The 16th Seoul International Fireworks Festival, slated for Oct. 6, might have to be postponed if the rain brought by Typhoon Kong-rey does not subside.According to international weather agencies, the worst of the storm will be felt Friday night and into Saturday as Kong-rey makes landfall on the southern coast of Korea.Hanwha Group, the organizer of the fireworks event, said it will closely monitor the weather and decide Saturday morning around 10 a.m. whether to go ahead with the festival.  (H

Culture Oct. 5, 2018

In line with the #MeToo movement in Korea, there have been ongoing efforts among women here to break free of their “social corsets” either consciously or subconsciously. The metaphorical corset has found its way into modern slang. Korean women call the movement to reject the requirement to wear makeup and dress a certain way “tal-corset,” “tal-co” or “corset-free.” But not everyone feels the same, and even some of those who reject the obligation might wear occasional makeup. So it still wouldn’t

Arts & Design Oct. 4, 2018

About 15,000 people took to the streets of Seoul to participate in a 7.6-kilometer walk traversing the city, on Sunday, the last day of September, which saw clear skies. The walk began at 8 a.m., from Gwanghwamun Square to Banpo Hangang Park. Sections of roads were closed off from as early as 7 a.m. to as late as 11:30 a.m. to make way for the event’s participants.The event invited 10,000 walkers, 4,800 cyclists and 200 users of personal mobility devices to sign up online on a first come, first

More Sports Sept. 30, 2018

The Busan District Court has slapped a fine of 1 million won ($900) on a college student for harassing a woman with more than 100 text messages in a week. The 23-year-old man came across the victim on social media in August 2017. He sent her a message that said she was his “ideal type” and that he wanted to get to know her better.The 27-year-old victim responded that she was reluctant to be in a relationship, but suggested they keep in touch. The two exchanged phone numbers and ended up meeting

Social Affairs Sept. 30, 2018

지난 25일 유엔(UN) 총회에선 미국 트럼프 대통령이 자신이 일군 ‘업적’에 대해 연설해 청중이 웃음을 터뜨리는 일이 있었다.　트럼프는 “나는 오늘 UN 총회 앞에 서서 우리 이룬 기막힌 성과를 나누려 한다”며 “채 2년도 되지 않는 기간에 내 정부는 미국 역사상 거의 그 어떤 정부보다 더 막대한 업적을 일구었다”고 말했다.　 유엔 총회 앞에 선 트럼프 미국 대통령 (사진=캡쳐)이 시점에서 총회에 참석했던 사람들 사이에선 작은 웃음이 물결을 친다. 　이에 트럼프는 “진짜”라고 말했고, 총회의 웃음은 점점 커진다. 　트럼프가 “예상하지 못했던 반응이지만, 괜찮다”고 말을 잇자 총회는 더 큰 웃음을 터뜨리며 박수를 쳤다.　이와 관련해 트럼프 대통령은 자국 언론과의 인터뷰를 통해 “(UN은) 나를 향해 웃은 게 아니라 나와 함께 웃은 것”이라며 자신이 비웃음을 당했다는 기존 보도는 모두 “가짜 뉴스”라고 일축했다.　(khnews@heraldcorp.com)　

한국어판 Sept. 27, 2018

The candid interactions between South Korea’s presidential couple of Moon Jae-in and Kim Jung-sook are endearing in every way, and what their impact would be on their North Korean counterparts Kim Jong-un and Ri Sol-ju one could only surmise. Moon and his wife don’t put on a stuffy show for the camera. Their open dialogue invites the general public to see them more as the friendly neighborhood couple than distant rulers of the nation. Here are three moments that drew attention:"Here, let me tidy

North Korea Sept. 21, 2018

South Korean President Moon Jae-in had his wish granted Thursday, when he went up Paektusan in North Korea. The question now is whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will go up the South’s tallest mountain during his expected trip to Seoul this year. Paektusan is the highest mountain in the North, at about 2,750 meters above sea level, while Hallasan is around 1,950 meters. Abundant folklore and legends involving mythical creatures revolve around both mountains Moon is an avid hiker, whose mou

