The Korea Herald

DMZ Docs fest to provoke thoughts of peace in Paju

Sept 14, 2011

Nuclear weapons and energy, a controversial naval base, sex education and disability are just some of the issues to be tackled at Korea’s demilitarized zone this month. The DMZ Docs festival will show international films based on peace, coexistence and reconciliation in Paju from Sept. 22―28. The mi
Sick of city life? Why not WWOOF?

Sept 14, 2011

Volunteers escape to the country by helping out on organic farmsGWANGCHEON, South Chungcheong Province ― While most people here enjoyed family celebrations over Chuseok, Anna Gennaro and Roberto Sella took the harvest festival literally by staying on a Korean farm.The Italian couple spent more than
Professor indicted for taking bribe from Seoul education chief

Social affairsSept 14, 2011

SEOUL, Sept. 14 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors said Wednesday they have indicted a college professor under custody for allegedly receiving money from the Seoul education chief in return for withdrawing his bid for the post in last year's election.Park Myoung-gee, a professor at Seoul National University of
Cabinet approves bill on children's food safety

PoliticsSept 14, 2011

SEOUL, Sept. 14 (Yonhap) -- The Cabinet endorsed a bill on Wednesday to place all retailers suspected of selling junk food to children across the country under the monitoring of local governments.There have been mounting calls for increasing the authorities'surveillance of supermarkets or stationery
Violent crimes by youth jump almost 50 pct over 2 years

Social affairsSept 14, 2011

SEOUL, Sept. 14 (Yonhap) -- Violent crimes by adolescents surged nearly 50 percent over the past two years, mainly driven by young rapists, a report showed Wednesday.A total of 3,428 adolescents were probed last year as suspects of murder, robbery, rape and arson cases, according to the report by th
Japan considers sending alleged N. Korean defectors to S. Korea

North KoreaSept 14, 2011

The Japanese government is considering transferring nine apparent North Korean defectors to South Korea, a day after they were found adrift aboard a boat off Japan's west coast, local media reported Wednesday. The nine North Koreans, including three children, have been questioned by Japanese authori
Lee to make state visit to U.S. next month

InternationalSept 14, 2011

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak will visit the United States next month for summit talks with President Barack Obama about the two countries' alliance, economic cooperation and North Korea, the presidential office announced Wednesday.Lee will be only the fifth head of state to make a state visi
Scientists: Bacteria spreading in warming oceans

ScienceSept 14, 2011

BRUSSELS (AP) -- Warning: The warming of the world's oceans can cause serious illness and may cost millions of euros (dollars) in health care.That is the alarm sounded in a paper released online Tuesday on the eve of a two-day conference in Brussels. (MCT)The 200-page paper is a synthesis of the fin
Han not to run for Seoul mayor

PoliticsSept 13, 2011

Park closer to becoming opposition flag bearer; ruling party still searching for candidateHan Myeong-sook, a former prime minister, said Tuesday that she would not run for Seoul mayor. “I have decided not to run in the Oct. 26 by-election for Seoul mayor,” Han, who was considered one of the stronges
[Herald Interview] Not the same old Colombia

Foreign affairsSept 13, 2011

There is a new and positive feeling in the air at the Colombian Embassy, not only because of the Colombian president’s visit but also because of plans to heighten overall relations with Korea.The once-small embassy has doubled in size to welcome three new attaches who will work to promote science an
Kwak’s arrest shakes liberals

Social affairsSept 13, 2011

Chief’s absence to hamper Seoul education office in securing free meal budgetThe arrest of Seoul educational superintendent Kwak No-hyun is expected to pose a severe setback to the free school meal program and other liberal policies. Regardless of whether the 200 million won ($185,000) he gave to Pa
Institute to improve officials’ speech skills

Social affairsSept 13, 2011

The Central Officials Training Institute has developed a new public speaking training program for government officials, in an effort to raise Korea’s competitiveness in international organizations, said officials.According to COTI officials, the institute located in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, will
Seoul City to make celebrity figurines

Social affairsSept 13, 2011

Korean Wave fans from all around the globe will be able to get their hands on dolls of their favorite stars from next year, said city officials on Tuesday.Seoul Metropolitan Government said it will develop figurines of Olympic champion figure skater Kim Yu-na and actor-singer Ryu Shi-won, and releas
Korea’s ranks top for graduation rate

Social affairsSept 13, 2011

Korea’s high school graduation rate and the percentage of adults with a university education are among the highest of OECD countries, according to a recent report, with the nation coming top in the 25-34 age group. According to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, even amid social and
Court rejects Italian firm’s claim on trade secret infringement

Social affairsSept 13, 2011

A Seoul court has ruled against an Italian defense firm, rejecting its accusation that a Korean firm infringed on a trade secret concerning the development of a naval gun, officials said Monday.Oto Melara S.p.A filed a lawsuit against Hyundai Wia Corp. last year, arguing that the Korean company deve