The Korea Herald

N. Korean leader’s grandson blocks SNS after reports

Social affairsOct 2, 2011

The teenager believed to be North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il’s grandson blocked public access to his social networking accounts over the weekend after being bombarded with South Korean media attention.Kim Han-sol, the 16-year-old currently enrolled at the United World College’s branch in Mostar, Bo
‘Act first’ order’s limits exposed

DefenseOct 2, 2011

Critics say field commanders have limited authority to handle emergenciesThe military directive by Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin to “act first and report later” is not applicable to air-to-ground operations, officials said Sunday, triggering concerns that this could limit the Air Force’s ability to
Speaking to be added to Korean proficiency test by 2015: official

Social affairsOct 2, 2011

Speaking will be added to the state-administered Korean proficiency test to encompass all modes of communication, reflecting the growing popularity of the Korean language, education officials said Sunday.According to the Education Ministry and National Institute for International Education, the fift
Lee calls for defense reform amid tensions with N. Korea

PoliticsOct 2, 2011

President Lee Myung-bak called Saturday for defense reform to build a stronger military amid lingering tensions with North Korea over its two deadly attacks on the South last year.The North’s attacks made it clear that “defense reform is an urgent task that cannot be delayed any longer,” Lee said in
Seoul Global Center to offer consulting in Uzbek language

Social affairsOct 2, 2011

The Seoul Global Center will provide counseling service in the Uzbek language to help a growing number of Uzbeks settle in Seoul, officials said Sunday. The Uzbek language becomes the eighth foreign language the center provides after English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Mongolian, Russian and Tag
Warrant issued for detention of U.S. soldier over rape

Social affairsOct 2, 2011

A warrant has been issued to detain a U.S. soldier accused of raping a young Korean woman, officials said Saturday. The district court in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, ordered the arrest of the 21-year-old Army private of the Second Infantry Division in Dongducheon accused of raping an 18-year-old a
Plan to hike bus, subway fares draws outcry

Social affairsOct 2, 2011

Seoul City government plans 22 percent rise for public transport next yearPoliticians have spoken out over the weekend against the Seoul administration’s plan to raise bus and metro fares by 200 won, or 22.2 percent, by next year. They claimed that restructuring and enhancing the efficiency of the c
LGE 3-D TV named best brand by U.S. magazine

IndustryOct 2, 2011

A 3-D TV set made by South Korea’s LG Electronics Inc. has been selected as this year’s best model for its clear picture and vivid color, a U.S. online computer magazine said Sunday.According to PC World, which has 5 million subscribers, LG’s 47-inch Cinema 3D TV, or LG Infinia 47LW6500, ranked firs
Ssangyong E&C signs deal for condos in Vietnam

IndustryOct 2, 2011

Ssangyong Engineering and Construction Co. announced Sunday that it has won a $57.8 million contract to build part of a condominium complex in Vietnam.Under the contract, issued by a subsidiary of the Singaporean real estate developer Keppel Land, Ssangyong E&C will build three of the 12 residential
HSBC may soon clarify banking closure rumors

Oct 2, 2011

HSBC Holdings’ Korean branch is likely to clarify rumors that it is planning to shut down retail banking operations here soon.According to reports that first came out late September, HSBC has drawn up plans to pull out of Korea’s retail banking market and began the process of selling related assets,
Irregular trading in derivatives on the rise

Oct 2, 2011

Unfair practices in the local derivatives market have become more frequent, according to a report from an opposition party lawmaker. In his report for the National Assembly’s audit of Korea Exchange, Rep. Yu Won-il of Creative Korea Party said that irregular trading of derivative products has surged
Samsung sees light ahead despite downturn

IndustryOct 2, 2011

Electronics maker says will get through crisis on combined efforts with suppliersRecovery does not seem to be in the cards for the global economy, but Samsung remained upbeat and pledged to continue working with its partners to come back with a vengeance when the markets pull through the current cri
Volkswagen, GM lead 7.8% growth in August European car sales

TransportOct 2, 2011

Volkswagen AG, General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. led the first increase in European car sales in four months, helped by new models ordered earlier this year.Registrations rose 7.8 percent to 787,435 vehicles from 730,646 units a year earlier, the Brussels-based European Automobile Manufacturers
Mercedes adds C-Class coupe to U.S. line to top BMW

TransportOct 2, 2011

Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz, seeking to become the top-selling luxury brand in the U.S., added a two-door compact C-Class to its lineup to attract younger buyers from Bayerische Motoren Werke AG’s BMW.The C-Class coupe, which arrived at dealerships this month, may boost sales of the nameplate by as m
Kia may overtake Hyundai at home

TransportOct 2, 2011

Automaker to launch K9, K3, TAM to expand local market sharesKia Motors Corp. has been in close competition with its affiliate Hyundai Motor Co. in domestic sales, narrowing the gap between them in market share.Hyundai Motor Group is focusing on the possibility that Kia will catch up with Hyundai wi