A 43-year-old North Korean defector who has taken asylum here since 1997 believes that his and other defectors’ remittances to their relatives in the communist state help enlighten them about the free, democratic and capitalist South.“When we make remittances to our loved ones in the North, we talk to them over the phone to ensure the money was properly sent. Through such talks, a wave of news abo

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) ― The White House said Friday that North Korea will face further isolation if it refuses to engage in dialogue with South Korea in a serious manner.The North demonstrated a lack of seriousness once again by walking out of its rare military talks with the South last week, White House spokeswoman Robert Gibbs said at a press briefing.“I think it was clear, again, when talks

South Korea hailed Saturday the toppling of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak as a victory for the Egyptian people toward democracy.Mubarak’s three-decade reign ended earlier Saturday, Korean time, after the besieged ruler decided to comply with protesters’ requests for him to step down. A junta of military commanders will now assume power in a culmination of the 18-day uprising in the most populou

TOKYO (AFP) ― Four Japanese women will go to court Monday to challenge a law that now compels almost all females to drop their maiden names and assume their husbands’ surnames when they marry.The group ― plus one of their husbands ― want a civil code clause from the late 1800s declared unconstitutional and are seeking financial damages for their emotional distress at the Tokyo District Court.The l

Despite a falling birth rate here, many Korean children are still finding their home abroad, a report found Sunday. Of the total 2,439 children adopted in 2009, 1,125 were sent abroad, slightly down from 1,250 in 2008, the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs said. Adoptions have declined here along with the country’s falling birth rate. Over the past 10 years, the number of domestic adop

The Canadian Embassy is organizing a Korean delegation to attend the world’s largest mining conference.The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada 2011 will take place in Toronto, Ontario from March 6 to 9. Canada’s mining sector is one of the best developed Canadian industry clusters, offering an extensive science and technology network, broad expertise in geosciences, over 1,200 junior

The International Ibsen Award Committee is calling for nominations of candidates for next year’s Ibsen Awards.Established in 2007 by the Norwegian government, the award offers funds totaling about $160,000 to an individual, institution or organization that has brought new artistic dimensions to the world of drama or theater.In previous years, projects from Asia, North America, Europe, Africa and A

The Indo-Korean Joint Program of Cooperation in Science and Technology is calling for joint project proposals.The program facilitates bilateral cooperation between scientists and researchers from both countries.The areas of interest are: transportation, robotics and engineering sciences, nutrition and food safety, renewable energy, chemical and biochemical technologies, health and medical sciences

EUREKA Day, to be held in March, offers the opportunity to meet and network with Korean industrial research organizations to help understand Korean research capabilities and generate common research projects. EUREKA is a pan-European research and development network that was established in 1985 by 18 Europeans countries, now counting 39 countries as members.Its aim is to create a market-oriented i

Filipinos interested in joining the Foreign Service should note that examinations for Foreign Service officers will take place next month.Applicants must be knowledgeable about the economic, political and social conditions of the Philippines, and must possess strong oral communication skills.They must also have the personality traits essential to perform the duties of a Foreign Service officer and

Philippines Ambassador Luis T. Cruz announced the embassy’s program for the year during the recent Filipino Community meeting.Scheduled for the year will be many of the same popular programs such as the Financial Education Campaign, the Leaders’ Forum, skills training and reintegration programs of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Overseas Employment Certificate services, labor counseli