The Korea Herald

Poll chooses Ahn as ideal mentor

PeopleMay 12, 2011

Ahn Chul-soo, chair professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, was voted the most ideal mentor by young office workers in a recent survey. The survey was conducted on 702 office workers in their 20s and 30s by Job Korea, a career website. The survey asked respondents about the importance of mentors and what kind of mentors they thought were ideal. Men in their 20s and 30s
[Editorial] Losses on savings

EditorialMay 12, 2011

The Monetary Policy Committee is holding its monthly meeting Friday to determine whether or not to keep the central bank’s benchmark rate intact. Among the things that must be taken into consideration is the real interest rate, which has remained below zero for the past five months.A key real rate, the nominal yield on three-year government bonds less the consumer price index, was minus 0.5 percen
[Editorial] Party in turmoil

EditorialMay 12, 2011

Rival factions in the ruling Grand National Party have papered over their disagreements on who should represent the party now ― the floor leader or the chairman of the emergency committee on reform. But a similar conflict may surface anytime, as the power struggle, triggered by the party’s defeat in the April 27 parliamentary by-elections, is most likely to intensify in the months ahead.In the wak
A dead Osama ― and what matters to whom

ViewpointsMay 12, 2011

The security relationship between the United States and Pakistan is at risk of breaking down over the Osama bin Laden case. The U.S. would be disadvantaged in its Afghanistan withdrawal timetable and federal budget pruning if a rupture happened. Pakistan could as penance be made to take a cut in the $3 billion annual military aid it receives, but it will probably manage. Just how bad the relations
Spending on luxury brands soaring in China

ViewpointsMay 12, 2011

Our country has become a shining beacon of hope for luxury brands as Chinese consumers are driving the growth in many luxury sectors.As the luster of luxury fades in Japan, luxury brands are expanding their presence and retail locations in China.McKinsey & Co. estimates that the country’s luxury spending will more than double by 2015. If so, we will surpass Japan to become the world’s largest mark
[David Ignatius] Bin Laden plot thickens in Pakistan

ViewpointsMay 12, 2011

WASHINGTON ― The Pakistani town of Abbottabad seems to have been the perfect place to “hide in plain sight.” Not only did officers at the Pakistani military academy there apparently miss spotting Osama bin Laden. So did a team of U.S. Special Forces trainers that, according to Pakistani officials, was based there from September to December 2008. The “Where’s Waldo?” aspect of the hunt for bin Lade
Make drug use pay its own way

ViewpointsMay 12, 2011

In a far-off land called I’m Right, You’re Wrong, a fierce drug-legalization debate is raging. Half the people, libertarians, say drug use should be legal. The other half, moral purists, insist it shouldn’t.They disagree even on what to call it when those who buy or sell drugs are led off to jail. The libertarians call this a form of taxation ― specifically, a tax on the time of the buyer and sell
[Zuraidah Ibrahim] A handful of issues for Singapore’s ruling party

ViewpointsMay 12, 2011

The People’s Action Party’s (PAP) standard line that it starts preparing for the next general election the day after the last one ends has probably never been truer. Traditionally, a committee is formed to study voting patterns. This year, it will have its hands full divining why various precincts cast their ballots the way they did.On the one hand, there is bound to be a secular decline in suppor
[William K. Black] Why CEOs avoided getting busted in meltdown

ViewpointsMay 12, 2011

The defining characteristic of crony capitalism is the ability of favored elites to loot with impunity and the failure of regulators to do their jobs.We have seen this in the financial crisis that started in 2008 and in an earlier era, when the savings-and-loan industry collapsed.In the Texas “Rent-a-Bank” scandal of the 1970s, for example, two ringleaders created a fraud network of 50 lenders tha
[Joel Brinkley] Bin Laden’s death a Rorschach test

ViewpointsMay 12, 2011

The killing of Osama bin Laden is producing an unexpected outcome. His death is proving to be a Rorschach test for the entire world. Everyone who looks at it sees something different, sometimes betraying hidden motivations.Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, for example, has struggled since President Hosni Mubarak’s downfall to present a moderate image, while the group’s older leaders labor to mask the an
Art community rallies to Ai Weiwei’s defense

TheaterMay 12, 2011

LONDON (AP) ― Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has vanished. But look around, and he seems to be everywhere.More than a month after one of China’s best-known contemporary artist was arrested while trying to board a flight to Hong Kong, his name, his face and his art have popped up across the globe. China’s communist rulers have steadfastly refused to say where Ai is or who’s holding him, but his colleague
Can Kim Jun-su draw K-pop crowds again?

TheaterMay 12, 2011

All eyes on Kim during rehearsal for ‘Mozart!’ musical starting its second roundNamsan Creative Center in Yejang-dong, central Seoul, was jammed with about 200 people on Wednesday when musical “Mozart!” opened its practice room to press and fans. Though there were no ardent fans screaming or waving placards, it was obvious by the direction the cameras were flashing in that most were there to see o
Beastie Boys return older and sillier

MusicMay 12, 2011

Beastie Boys members (from left) Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz, Adam “MCA” Yauch and Michael “Mike D” Diamond. (AP-Yonhap News)WEST HOLLYWOOD (AP) ― On a wind-swept balcony at the posh Chateau Marmont hotel, Michael “Mike D” Diamond, one-third of the legendary hip-hop trio the Beastie Boys, is recounting to Adam “Ad-Rock” Horowitz what happened at a party that he departed early the night before. Among t
Fatty heart increases heart disease risk

HealthMay 12, 2011

Having a lot of fat around your heart leaves you susceptible to cardiovascular diseases even if you are not overweight, a group of local doctors said.According to research by Prof. Chun Eun-joo and Choi Sang-il of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital on 402 people, those with a lot of fat around their heart were 10 times more likely to get coronary artery stenosis, a narrowing of the carotid
Lupus awareness campaign in Seoul

HealthMay 12, 2011

The Korean Lupus Support Group is holding a campaign to raise awareness about lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, at Cheonggye Plaza in central Seoul on Friday. The event marks World Lupus Day that fell on Tuesday.According to the Lupus Foundation of America’s definition, lupus is disease that can affect any part of the body as the “malfunctioning” immune system turns the body against itself. Nor