The Korea Herald

Philippine Festival in Yeouido

Foreign affairsMay 22, 2011

Seoul will once again set the stage for a multicultural fanfare as the Philippine Embassy organizes the “Philippine Festival in Yeouido.”The daylong celebration of Filipino culture will be enjoyed through songs, dances and traditional games scheduled to be held at the Yeouido Hanggang Park on May 29.The annual festival, which attracts hundreds of Filipinos, Koreans and enthusiasts of Filipino cult
App showcases Australia year

Foreign affairsMay 22, 2011

The Australian Embassy has launched the “Australia-Korea 50” application for smartphone users in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. “This application is the first-ever service created by an embassy in Korea and contains a lot of information about Australia, such as politics, diplomacy, culture and travel,” said Australian Amb
Literary club discovers fierce woman poet

Foreign affairsMay 22, 2011

The Seoul Literary Society, a group of diplomats, expats and locals, celebrated the works of one of Korea’s prolific poets.Kim Seung-hee is not only a poet but an acclaimed novelist who credits poet Lee Sang for leading her to poetry. Swedish Ambassador Lars Vargo introduces local poet Kim Seung-hee (center, standing) at the Seoul Literary Society meeting. (Sweden Embassy)“It was after reading his
Italy envoy showcases elegant brands

Foreign affairsMay 22, 2011

Leonardo da Vinci once said, “What is essential is perfect.”While this phrase was not intended for shoppers in Seoul, the idea behind it has spurred the top Italian brands in finding a home on Korean shelves and in the minds of consumers.Yet, there are still a plethora of smaller, boutique brands looking to enter the Korean marketplace. Italy Ambassador Sergio Mercuri and his wife Maria Giovanna F
Couple’s Korea journey comes to end

Foreign affairsMay 22, 2011

U.S. diplomat: ‘Korea has come a long way during the past 10-20 years’The Patrick Linehan and Emerson Kanegusuke’s four-year journey in Korea is coming to an end and with it, memories they take with them forever.As minister-counselor for public affairs, Linehan has been responsible for bringing relations to a warmer, friendlier level within all sectors of the relationship between Korea and the Uni
Wi surges into lead at Colonial

GolfMay 22, 2011

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) ― Charlie Wi took advantage of playing partner David Tom’s third-round collapse Saturday to take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Colonial.Wi, seven strokes behind Toms at the start of the round, shot a 4-under 66 to reach 13 under. After opening with bogey-free 62s to tie the PGA Tour record for the first 36 holes, Toms had a 74 to fall to second.Wi took the le
Ronaldo sets Spain goal mark

SoccerMay 22, 2011

Ki Sung-yueng finds net as Celtic capture cupBARCELONA (AP) ― Cristiano Ronaldo broke the 60-year-old Spanish league scoring record, getting his 39th and 40th goals of the season in Real Madrid’s season-ending 8-1 rout of Almeria.In the fourth minute, Ronaldo beat goalkeeper Esteban Suarez in the 77th. The previous record of 38 league goals was set by Athletic Bilbao’s Telmo Zarra in 1950-51 and m
Chinese premier says N.K. leader invited to witness economic development

PoliticsMay 22, 2011

TOKYO (Yonhap) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Sunday that Beijing invited North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to the country in an effort to help Pyongyang learn about his nation's economic development and use it for reviving the North's own economy, an official said.Wen made the remark during a bilateral meeting with Lee on the sidelines of a tripartite su
Iceland's Grimsvotn volcano erupting

ScienceMay 22, 2011

REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) _ Iceland closed its main international airport Sunday as a volcanic eruption sent a plume of ash, smoke and steam 12 miles (20 kilometers) into the air.Smoke rises from the Grimsvotn volcano in Reykjavik, Iceland, Saturday. (AP-Yonhap News)Airport and air traffic control operator ISAVIA said Keflavik airport was closed at 0830 GMT (4:30 a.m. EDT), and no flights were takin
Gang blinds Indian woman, accused of witchcraft

World NewsMay 22, 2011
Korea, Japan, China agree on nuclear safety

PoliticsMay 22, 2011

TOKYO (Yonhap News) -- Leaders of South Korea, Japan and China agreed Sunday to establish an early notification system for nuclear accidents, strengthen the sharing of related information and take other steps to bolster cooperation in handling disasters.Nuclear safety and disaster management were the top topics at the annual summit of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, Japanese Prime Minister N
Pope blesses astronauts in 1st papal call to space

ScienceMay 22, 2011

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) _ Pope Benedict XVI had a direct line to the heavens Saturday, with NASA's help.Speaking from the Vatican, the pontiff bestowed a historic blessing upon the 12 astronauts circling Earth during the first-ever papal call to space, wishing a swift recovery for the shuttle commander's wounded congresswoman wife and condolences for a station astronaut mourning his mother's
Director Kim wins key Cannes sidebar prize

FilmMay 22, 2011

Cinematic self-portrait ‘Arirang’ gains international recognitionKim Ki-duk, one of the best known Korean auteurs overseas, received a coveted sidebar prize at Cannes on Saturday for his wrenching cinematic self-portrait “Arirang.”Kim shared his Un Certain Regard best picture prize with German director Andreas Dresen, who received it for the film “Stopped on Track.”“Arirang” is an emotionally raw
George W. Bush earns $15 million in speaking circuit

World NewsMay 22, 2011

Former U.S. President George W. Bush racked up at least $15 million by delivering nearly 140 paid speeches since leaving office in Jan. 2009, according to reports.Bush spokesman David Sherzer told local news that he earned average fees of between $100,000 and $150,000 per speech.Though the numbers are high, Bush’s predecessor, former President Bill Clinton, earned even more.By the end of 2009 -- n
Wrestler known as 'Macho Man' dies in Fla. wreck

MusicMay 22, 2011

Randy "Macho Man" Savage, a larger-than-life personality from professional wrestling's 1980s flying-elbow heyday known for his raspy voice, brash style and the young woman named Miss Elizabeth who often accompanied him, died in a car crash Friday in Florida. He was 58.A Florida Highway Patrol crash report said the former wrestler — whose legal name was Randy Mario Poffo — was driving a Jeep Wrang