(Yonhap News) South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Monday that the door for inter-Korean dialogue remains open but North Korea should first show its seriousness about the talks."I remind the North that the path toward peace is yet open. The door for dialogue is still open," Lee said in his New Year's address broadcast live.Lee reiterated that should the North show sincerity, the South has "bo

A couple’s attempt to adopt their granddaughter to pave the way for their daughter’s marriage was barred by the Supreme Court on Sunday. The confusion the child will undergo after the adoption is graver issue than whether her biological mother has a smooth marriage procedure, Justice Min Young-il said in upholding a lower court’s decision. The ruling is expected to set standards for the adoption o

Soompi.com is the world’s biggest English-language online community dedicated to Korean pop culture. It boasts some 1.4 million visitors daily. More importantly, 90 percent of its members are non-Koreans. The website is widely regarded as a promising social network venture that has secured a solid user base on the strength of Korean cultural content. Softbank of Japan has already invested in Soomp

Cautiously yet wisely, rabbits are hopping into Korea’s art scenes to celebrate the beginning of 2011, the Year of Rabbit on the Chinese Zodiac. For art insiders, though, the appearance of the fuzzy and adorable animal is timely for another reason: It has been one of the most distinguished symbols of contemporary art since German artist Joseph Beuys showcased a performance titled “How to Explain P

New Year’s brings new aspirations and hopes to the Korean national football team as young talent vies for the Asian Cup, starting Friday in Qatar. Manager Cho Kwang-rae named six players from the U23 team, including 20-year-old Ji Dong-won and 19-year-old Son Heung-min, for his 23-man squad for Asia’s biggest football tournament. The manager hailed his young talent after watching the team’s 1-0 vi

While noting North Korea’s renewed willingness to resume the long-stalled talks with South Korea as well as regional partners, the Seoul government appears cautious not to become too optimistic about the unpredictable state’s change of attitude. North Korea welcomed the New Year on Saturday with an editorial calling for improved ties with South Korea, in its first mention of peace since attacking

Upcoming U.S.-China summit draws attention regarding efforts to ease tensions on peninsulaWith neither Koreas wanting another war, signs of peace and dialogue are brewing for the first time in months on the divided peninsula. North Korea, which conducted two deadly attacks against South Korea in the past year, welcomed the New Year with a call for better ties with the rival South.“The danger of wa