Dreaming of ideal unification The 21st Century’s Dream of Korea: Great Advancement and Peaceful UnificationBy Park Se-il(Hansun Foundation)Park Se-il, professor of law and economics in the Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University, has published a collection of newspaper columns that he wrote over the last 10 years.Park, who is the founder and chairman of the board of H

Kyujanggak By Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies(AcaNet, 30,000 won)Founded in 1776 during the reign of King Jeongjo, the Kyujanggak served as the Joseon Dynasty’s royal library. It housed countless royal books and documents that are now considered priceless Korean historical records. The Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies of Seoul National University ― where the library is now located ―

The last scene of Oscar Hijuelos’ new memoir, “Thoughts Without Cigarettes” (Gotham Books, $27.50), is a moment of contact with a ghost -- that of his father, Pascual.“I remember when that moment came to me,” says Hijuelos. “It was a mystical reaching of a different dimension. I don’t know what happens when you die, but there is a mystical presence in our lives that extends to people who are no lo

Kim In-sook’s new novel talks of hope in extreme despairAuthor Kim In-sook started her writing career early. She made her literary debut when she was barely a university student, at the age of 20. Now 48, she has won Korea’s three major literary awards ― Yi Sang, Dong-in, and Daesan ― with more than 30 books published. But Kim says she still longs to write something different, something new.“It’s

Three spots near Gangnam Station dole out wallet-friendly, tasty grubGangnam ― as in the area near its namesake subway station ― is not necessarily the first place that springs to mind when a foodie is out looking for a gastronomic treat. More known for its “pojang machas” (street food stalls), karaoke and clubs, this is a spot famed for attracting night owls eager to socialize, de-stress and have

Gujeolpan is the name of a nine sectioned platter in which eight different vegetables and meats are placed in each compartment and wheat flour pancakes in the center. Gujeolpan was originally the name of the platter but it later became the name of the food. Gujeolpan is a good dish for travel or a picnic because it can serve several foods at the same time.Gujeolpan (Institute of Traditional Korean

Dumplings and extra-chewy noodles called jjolmyeon, the favorite after-school snacks of Korean students are given grown-up treatment at Mito in Samseong-dong.The restaurant run by the 40-year-old Sinpori Mandu company plays up its heritage, serving up sophisticated variations of basic dumplings and noodles.  Interior of Mito in Samseong-dong (Mito)There are several interesting interpretations of d

LOS ANGELES ― After two years of sluggish wine sales, consumers are starting to reach for ― and spend more on ― their favorite vintages.U.S. domestic wine retail sales grew 7 percent in 2010 over the previous year, according to the Wine Institute in San Francisco. And the country’s wine exports also jumped to a record $1.14 billion in 2010, up nearly 26 percent from 2009. Customer Jennifer Murphy

Usain Bolt has expressed his hopes to play soccer after retiring from his track career. In usual fashion, he confidently said that he had the potential to play for Manchester United."I really want to try soccer after I retire because I’ve watched football over the years and I think I could be a good contender," Bolt told the BBC. "I’m really looking forward to it and yes, I definitely think I’m go

 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Juvenile justice experts expressed shock Thursday that police said they were treating the death of an 18-month-old boy who drowned in a bathtub as a potential homicide, after a 5-year-old girl told social workers that she held him under water to stop his crying.Kansas City police said the girl, who was left with other children in the care of a teenager, was considered a po