The Korea Herald

Four rivers project blamed for water supply cut in Gumi

Social affairsMay 10, 2011

A reservoir dike collapse cutting off water supply to more than half a million North Gyeongsang Province residents is thought to have been caused by works on the four-rivers project.An alternative water supply had still not been provided to some areas in and around Gumi as of Tuesday afternoon.The city’s mayor said that the dredging of the Nakdong River had increased erosion of the reservoir dike,
National Internet addiction therapy center opens

Social affairsMay 10, 2011

With Internet addiction emerging as a serious social issue, the Gongju National Hospital in South Chungcheong Province has opened a clinic dedicated to the treatment of those caught in the Web. This is the first time a national medical facility has launched anti-Internet addiction program here. The five-week session helps Internet addicts as with other patients using diverse medical aspects. Visit
Ex-generals to be briefed on reforms

PoliticsMay 10, 2011

Retired officers say plans to revamp military do not go far enoughThe Ministry of National Defense will hold a three-day session next week to outline to retired general-grade officers its military reform efforts, which critics claim will not effectively address problems in the military.About 600 retired general-grade officers are expected to attend the session from Tuesday to Thursday next week, m
Presidential duel looms for Park, Sohn

PoliticsMay 10, 2011

Opposition leader’s rise alarming ruling party’s front runnerIn the early morning of April 28, a throng of lawmakers were gathering at the entrance of the National Cemetery in Seoul, waiting for their party leader to arrive.When Sohn Hak-kyu, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party, showed up around 8:30 a.m., they extended their hands for him to shake and followed him to the tomb of late
S. Korean woman dies from unidentified virus

ScienceMay 10, 2011

A South Korean woman died on Monday at a Seoul hospital of pneumonia caused by an unidentified virus, the disease control agency said.The 36-year-old woman died in the morning in the intensive care unit at the hospital after being admitted last month for tuberculosis, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The death marks the first mortality here caused by an unidentified virus, it sai
Robber in 50s disguises as woman

Social affairsMay 10, 2011

Police arrested a male robber in 50s dressed as a woman to look less suspicious.The man reportedly wore a blouse, mini-skirt, and stockings while stealing 15kg of copper pipe last month. The man had also dyed his hair blond.According to police, the man was wearing his disguise when he was arrested.The man, surnamed Lee, who was released from prison last year, told the police, “I had no job and liv
Old couple suicides on parents’ day

PoliticsMay 10, 2011

An elderly couple who suffered from severe health problems hanged themselves on parents’ day.Yongin Seobu Police Station said they found the bodies of a Mr. Jeon and Ms. Roh at their apartment. The couple, who were in their 60s, left behind five pages of notes saying, “sorry and thank you.”Mr. Jeon and Ms. Roh suffered from Alzheimer’s and cancer, respectively.The couple sent their son and his fam
GNP swamped with calls for reform

PoliticsMay 9, 2011

The ruling Grand National Party was facing internal strife as junior lawmakers pushed on with their bold reform plans.Party leader Ahn Sang-soo, together with Supreme Council members, stepped down on Sunday, taking responsibility for the party’s defeat in last month’s by-elections and giving way to an emergency committee.However, disagreements occurred over the leadership and composition of the co
Lee makes conditional invitation to N.K. leader to nuclear summit

PoliticsMay 9, 2011

BERLIN -- President Lee Myung-bak said Monday that he was willing to invite North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to the world’s largest nuclear summit to be held in Seoul next year if Pyongyang “firmly agrees” with the international community to denuclearize. President Lee Myung-bak speaks during a news conference after a summit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Monday. (Yonhap News)“If
Lee discusses economic ties, reunification with German leaders

PoliticsMay 9, 2011

President says existence of nuclear arms on Korean Peninsula will delay reunificationBERLIN -- President Lee Myung-bak and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday discussed ways to strengthen economic ties, especially for the development of renewable energy, during their talks here in the German capital.Lee’s talks with Merkel came after the Korean president held a summit meeting earlier in the
Task force set up to reform FSS as scandal spreads

Social affairsMay 9, 2011

Senior watchdog official indicted for briberyThe Prime Minister’s Office launched a task force on Monday to revamp the Financial Supervisory Service, under fire for poor oversight of seven troubled savings banks and corruption among its staff.Rim Chae-min, chief of staff to Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik, and Kim Jun-kyung, professor of the Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Man
U.S. generals in S. Korea on educational tour

DefenseMay 9, 2011

Twenty newly promoted general-grade officers from the U.S. are on a five-day tour to South Korea under an educational program aimed at enhancing understanding of its key Asian ally.Under the “Capstone” program organized by the U.S. National Defense University, the group, which arrived here Sunday, visited Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff and was briefed on the security situation on the Korean Peninsu
Ministry eases passport rules

PoliticsMay 9, 2011

Regulations on passport issuance for those who have committed crimes overseas will be eased, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Monday.It said that the revision is likely to go into effect from July. Currently, those who have committed crimes in foreign countries are banned from being issued passports for a year. Passport issuance is restricted for three years for those who are charged
Lee offers to resign as leader of minority LFP

PoliticsMay 9, 2011

Conservative says his party needs changeLee Hoi-chang, leader of the conservative minority Liberty Forward Party, has turned in his resignation in the hope of overcoming the party’s prolonged political stagnation.“I am stepping down to give way to changes in our party,” Lee said in the Supreme Council meeting held on Monday morning.“Political circles are undergoing sweeping changes and the LFP nee
Police encouraged to use firearms in emergencies

Social affairsMay 9, 2011

Police were told Monday that there are situations when use of their weapons is appropriate. The National Police Agency Commissioner-General Cho Hyun-oh said in a meeting of high-ranking officials that police officers are encouraged to use weapons such as pistols, tear gas guns and taser guns in situations including those taking place in police stations, especially if they threaten the authority of