The Korea Herald

Seoul City plans women-only subway cars

Social affairsJul 20, 2011

Female commuters may soon have a safe haven from sex offenders when riding the subway, as the capital plans to introduce women-only cars, city officials said Wednesday.In order to protect women from sexual assault, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to gather public opinion on the measure by next month, and implement a trial run by September. According to officials, the trial run will be held
Vietnam P.M. Nguyen Tan Dung one of most excellent Asian leaders

Foreign affairsJul 20, 2011

The Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung was officially inaugurated on June 27, 2006. He has proved his capability to lead the country and overcome many difficulties to ensure social security and the stability of Vietnamese people’s income be maintained and to develop Vietnam to a new high level, despite the fact that Vietnam has been facing many difficulties and is still poor ― a country und
Lee discusses nuclear ties with Malaysian king

PoliticsJul 20, 2011

President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday discussed with visiting Malaysian King Mizan Zainal Abidin bilateral cooperation on nuclear energy development and cultural exchanges, Lee’s office said.Malaysia plans to build two atomic power plants by 2021 in a bid to reduce its dependence on natural gas and petroleum. Japanese companies recently decided to give up their bid for the nuclear power plant proje
International medical center to open in Yeouido next year

Social affairsJul 20, 2011

An international medical center will open in Yeouido, Seoul, in August next year, as part of steps to develop the financial district of the capital into an international financial hub. Seoul Metropolitan Government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital on Wednesday to establish the center and improve access to medical care for foreign patients there. The medical
Military to randomly inspect Marine bases

Social affairsJul 20, 2011

The Defense Ministry will hold random inspections of all Marine Corps bases within the year to stem abuse among soldiers, a military official said Wednesday.“The ministry will form special inspection teams involving different areas, such as operations and personnel, and will conduct random checks on Marine bases from August to the end of the year,” said the source.“Soldiers and commanders who are
No sign of drums at alleged chemicals site

DefenseJul 20, 2011

Investigators say area D test results expected to come out by late JulyA joint Korea-U.S. team investigating the alleged burial of Agent Orange at one of the American army camps here detected no traces of drums underground at one of the alleged burial sites, a government source said Wednesday. The team said earlier this month that they found “anomalies” beneath the helipad at Camp Carroll located
Former Sejong Center exec indicted on bribery charges

Social affairsJul 20, 2011

Former managing director of Sejong Center for the Performing Art’s programming division was indicted Tuesday for receiving bribes from show production companies, according to the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office. The former director, identified only as a Choi, 54, is accused of having received a total of 42 million won from Lim, a show production house head, since last September. In return, Lim receive
‘N.K. importing luxury goods as civilians starve’

North KoreaJul 20, 2011

North Korea’s imports of luxury goods from China almost doubled in a year, a report from China showed Wednesday, indicating the ongoing shopping spree by the elite class of the reclusive regime even as its people are supposedly dying of hunger. According to Beijing customs, quoted by Seoul officials, the total volume of trade between Pyongyang and its last-remaining ally and economic benefactor su
Life tough for students returning home

Social affairsJul 20, 2011

Experts suggest parents prepare children for Korean school life before coming backFor Chung, a Korean student who came home after spending her elementary school years in England, the main problem in adapting to Korea was the language. Working now in Korea after graduating from a college in the U.K., Chung recalled her experiences here from the sixth grade in elementary school to her first year in
Seeking neighbors from afar

Jul 20, 2011

Expats who are longer-term residents in Korea are being sought to take part in Seoul Global Center’s Neighbors From Afar Program. The project seeks people from different countries to commit to take one or two classes a month where they will introduce their country to Korean kids. A Korean volunteer will accompany the foreigner during the hour and a half classes during which they can introduce thei
Expats to help little angels at orphanage

Jul 20, 2011

Volunteers will help out at an orphanage for disabled children on Saturday, Aug. 6. The group will meet inside Yeonsinnae Subway Station near Exit 3 at 1:30 p.m. before going to the Angel House children’s home by bus.Once there, the expats will cook food for the children before eating with the residents. They will also help with washing and cleaning as well as playing with the children there.Each
Teach English to kids this Saturday

Jul 20, 2011

Plur logoPLUR members are set to teach English to disadvantaged kids in Seoul this Saturday. Volunteers for the group Peace, Love, Unity and Respect are to teach low-level English learners from 2-4 p.m. at Sarang Eui Geul Bang, a short bus ride from Seoul’s Silim Subway Station. The group will teach and play with kids, giving them a rare chance to spend time and interact with foreigners. For more
Learning how to protect pets in Gwangju

Jul 20, 2011

A British animal welfare expert is to talk at an animal welfare training session in Gwangju. People taking part in the session will learn about preventing animal abuse from an expert from the U.K.’s Royal Society for the Protection of Animals. RSPCA Head of External Affairs Paul Littlefair will talk about the animal welfare situation in the U.K. in terms of promoting and evaluating protection meas
Making kindness contagious in Seoul

Jul 20, 2011

A group of benevolent strangers is seeking donations for a pay-it-forward project in Korea. Seoul Giving Club is to hold a giveaway next month. Organizers are inviting people to make financial donations to the club’s biggest pay-it-forward event to date. The movement aims to spread goodwill by performing small acts of kindness and encouraging the recipients to do the same for others.A Seoul Giving
N.K. art project seeks a kick start

Jul 20, 2011

Kirsty Taylor An art historian is seeking donations to fund a digital photo book of North Korean art. An academic delegation is to travel to North Korea this August. The group of students and professors from around the world is to meet North Korean academics and visit some of the isolated country’s important cultural sites. They will visit landmarks often promoted to visitors by the Pyongyang gove