The Korea Herald

U.S. Senate confirms Sung Kim as envoy to Korea

Oct 14, 2011

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) -- The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed Sung Kim, a career diplomat, as the new U.S. ambassador to South Korea, officials said.Kim will be the first Korean-born American ambassador to the Asian nation.
Clinton announces U.S. participation in Yeosu Expo

Oct 14, 2011

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) -- In an announcement timed for South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's state visit, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday that her country will take part in a large-scale maritime festival to be held in the Asian nation's southwestern coastal city next year."
Lee, Obama hail trade pact, warn against NK nukes

Oct 14, 2011

Summit talks focused on FTA, security alliance, North KoreaWASHINGTON D.C. -- President Lee Myung-bak on Thursday said Korea and the U.S. have agreed to develop their ties into an “even stronger alliance,” a day after the U.S. Congress ratified the two countries’ free trade agreement.Lee also said h
Controversy over Lee’s retirement home plot persists

Oct 13, 2011

Opposition steps up offensive against ruling party ahead of Seoul mayoral by-electionControversy over President Lee Myung-bak’s new retirement home plot in Seoul has deepened as opposition parties are stepping up their political offensive against the ruling party ahead of the upcoming Seoul mayoral
Arrested travel agent accepted bookings after ban

Oct 13, 2011

A travel agent banned from operating for owing customers more than 61 million won was still accepting bookings as recently as Monday, more than three months after police were alerted to the case. Wystan Kang, the owner of Zenith Travel, has since been arrested according to news reports on Thursday.Z
Ex-lawmaker Yang from Jeju passes away

Oct 13, 2011

Yang Jung-kyu, 79, chairman of the Republic of Korea Parliamentary Society and former six-term lawmaker, passed away late on Wednesday. He had been suffering from a chronic illness.Born in Jeju in 1933, Yang joined officialdom as a secretary to the prime minister in 1964 and moved into politics by w
Parties brace for battle over U.S. FTA

Oct 13, 2011

GNP stresses that further delay will cause losses; DP calls for protective measuresThe Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement now awaits Korean ratification after the U.S. Congress passed the bill on Wednesday, but parties here saw last-minute conflicts looming over the issue.On Thursday morning, following
Official campaigning starts for by-elections

Oct 13, 2011

By-elections to pick heads of local governments and council membersThe two main candidates for Seoul mayor kicked off a 13-day official campaign Thursday. The Oct. 26 by-election with the top post of the capital at stake is expected to influence the political power structure in the run-up to general
Lee, Obama celebrate FTA ratification by Congress

Oct 13, 2011

Two leaders hold summit on FTA, North Korea, Libya and allianceWASHINGTON D.C. ― President Lee Myung-bak on Thursday celebrated the U.S. Congress ratification of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement during summit talks with U.S. President Barack Obama.The Senate approved the FTA bill on Wednesday by
Lee, Obama celebrate FTA ratification at joint dinner

Oct 13, 2011

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President Barack Obama celebrated the Congressional ratification of a free trade agreement between the two countries Wednesday while dining together at a Korean restaurant in Washington, an official said.Lee and Obama were
Seoul mayoral candidates begin official campaign

Oct 13, 2011

SEOUL, Oct. 13 (Yonhap) -- Campaigning for the upcoming Seoul mayoral election officially kicked off Thursday, with rival candidates mounting offensives against each other over ethical qualifications and policy pledges to win the key election ahead of next year's major polls.The Oct. 26 by-election
Lee makes unprecedented visit to Pentagon

Oct 13, 2011

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak paid an unprecedented visit to the Pentagon on Wednesday and received a briefing from top American military officials on North Korea and other security issues, the presidential office said.Lee is the first South Korean president to
U.S. Congress passes FTA with S. Korea

Oct 13, 2011

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) -- In an unusually speedy legislative process, both chambers of the U.S. Congress on Wednesday approved a free trade pact with South Korea which will apparently help broaden the scope of the alliance.The move is expected to give a jolt to an effort by South Korea's ruling pa
Lee promotes benefits of Korea-U.S. FTA to American CEOs

Oct 13, 2011

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday promoted the benefits of the country's free-trade agreement with the United States set to win Congressional ratification, saying the historic deal will sharply boost trade and create many jobs in both nations.Lee arrived i
Lee reaffirms Seoul's principled stance on N. Korea

Oct 13, 2011

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said his denuclearization push against North Korea is yielding progress, reaffirming his long-standing stance that Seoul won't provide Pyongyang with any large-scale aid unless Pyongyang disarms."There are some real changes