The Korea Herald

Chopper crash rekindles safety concerns over Lotte Tower

Nov 18, 2013

A helicopter collision with a high-rise building in Seoul has reignited a decade-old controversy over the safety of a new skyscraper under construction in Seoul. The 123-story Lotte World 2 Tower was put at the center of debate on Monday with concerns growing over the safety of air transport flying across the city’s rising skyline.Rep. Lee Hye-hoon of the ruling Saenuri Party said that the 555 meter-tall skyscraper project must be reviewed or the number of floors should be readjusted for public
Winter getting shorter, starting later: KMA

Nov 18, 2013

Winter is starting later and getting shorter due to the global warming and urbanization, the Korea Meteorological Administration said Monday. Winter ― defined as the period in which the average temperature is below 5 degrees Celsius ― started on Nov. 30 on average since 2000. That is 11 days later than in the 1970s, according to the agency’s analysis.Its duration has shortened to 102 days, a 17 day decrease over the three decades. Meanwhile, Seoul had its first snow Monday, three days earlier th
Officials probe cause of chopper crash

Nov 17, 2013

Officials to conduct safety inspections of high-rise buildings, private choppers
Cram school operators, brokers indicted over SAT leaks

Nov 17, 2013

The prosecution has indicted 21 cram school operators, tutors and brokers without detention for leaking U.S. Scholastic Aptitude Test materials.Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office said Sunday that 14 hagwon operators and tutors, and eight brokers were questioned for illegally collecting and selling SAT questions, throwing the spotlight back on a string of cheating scandals from earlier this year. One of those questioned belongs to the military and was referred to the military prosecution.
[Graphic News] Details of chopper crash into apartment

Nov 17, 2013
Koreans rush to help Philippines typhoon victims

Nov 17, 2013

Efforts to provide aid and monetary support to the Philippines are accelerating in Korea, with corporations, religious groups and high-profile influencers offering their support after Typhoon Haiyan struck earlier this month.The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education is to hold a five-day “coin-collecting” campaign on Monday to help the survivors of the typhoon-ravaged Philippines, where the death toll continues to rise and relief supplies are running low.Seoul City donated $200,000 to the count
Safety of all 56 S. Koreans confirmed in typhoon-hit Philippines

Nov 16, 2013

The South Korean government said Saturday that it has located the whereabouts of the remaining three missing South Koreans in the typhoon-devastated Philippines, confirming the survival of all 56 Koreans there."We've confirmed the survival of all South Koreans who reside in the city of Tacloban and the neighboring areas," said an official at Seoul's foreign ministry, citing the area hardest hit by Typhoon Haiyan."The government will continue to provide necessary support to them," he added.At lea
Helicopter crashes into high-rise apartment, killing 2 pilots

Nov 16, 2013

A private helicopter owned by LG Electronics Inc. crashed in dense fog into a high-rise apartment building in southern Seoul on Saturday, killing two pilots, fire fighters said.The two pilots -- Park In-kyu, 58, and Koh Jong-jin, 37 -- were the only occupants of the chopper that collided into the upper section of the 38-story apartment in the posh Gangnam district, they said.No one in the apartment or on the ground was hurt, fire fighters and government anti-disaster officials said, adding that
Subway keeps city’s lifeblood flowing

Nov 15, 2013

Seoul metro’s development mirrors growth of the city and nation as a whole
Subway mirrors urban, national growth

Nov 15, 2013

Seoul’s rapid growth has driven the development of its public transport system, especially the subway, which has evolved into one of the world’s most extensive networks in less than four decades.Owing to the network’s intricate structure and rapid growth, Korean subway constructors and operators acquired engineering technologies, which went on to boost the nation’s exports. “Seoul is one of the few cities in the world which has as many as nine subway lines, together with several intercity railro
Exotic pets, music help make the metro a place for culture

Nov 15, 2013

You need not go to the local zoo to meet a New Guinean black scorpion, Latin American caiman or four-meter-long Burmese python.Sindang Station, located at the intersection of Seoul subway lines No. 2 and 6, offers metro riders and zoo-lovers a hangout filled with rare reptiles and insects.Over 100 species, including the gekko vittatus, a cousin of the famous GEICO commercial mascot the gecko lizard, are displayed at the Reptile-Insect Environmental Classroom to welcome an average of 100 daily vi
High technology, customer service boost Seoul subway

Nov 15, 2013

Metropolis to expand express train operation in central areas, increase transit access for disabled
Cultural Heritage Administration head fired

Nov 15, 2013

Byun Young-sup, administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration, was fired Friday over the shoddy restoration of Sungnyemun Gate and mismanagement of affairs at the Daejeon-based state organization. Byun was appointed to the post eight months ago.The CHA had been conducting an internal audit as well as formulating reform plans with Byun vowing earlier this week to address irregularities within the organization. The parliamentary audit in October pointed out problems with the restoration o
Tourism chief resigns over Japanese ‘soap land’ claims

Nov 15, 2013

Lee Charm, CEO of the Korea Tourism Organization, resigned Friday following controversy over allegedly receiving sexual favors. Lee has been embroiled in a controversy over an alleged visit to a brothel in Japan. A report by jTBC Tuesday showed that the KTO CEO had been treated to a visit to a kind of brothel and massage parlor called a “soap land” in Japan as a favor by a subcontractor. Visiting a “soap land” is not illegal in Japan.The KTO did not deny the CEO’s visit but insisted that it was
Celebrities indicted for alleged illegal sports gambling

Nov 14, 2013

Twenty-one people, including TV personalities and a former K-pop singer, have been indicted on charges of betting on illegal sports gambling websites, state prosecutors said Thursday.The Seoul Central District Prosecutors‘ Office probing the case said the suspects allegedly wagered up to hundreds of millions of won on football teams in the English Premier League through private gambling websites, which are illegal venues.In South Korea, the only legal form of sports betting is through buying Spo