The Korea Herald

PyeongChang steps closer to 2018 Olympics

More sportsMay 18, 2011

PyeongChang steps closer to 2018 Olympics Kim Yu-na pitches to IOC members By Oh Kyu-wookLAUSANNE -- The final race for the 2018 Winter Games has begun and PyeongChang, making its third bid, looks very strong this time after successfully delivering their campaign on Wednesday to International Olympic Committee members. With just 50 days to go before the host of the 2018 Winter Olympics is decided,
Foster thinks Cannes film can be ‘therapeutic’ for Gibson

FilmMay 18, 2011

CANNES, France (AFP) ― Jodie Foster drew cheers at Cannes on Tuesday for her latest film “The Beaver” and said she thought the experience of making it could be “therapeutic” for her troubled star Mel Gibson.The small-budget drama, directed by Foster and featuring Gibson as a depressed toy company executive who turns to a beaver hand puppet to help him get his life back on track, had a shaky openin
Hyundai Capital faces sanctions over hacking case

May 18, 2011

The financial watchdog said Tuesday that it is considering penalizing Hyundai Capital and several of its staff for incurring cyber attacks due to negligent internal controls.Those subject to the regulatory sanctions will possibly include several executives, including CEO Ted Chung, of the loan issuance company jointly owned by Hyundai Motor Group and U.S.-based GE Capital, the Financial Supervisor
Korea rises to 22nd in global competitiveness

May 18, 2011

By Cynthia J. KimKorea’s rating in the World Competitiveness Yearbook by a Switzerland business school rose by one place to No. 22 this year, the highest level the country has reached since joining the list in 1997.The annual report of the world’s 59 most competitive countries by the International Institution for Management Development ranked Korea higher on government and business efficiency, rai
Defector says relatives in N.K. missing after identity leak

North KoreaMay 18, 2011

A North Korean defector is waging a lonely legal battle against South Korean authorities over the alleged disappearance of his relatives in his communist homeland, following an unwanted disclosure of his identity in the South.The battle started two years after Lee Kwang-su arrived in the South along with his wife, two children and a friend aboard a small barge across the eastern sea border in 2006
Curtain rises for G20 speakers’ meet

PoliticsMay 18, 2011

The curtain has been raised for the Group of 20 Seoul Speakers’ Consultation, the largest international event for the national parliaments.Assembly speakers and delegates from 26 countries arrived here Wednesday to attend the Group of 20 Seoul Speakers’ Consultation, which kicks off its two-day run on Thursday. Assembly speakers and delegates attending the G20 Seoul Speakers’ Consultation listen
Seoul says it discussed Kim invite with N.K.

PoliticsMay 18, 2011

The South Korean government said Wednesday that the motives of its conditional invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to a nuclear summit in Seoul next year, announced by President Lee Myung-bak last week, was explained to Pyongyang.There has been working-level communication with the North about Lee’s proposal in Berlin after a joint press conference with the Danish prime minister last Thur
Lee to visit Sendai, Fukushima during three-way summit

PoliticsMay 18, 2011

President Lee Myung-bak is scheduled to visit Sendai, where Koreans suffered the greatest damages due to the worst-ever offshore quake and tsunami that struck eastern Japan in March, during his weekend trip to Tokyo for trilateral summit talks with the leaders of China and Japan.The three governments agreed to hold the fourth annual Korea-Japan-China summit in Tokyo, diplomatic sources here said W
New subs suspended last year due to weak bolts

DefenseMay 18, 2011

The Navy decided to suspend the operation of the three newest 1,800-ton submarines early last year due to problems with their component parts, according to a lawmaker.Rep. Song Young-sun of the minority Future Hope Alliance party told media that weak bolts used to fixate their upper bridges and decks were broken or loosened during their maritime operations on a number of occasions.For the first 1,
Pro-Lee lawmakers’ group will not split

PoliticsMay 18, 2011

President’s loyalists ignore internal pressure to give way to reformThe pro-Lee Myung-bak group within the ruling Grand National Party has decided not to disband, despite facing controversy after a by-election defeat and shuffle of in-party power.“We have a historic mission yet to fulfill and a leading role to play in supporting the current government,” said Rep. An Kyung-ryul on Wednesday.An form
China blocks release of U.N. report on N.K.

North KoreaMay 18, 2011

UNITED NATIONS (AP) ― China blocked the release Friday of a report by U.N. experts accusing North Korea of violating U.N. sanctions that ban the export and import of ballistic missile and nuclear-related items as well as conventional arms and luxury goods.China’s U.N. Ambassador Li Baodong told reporters after a closed-door meeting of the Security Council to discuss implementation of two rounds of
English program begins for N. Korea defectors

North KoreaMay 18, 2011

The British Embassy in South Korea has launched a program to provide North Korean students with English language training, internships and overseas study opportunities. “We have noticed that English language can be a real barrier for new settlers who strive to access the good jobs and higher education opportunities that South Korea has to offer,” said British Ambassador Martin Uden.The ability to
S. Korea remains tough against N. Korea

North KoreaMay 18, 2011

Civic groups call for resumption of food aid, tradeWhile stalling for time may have worked in the past, North Korea might have to come up with a different tactic this time as the South remains firm not to do it any favors until proper measures are taken in response to the casualties last year.Turning a blind eye to the growing international mood to make peace with the communist state, the Seoul go
Regional action needed for biodiversity decade

Social affairsMay 18, 2011

The following article was contributed by Ahmed Djoghlaf, executive secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity of the United Nations Environment Program. ― Ed.It is a great pleasure for me to attend the launch ceremony of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020 organized by the Republic of Korea. The aim of the Decade is engaging all the citizens of the world to protect life on
Bin Laden photo fight pits White House vs. press

World NewsMay 18, 2011