The Korea Herald

U.S. Embassy makes marriage easier

Foreign affairsJan 23, 2011

There are several changes in local laws in the new year that affect some U.S. citizens living here. Marriage procedures for foreigners in Korea have been streamlined starting this year.Until recently, South Korea required foreigners getting married in Korea to obtain not only an Affidavit of Marriageability (“single statement”) but also two additional certificates. This required three United State
Tackling major challenges at Davos

Foreign affairsJan 23, 2011

Later this week, the world’s leaders will converge in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum to discuss matters of grave importance.“The World Economic Forum of Davos, which celebrates its 41st year, has become the meeting place for business leaders and political leaders; this I think is the big specialty for the meeting in Davos,” said Swiss Ambassador Thomas Kupfer.According to global experts,
Director Shim aims at U.S. box office

FilmJan 23, 2011

Hollywood may be the goliath of the movie industry, but Korean film director Shim Hyung-rae is not afraid to knock on its door.“I believe that Hollywood absolutely bought the idea of the main character in the recently released movie, ‘The Last Godfather.’” Despite critics’ skepticism over his entrance into Hollywood after a string of poorly received movies such as “Yong-gari” and “D-war,” Shim is
On mission to build rehab hospitals

PeopleJan 23, 2011

After wife suffers accident, former journalist propels campaign for disabledPaik Kyung-hak was in his car, and had just opened the trunk so that his wife could find something for their daughter.A moment later, an intoxicated driver in a Mercedes struck the back of their car, where his wife was standing. Paik was thrown from the car in the impact, inexplicably landing underneath the vehicle.In shoc
Dubai island project sinks -- literally

InternationalJan 23, 2011

The huge development project known as “The World,” a symbol of the booming property market in Dubai, is facing a disaster, Daily Mail reported. One issue for the man-made archipelago project, designed to look like a map of the planet, is that the real estate market is in the midst of a severe slowdown. Compounding the problem is that the islands have begun sinking. As The World confronts an immine
S. Korea to be world's 7th-largest economy in 2032: official

Jan 23, 2011

South Korea is expected to become the world's seventh-largest economy in 2032 if it continues to propel its growth engines, the country's top financial regulator has said. "In 2020, South Korea is likely to become the world's 10th-largest economy. In 2032, it is projected to surpass Germany to join the ranks of the world's seven largest economies," Kim Seok-dong, the head of the Financial Servic
'Second sun in the sky on way'

PodcastJan 23, 2011

The second biggest star in the constellation Orion may become Earth’s second sun before 2012, news.com.au reported Wednesday.Dr. Brad Carter, senior lecturer of Physics at the University of Southern Queensland, said Betelgeuse is losing mass or “fuel” in the center and will explode when it runs out, creating a second sun in the night sky. When the giant star, which is much brighter than the Sun, e
Beloved novelist Park Wan-suh dies at 80

BooksJan 23, 2011

Park Wan-suh (Yonhap News)Park Wan-suh, a well-known South Korean novelist and essayist who delved into post-Korean War realities of everyday people, died of gallbladder cancer on Saturday. She was 80.Park has been suffering the disease in recent years and died earlier in the morning, leaving behind four daughters, according to her acquaintances.Born in what is now a North Korean village bordering
Lotte files suit aimed at Shilla shop

IndustryJan 23, 2011

Legal battle begins over operation of Louis Vuitton shop at Incheon AirportLotte Duty Free has filed a lawsuit against Incheon International Airport for allowing Shilla Duty Free to open a Louis Vuitton store at the nation’s largest international airport.Lotte said on Thursday that it filed an injunction against the airport because it gave improper favors to Shilla. Lotte Duty Free’s argument was
Apple's iPhone users reach 2 mln in S. Korea

IndustryJan 23, 2011

The number of Apple Inc.'s iPhone users has surpassed 2 million in South Korea in a little more than one year of its local debut, its distributor said Sunday. Two million iPhones were activated in South Korea as of Jan.20, including 1.03 million units of the iPhone 4, the latest version of the hot-selling device, and 977,000 units of the iPhone 3GS, KT Corp. said in a statement. KT, South Korea's
Five Somali pirates detained aboard S. Korean warship: source

PoliticsJan 23, 2011

Five Somali pirates caught alive in a military operation to rescue a seized South Korean cargo ship and its crew are detained in an isolated room of a Korean destroyer escorting the freed vessel to Oman, a military source said Saturday.Thirteen pirates had seized the 11,500-ton chemical carrier Samho Jewelry before South Korean Navy commandos raided the ship Friday. The operation was successful, w
S. Korea advances to semifinals with win over Iran

SoccerJan 23, 2011

South Korea edged Iran 1-0 in extra periods to advance to the semifinals at the ongoing Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar.At Qatar Sports Club Stadium early Sunday, Korean time, midfielder Yoon Bitgaram broke the scoreless deadlock in the dying moments of the first 15-minute extra period. Dribbling in from the right wing, the midfielder fooled an Iran defender Pejman Nouri before striking a left-foot shot
Wounded captain of rescued ship recovering after surgery: doctor

PoliticsJan 22, 2011

The wounded captain of a South Korean cargo ship freed from Somali pirates in a dramatic rescue operation is recovering after surgery in Oman, a doctor said Saturday.Captain Seok Hae-kyun, 57, was shot in the stomach during Friday's rescue operation by South Korean Navy commandos. He was the only one wounded among the 21-member crew of the 11,500-ton chemical carrier Samho Jewelry seized by Somali
Korean crew of Samho Jewelry expected to return home late next week

PoliticsJan 22, 2011

The South Korean cargo ship freed Friday from Somali pirates in a dramatic rescue operation is heading to a port in Oman under escort of a warship, and its Korean crew members are expected to return home late next week, company officials said Saturday.South Korean Navy commandos rescued all 21 crew members of the 11,500-ton chemical carrier Samho Jewelry seized by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea
U.S. expresses satisfaction with Chinese concern over N.K. uranium program

PoliticsJan 22, 2011

WASHINGTON -- The United States Friday expressed satisfaction that China had joined in voicing concerns over North Korea's uranium enrichment program, which could provide an alternative to plutonium for making nuclear bombs."We were pleased ... that the Chinese acknowledging for the first time in the statements that we put out the enrichment program that the North Koreans had and the steps that ne