The Korea Herald

N.K. proposes high-level military talks with S. Korea

DefenseJan 20, 2011

North Korea proposed holding high-level military talks with South Korea on Thursday, a day after the U.S. and China called on the communist state to end provocations.The proposal is the latest in a series of recent overtures from the North for dialogue with its southern neighbor against which it made two deadly attacks last year.“Under the name of Kim Yong-chun, minister of the People’s Armed Forc
Seoul to up pressure on N.K. nuke program

PoliticsJan 20, 2011

Evaluating the outcome of the U.S.-China summit as positive, South Korea repeated on Thursday that the resumption of any kind of dialogue with North Korea “depended fully” upon the nuclear-armed state’s earnest intent to halt provocations and disarm. Overcoming their once-divided view on how to deal with Pyongyang’s growing belligerence, U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao
Daewoo cars history as GM Korea switches to Chevrolet

IndustryJan 20, 2011

The Korean unit of General Motors plans to remove the badge of “Daewoo” from its company name and new domestic releases as it seeks to improve image and boost sales. GM Daewoo Auto and Technology Co. announced Thursday it will change its name to GM Korea Company and replace the GM Daewoo brand with the Chevrolet brand.“The actions we are about to take will take the company to a stronger, sustainab
Poetry and art walk hand in hand

TheaterJan 20, 2011

Gana Art Gallery presents 80 pairings of poems, paintings by renowned Korean poets, artistsPoetry and art are like a couple meant to be. The two distinct genres have long complemented each other, as emphasized by the close friendships shared by famous artists and poets throughout history. In Korea, paintings accompanied with poems have been a popular type of art for a long time, and were especiall
Iraq trips N. Korea to reach quarters

SoccerJan 20, 2011

Jo Tong-sop's squad heads home with zero goalsDOHA (AP) ― Defending champion Iraq reached the Asian Cup quarterfinals by defeating North Korea 1-0 on Wednesday.Iraq will play Group C winner Australia in the quarterfinals on Saturday.Midfielder Kerrar Jasim scored in the 22nd minute, sealing Iraq’s place in the knockout round behind Iran, which topped Group D.Iraq coach Wolfgang Sidka praised his t
Actor Hyun’s new movie delves into love, communication

FilmJan 20, 2011

A woman, who has been married for five years, one day tells her husband she wants to leave him for another man. The husband, an introvert who rarely speaks his mind, does not ask her why. On the day she moves out, he makes coffee and wraps her favorite teacup so she can take it with her.Starring Hyun Bin and Im Soo-jeong, director Lee Yoon-ki’s new film, “Come Rain, Come Shine,“ tells the story of
Seoul fraught by Somali pirates’ ship hijackings

PoliticsJan 20, 2011

The Seoul government appears to be agonizing over how to deal with Somali pirates, after a South Korean cargo vessel carrying 21 crewmembers was seized last Saturday.The 11,500-ton Samho Jewelry freighter, carrying eight South Koreans, was captured in the Arabian Sea between Oman and India en route to Sri Lanka from the United Arab Emirates.The government has reiterated its vow not to negotiate wi
NASA plans Valentine's date with a comet

English EyeJan 20, 2011

WASHINGTON - Like two strangers in the night, a US spacecraft and a speeding comet will dash by one another on Valentine's Day, NASA said Wednesday, and skywatchers are eager to see what happens.The Stardust-NExT spacecraft will be rapidly snapping pictures of the Tempel 1 comet as they pass at a mere distance of 200 kilometers (about 124 miles).Space experts are curious to see how a trip around t
Repeat robbers may get electronic tags

Social affairsJan 20, 2011

The government is considering making those convicted of repeated robberies wear electronic anklets, which are currently required for sex offenders and murderers, from next year. The Justice Ministry said Thursday that it is pushing to revise the law to apply the traceable electronic device to robbers.The law is currently imposed only on criminals considered likely to repeat crimes such as sex offe
More foreign wives seeking legal advice

Social affairsJan 20, 2011

A large number of foreign wives sought legal advice on divorce last year, a government counseling center said Thursday, causing concern that an already high divorce rate for international marriages could rise. In a 2010 report released by the Emergency Support Center for Migrant Women, legal counseling sessions numbered 10,604, up 23 percent from the previous year.Although legal advice does not ne
Seoul Forest, Mount Nam to be linked by pathway

Social affairsJan 20, 2011

From as early as next year, Seoulites will be able to stroll from Seoul Forest in the east to the top of Mount Nam in the city center without breaking their stride.The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday that its project to link the city’s landmark parks and mountains with footpaths has begun, and is due to be completed by next year. The 8.4-kilometer pathway will be named “Geotgoshippen G
Korea to tighten measures to verify foreign degrees

Social affairsJan 20, 2011

The government will adopt stricter measures to verify overseas academic diplomas and tighten its monitoring of universities hiring staff with such qualifications. The state-run National Research Foundation of Korea will oversee verification while the Korea Education and Research Information Service will seek to display the full text of the thesis for all overseas degrees acquired by Koreans, the M
Ex-lecturer aims to lead change in civil service

PoliticsJan 20, 2011

Being the first in something always draws attention. Such was the case for Yoon Eun-key, who became the first non-bureaucrat to take the helm of the Central Officials Training Institute eight months ago.The former corporate consultant, lecturer, radio host and university president has held a dozen job titles, but had never served in the public sector before.“With my experience in corporate educati
Facebook agrees to improve data protection for Koreans

IndustryJan 20, 2011

The state media regulator Korea Communications Commission said Thursday that the U.S.-based social networking site Facebook agreed to improve its individual information protection measures for Korean users.The KCC said that Facebook stated that it will devise separate measures which follow the country’s information and telecommunications law by the end of March.The event takes place after the stat
KT targets W20.5tr in sales

IndustryJan 20, 2011

Carrier to invest 3 trillion won to boost service quality, global presenceKT Corp. said Thursday it plans to record 20.5 trillion won ($18 billion) in sales and spend 3 trillion won in investments this year to boost its service quality and step up its presence in global markets.KT, the exclusively provider of Apple’s iPhone in Korea, also said that it aims to reach 30 trillion won in sales by 2015