The Korea Herald

[Editorial] Tolerance and leniency

EditorialAug 9, 2011

The Republic of Korea proves to have one of the loosest systems regarding military secrets among nations with strong armed forces. Its court also deserves note for its leniency on cases involving leak of military secrets, quite discomforting fact in a country that faces constant threats from a most
[Editorial] Free lunch referendum

EditorialAug 9, 2011

Two weeks are left until the referendum on free school lunch in Seoul. The capital city will now be engulfed in raging campaigns that will force every resident to define their ideological orientation in the heated contest between the left and right.The referendum is a costly affair; citizens feel so
[Kim Seong-kon] Military absurdity for dual citizens

ViewpointsAug 9, 2011

A poet once wrote, “All Korean men were once soldiers.” Not quite so. When I joined the ROK Army in 1971, nearly half of the young Korean men my age managed to be exempted from mandatory military duty according to statistics released in later years. Those whose parents had money and power must have
[Noah Feldman] Debt-deal disaster shows genius of democracy

ViewpointsAug 9, 2011

Imagine you are a senior official of the Chinese Communist Party trying to figure out whether democracy is a good idea. The brinkmanship over raising the debt ceiling is a prime example for the argument that democracy is irrational, right? So say the commentators, one and all. Just think of the reli
[Editorial] S&P downgrade should make U.S. deal easier

ViewpointsAug 9, 2011

Sunday was splendid for beach-goers and bikers. But it also brought nasty tail winds from the first credit downgrade in United States history:― For the half of U.S. households that own stocks, the news from Tel Aviv ― where Sunday is a trading day ― suggested a turbulent Monday as world markets dige
[Editorial] Leaders, central banks should stop the stampede

ViewpointsAug 9, 2011

Financial markets can create their own dangerous dynamic, as Warren Buffett pointed out after Standard & Poor’s downgraded U.S. debt securities on Aug. 5. Buffett was on the mark. The downgrade triggered panic selling around the globe on Monday, leading to demands for more collateral from investors,
Landslide destroys 100 houses in Philippines

World NewsAug 9, 2011

SUBIC, Philippines (AP) ― Heavy rains have triggered a landslide that destroyed about 100 houses in a mountainside village west of Manila.Mayor Jefferson Khonghun says no injuries were reported as the 300 or so villagers had fled the area in time.Khonghun says he had posted guards to watch condition
Syria assault town, replaces defense minister

World NewsAug 9, 2011

Envoys from India, Brazil and South Africa head to Damascus to appeal for end to violenceBEIRUT (AP) ― Syrian President Bashar Assad replaced his defense minister Monday with the army chief of staff in the midst of a brutal military crackdown on a 5-month-old uprising, the state-run news agency said
Deadly crash highlights role of U.S. elite forces

World NewsAug 9, 2011

KABUL (AP) ― The loss of dozens of elite American troops to a Taliban rocket-propelled grenade is a window on the war to come ― focused increasingly on the type of special operations the troops were pursuing when their helicopter crashed.The U.S. military released new details Monday about the crash
Barenboim’s peace concert aims to make inter-Korean dialogue easier

MusicAug 9, 2011

Barenboim’s peace concert aims to make inter-Korean dialogue easierArgentine-Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim said the purpose of the upcoming “2011 Peace Concert” in Imjingak near the demilitarized zone on Aug. 15 is to make inter-Korean dialogue a little easier.“It was one of the main reasons wh
‘Artist of the Year’ award seeks accessibility

TheaterAug 9, 2011

Nomination jury opened up to include critics, curatorsThe National Museum of Contemporary Art announced Monday that its annual “Artist of the Year” exhibition is to have a more open selection process and offer more substantial support to the winner. MOCA started the “Artist of the Year” program in 1
Best-selling children’s novel to be sold in Germany

BooksAug 9, 2011

A translated version of a best-selling South Korean children’s novel about the adventures of a hen who escapes her coop in search of freedom will soon be sold in Germany, the book’s local publisher here said Tuesday.“The book will be published in Germany and other German-speaking countries sooner or
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts displays Faberge treasures

TheaterAug 9, 2011

RICHMOND, Virginia (AP) ― Ornately jeweled Easter eggs designed by Karl Faberge for the Russian royal family are among hundreds of Faberge objects on display at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.“Faberge Revealed” includes imperial Easter eggs and other pieces from VMFA’s own collection, along with s
LA children’s hospital gets art by Michael Jackson

CultureAug 9, 2011

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Sketches by Michael Jackson as well as a signed portrait of the entertainer will decorate the walls of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.Jackson’s three children -- Prince, Paris and Blanket -- were on hand Monday to unveil the donated artwork. They include a dozen sketches drawn a
Linked Seoul runs Wednesday wine event

Expat LivingAug 9, 2011

Linked Seoul is running its monthly Wine Down Wednesday this week. The networking event will take place at Italian restaurant StaSera at Dosan Park in Sinsa-dong, Seoul, from 7-10 p.m.The cost is 45,000 won on the door and includes food and drinks.There will be a draw for prizes including dining cer