The Korea Herald

Will civic candidates for Seoul mayor join parties?

PoliticsSept 18, 2011

Lee, Park against joining intra-party polls for candidate selectionAs two influential figures from civil society have expressed their intention to run for Seoul mayor by-election, attention is being drawn to whether they will join any political parties for the crucial vote slated for Oct. 26.T
Inquiry of presidential aide, power blackouts put pressure on Lee

PoliticsSept 18, 2011

Politicians and government officials are holding their breath as senior presidential aide Kim Du-woo faces prosecutorial interrogation this week over his connections with an indicted lobbyist who tried to save a corrupt mutual savings bank.The implication of President Lee Myung-bak’s top secretary f
Koreas to hold nuke talks on Sept. 21

PoliticsSept 18, 2011

N. Korea’s uranium enrichment program expected to top the agendaThe two Koreas agreed to hold a second round of denuclearization talks in China on Wednesday, where they will discuss the conditions for the resumption of the six-party negotiations, a Seoul official said Sunday.The Seoul delegation wil
Customers to see sparkling water in Korean market

Social affairsSept 18, 2011

Korean consumers will be able to choose from a variety of bottled water as the government plans to make quality standards more flexible to diversify types on sale and expand the nation’s water market. The Environment Ministry said Sunday that they plan to ease restrictions on water quality in order
Local police stations run short of officers

Social affairsSept 18, 2011

Local police stations suffer from a shortage of officers while the headquarters is overstaffed, data unveiled by lawmakers showed Sunday.Small police stations in charge of local crimes and safety have always experienced personnel shortages, but the staff situation has become worse over the years, ac
Parties to clash over U.S. FTA again

PoliticsSept 18, 2011

Opposition parties hang onto hardline position on ratification billRuling and opposition parties are preparing to lock horns once again over the free trade agreement between Korea and the U.S. Main opposition Democratic Party lawmakers on the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs and trade left
Embassies team up for climate change talks

Foreign affairsSept 18, 2011

Finding solutions to climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing the diplomatic world today.To examine opportunities brought on by the possible negative affects of climate change, the German and British Embassies, the European Union delegation together with the German Korean Alumni
Danish Photo Marathon this week

Foreign affairsSept 18, 2011

Shutterbugs get your cameras ready and dust out your lenses, the Danish Embassy is holding their first photography competition with a twist.Participants have 24 hours to take five photos inspired by the five themes that will be announced on the day. The first and longest running Photo Marathon was f
Morocco pioneering solar energy

Foreign affairsSept 18, 2011

Chartering through the renewable energy sector has become a necessity for many countries.For Morocco, it is a matter of survival and one that might be beneficial to the country’s development.Like Korea, Morocco imports most of its energy and when the price of crude oil breaks records, the economy of
Belgium celebrating 110 years with charity concert

Foreign affairsSept 18, 2011

A new chapter is being written in the longstanding diplomatic relationship between Belgium and Korea.A charity concert celebrating the 110th anniversary of the start of those ties is to give back to the community by helping a well-known doctor often recognized by her blue eyes.Marie-Helene Brasseur
Japan festival showcases Tohoku region

Foreign affairsSept 18, 2011

Annual festival celebrates life, togetherness and rebuilding disaster areaIf you want to experience several Japanese festivals in one location then the Omatsuri Festival is the right place to be this weekend.“What is most interesting about this festival is that even if you go to festivals in Japan,
[URGENT] Knowledge economy minister says he is ready to resign

PoliticsSept 18, 2011

Knowledge Economy Minister Choi Joong-kyung on Sunday said he will take full responsibility over the recent nationwide blackouts that inconvenienced many businesses and private citizens.In a news conference, Choi said he did not plan to cling to his post, hinting that he may step down, for the power
Japanese police fixed records concerning mysterious death of Korean-American

Social affairsSept 18, 2011

ATLANTA (Yonhap News) -- Japanese police fixed their records to rule the mysterious death of a Korean-American man in Tokyo last year a mere accident, the late man's family and friends here claimed Saturday.In August last year, Kang Hoon, whose English name is Scott, died three days after he was fou
Power cuts hit military units, lawmaker says

PoliticsSept 18, 2011

Last week’s massive power outages affected 124 military facilities including frontline units and radar bases, an opposition lawmaker revealed on Sunday. Citing data from the Defense Miniistry Rep. Shin Hak-yong of the Democratic Party said 116 Army facilities and eight Air Force bases suffered elect
Korea mandates warnings labels for high-caffeine drinks

Social affairsSept 18, 2011

South Korea's government said Sunday that it plans to put warning labels on highly caffeinated beverages such as Coca-Cola and so-called energy drinks that may be harmful to pregnant women and children.The Korea Food and Drug Administration said it has issued administrative notices for the mandatory