The Korea Herald

KT expands campaign for mutual growth with vendors

IndustryJul 6, 2011

KT Corp. chairman Lee Seok-chae (third from left) and IT firms’ executives attend a ceremony to vow mutual growth in Seoul on Wednesday. (KT)KT Corp., the nation’s largest fixed-line carrier, on Wednesday offered support and encouragement for its vendors at a forum it held for IT sector executives.KT said it would provide up to 1,000 free patents to its partner firms to help them offer better qual
Hyundai Steel bets on excavator parts

IndustryJul 6, 2011

Continuous tracks. (Hyundai Steel)Hyundai Steel is upping the ante in its earth-moving equipment parts business as it seeks to meet surging demand for excavators in emerging markets.Korea’s second-largest steel mill said Wednesday it plans to pour 94.4 billion won ($88.6 million) this year alongside its suppliers into a project to establish facilities for components such as continuous tracks, trac
The evolving innovation landscape

Jul 6, 2011

WIPO Director General Francis GurryInnovation is a central driver of economic growth, development and better jobs. It is the key for firms to successfully compete in the global marketplace. Innovation provides the answer to numerous economic and social challenges, whether financial crisis recovery, climate change or the fight against deadly diseases. It is the source of improvements in the quality
Twitter said to be valued at $7 billion

IndustryJul 6, 2011

Twitter Inc. logos are displayed on computer screens. (Bloomberg)Twitter Inc., the microblogging site that lets users post 140-character messages, is raising funding that values the startup at about $7 billion, said a person with knowledge of the matter. The San Francisco-based company is in talks with investors to receive hundreds of millions of dollars, said the person, who asked not to be named
iPhone passes Blackberry in U.S.

World BusinessJul 6, 2011

Apple’s iPhone has leapfrogged Research In Motion’s Blackberry to grab fourth-place among handset manufacturers in the United States, tracking firm comScore said Tuesday.The iPhone’s share of U.S. mobile subscribers rose to 8.7 percent in the three months ending in May from 7.5 percent three months earlier, while RIM’s share fell to 8.1 percent from 8.6 percent, comScore said.Samsung was the top h
Moody’s warns over China bad debt

World BusinessJul 6, 2011

China may have understated the debt burden of local governments by as much as $541.6 billion, and the proportion of bad loans could be higher than previously forecast, ratings agency Moody’s said Tuesday.In a stern warning, Moody’s warned the lack of a plan to tackle bad loans to local governments meant it could downgrade its outlook for Chinese banks to negative.The agency’s findings came after i
Celebration of nonviolent communication

Jul 6, 2011

The Korea Center for Nonviolent Communication is holding a celebration this Friday at 6 p.m. in honor of the growth they’ve experienced in the past six years since opening. “The center is a regional nonprofit organization that supports the learning and sharing of nonviolent communication, promoting quality human connections where compassionate giving and receiving is inspired,” said Anne Walton, a
Meetup to talk about volunteering

Jul 6, 2011

A cultural exchange event has been organized to give people of different nationalities a chance to plan volunteer activities together.ICI-Volunteers are a group of volunteers from all around the world who meet to both learn about Korea as well as helping others. The members of the International Exchange and Cultural Promotion Institute meet every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the ICI office in Byeolhadan
Gangnam collection drive for Goodwill Store

Jul 6, 2011

An international center in Seoul is now collecting goods for a new Goodwill Store. The Yeoksam Global Village Center is now taking donations of used clothing or household items to help the not-for-profit organization. Any items dropped at the collection bin at the center, located near Gangnam Subway Station’s Exit 1, will be sold in the Goodwill Store to help the unemployed.The Goodwill Store prov
Medical professionals sought to help expats

Jul 6, 2011

The Medical Referral Service is looking for English-speaking medical professionals to help with their health information service for foreigners.English speaking assistants provide information and recommendations on medical facilities and services on the 24-hour phone line. The MRS team strives to provide quality medical information by regularly visiting medical facilities that offer medical servic
Rights and globalization lecture in Seoul

Jul 6, 2011

A British expert is to give a talk in Korea on human rights.Dr. Darren O’Byrne is to give the lecture on “Human Rights in the Age of Globalization” at the British Council in Seoul on Monday. The principal lecturer in Sociology and Human Rights at Roehampton University, London, O’Byrne has authored core texts on human rights from a social science perspective. He often speaks on human rights issues
Fashion-forward help for African kids

Jul 6, 2011

Models show off designs to raise cash for African children at the National Assembly on Tuesday. (IDP)A fashion show was held Tuesday at the National Assembly to help children in Africa. The event organized with Development Partnership International was to give money raised to charity UNICEF. Korean designer Chang Kwang-ho made around 20 new outfits especially for the charity show. He said he hoped
Animal rights charities welcome crackdown on cruelty

Jul 6, 2011

Animal rights charities have welcomed a legal crackdown on animal cruelty, but say the revised laws must go further to end the practice. People harming animals in Korea may face up to one year in jail or a maximum fine of 10 million won ($9,400) from next year. Currently, the heaviest penalty is a fine of 5 million won.The Korean Animal Welfare Association welcomed a string of revisions to the ani
Koreans to show solidarity for Malaysian campaign

Jul 6, 2011

Berish Campaign Logo. (Berish 2.0)Pro-democracy campaigners in Korea are to push for free and fair Malaysian elections this weekend.A show of solidarity for people in Kuala Lumpur is to be held in Seoul on Saturday, as part of the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Berish) campaign calling for an end to dirty politics in the country. Amnesty International has published a press release on the
Charity chief calls for restart of N.K. talks

Jul 6, 2011

Red Cross president says incentives for North could facilitate family reunion dialogueThe Korean Red Cross is calling for an immediate restart to talks with its North Korean branch on reuniting more families torn apart by the countries’ divide. President of the Korean Red Cross Yoo Chong-ha emphasized that contact with the humanitarian agency’s counterpart in the North was “a matter of great urgen