North Korea Sept. 21, 2018

The South Korean fad of making “finger hearts” has crossed the border to the North, with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un himself trying the gesture while posing for photos on top of Paektusan. The gesture entails crisscrossing the thumb and index finger into a heart shape. According to South Korean presidential office Cheong Wa Dae’s spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom, Kim Jong-un tried the gesture while posing for photographs with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Paektusan, in front of the crater

North Korea Sept. 21, 2018

Is it the massive media attention he received for his copious use of lip moisturizer that’s making him shy? Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong was seen reaching for a dab of his lip balm, but upon noticing a camera filming him, Lee withdrew his outstretched pinky, stony-faced.Lee was spotted with his ever-famous lip balm at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, where he was attending the Mass Games next to SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won as part of a group of South Korean chaebol leaders

Industry Sept. 20, 2018

 진행자: 임정요, Kevin Lee Selzer1. Kim Jong-un expects progress at next summit with Donald Trump기사요약: 문재인 대통령 내외는 18일 오전 8시40분 성남공항에서 전용기로 방북해 오전 10시 평양 순안공항에 도착했다. 문 대통령은 영접을 나온 김정은 위원장과 함께 평양시내를 가로질러 백화관 초대소까지 엄청난 인파의 환영을 받으며 이동했다. 2박3일간 진행되는 이번 정상회담의 3대 의제는 남북관계 개선, 비핵화를 위한 북미대화 촉진, 항구적 평화체제 정착이다.아이튠즈(아이폰): https://itunes.apple.com/kr/podcast/koliaheleoldeu-paskaeseuteu/id686406253?mt=2 팟빵 (안드로이드): http://www.podbbang.com/ch/6638[1] South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his North Korean counterpa

Podcast Sept. 19, 2018

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook were seen off by their first dog Maru, Tuesday morning, as they departed the presidential residence of Cheong Wa Dae for a three-day summit in Pyongyang with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (Joint Press Corps.)Moon and Kim patted Maru who threw forlorn stares, not comprehending the historic task that rests on the shoulders of the presidential couple. Maru is a Korean breed Poongsan Dog that the couple have kept since their pre-pres

North Korea Sept. 18, 2018

Upon arriving in Pyongyang for a three-day summit Tuesday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in switched from a plane to his secure Benz, joined by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.Moon and Kim rode in an open-roof Benz, followed by a car carrying first ladies Kim Jung-sook and Ri Sol-ju.The cars had traveled via land from South Korea across the border to Pyongyang, prior to Moon’s arrival.(Footage provided by Pyongyang Press Corps.)Security personnel followed in Lexus vehicles.This is not the firs

North Korea Sept. 18, 2018

Despite the ongoing UN sanctions against North Korea, Chinese tourism to the reclusive land is on the rise. According to the South Korean wire service Yonhap, the appeal lies in the fresh, pristine seafood the North has to offer.A knowledgeable source quoted on Sunday by the news provider said North Korean seafood was widely believed in China to be untouched by pollution. Crabs and prawns from North Korea are blatantly sold at major restaurants, even in Beijing, having come in via furtive routes

North Korea Sept. 16, 2018

Weekend highway congestion escalated a week ahead of the Chuseok holidays. At various sections on the Korean highway on Sunday, cars traveled at speeds below 40 kilometers per hour at around 4 p.m. across a 330-kilometer section. The Korea Expressway Corp. said the phenomenon was due to people tending to their ancestral graves prior to the Chuseok holidays, which start next Saturday. (Yonhap) (Yonhap)On the day, an estimated 4.2 million cars traveled on highways across the country, exceeding the

Social Affairs Sept. 16, 2018

A 9-ton delivery truck full of soju crashed into another 8.5-ton truck inside a highway tunnel on Thursday, causing 2 hours of congestion.The accident took place at around 9 a.m. inside a tunnel in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Police believe the offending driver failed to decelerate in time.Both truck drivers were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Photos provided by Gyeonggi-do Fire Services Photos provided by Gyeonggi-do Fire ServicesBy Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)

Social Affairs Sept. 16, 2018