The oversized, domineering gate of rusty steel topped by the nameplate Devil’s Door is never meant to make guests feel at ease. Inside, an awe-inspiring interior of the top-flying brewpub in southern Seoul welcomes beer lovers longing for new tastes, choice and experience. The 10-meter-high ceilings, retro benches and chairs, brick wall art and a web of vintage metal pipe lamps combine to create the feel of a cottage brewery that has breathed a new life into an old abandoned factory in Brooklyn,

Arts & Design March 20, 2015

Washington on Tuesday threw a jab at Beijing over its opposition to the possible stationing of an advanced U.S. missile defense unit on the peninsula, saying the issue is not subject to “strong representations” by a third country. Daniel Russel, U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, stressed that the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system is aimed at warding off North Korea’s unabated missile threats against South Korea and the U.S., and reiterated that they h

Foreign Affairs March 17, 2015

The U.S. has included its advanced missile defense system as part of its extra forces to be supplied to help defend South Korea in contingencies, a news report said Sunday, adding to heated controversy over the asset’s possible deployment on the peninsula. Last week, the U.S. Forces Korea confirmed for the first time that the military has carried out a site survey for possible stationing of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system. Though no final decision had been reached on its deploymen

Defense March 15, 2015

Korea’s former ambassador to Indonesia Kim Young-sun will take the helm at the ASEAN-Korea Center on Friday, vowing support for the region’s political, economic and social integration. Kim Young-sunThe 60-year-old career diplomat succeeds Chung Hae-moon and will serve for three years as the agency’s third secretary-general. Kim called 2015 a “momentous year” as the 10-member coalition gears up to introduce the ASEAN Economic Community for greater security, economic and sociocultural integration.

Foreign Affairs March 13, 2015

The U.S. has carried out a site survey for a possible stationing of its advanced missile defense asset, the U.S. Forces Korea said Thursday, adding that no final decision had been made on the deployment. The monthslong study is believed to have taken place early last year at five sites including Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province; Wonju, Gangwon Province; and Busan. The statement was the U.S. military’s first official confirmation of the survey. The Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system would he

Foreign Affairs March 12, 2015

Unification Minister nominee Hong Yong-pyo on Wednesday said sending a special envoy to North Korea could be an option to consider in the efforts to help defrost cross-border ties. At his confirmation hearing, the former presidential unification secretary and college professor apologized for allegations of tax evasion, fake resident registration, plagiarism and other wrongdoings. Expressing regret over strained inter-Korean relations, Hong pledged to explore the “best ways” to bring about a thaw

North Korea March 11, 2015

Korea stepped up pressure on Japan to resolve the issue of its sexual enslavement of Asian women during World War II at the U.N. on Monday, as bilateral negotiations continue to make little headway. At the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, Gender Equality and Family Minister Kim Hee-jung tacitly urged Tokyo to face up to history and resolve the issue in line with its commitment to tackling violence against women. It was the first time for Seoul to raise the issue at the panel. “I am encour

Foreign Affairs March 10, 2015

President Park Geun-hye on Monday visited U.S Ambassador Mark Lippert, who was attacked by a radical activist last week, immediately upon her return from the Middle East tour and wished him a swift recovery while pledging a more robust alliance.Park’s visit topped throngs of calls made by Seoul’s high-level officials and politicians, as various religious and civic groups continued to hold rallies and events to send well-wishes to the ambassador who suffered deep cuts to his face and left hand.Du

Foreign Affairs March 9, 2015

South Korea on Tuesday urged the North to take action to improve its human rights situation, lambasting its ongoing attempt to undermine a landmark U.N. study in the wake of a defector’s changes in his account. Speaking at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul called on the international community to provide “special care and protection” to North Korean asylum seekers, taking a veiled swipe at China for deporting them despite the harsh punishment they face ba

North Korea March 4, 2015