The Korea Herald

Threatened families find homes in Korea

Oct 5, 2011

Jumma people open library to preserve their culture hereA group of threatened peoples have found a home in a rural Korean town after escaping persecution in their homeland. The Jumma ― who form the 11 tribes of the rugged Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh ― have been fleeing their homes after suf
Volunteer group hosts giant Seoul fest

Oct 5, 2011

Crowds mass at a previous Mannam global festival at The War Memorial of Korea in August. (Mannam)A global festival is to feature foreign cuisine and performances in Seoul on Saturday, Oct. 15. The event is to be held from 12-7 p.m. at Seoul Nori-Madang, next to Lotte World, near Jamsil Subway Statio
Vegan bake sale aids Africa

Oct 5, 2011

Charity bakers hold their vegan goodies outside Suji’s restaurant in Itaewon, Seoul. (Daniel Gray)A Seoul restaurant has raised 1.2 million won ($1,000) for people in the Horn of Africa in just three hours by selling cakes. Vegan treats sold by Suji’s restaurant in Itaewon included chocolate thin mi
Japan’s participation in six-party talks uncertain

North KoreaOct 5, 2011

North Korea has met with both the U.S. and South Korea on the resumption of the six-party talks aimed at its denuclearization. China and Russia have already spoken forcefully in favor of the talks’ resumption. 　But what role Japan is willing to take should they resume is unclear. 　This question is s
Eurozone is unbreakable: Belgian foreign minister

Foreign affairsOct 5, 2011

Many economists say Europe is almost broke and that a break-up of the eurozone is imminent. But Belgian Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere believes that a default by Greece, Portugal, Italy or Spain will not happen; neither will a break-up of the eurozone.“The decisions that have been taken within th
N. Korea tightens border inspections at Sinuiju

North KoreaOct 5, 2011

North Korea recently replaced all officers at the largest customs office on its border with China as part of moves to solidify the power base of the country’s next leader Kim Jong-un, Radio Free Asia said Wednesday.“In addition to the Sinuiju city officials’ inspection early last month, Pyongyang’s
Seoul to hold biennial air defense exhibition

DefenseOct 5, 2011

South Korea will hold an international air defense exhibition this month to boost technological exchanges with foreign firms and defense exports.Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2011 will be held from Oct. 18-23 at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, featuring the world’s
Vigil for those trapped in N.K.

Oct 5, 2011

Candlelight vigils are to be held every Saturday in solidarity with people imprisoned in North Korea. Human rights campaign group Justice for North Korea has organized the peaceful protests to support a South Korean man’s campaign for his family’s release. Dr. Oh Kil Nam is campaigning against the c
Police grills Pigeon chairman over assault

Social affairsOct 5, 2011

Police questioned Lee Yoon-chai, chairman of Pigeon Corp., the nation’s second-largest maker of fabric conditioner, Wednesday on charges of ordering an assault on a former chief executive of his company. A day earlier, investigators raided the headquarters of the company in Incheon, west of Seoul, t
New canine flu strain a threat to abandoned pets

Oct 5, 2011

A Korean animal shelter has been forced to stop taking in abandoned pets because of a killer virus spreading through the country. The highly infectious HN32 flu virus has been spreading through the Korean Peninsula causing Busan Abandoned Pet Sanctuary to stop taking in new animals until it immunize
Spooky dance video to fight cancer

Oct 5, 2011

A Halloween-themed afternoon is to raise funds to fight cancer in Korea. Donating 10,000 won ($8) to attend the “Cancer Sucks” charity event will give participants the chance to don a set of vampire teeth and feature in a dance video to generate cash for the Korean Cancer Society. More than 1 millio
U.S. gov't hopes for ratification of FTA before S. Korean president's trip

PoliticsOct 5, 2011

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. State Department expressed hope Tuesday that Congress will ratify a free trade pact with South Korea before South Korean President Lee Myung-bak makes a state visit here next week."That is the hope," department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said at a press brief
Measures urged to curb suicides

Social affairsOct 4, 2011

Suicides cause up to 4.9 trillion won in socio-economic loss in 2009Is Korea becoming a “suicide republic?”Last year, a total of 15,413 Koreans committed suicide, equivalent to about 42.2 people taking their own lives every day, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. According to Statistic
Frustrated civic activist jumps into politics

PoliticsOct 4, 2011

Legend in civic activism has yet to prove mettle in established politics and potential as an administratorPark Won-soon won a key battle in his quest to become Seoul mayor, securing the unified candidacy of all liberal opposition forces on Monday. The independent candidate is leading in polls agains
Ruling party lawmaker tries to shake off ‘elitist’ image

PoliticsOct 4, 2011

Seoul-born, SNU lawgraduate, former judge and No. 2 female figure in GNP faces formidable challenge from unified liberal frontGNP candidate for Seoul mayor Na Kyung-won, 47, is one of the most well-known female figures not only in the conservative bloc but in politics generally.Born in Seoul in 1963