The Korea Herald

53 dead in attack on casino in Mexico

World NewsAug 26, 2011

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) ― Two dozen gunmen burst into a casino in northern Mexico on Thursday, doused it with gasoline and started a fire that trapped gamblers inside, killing 53 people and injuring a dozen more, authorities said.The fire at the Casino Royale in Monterrey, a city that has seen a surg
Japan P.M. resigns amid sinking public confidence

World NewsAug 26, 2011

TOKYO (AP) ― Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced Friday he was resigning after almost 15 months in office, amid plunging approval ratings over his government’s handling of the tsunami disaster and nuclear crisis.Kan’s resignation perpetuates the high turnover in Japanese political leadership
[Michael Broning] U.N.: Which Palestinian state?

ViewpointsAug 26, 2011

JERUSALEM ― Israelis and Palestinians are preparing for a showdown at the United Nations in September, when the Palestinian leadership will ask for recognition of a Palestinian state within the borders that existed before the Six Day War in 1967 (when Israel seized control of Jordanian-occupied terr
[William Pesek] Banker suicides offer clues in a bellwether

ViewpointsAug 26, 2011

If our world has any place that acts like a financial early warning system, it’s South Korea. With high short-term debt levels and little to cushion it from destabilizing global events, Korea is often the first of the top 15 economies to zig, zag or hit an economic wall. At the moment, events on the
[Editorial] North Korea’s spy ring

EditorialAug 26, 2011

The prosecutors’ office has recently arrested five core members of a North Korean espionage network that has allegedly been operating for more than a decade in South Korea. It has also indicted another five without detention, charging them with espionage.What should come as a surprise is not that No
[Editorial] Kim’s Russia visit

EditorialAug 26, 2011

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is on his train journey back home after talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Siberia on Wednesday. As expected, their talks focused on Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program and Moscow’s aid to the North. But no fresh ground was broken.At the talks, Kim propos
Rare Joseon court music forms harmonies at dawn

MusicAug 26, 2011

‘Day Break at Changgyeong Palace’ presents unique cultural experienceIt is 7 a.m. on a Saturday morning, and Changgyeonggung, one of the five grand palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, is enveloped in haze and dewy air.In spite of the early hour, the gallery behind Myeongjeongjeon hall of the palace is co
Classical Music

TheaterAug 26, 2011

“2011 Ensemble DITTO Encore Recital”: Male ensemble group Ditto will hold an encore recital tour to thank fans for coming to their annual summer festival. Violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill, violinist Stefan Pi Jackiw, pianist Jiyong and cellist Michael Nicolas will hold the concert on Sept. 4 at the S
Pop Music

TheaterAug 26, 2011

“Why We Fail”: Singer-songwriter Lee Sung-yol will hold a month of concerts to mark the release of his third album “Why We Fail.” His latest album was released after a four year hiatus, and it is the first time that he has held a month of concerts, his agency said. The stage will be in the center so
Festivals

MusicAug 26, 2011

“Seoul Drum Festival”: An open festival will be held from Sept. 3 to Sept. 24 at the Seoul Square in central Seoul, for people to enjoy the beat of drums. Festival highlights include opening and closing ceremonies, performances by foreign performance teams, world percussion instrument performances,
Exhibitions

TheaterAug 26, 2011

“Yiso Bahc ― Lines of Flight”: Artsonje Center holds a retrospective exhibition on Bahc Yiso’s drawings. Known as a conceptual and installation artist, Bahc ceaselessly recorded his ideas and views with notes and drawings. The exhibition provides an insight into the South Korean artist’s works by pr
Dance

MusicAug 26, 2011

“New Concept Performing Arts Festival”: Hanguk Performing Arts Center will be staging 12 performances through Oct. 2 at Arko Arts Theater and Daehangno Arts Theater in Hyehwa-dong, central Seoul. Under the slogan “Make the Difference,” the festival aims to showcase experimental and original dances s
Theater

MusicAug 26, 2011

“Wedding”: Based on playwright Lee Gang-baek’s 1974 play of the same title, its musical adaptation celebrates the re-opening of the Samilro Warehouse Theater in Myeong-dong in central Seoul, which closed in February due to financial problems. Known as the very first independent theater venue in Seou
(MOVIES) BOX OFFICE

FilmAug 26, 2011

Hindsight (Blue Salt) (Korea)Opening Sept. 1.Drama. Action. Directed by Lee Hyun-seung. Doo-heon (Song Kang-ho), once a legendary figure in Busan’s organized crime scene, now wants to live a quiet life while hoping to run a restaurant of his own. One day, he meets Sebin (Shin Se-kyung), a daring and
‘Virtue’ is good enough

FilmAug 26, 2011

Emmy the Great “Virtue” (Close Harbor)Emmy the Great’s sophomore album “Virtue” shows the continuing expansion of Emma-Lee Moss’ songwriting abilities. Her tender approach and frisky wordplay make her easy on the ears.Moss and her backing band begin with “Dinosaur Sex,” a song two minutes too long b