The Korea Herald

KOICA area chief eyes economic partnership with Mongolia

May 27, 2012

ULAANBAATAR ― The chief of Korea’s state aid agency in Ulaanbaatar said aid programs should lay the groundwork for a mutually beneficial economic cooperation in the future combining Mongolia’s vast land and resources and Korea’s technology and development know-how.“Korea and Mongolia are very close countries geographically and culturally. There are projects the two countries can work together on to achieve economic prosperity in the Northeast Asian region,” said Lee Dong-ku, resident representa
Korea helps Mongolia cope with climate change

May 27, 2012

Korean aid agency builds infrastructure for water supply, waste management for improved lives, economic developmentThis is the sixth installment of a series of articles introducing programs and activities of the Korea International Cooperation Agency, a state-run organization for overseas assistance and humanitarian aid. ― Ed.ULAANBAATAR ― Korea’s state aid agency is leading projects in Mongolia to combat environmental problems such as water shortages, desertification and mining dangers, major h
Ven. Jeongyul celebrates Buddha's Birthday at church mass

May 27, 2012

One day prior to the celebration of Buddha's Birthday on Monday, Ven. Jeongyul vists Myeongdong Cathedral during a mass on Sunday and sings "Ave Maria." (Yonhap News)<관련 한글 기사>성당에서 아베마리아 부르는 스님부처님 오신날을 하루 앞둔 27일 정율스님이 정오미사 특송을 위해 명동성당을 방문, 성악곡 '아베마리아'를 부르고 있다.
Student gets 2 years for role in looting

May 26, 2012

A millionaire's daughter was sentenced to two years imprisonment Friday for chauffeuring looters around London during last summer's riots.Laura Johnson, 20, a student at Exeter University, was convicted of burglary and handling stolen goods, The Daily Telegraph reported. She had thousands of dollars in electronic items in her car when she was arrested Aug. 9, 2011.Johnson, whose parents run a mark
School of former U.S. president seeks to open Jeju campus

May 25, 2012

Jeju Island has signed a memorandum of understanding with a prestigious U.S. private school to set up the school’s campus on the island.Jeju Free International City Development Center (JDC), a state-supported organization, said in a press release that it had signed an MOU with St. Johnsbury Academy on Tuesday. With its 170-year history, the school has produced a number of prominent alumni, including Calvin Coolidge, a former U.S. president.The school offers 22 advanced placement courses, Englis
Michael Sandel to research Korean society

May 25, 2012

Harvard University professor and philosopher Michael J. Sandel is about to start research into ethical dilemmas in Korean society. Sandel will carry out the research along with the Asan Institute for Police Studies in Seoul, simultaneously in Korea and the United States, the institute announced on Friday.The author of the best selling book, “Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?” will compare the perceptions of social justice in the different two societies.He will also look to current issues, s
Late Roh’s brother indicted for corruption

May 25, 2012

The prosecution on Friday indicted the elder brother of late President Roh Moo-hyun without detention on charges of bribery and embezzlement linked to a land deal.Roh Geon-pyeong, 70, is accused of pocketing more than 1.3 billion won ($1.1 million) from a land developer in return for helping him gain over 179,000 square meters of land in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province. He allegedly received the money with the developer’s share in 2007 while his brother was in office. He is also accused of
China sentences Korean to death on drug charges

May 25, 2012

A Chinese court sentenced a Korean national to death on drugs charges, government officials in Seoul said Friday. According to the Foreign Ministry, a 53-year-old Korean man surnamed Jang is accused of trafficking and selling 11.9 kilograms of methamphetamine, known as philopon. He is the third Korean to receive capital punishment in China ― all of them for drug crimes. One was executed in 2001 and the other was granted suspension of execution. Two of Jang’s accomplices received a suspended deat
Minister’s drive for shorter work hours suffers setback

May 25, 2012

The Labor Ministry’s drive to end long working hours faltered in the face of strong resistance from industries over its possible impact on labor costs. Minister Lee Chae-pil admitted Friday that he has dropped a plan to submit in June a revision to the labor law aimed at regulating weekend and holiday work. In a meeting organized by the Presidential Office, economy-related ministers, including Lee, discussed the matter and concluded that the country should take more time to find a more practical
Teenager friend die in murder-suicide

May 25, 2012

A body of a teenage boy was found at the front porch of at an apartment complex in Sasang-gu, Busan, late Thursday night by a resident who reported it to police.According to the police, the 16-year-old junior high school student, whose name was withheld, appears to have jumped from the apartment’s 25th floor about 10 minutes after killing a friend from the same school by strangulation near the complex.A witness reportedly told the police the teenager ran toward the apartment entrance when the wi
Graduation ceremony for Korea International School

May 24, 2012

Korea International School will be holding its 2012 graduation ceremony on Friday. KIS graduates attend top 40 U.S National Universities and Colleges such as Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, and Stanford. This year’s KIS average SAT score is 2,033, which is 533 points higher than the U.S national average score. KIS offers 17 AP courses in a variety of subjects. Students who take these courses pass at an average rate of 92.6 percent. The KIS student to faculty ratio is 9:1. The KIS faculty members h
Drugmakers challenge Viagra in generics fight

May 24, 2012

Korean pharmaceutical firms are gearing up to enter the 100 billion won anti-impotence drug market as the main patent of the market leader, Pfizer’s Viagra, expired last week, allowing for generic versions of the “blue magic pill.” However, they will likely face challenges, as Pfizer claims its patent to be effective until 2014, warning of litigation against rivals. A lukewarm market response could be another snag.According to the Korea Food and Drug Administration, a total of 28 generics produc
Top court backs Koreans taken to Japan in WWII

May 24, 2012

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled in favor of Koreans seeking compensation for their forced work at Japanese factories during colonial rule.The top court ordered the retrials of two damages cases filed by the forced workers and their families. It was the first time, either in Korea or Japan, that they had won a favorable ruling since they started litigation in the mid-1990s. The two groups of workers were taken to Japan to work for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and Nippon Steel Corp. in 194
Samsung chief nearly egged at airport

May 24, 2012

A man attempted to throw an egg at Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Kun-hee at the Gimpo International Airport on Thursday as he was returning from a three-week business trip in Europe.Shouting out that former President Roh Moo-hyun’s death was caused by the chief of the country’s biggest conglomerate, the man tried to throw the egg but was held back by a group of bodyguards. It was not immediately known who the man is and why he did it.The chairman’s heir apparent Lee Jay-yong, who was at the a
Hotter summer, more rains forecast

May 24, 2012

The nation is set for a hotter than usual summer with more rain but fewer typhoons, the national weather agency said Thursday. In its three-month forecast, the Korea Meteorological Administration predicted bright summer days with higher than normal temperatures till until-June, followed by a monsoon season near the end of the month.July will have a lot of rain, particularly in the Gyeonggi, Gangwon and Chungcheong provinces, it said. Sizzling heat will then grip the country from late July throug