The Korea Herald

N.K. celebrates late founder’s birthday

North KoreaApr 15, 2011

North Korea was busy reporting events related to the 99th birthday of the regime’s late founder Kim Il-sung Friday, momentarily abandoning its ongoing appeals for outside food aid. Hordes of North Koreans across the nation pledged their unchanging loyalty toward the late leader on the “Day of the Sun,” and a series of performances and events were held to honor his spirit, Pyongyang’s official medi
Door-to-door health service ready for N.K. defectors

Social affairsApr 15, 2011

People who have fled North Korea will be able to receive door-to-door healthcare service in the South from fellow North Korean defectors from this month. They will also be able to receive tailored medical services at local public healthcare centers, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Friday. The authorities have hired 10 North Korean defectors with counseling licenses here at public healthcar
Ministries at odds over IT for CSAT

Social affairsApr 15, 2011

The ministries of education and knowledge economy are at odds over the latter’s unilateral decision to make information technology one of the subjects for the College Scholastic Ability Test, a state-administered university admission examination. While the Knowledge Economy Ministry justifies the plan that IT education is essential for enhancing global competitiveness, the education authorities op
Import price growth reached 27-month high last month

Apr 15, 2011

South Korea’s import prices rose at the fastest pace in 27 months in March due to sharp gains in oil and other commodity prices, the central bank said Friday, pointing to growing inflationary pressure.In local currency terms, the country’s import prices jumped 19.6 percent in March from a year earlier, picking up from a 16.9 percent on-year advance in February, according to the Bank of Korea.The M
Household loan growth quickened in February

Apr 15, 2011

The growth of household loans extended by South Korean financial firms accelerated in February from the previous month on the back of gains in home-backed lending, the central bank said Friday.Household lending handled by local banks and non-bank institutions totaled an outstanding 599.2 trillion won ($551.3 billion) as of the end of February, up 3.2 trillion won from the previous month, according
Xperia Arc hits stores

IndustryApr 15, 2011

Xperia Arc, the newest model in Sony Ericsson’s smartphone lineup, on Friday hit nationwide SK Telecom stores at a retail price of 803,000 won ($737).Prices will vary depending on the type of call plan customers decide on, Sony Ericsson representatives said.The latest in the Xperia series was priced slightly cheaper than other smartphones released here, such as Samsung’s Galaxy S and Apple’s iPhon
Korean exports dominate Chile’s import market

Apr 15, 2011

South Korea has more best-selling products in Chile than any other country thanks mainly to a free trade agreement with the South American nation implemented seven years ago, a local trade agency said Friday.According to the state-run Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, South Korea currently has 40 best-selling products out of 150 key import items of Chile. Seoul also has 29 second best-selli
NHN, Daum accuse Google of antitrust

IndustryApr 15, 2011

South Korea’s top two Internet companies asked the country’s antitrust watchdog Friday to investigate Google Inc.’s alleged practice of stifling competition in the country’s mobile search market.NHN Corp., the operator of Naver, South Korea’s most-visited Web search engine and Daum Communications Corp., the Web search runner-up, separately filed complaints against Google with the Fair Trade Commis
Korea to boost mineral recycling

IndustryApr 15, 2011

Rising costs, demand call for nation to be self-reliant by reusing wasteSouth Korea is preparing to step up efforts to recycle minerals from used electronics and industrial waste in a bid to secure self-reliant sources of minerals on growing demand, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy said Friday.The process, termed “urban mining,” refers to reclaiming compounds and elements from products and waste
Assad seeks to curb prayer protests

World NewsApr 15, 2011
Japan orders compensation for nuke evacuees

World NewsApr 15, 2011

TEPCO to give money to residents unable to return to homes near nuclear plantTOKYO (AP) ― Japan’s government Friday ordered the operator of a tsunami-damaged nuclear plant leaking radiation to pay about $12,000 to each household forced to evacuate from the area.Tens of thousands of residents unable to return to their homes near the nuclear plant are bereft of their livelihoods and possessions, uns
World Bank, IMF lead move to help North Africa

World BusinessApr 15, 2011

WASHINGTON (AFP) ― Global finance chiefs moved to aid strife-torn North Africa Thursday as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank warned of more potential social unrest from high food prices and joblessness.Finance ministers of leading economies and development bank heads discussed ways to help Egypt, Tunisia and other regional economies rebuild, as the annual spring meetings of the World
Ireland passes IMF/EU test, Fitch ups outlook

World BusinessApr 15, 2011
G20 eyes anti-crisis plan, mulls recovery risks

World BusinessApr 15, 2011
U.S. Congress OKs budget cuts; fights await

World BusinessApr 15, 2011

Record spending cuts win approval, on way to Obama for signing, but bigger deficit fights loomWASHINGTON (AP) ― Congress sent President Barack Obama hard-fought legislation cutting a record $38 billion from federal spending on Thursday, bestowing bipartisan support on the first major compromise between the White House and newly empowered Republicans in Congress.“Welcome to divided government,” sai