The Korea Herald

[David Ignatius] Emissaries, defectors, Libya puzzle

ViewpointsJun 17, 2011

WASHINGTON ― The botched defection several months ago of Musa Kusa, Libya’s former foreign minister, illustrates the uncertain strategy that has plagued the NATO campaign against Col. Moammar Gadhafi. But even so, the Gadhafi regime is feeling enough pressure to send an emissary to Washington this week to explore a possible negotiated settlement. Kusa, a prominent member of Gadhafi’s inner circle,
India, Pakistan must cooperate for peace

ViewpointsJun 17, 2011

To ensure its control over the government, the Pakistan army has always exaggerated the threats from India, often referred to as the No. 1 enemy. It has been able to secure billions of dollars from the U.S. ostensibly in the fight against terror. The Pakistani government has followed the policy of running with the hare and hunting with the hound. Although an ally of the U.S. in its fight against g
Weapons-export ban threatened

ViewpointsJun 17, 2011

In meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates in Singapore on June 3, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa told him that Japan would allow the United States to export to other countries an anti-missile missile being jointly developed by Japan and the U.S. if certain conditions are met.Japan is expected to confirm this position in a meeting of Japanese and U.S. foreign and defense ministers to b
Japan ruling party’s punishment of rebels lenient

ViewpointsJun 17, 2011

Was this the best the Democratic Party of Japan could do to put its foot down?The ruling party on Monday decided on punishments for 15 of its House of Representatives lawmakers who did not attend or abstained from voting on a recent no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Naoto Kan.Former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa and seven other lawmakers had their party membership suspended for three months
[Surin Pitsuwan] ASEAN as the heart of Asia

ViewpointsJun 17, 2011

JAKARTA ― The Association of Southeast Asian Nations stands at a defining moment. Its member states are constantly being evaluated for their economic potential and desirability as a market for investments, goods, and services. At the same time, their effort to forge a community free from external intervention is shaping a new regional order based on common security and shared prosperity.In geopoli
When moonlight shimmers on royal palace

TravelJun 17, 2011

Changdeokgung Moonlight Trail invites visitors to a mystical journey crossing past and presentUnder the soft moonlight, every wooden building, tree and pond in the palace seemed to unfold at least twice as many stories hidden in every nook and corner than they would in the daytime. The Moonlight Trail of Changdeokgung in Waryong-dong, central Seoul, began at 8 p.m. on Tuesday when the long summer
Calendar

TheaterJun 17, 2011

Classical Music“Madame Butterfly”: For the first time in 21 years, the Korea Opera Group will present “Madame Butterfly,” one of the three best-known Puccini operas, from June 24-26 at the Grand Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, after it showcased the popular piece there in October 1990. Premiered at the Teatro alla Scala in 1904, the opera is a staple in the operatic repertoir
Box Office

FilmJun 17, 2011

KJ (China)Opening June 16Documentary. Directed by Cheung Kingwai. Eleven-year-old prodigy Ka-jeng (KJ) has won numerous prestigious awards -- including for top pianist at the Hong Kong Schools of Music Festival -- and performed at famous concert halls around the world. Yet he begins to struggle as he loses his purpose in life, finding no meaning in attending his classes and practices. In this emot
Eye-like

MusicJun 17, 2011

Nino Machaidze“Romantic Arias”Sony MusicHollywood-style opera singer Nino Machaidze released her first solo album “Romantic Arias” on June 14, collecting famous opera repertoires by Manon, Gounod, Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini. Born in Georgia in 1983, Machaidze graduated from the Accademia del Teatro alla Scala in Milan. In the summer of 2008 when she was 25, she made a sensational debut by subs
Shedding some light on ‘Green Lantern’

FilmJun 17, 2011

Ultimately, there is just one Superman, just one Batman, just one Wonder Woman. But there are countless Green Lanterns within DC Comics’ fictional universe, and at least five have starred in comic books and animated TV series. When the live-action “Green Lantern,” starring Ryan Reynolds, opens Friday, moviegoers could be forgiven if they wonder, “Green who? Lantern what?”The answer, in the movie’s
California travel and tourism event

TravelJun 17, 2011

California Travel and Tourism Commission is holding its “2011 California Travel Mission” event June 27-28 at Seoul Plaza Hotel to develop and promote travel products with South Korean tourism industry officials. Recognizing the high potential of Korea as a source market, major city tourism boards, hotels, retailers and tourism-related companies from the U.S. will attend the event. Travel agencies
Singapore Food Festival coming up

TravelJun 17, 2011

2011 Singapore Food Festival will take place from July 15-24 under the theme, “Curry and Spice.” Singapore cuisines are often harmonized with lots of herbs and spices such as lemongrass, chili, shrimp paste and coconut milk. More than 60 food stalls will line up near Clarke Quay Road Bridge in SFF Village, Singapore Tourism Board said. Little India and Kampong Glam districts will hold diverse even
Travel platform ‘Pocketvillage’ launched

TravelJun 17, 2011

Five young entrepreneurs from Stuttgart and Berlin have just launched “pocketvillage,” an international search engine for adventure travel at ITB Berlin. The new travel platform allows holiday makers to compare more than 11,000 extraordinary tours, activities and accommodation at the same time. The technological highlights include a refined search process which offers travelers personalization of
Oakwood offers early summer package

TravelJun 17, 2011

Oakwood Premier Coex Center offers an “Early Summer Package” for a mini-getaway. The package includes a one-night stay, complimentary breakfast for one person, complimentary use of the fitness center, indoor swimming pool, sauna and indoor golf range. Package users can rent two DVD movies at the business center on the 5th floor. Oakwood Premier Coex Center is connected to a variety of entertainmen
Traditional beauty flows in Jeonju Hanok Village

TravelJun 17, 2011

When it comes to Jeonju travel, the most popular tourist site is Jeonju Hanok Village, located in Pungnam-dong and Gyo-dong. About 700 traditional Korean houses are clustered together with the eaves of their roofs beautifully curved. The history of the hanok village originates back to the 1910s during the Japanese colonial era. As Japanese merchants took over the business district of Jungang-dong,