The Korea Herald

Teachers seek to reshape English education

Social affairsJan 2, 2011

They all have to study English, but students have a hard time linking what they learn in school with what society expects from them.The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, seeking to recognize the efforts of teachers, has comprised a list of the top schools across the country with creative English programs to address this problem.At Haeseong International Convention High School in Seoul
[Major Events] What’s planned in Korea and overseas

InternationalJan 2, 2011

Major Events in 2011January1: Brazil’s new president Dilma Rousseff takes office 1: Estonia joins euro club 1: France takes over the presidency of Group of Eight 6-9: Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas 14: U.S. Defense Minister Robert Gates to visit Korea19: Barack Obama-Hu Jintao summit in Washington26-30: World Economic Forum in DavosChinese President Hu Jintao will meet U.S. President Barac
New FSC chief likely to accelerate M&As

Jan 2, 2011

Three new policymakers join Lee's economic teamThe stalled consolidation of the financial industry is likely to gain momentum this year under new top regulator Kim Seok-dong, renowned for drive and problem-solving ability. President Lee Myung-bak on Friday named Kim, 57, chairman of the Financial Services Commission. He will take office on Monday. As a former director general and vice chairman of
Corporate leaders stress innovation, growth for 2011

IndustryJan 2, 2011

By Choi He-suk Korea’s top companies are bracing for the New Year challenges of both consolidating their market leadership and developing new growth businesses.Innovation, quality, future growth, core capabilities and human resources are keywords in the New Year’s messages of leading companies as they put out strategies to tackle global uncertainties, a slowing overseas demand and tougher challeng
Hyundai takes 2nd spot in China

TransportJan 2, 2011

Hyundai Motor Group announced Sunday that the combined sales of Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. in China came in at 1.1 million units last year, up 28.2 percent compared to 2009.With the increase, the group took 9 percent of the Chinese market and became the second-largest automotive group operating in China, the company said.Hyundai was fourth with about 700,000 units sold in China while K
A new threat emerges from the financial chaos

ViewpointsJan 2, 2011

An era of high inflation is coming. China has raised its interest rates for the second time since mid-October. This move has been made to counter the country’s fastest-growing inflation rate in more than two years. Additional fiscal moves are expected as China is currently battling against various economic bubbles.In spite of Chinese officials’ efforts to curb real estate speculation, property pri
The EPA starts to act on climate change threat

ViewpointsJan 2, 2011

The Clean Air Act turned 40 this year, as did the Environmental Protection Agency, which was created to enforce that new law and others Congress adopted to reduce all types of pollution. But it has taken this many years for the EPA to begin flexing its regulatory muscles to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the principle culprit linked to climate change.For many years the agency claimed that the
[Editorial] Show sincerity

EditorialJan 2, 2011

North Korea has called for an end to confrontation with the South, urging inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation. In a joint New Year editorial issued on Saturday, the North Korean press said, “Confrontation between north and south should be defused as early as possible.” The editorial, considered Pyongyang’s New Year policy statement, also said, “Active efforts should be made to create an atmosphe
[Editorial] Free lunch war

EditorialJan 2, 2011

The Seoul Metropolitan Council has committed a serious violation of law in passing the capital city’s 2011 budget bill. No matter what the reason may have been, the council cannot avoid criticism for its undemocratic practice.The council, which is under the control of the main opposition Democratic Party, approved the municipal budget of 20.6 trillion won during a session held in the small hours o
Trade surplus reaches record $41.7b in 2010

Jan 2, 2011

Korea’s trade surplus reached a record $41.7 billion in 2010 as locally made products made solid inroads into overseas markets, a government report showed Saturday.The annual tally showed exports surging 28.6 percent on-year to $467.4 billion, with imports moving up 31.8 percent to $425.7 billion, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy said. The favorable trade balance for last year surpasses the previ
Tablets galore at major gadget fest

IndustryJan 2, 2011

CES organizers say 40 to 80 tablet computers could debut at the eventSAN FRANCISCO (AFP) ― Tablet computers will lead a host of “smart” gadgets in the Nevada desert this week at a Consumer Electronics Show spotlighting slick new devices on the horizon.CES attendance in Las Vegas should top the 126,000 figure from the annual event last January and the roster of exhibitors has climbed 2,000 to 2,700
Suicide bomber kills 21 at Egypt church

InternationalJan 2, 2011

Christians clash with police; interior minister blames 'foreign elements'ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (AFP) ― Egypt said a suicide bomber killed 21 people and wounded 79 outside a Coptic church on Saturday, in an attack President Hosni Mubarak said was the work of “foreign hands.”There was no immediate claim but al-Qaida has called for punishment of Egypt’s Copts over claims that two priests’ wives they say
[Zhang Monan] China needs to manage national wealth better

ViewpointsJan 2, 2011

The global financial crisis has offered China a good opportunity to review its ability to manage its increasing national wealth. During the past three decades China has developed into the world’s largest foreign reserves holder and net capital exporter from a country that lacked reserves and foreign investment. The country has changed from being a debtor to become the world’s second largest credit
[DAVID IGNATIUS] Warfare and technology of the future

ViewpointsJan 2, 2011

WASHINGTON ― A light-bulb moment for me last year was hearing a Chinese defense expert named Dingli Shen in Shanghai talk about the future of warfare. No, he wasn’t expressing a pipe dream about building a blue-water navy to challenge U.S. dominance in the Pacific. Instead, he was talking about the irrelevance of traditional land and sea power in the dawning age of combat ― where weapons will incl