The Korea Herald

U.S. lawmakers threaten to stall Korea trade pact

Mar 10, 2011

WASHINGTON (AFP) ― U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday threatened to hold up a trade pact with Korea unless President Barack Obama’s administration moves ahead on separate deals with Colombia and Panama.Obama, who faces skepticism on free trade from part of his Democratic Party’s base, has publicly called for approval of deals with all three nations this year but wants time to fine-tune the packages with
Producer inflation hits 2-year high

Mar 10, 2011

Korea’s producer prices rose at the fastest pace in more than two years in February due to a hike in international oil and commodity prices, the central bank said Thursday.The producer price index (PPI), a barometer of future consumer inflation, climbed 6.6 percent in February from a year earlier, up from 6.2 percent the previous month, according to the Bank of Korea.It marked the fastest expansio
With iPad 2, Apple one-ups itself

World BusinessMar 10, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ― With the original iPad, Apple brought an attractive, easy-to-use tablet computer to the masses at a reasonable price ― a feat numerous companies are trying to top.With Friday’s release of the iPad 2, Apple is pulling further ahead, with improvements that make an already excellent tablet even more enticing. It goes to show that when it comes to tablets, Apple refuses to be best
Discovery lands after final voyage

World NewsMar 10, 2011

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) ― Discovery ended its career as the world’s most flown spaceship Wednesday, returning from orbit for the last time and taking off in a new direction as a museum piece.After a flawless trip to the International Space Station, NASA’s oldest shuttle swooped through a few wispy clouds on its way to its final touchdown.“To the ship that has led the way time and time again,
China vows no Western-style political reforms

World NewsMar 10, 2011

BEIJING (AFP) ― China’s parliament chief Thursday ruled out any shift to multi-party democracy in a speech that appeared to pour cold water on political reform hopes sparked by remarks from Premier Wen Jiabao last year.Wu Bangguo, who is officially number two in the country’s leadership behind President Hu Jintao, said in his annual address to the legislature that abandoning the Communist Party-do
Dalai Lama to resign political role

World NewsMar 10, 2011

DHARAMSHALA, India (AFP) ― The Dalai Lama announced Thursday his plan to retire as political head of the exiled Tibetan movement, saying the time had come for his replacement by a “freely elected” leader.The Dalai Lama, whose more significant role is as the movement’s spiritual leader, said he would seek an amendment allowing him to resign his political office when the exiled Tibetan parliament me
U.S. sacks diplomat over Okinawa slurs

World NewsMar 10, 2011

TOKYO (AFP) ― The United States on Thursday sacked a senior diplomat who infuriated Japan with reported slurs against the people of Okinawa island, which has reluctantly hosted American forces since World War II.The State Department’s Japan desk head Kevin Maher was replaced after he reportedly called Okinawans “lazy” and “masters of manipulation and extortion,” triggering outrage in Tokyo and on
Literary agent Owen Laster dies at age 72

BooksMar 10, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) ― Owen Laster, a literary agent and executive of old-fashioned self-effacement and intregity whose many clients included Judy Blume, Gore Vidal and the estate of Margaret Mitchell, died Wednesday. He was 72.Laster, who retired in 2006, died in his Manhattan apartment after a brief illness, said his friend and attorney Richard Snider.Numerous friends had visited him recently, includin
Resolute Tottenham

SoccerMar 10, 2011

Spurs survive Milan to roar into Champions League quartersLONDON (AP) ― Tottenham kept up its impressive debut in the Champions League by ousting AC Milan on Wednesday, while Felix Magath’s future as Schalke coach remains uncertain despite the German side reaching the quarterfinals with a victory over Valencia.Tottenham protected its 1-0 first-leg lead over seven-time European champion Milan by ho
IOC to mediate financial dispute

More sportsMar 10, 2011

LONDON (AP) ― The IOC agreed Wednesday to step in to settle a financial dispute between two British Olympic bodies responsible for delivering the 2012 London Games.The British Olympic Association claims it deserves to receive millions of dollars more from its joint marketing agreement with the London 2012 organizing committee, known as LOCOG.The BOA says it faces a budget shortfall of up to $16 mi
Seoul braces for dealing with new Japanese minister

Foreign affairsMar 10, 2011

Matsumoto’s Ito connection invokes painful history but should not affect tiesJapan promptly named its new top diplomat this week after his predecessor resigned for accepting illegal political donations, a change South Korea views will have little impact on ties that have been running strong in recent years. But compared to his predecessor Seiji Maehara, Tokyo’s incoming Foreign Minister Takeaki Ma
Ministry to toughen discipline on diplomats

Foreign affairsMar 10, 2011

Shanghai scandal sparks dispute over how to manage non-career envoysSouth Korea’s foreign minister prompted his officials each to “feel heavier occupational and ethical responsibilities as a civil servant” this week, vowing continued reform efforts days after a sex scandal involving several Korean diplomats in Shanghai was made public.Four officials, including former Consul General Kim Jeong-ki, a
Centers help immigrant workers find jobs

Social affairsMar 10, 2011

Aluin, a Filipino immigrant worker, learns espresso coffee making at a center for foreign workers in Yangcheon, southwestern Seoul. “I attend the barista class every weekend. I’ll make a career in Seoul after completing the program, then set up my own coffee shop in my home country,” he said. Another immigrant worker, Tiron from Sri Lanka, lost his right leg in an industrial accident. It was also
Baby boomers independent from children: report

Social affairsMar 10, 2011

Choi Sun-hee, 54, stresses that she and her husband would rather stay in a nursing home than expect their children to live with and support them. “In my generation, you could buy an apartment with a modest salary worker’s income. But now, inflation has made that nearly impossible. I don’t plan to ask my children for help ― they are too burdened to look after their own family,” she said. Choi said
Gov. Kim faces potentially damaging probe

PoliticsMar 10, 2011

Prosecution probes alleged illicit funding involving sponsors of Gyeonggi governorGyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-su, one of the ruling bloc’s strong presidential hopefuls, is facing a potentially critical setback as prosecutors are expanding their inquiries into allegations of illicit political funding involving several of his sponsors.Prosecutors are investigating allegations that employees of Gyeong