The Korea Herald

Rumblings in Inner Mongolia have ethnic edge

ViewpointsJun 7, 2011

The protests in Inner Mongolia were the result of an unfortunate mixture of economic and ethnic grievances, which spilled into public protests after a Mongol herder was run over while trying to block a convoy of coal trucks coming in from the grasslands.The fatality galvanized latent discontent over the mining industry’s penetration of the region. Critics see this as resource exploitation that deg
[Joseph E. Stiglitz] Choosing the next IMF leader

ViewpointsJun 7, 2011

NEW YORK ― Sooner than expected, the International Monetary Fund will have a new managing director. For more than a decade, I have criticized the fund’s governance, symbolized by the way its leader is chosen. By gentlemen’s agreement among the majority shareholders ― the G8 ― the managing director is to be a European, with Americans in the number two post and at the head of the World Bank.The Euro
Human behavior: What’s bugging you?

ViewpointsJun 7, 2011

What annoys you? Traffic jams, car alarms, flight delays, phone trees, junk mail? People who cut in line? People who talk loudly on cellphones? People who eat noisily and clip their nails in public? You’re not alone. These are just some of the irksome things we confront daily.Since annoyances are ubiquitous, and so many people are annoyed so much of the time, you might think that science could off
[Edward Humes] Wal-Mart gets that a smaller carbon footprint is good for business

ViewpointsJun 7, 2011

If you care about green, it’s hard not to view these as the worst of times, marked by looming climate, water and energy crises, vanishing fisheries, mile-a-minute deforestation ― the list is numbingly endless. In response, we have a largely apathetic public, an environmental lobby rendered toothless by said apathy, a political left and center paralyzed by fear that protecting the planet might hurt
[Kim Seong-kon] Literature: An end to chronic ideological warfare

ViewpointsJun 7, 2011

The third Seoul International Forum for Literature, which took place at Kyobo Conference Hall two weeks ago, was a literary festival for writers from all over the world. Under the theme, “The Globalizing World and the Human Community,” 14 celebrated international writers including two Nobel laureates, Le Clezio and Gao Xingjian, joined 31 representative Korean writers to discuss what to write and
Attack kills 120 Syrian forces; crackdown feared

World NewsJun 7, 2011

Activist casts doubt on account; official says authorities will respond firmly to attacksBEIRUT (AP) ― Armed men killed 120 Syrian security forces and torched government buildings Monday in a northern region where troops have unleashed deadly assaults on protesters for days, Syria said. The government vowed to respond “decisively,” hinting at an even more brutal crackdown by a regime known for rut
Chilean volcano grounds flights

World NewsJun 7, 2011

SANTIAGO (AP) ― An erupting Chilean volcano sent a towering plume of ash across South America on Monday, forcing thousands from their homes, grounding airline flights in southern Argentina and coating ski resorts with a gritty layer of dust instead of snow.Booming explosions echoed across the Andes as toxic gases belched up from a 5 kilometer long fissure in the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic comp
W5 bil. law suit filed against Hong Ra-hee

Social affairsJun 7, 2011

A gallery owner has filed a law suit worth 5 billion won against Samsung Foundation of Culture and Hong Ra-hee, director of Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, and wife of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee.According to Seoul Central District Court, Hong Song-won, director of Gallery Seomi in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, is accusing Hong Ra-hee and Samsung Foundation of Culture of only paying 25 billion
Jogye order mends fences with ruling elite

Social affairsJun 7, 2011

Buddhist sect to seek religious independenceThe Jogye Order, Korea’s largest Buddhist sect, announced on Tuesday that it would “normalize” its relationship with the ruling Grand National Party after a six-month standoff over the government’s cut of state aid for temple stay programs.Ven. Jaseung, president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, released an official statement at the Center for Kore
Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ jacket to be auctioned

FashionJun 7, 2011

LOS ANGELES (AFP) ― The iconic black and red jacket worn by Michael Jackson in his “Thriller” video is to go under the hammer at a two-day Music Icons Exhibition in Beverly Hills.The jacket is among 600 items that will go on sale at Julien’s Auction Gallery, including memorabilia from musicians such as The Beatles, Madonna and Lady Gaga, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and Justin Bieber on June 25 and 26.Jac
‘Suck it and See’ feels more human: Arctic Monkeys

MusicJun 7, 2011
Daegu troupe holding auditions for play

Expat LivingJun 7, 2011

The Daegu Theater Troupe is holding a casting call for Zora Neale Hurston’s comedy “Lawing and Jawing” on Sunday.The performance will be part of Probatory Theatre’s “It’s Not Easy Being Seen,” show in Seoul on July 23, which will explore the idea of colorblind casting.As the show centers around colorblind casting and diversity, the troupe is looking for as diverse a cast as possible.They stress th
Moon-gazing show to light up Hongdae

Social affairsJun 7, 2011

A Seoul show is to offer performance art inspired by and about the Moon on June 12. The Encyclopedia Show-Seoul’s latest performance in Hongdae is set to entertain and educate on the earth’s satellite. Poets, musicians, performance artists and visual artists are to take to the stage during the lunar event to run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Stereo bar. Tickets cost 10,000 won and are limited to 70. G
Second fermentation celebration hits the road

Expat LivingJun 7, 2011

After the success of March's fermentation celebration, a group of expats are holding a second event on June 18.Twenty amateur fermentation lovers are ready to dish out samples, including homebrewed beer, goat cheese, pickles, salsa, apple cider, kimchi and kombucha. After the March event pushed venue Craftworks Taphouse and Bistro past capacity, this version will be spread out across 17 restaurant
Seoul Warriors off to a flyer in Subway Bowl Exhibition

Expat LivingJun 7, 2011

Seoul Warriors American Football kicked off its second preseason with an exhibition game during the “Subway Open Bowl” meeting at the Korea National University sports ground last Sunday. The exhibition game was played alongside the final to the eight-team college tournament between Sungkyunkwan University and Hanyang University.K-Pop girl group f(x) performed during the half-time show.According to