The Korea Herald

Gong Li, Tang Wei set to visit Korea

FilmJan 17, 2011

Prominent Chinese-born actresses Gong Li and Tang Wei are to visit Korea in promotion of their upcoming films.Gong, who last year finished shooting her latest film “Shanghai,” a mystery thriller co-starring American actor John Cusack, will make her very first visit to Seoul on Jan. 23. Chinese-born actress Gong Li’s latest film is “Shanghai,” a mystery-thriller co-starring John Cusack and Chow Yun
Automobile recalls in S. Korea soar in 2010

TransportJan 17, 2011

Automobile recalls in South Korea spiked in 2010 because of tighter safety-related regulatory control and monitoring, a government report showed Monday. According to the report by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, 270,000 vehicles of 87 locally made and imported models were recalled last year, up 110,000 units from a year earlier. The total number of vehicle models recalled
Hu calls for early resumption of 6-way talks

PoliticsJan 17, 2011

WASHINGTON -- Chinese President Hu Jintao Sunday called for early resumption of the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear dismantlement deadlocked for years over the North's provocations and ensuing international sanctions. "China actively advocates and promotes the six-party talks process," Hu said in a written interview with The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. "We hope that
Kim keeps hanbok traditional but trendy

PeopleJan 16, 2011

The Shilla Seoul hotel has something new at its arcade. But it isn’t western-style haute-couture or designer labels that catch the eye. What grabs your attention are the four big Chinese characters in vermeil red ― Jeon Tong Han Bok ― meaning traditional hanbok boutique.The shop is run by Kim Young-seok. His bold signature transformation of conventional hanbok is what lures in the visitors.Unlike
SSFL offers chance to play soccer at all levels

Expat LivingJan 16, 2011

This is a series introducing associations and clubs for expats. This week, Expat Living spoke to SSFL chair Daniel Behrendt ― Ed.― Name of Club: Seoul Sunday Football League― Location(s): Throughout Seoul, Suwon, Anyang, Cheongju and Incheon. In the past, teams have been based in Osan, Daejeon, Goyang and other cities in Korea.― Number of members: 450 across 20 teams and 3 divisions.― Started: 200
Destroyer approaching hijacked vessel

PoliticsJan 16, 2011

By Shin Hae-inA 4,500-ton South Korean destroyer was proceeding toward a Korean commercial vessel apparently hijacked by the Somali pirates Sunday, as the Seoul government remained firm against holding direct negotiations or paying ransom for the 21 crew members.The 11,500-ton Samho Jewelry freighter, carrying eight South Koreans, is believed to have been seized Saturday in the waters between Oman
Allies urge N.K. to clear way for inter-Korea talks

PoliticsJan 16, 2011

As regional powers are coming together on the terms of restarting stalled peace talks with North Korea, the outcome appears to be lying in the hands of the nuclear-armed state which clearly has the most to gain through the dialogue.Members of the aid-for-denuclearization talks have been engaged in a flurry of diplomacy this month, discussing the best solution to the high-running tensions between t
U.N. must act on N.K. uranium: Lee

North KoreaJan 16, 2011

Japanese minister puts inter-Korean dialogue ahead of Tokyo-Pyongyang talksSouth Korean President Lee Myung-Bak said Saturday that North Korea’s new enriched uranium program should be dealt with by the U.N. Security Council, his spokeswoman said.“The issue of North Korea’s uranium enrichment program should be referred to the U.N. Security Council,” Lee was quoted as saying when he met with Japanes
Legal committee proposed to oversee multicultural policy

Social affairsJan 16, 2011

A legal revision was proposed Sunday to unify the government offices responsible for helping multicultural families and enhance the effectiveness of related support programs. Rep. Lee Chan-yeol of the main opposition Democratic Party submitted a revision bill to the current law on supporting multicultural families, suggesting that a legal committee be set up under the Prime Minister’s Office.Eight
Foreign interns pave the path for Seoul

Social affairsJan 16, 2011

A native of Burundi, Ghyslaine Kamikazi is bringing her fresh perspective and foreign background to help raise Korea’s cultural sensitivity and hone its competitive edge in the global market.Kamikazi, who came to Korea four years ago for higher education, eagerly took the opportunity to gain experience as an intern for the Seoul city government this winter. The senior at Ehwa Women’s University is
Hyundai Motor scales down target share of domestic auto market

IndustryJan 16, 2011

Hyundai Motor Co. aims to boost its domestic market share to 47 percent this year with its upgraded vehicles lineup, the company said Sunday. The country’s top automaker took 45.2 percent of the Korean market in 2010, falling short of its 52 percent target for the year and the 50.7 percent it secured in 2009. In contrast to a strong overseas performance, Hyundai’s domestic sales in 2010 fell 6.1 p
LG bets on leadership to stay ahead

IndustryJan 16, 2011

LG Group plans to foster strong leadership among younger employees to fulfill the growing need to secure new human resources and a new organization to stay ahead of the markets, the company said Sunday. “People and their organization must first change if they are to persistently face challenges to lead the markets,” LG Group chairman Koo Bon-moo was quoted as saying. Koo said LG will select 500 em
Oilbank launches new refining facility

IndustryJan 16, 2011

Hyundai Oilbank Co. has recently completed the construction of its second heavy oil upgrading plant as local refineries are racing to get an edge in the high value-added market.The country’s smallest refiner said on Sunday the new facility located in Daesan, South Chungcheong Province, will enter full operation in mid-May after a four-month test run. The company has invested 2.6 trillion won ($2.3
BMW trumps Daimler in Europe sales as VW’s Audi keeps top spot

TransportJan 16, 2011

Volkswagen AG’s Audi unit defended its top spot in luxury-car sales in Europe last year while Bayerische Motoren Werke AG’s main brand captured second place from Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz as demand for premium cars revived. New registrations for BMWs rose 6.5 percent last year to 609,196, the fastest pace among the three brands, exceeding Mercedes’s 586,146, while Audi stayed on top with sales of
Toyota developing motors without rare earths

TransportJan 16, 2011

Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s largest seller of hybrid autos, is developing an alternative motor for future hybrid and electric cars that doesn’t need rare-earth minerals at risk of supply disruptions.Toyota engineers in Japan and the U.S. are working on a so- called induction motor that’s lighter and more efficient than the magnet-type motor now used in its Prius, said John Hanson, a company sp