envoy to Korea, stressing his country is ready to muster action behind the talk of denuclearization. Leading the international coalition against North Korea’s nuclear and missile program, the Foreign Ministry of Mexico declared former North Korean Ambassador to the country, Kim Hyong-gil, “persona non grata” on Sept.

Diplomatic Circuit Oct. 2, 2017

The Indonesian Embassy marked the 72nd anniversary of the country’s independence last week, commemorating the spirit of national self-determination, peaceful coexistence and social justice that has buttressed thriving cooperation with key partners worldwide, and South Korea in particular.The national day celebrating Indonesia’s proclamation of independence from colonial Netherlands falls on Aug. 17, but the diplomatic mission held the reception on Sept. 28 for maximum attendance, the embassy tol

Diplomatic Circuit Oct. 2, 2017

With the recent re-election of Angela Merkel as Germany’s chancellor, Germany and Korea are poised to continue their commitment to a rules-based international order prioritizing peace and security, multilateralism, democracy and liberal trade, the country’s top envoy to Korea told the Korea Herald, noting the two countries could spearhead the “fourth industrial revolution” together. Speaking ahead of the Day of German Unity on Tuesday, German Ambassador Stephan Auer stressed the two nations have

Diplomatic Circuit Oct. 2, 2017

With Copenhagen’s hosting of the International Union of Architects (UIA) congress in 2023, Danish cities will encapsulate and further facilitate worldwide efforts for sustainable development at the milepost event, said the country’s top envoy to Korea. Following a general assembly vote at the UIA World Architects’ Congress in Seoul on Sept. 9, Copenhagen beat out contenders Antalya, Baku, Kuala Lumpur and Lausanne to secure the candidacy of the conference, dubbed, the “Olympics of architecture.”

Diplomatic Circuit Sept. 25, 2017