The Korea Herald

[Editorial] Session in jeopardy

EditorialSept 1, 2011

The regular session of an outgoing National Assembly is the least productive as its members often shun debate on issues of concern to the public, deliberation on pending bills and participation in voting. Instead, they tend to make a final pitch in constituency work in their electoral districts in p
[Editorial] Change in N.K. policy?

EditorialSept 1, 2011

Signals are coming from those close to President Lee Myung-bak that he is considering changing his anti-North Korea policy in favor of improving relations with the communist state. If he is really considering such a shift in policy, he will have to think about a backlash from his conservative suppor
[Michael Smerconish] Some political gaffes really say something

ViewpointsSept 1, 2011

During his recent visit to China, U.S. Vice President Biden mistakenly said we own 85 percent of U.S. Treasury securities, while the number is actually 54 percent. But who am I to criticize?Sitting in front of a live microphone can be dangerous. I know because I do it for 20 hours each week for my n
[Robert Reich] Workers need marches, not parades

ViewpointsSept 1, 2011

Labor Day is traditionally a time for picnics and parades. But this year is no picnic for American workers, and a protest march would be more appropriate than a parade.Not only are 25 million unemployed or underemployed, but American companies continue to cut wages and benefits. The median wage is s
Navigating the road map to a post-Gadhafi Libya

ViewpointsSept 1, 2011

WASHINGTON ― As the Libyan rebels continue to mop up resistance inside Tripoli and extend the nominal authority of the Transitional National Council to the rest of Libya, it is important to remember that the establishment of a new Libya will take time and face challenges even greater than those requ
Mexican president correctly hits cartels’ terrorist threat

ViewpointsSept 1, 2011

Mexican President Felipe Calderon issued a long overdue warning to drug cartel leaders last week that their murderous rampage has crossed a threshold and deserves to be labeled what it really is: terrorism. His acknowledgement will help change the mindset about the true nature of this menace and cou
[Frida Ghitis] Someone wants a war in the Middle East

ViewpointsSept 1, 2011

Something extremely important and exceedingly dangerous is unfolding in a most explosive part of the globe, but it is receiving only minimal attention by the media and by world leaders. An outbreak of violence in Southern Israel, Gaza, and along the Egyptian border, triggered by a recent attack agai
[Jeffrey D. Sachs] The new economics of happiness

ViewpointsSept 1, 2011

NEW YORK ― We live in a time of high anxiety. Despite the world’s unprecedented total wealth, there is vast insecurity, unrest, and dissatisfaction. In the United States, a large majority of Americans believe that the country is “on the wrong track.” Pessimism has soared. The same is true in many ot
Iran leader: West cannot ‘confiscate’ Arab Spring

World NewsSept 1, 2011

TEHRAN (AP) ― Iran’s top leader warned the Arab world Wednesday not to allow Western powers and Israel to “confiscate” the region’s pro-reform uprisings, in comments that appear to reflect the Islamic republic’s unease about their standing in a profoundly altered Middle East.Iran has tried to walk t
10th anniversary of 9/11 nears, U.S. ups security

World NewsSept 1, 2011

The south tower of the World Trade Center collapses during the September 11 terrorist attack in 2001. (AP-Yonhap News)WASHINGTON (AP) ― As the United States prepares for the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a date al-Qaida has cited as a potential opportunity to strike again, security is int
National Academy of Arts honors veteran actress Choi Eun-hee

FilmSept 1, 2011

Choi Eun-heeVeteran actress Choi Eun-hee has been selected as one of the three recipients of the 56th National Academy of Arts award this year, the institution announced Thursday.The 81-year-old started her film career in 1947 and led the Shin Film company together with her husband and the acclaimed
WTF events to celebrate 2011 Taekwondo Day

More sportsSept 1, 2011

To celebrate the upcoming Taekwondo Day on Sept. 4, the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) has prepared a series of diverse events this year, aiming at fostering a spirit of peace and harmony within the sport.The Taekwondo-themed bash, which kicked off Aug 26, consists of various cultural events, a ce
Sumi Jo voices her Bohemian spirit in 25th anniversary CD

MusicSept 1, 2011

Since coloratura soprano Sumi Jo made her international operatic debut as Gilda in Verdi’s “Rigoletto” in Italy in 1986, the 25 years of world tours and musical explorations have made her musical life “free.”Such a free-spirited and gypsy-like image is the core concept of Jo’s latest album “Libera,”
Gwangju searches for new definition of design

TheaterSept 1, 2011

Co-director Ai of China unable to attend biennale; Korean director selects Chinese artist’s work for 10 most important exhibitsGWANGJU ― A day may be too short to enjoy everything the 4th Gwangju Design Biennale has to offer. The nation’s biggest design biennale kicked off its 52-day run on Thursday
More dollars, fewer fans for Hollywood films

FilmSept 1, 2011

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― The good news for Hollywood: Summer movie revenues are up worldwide as studios rebounded from a dismally slow start to the year.The bad news: Domestically, revenues rose only a fraction compared to the previous year’s, while actual movie attendance dropped for the fourth-straight