The Korea Herald

[Michael Smerconish] Christie may never be this hot again

ViewpointsJul 3, 2011

Chris Christie should run for president now, assuming he aspires to ever hold that office. The GOP field for 2012 remains wide open, while there is no telling how a 2016 (or later) field could shape up. The economy is the focal point this cycle, so Christie’s reputation as a budget-cutting governor suits the times. And popularity in politics is often fleeting, particularly for a Republican from De
Clinton: Gadhafi threats won’t deter NATO mission

World NewsJul 3, 2011

MADRID (AP) ― The U.S. and Spain said Saturday they won’t let Moammar Gadhafi’s threats of retaliatory attacks in Europe deter their mission to protect Libyan civilians and force him to leave power after four decades of often unpredictable and sometimes violent rule.“Instead of issuing threats, he should be putting the well-being and interests of his own people first,” U.S. Secretary of State Hill
Namaste festival kicks off

Foreign affairsJul 3, 2011

The Festival of India in Korea kicked off last week with the opening of the Cultural Centre as well as an hour-long colorful and panoramic music-dance performance at the Sejong Center.As the embassy’s cultural wing, the Indian Cultural Centre is the starting point for the festival that will last six months and travel through many parts of the nation.“Recognizing that art and culture have the capac
Barenboim to lead peace concert at Imjingak

MusicJul 3, 2011

Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim will lead his youth orchestra, consisting of artists from the Middle East including Israelis and Palestinians, to perform at Imjingak near the demilitarized zone to promote peace on the Korean peninsula.The concert will be held on Aug. 15, Liberation Day in Korea, the organizer said.Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, which the conductor formed in 199
‘Translators hold great responsibility in today’s world’

BooksJul 3, 2011

Prof. Choi Mi-kyung wins Grand Prix at 10th Korean Literature Translation AwardsEwha Womans University professor Choi Mi-kyung and former French diplomat-turned-translator Jean Noel Juttet together received the Grand Prix Prize at the 10th Korean Literature Translation Awards, a biennial competition organized by the Korea Literature Translation Institute, for their co-translation work at Korea Pre
Motley Crue singer reflects on three decades of decadence

MusicJul 3, 2011

The bad boys of Motley Crue are making news again.But this time the headlines have nothing to do with infighting, drugs, jail, rehab or a sex tape.The hair metal heroes ― traditionally reviled by pundits ― are being lauded on a near daily basis since launching the U.S. leg of their 30th anniversary tour earlier this month.Publications ranging from Rolling Stone to the Hollywood Reporter to the Kan
Animation pioneer Pixar marks 25 years

FilmJul 3, 2011

EMERYVILLE, California (AFP) ― Pixar, a pioneer of computer animation that has made a dozen profitable feature films and become one of the most successful studios on the planet, is celebrating its 25th birthday.Born in the early 1980s as George Lucas’s computer graphics division, the company took off after it was purchased by Apple founder Steve Jobs in 1986 and christened “Pixar.”That year, the h
Walking into history at German photo exhibit

Foreign affairsJul 3, 2011

If the eyes are the gateway to the soul, then old pictures of Korea are the gateway to Seoul’s history and achievements of the past century.The German Embassy unveiled a photo exhibition showcasing 40 pictures taken between 1890 to 1920.“The photos on display are shown for the first time to the public and are very important historical documents. I hope also that in the future there will be more di
U.S. films discussed at embassy

Foreign affairsJul 3, 2011

It’s summer and that means Hollywood blockbusters at every movie theater in the country, but if you are looking for something more cerebral then check out the U.S. embassy’s cinema evenings.American Cinema Evenings hosted by the American Center of the U.S. Embassy provides young Koreans an opportunity to explore U.S. culture, history and society through the medium of film. Hosted on the third Frid
Kenya consular fees up

Foreign affairsJul 3, 2011

The Kenyan Embassy will be increasing the cost a visa as of July 1. Depending on the type of visa, increases vary from 1,000 won to 6,000 won. The cost of single journey visas went up the most and now rests at 56,000 won. Multiple journey visas now cost 113,000 won, transit visas are 23,000 won and referral visas now cost 11,000.To contact the Kenyan Embassy, call (02) 3785-2903 or visit them at w
Korea, U.K. companies target climate change

Foreign affairsJul 3, 2011

The British Embassy and the Business Institute of Sustainable Development have signed an agreement to collaborate on the identification of carbon reduction technology options for key industrial sectors of Korea.The project was developed in collaboration with BISD and the British Embassy Climate Change team in order to help major Korean industries find options for delivering emission reductions. A
Australia to participate in Yeosu Expo

Foreign affairsJul 3, 2011

The Australian government has confirmed that it will participate in the 2012 Yeosu Expo in May 2011.President Lee Myung-bak previously asked Australia to participate in the Yeosu Expo during a summit meeting in Korea in April, but Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard was unable to confirm the country’s participation at that time, citing pending budget issues.“Australia is a leading country in O
KOICA expands Saemaul project in Rwanda

Foreign affairsJul 3, 2011

The Korean aid agency and the government of North Gyeongsang Province announced the completion of a health center and Saemaul hall in Rwanda. The construction of the Saemaul Hall and the health center in Kigarama Village started in December 2010. “I appreciate the support of the Korean government. We will actively cooperate with Korean cooperative projects which are promoted in various areas in Ka
Biometric Danish passports on their way

Foreign affairsJul 3, 2011

The Danish government will start issuing new passports with digital photos and fingerprints starting on Oct. 1.The decision to introduce fingerprints in passports was made by the European Union as part of their war against terrorism, human trafficking and trade, illegal immigration and other transnational crimes.The new biometric passport will allow Danish citizens to travel to countries which may
Attracting Korean business to Quebec

Foreign affairsJul 3, 2011

Plan Nord is Canadian province’s deal for the futureFor some Canadians, the province of Quebec brings back negative memories of a government bent on separation from the country; for others, Quebec is an important, intrinsic part of Canada.The truth of the matter is that Quebec is Canada’s second most important province pumping out a considerable share of exports and industry.It is also a province