The Korea Herald

America’s life expectancy starts to decline

ViewpointsJun 21, 2011

In large swaths of the nation, life expectancy has stopped increasing and even declined slightly over the decade that ended in 2007, particularly among women. This historic reversal of a long-time trend toward longer life expectancies in the world’s richest nation is virtually unique in the developed world and appears largely due to the growing inequality of American society.To be sure, this week’
[Simon Tilford] Europe’s competitiveness trap

ViewpointsJun 21, 2011

LONDON ― A flawed understanding of what drives economic growth has emerged as the gravest threat to recovery in Europe. European policymakers are obsessed with national “competitiveness,” and genuinely appear to think that prosperity is synonymous with trade surpluses. This largely explains why Germany is routinely cited as an example of a strong, “competitive” economy.But economic growth, even in
[Rachel Marsden] How to survive a political sex scandal in the U.S.

ViewpointsJun 21, 2011

Democratic New York Congressman Anthony Weiner decided to take some photos of himself minimally burdened by cloth, send them to a few girls he met online, then complain that his phone was hacked when the details dribbled out in the press. After a few days of strident denial, he called a press conference to confess to everything. Weiner has reportedly decided to undertake a treatment program ― pres
A cautionary tale of three fiscal crises: The U.S., Britain and Greece

ViewpointsJun 21, 2011

In today’s world, there are three kinds of fiscal crises brought on by too much government spending, and three kinds of responses. We can call them the nightmare scenario, the preemptive experiment and the head-in- the-sand model. In the nightmare scenario, a country runs large deficits for a decade or more ― and the financial markets are happy to buy its debt at low interest rates. But then the m
[Kim Seong-kon] Going back to childhood, innocence and purity

ViewpointsJun 21, 2011

Recently, in the United States, there has been a campaign to return to the innocence and purity of our adolescence in order to solve social problems such as racial prejudice and ideological antagonism. During childhood, indeed, we are so pure-hearted that we hardly have prejudices against others. As we walk into adulthood, however, we gradually become racially biased and ideologically prejudiced.
Obama finalizing Afghanistan exit plans

World NewsJun 21, 2011

U.S. president to announce blueprint on withdrawal of troops, handover of powerWASHINGTON (AP) ― President Barack Obama will announce the critical next steps in America’s decade-long war in Afghanistan on Wednesday, outlining both a plan to start bringing thousands of U.S. troops home next month and a broader withdrawal blueprint aimed at giving Afghans control of their own security in 2014.But ev
Former art gallery put up for auction

TheaterJun 21, 2011

The former Korean Fine Art Gallery building in Gahoe-dong, central Seoul, has been put up for auction. Seoul Auction announced on Tuesday that it would mediate the sale of the building designed by architect Kim Jung-up in 1967. The sale will be held through the “Real Estate Private Sale” special section of Seoul Auction’s 120th auction which will be held next week. It is the first time that an art
Richard Gere visits temple in Seoul

CultureJun 21, 2011

American actor and practicing Buddhist Richard Gere paid a courtesy call to officials of Jogye Order, Korea’s largest Buddhist sect, at Jogye Temple in central Seoul, Tuesday.Gere worshipped with his palms pressed together as he entered the main building of the temple. After burning incense, he signed the temple’s guest book with a message that wished “peace and happiness” for all beings in the wo
SICAF to feature 300 animated films

CultureJun 21, 2011

Digital cartoon exhibition on wayAbout 300 animated films from 32 different countries and cartoon exhibitions covering diverse themes are arriving in Seoul next month.The 15th annual Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival (SICAF) will open on July 20 in several locations in Seoul, the festival organizing committee said Tuesday during a press conference in Seoul.The official poster of S
Seoul Hikers to hike Achasan

Expat LivingJun 21, 2011

Seoul International Hikers will be taking a walk up Achasan in eastern Seoul on Saturday.The walk will cover about 5 kilometers, including two ridges offering good views of the Han River. Hikers are advised to bring appropriate clothing, including umbrellas. If weather makes hiking impossible there will be an alternative activity. The group will meet by the ticket booth at 10:30 at Gwangnaru Stati
Sri Lanka migrants hold cricket tourney

Expat LivingJun 21, 2011

Migrant workers from Sri Lanka will hold a cricket tournament on Sunday in Busan.Around 30 teams from Busan, Geoje, Daegu, Gwangju and Ansan and other areas will vie for supremacy.The tournament runs from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Huimang Park, opposite the Hanmaum Hospital in Gangseo-gu Busan.(paulkerry@heraldm.com)
Seorae GVC runs pastry class

Expat LivingJun 21, 2011

Seorae Global Village Center in Seoul will run a class on making French style pastries on July 7.The class, which runs from 2-4 p.m., is open to adults and children and costs 7,000 won each, which includes ingredients for two pies. Booking for the class is open until July 5 and can be made via mpa.seoul@hotmail.fr. (paulkerry@heraldm.com)
Expat artist holds photo exhibition

Expat LivingJun 21, 2011

Italian-Venezuelan photographer Jose Antonio Nigro will hold an exhibition in Itaewon starting Saturday.The exhibition, titled “From Where I Am Standing,” will be a compilation of photographs showing how he has evolved as a photographer. The exhibition is free and runs at Gallery Golmok until July 3. To get to Gallery Golmok leave Exit 3 of Noksapyeong Station and walk past the entrance of Itaewon
Free screening of Banksy documentary

Expat LivingJun 21, 2011

There will be a free screening of Oscar-nominated Banksy documentary “Exit Through the Gift Shop” on Sunday.The documentary follows a French shopkeeper and amateur filmmaker as they try to find and befriend Banksy. It was well received ― nominated for the Best Documentary category at the Academy Awards ― but also faced allegations that the film was staged.The screening is at Roofers in Itaewon, wi
N.Z. chamber to host wine festival

Expat LivingJun 21, 2011

The New Zealand Chamber of Commerce will host the “New Zealand Wine Festival” on Saturday at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Seoul. The chamber will offer guests a selection of fresh, chilled whites from 16 vineyards to usher in the summer. “The mission of the Kiwi Chamber is to work closely with and assist in raising the awareness of important New Zealand industries, and the country’s premium wines offer