Korea and Greenland plan to step up cooperation for environmentally friendly development projects as Seoul seeks a slice of the resources-rich region’s research and business boom. President Lee Myung-bak and Kuupik Kleist, prime minister of Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory, forged four agreements Sunday on mineral and resources exploration, geological survey and science and technology. They also agreed to work together on green growth and Arctic shipping lanes.Earlier in the day, Lee lan

Foreign Affairs Sept. 10, 2012

Thursday’s revelation of a blackmail attempt by a Saenuri official targeting Ahn Cheol-soo has triggered mayhem throughout the ruling party scrambling to prevent the fallout affecting the chances of presidential candidate Park Geun-hye. Jeong Joon-gil, a former prosecutor and communication officer with Park’s campaign, offered to resign about two hours after Geum Tae-seop, an attorney close to Ahn, accused him of threatening to expose bribes and “women problems” involving the professor if he run

Politics Sept. 6, 2012

Seoul City’s plan to introduce a “rain tax” scheme to promote a better use of rainwater and improve flood control is stoking debate as civic groups and experts raise concerns about the additional burden on property owners. The envisioned tax, modeled on a German scheme, would be collected based on the area of impervious surface on a property that generates storm runoff directed to local drains. The greater the impervious area, the less landowners would be charged. The plan comes as part of the m

Social Affairs Sept. 6, 2012

In another unconventional public appearance, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the homes of working people in Pyongyang, the North’s state news media said Wednesday.Accompanied by his wife Ri Sol-ju, Kim visited the homes of three ordinary families who recently moved into the newly-built apartments in Pyongyang’s Changjon Street, a new town project celebrating the centenary of North Korean founder Kim Il-sung’s birth this year, said the (North) Korean Central News Agency.In the meeting wit

North Korea Sept. 5, 2012

Moon Sun-myung, the deceased founder of the Unification Church, had developed ties with North Korea over the past two decades through a raft of industrial and aid projects. Born in Jeongju, North Pyeongan Province, Moon made a foray into the reclusive country after a 1991 meeting with Kim Il-sung, its late founding father. While Moon also urged the resumption of inter-Korean talks and reunions of separated families during the meeting, Kim reportedly asked him to arrange a meeting with George H.W

North Korea Sept. 3, 2012

Tokyo’s lower house adopts resolution; Seoul blasts Tokyo for challenging Korean sovereigntySouth Korea on Friday urged Japan to recant its “unjust” claim to Dokdo after Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda pledged an “indomitable resolve to protect” its sovereignty over the tiny islets in the East Sea. “We strongly protest Prime Minister Noda’s reiteration of an unjust claim over Dokdo that is clearly our territory historically, geographically and under international law. We urge an immediate withdraw

Foreign Affairs Aug. 24, 2012

The Global Green Growth Institute is ready to take a new leap forward as an international organization by securing credibility, doubling its workforce and courting several more donor countries over the next two years, its new chairman told The Korea Herald.The Seoul-based think tank was established in 2010 by the Korean government to help countries share their experiences and technological expertise for environment-friendly development. Sixteen countries signed a convention for its status upgrad

Foreign Affairs Aug. 23, 2012

Promotion of economic specialists, return of technocrats raise prospect of economic reformNorth Korea’s ongoing reshuffle of its top brass is adding to signs of change under the burgeoning leadership of Kim Jong-un. Since taking the reins in December, he has been challenging the military’s iron grip, exposing the reclusive family to the public and retuning the communist state’s economic strategy. The Swiss-educated, 20-something leader is seen placing economic specialists in powerful positions,

North Korea Aug. 22, 2012

Missile range limits to South Korea need to be revised as soon as possible. North Korea has constantly developed its missile capabilities by extending its range, while South Korea has been prevented from catching up with its rival. The Pyongyang regime launched a long-range missile, the Kwangmyongsong-3, in April, but failed as it crashed into the West Sea a few minutes after liftoff. Though Pyongyang said it meant to put a satellite into orbit, it broke the U.S-North Korea agreement that it wou

Viewpoints Aug. 22, 2012