The Korea Herald

N. Korean defectors see unification ahead

Dec 21, 2011

Some say they knew ‘special’ broadcast meant announcement of Kim Jong-il’s deathTo some North Koreans who fled their country to be treated as human beings are elsewhere, the news of their former leader Kim Jong-il’s death came as little surprise.Park Su-hyun, defector and an oriental medicine doctor, said that the moment he heard there was going to be a special broadcast from the North Korean state media he knew that something was off.“When I heard that they were going to hold a special broadca
S. Koreans regain composure after N.K. leader’s death

Dec 20, 2011

South Koreans got back to their normal routines on Tuesday after being stunned by the news of the North Korean leader’s death the previous day.Pyongyang announced on Monday that its leader Kim Jong-il died of a heart attack during a train ride early Saturday, which sent shock waves throughout the South, with some voicing concern over potential escalation of tensions on the peninsula.While citizens were sharing their opinions about the aftermath of Kim’s death, the country has not seen any notice
Seoul Council passes student rights ordinance

Dec 20, 2011

The Seoul Metropolitan Council passed an ordinance granting more rights to students amid controversy over some contested issues in the ruling that has caused a confrontation between a progressive and conservative group. Until Monday when the ordinance was passed, the opposing groups protested four disputed points of the ordinance: respect of students’ sexual orientation, pregnancy and childbirth, religion and the right to hold collective protests. But with the ordinance expected to take effect n
Scholarships offered by Swede who served in Korean War

Dec 20, 2011

A Swedish woman who served as a nurse during the Korean War has contributed part of her donation to the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) to the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.The gift comes in gratitude to the Korean government, which has sent her thank-you letters for her service during the 1950-53 conflict. Kerstin Jonasson, 88, and her Rune Jonasson, 85, have asked the KTH to contribute part of their 11.8 billion won ($10 million) donation to a student exchange
Police and customs officials on alert in border areas

Dec 20, 2011

The National Police Agency has put provincial police agencies and stations with jurisdiction over areas near the border on high alert, officials announced Tuesday.The alert raises border security to a level similar to that during natural disasters and public disorder, putting 30 percent of the police force on standby. The move comes after North Korea’s state media announced Monday the death of its leader Kim Jong-il. The announcement has put the government and its citizens on alert for possible
Pull over or fork over for fire engines

Dec 20, 2011

The state’s emergency agency has begun cracking down on cars that fail to pull over for an emergency response vehicle.According to the National Emergency Management Agency, vehicles that fail to pull over for a fire engine responding to an accident will be charged up to 200,000 won ($171) according to a revised traffic law.According to the law that took effect Dec. 9, drivers must pull their vehicles to the side of the road or forfeit the right of way to oncoming emergency vehicles.Vehicles at a
No probation to be allowed for pedophiles

Dec 20, 2011

All those convicted of sexual assault against disabled people or children under 13 years old will face mandatory prison terms without suspension, the nation’s top court decided Tuesday. Heavier terms will be imposed on such criminals in order to stem repeat offenses, according to a subordinate committee of the Supreme Court, which passed new ruling guidelines for sex crimes. According to the committee head Lee Ki-su, the imprisonment terms for sexual assaults against a minor under the age of 13
Korea needs to boost female employment

Dec 20, 2011

Measures for work-family balance required to place more women into labor forceAfter spending more than two decades as a homemaker, 48-year-old housewife Kim, who has a master’s degree in education, hopes to get a teaching or welfare consultant job after her son enters college next year.Her husband, a doctor, also encourages her to find new meaning in her life.Their daughter, who studies hospitality management at a university in Seoul, is determined to pursue career success, placing marriage at
SK chairman summoned over suspected embezzlement

Dec 19, 2011

SK Group’s chairman appeared before prosecutors Monday morning to be grilled over suspicions that he embezzled a massive amount of group funds in collusion with his younger brother.Chey Tae-won entered the prosecutors’ office in southern Seoul around 9:25 a.m., after getting notice of the summons by prosecutors on Friday.“I apologize for causing worries due to personal matters,” Chey told reporters. “It seems that there are some suspicions and misunderstandings around me, but I will answer (the
Japan offers ‘condolences’

Dec 19, 2011

TOKYO (AFP) ― The Japanese government on Monday offered its condolences on the death of Kim Jong-il, the leader of North Korea, a country with which Japan has no diplomatic relations.“We express our condolences upon receiving the announcement of the sudden passing of Kim Jong-il, the chairman of the National Defense Committee of North Korea,” Japan’s top government spokesman Osamu Fujimura said.“The Japanese government hopes that this unexpected development would not bring any adverse impact on
Gangnam to promote medical services in China

Dec 19, 2011

Seoul’s southern district of Gangnam will hold a series of medical tourism events in China this week to promote its clinics to Chinese customers. The Gangnam medical tourism convention will take place in Shanghai from Dec. 20-22 and in Hangzhou from Dec. 22-24, the district office said Monday. “Chinese visitors are the biggest customers for medical tourism. We hope the medical convention will invite more Chinese people to Gangnam for medical services,” said Gangnam Mayor Shin Yeong-hee.More than
New method for accurate weather forecasts

Dec 19, 2011

A new system, or “scenario,” for accurate weather forecasts has been developed, as climate change continues to cause irregular weather patterns here, the state’s weather agency said Monday.According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the new scenario will help better prepare preemptive measure for storms as it has a resolution 100 times that of the previous method.The new scenario divides the entire country into one-square kilometer segments and will be able to predict the temperature a
Chinese captain admits to killing S. Korean Coast Guard officer

Dec 19, 2011

A Chinese fishing boat captain accused of killing a South Korean Coast Guard officer last week admitted to his crime on Monday, reversing his previous denials.The 41-year-old captain’s admission came during an escorted visit by Coast Guard officers to a pier in Incheon, west of Seoul, for an on-the-spot investigation. Asked by reporters whether he admitted his crime, the captain said “Yes” through a Chinese interpreter. “I apologize for the victim who was killed because of my mistake as well as
Loucq appointed as new vaccine head

Dec 19, 2011

Christian Loucq on Monday was inaugurated the new head of the International Vaccine Institute, the only international organization headquartered in Korea.IVI is devoted to research in vaccine development and introducing vaccines to the developing world. He will serve a four-year term, succeeding John Clemens.“I am humbled, honored and very enthusiastic to be joining the IVI team as director-general. Since its establishment in 1997, IVI has been a pioneering organization in many aspects of vaccin
S. Koreans shocked but life goes on

Dec 19, 2011

South Koreans were hopeful, shocked and worried, but most of all, skeptical about the news of the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il on Monday that came like a bolt of lightning.Life went on as usual on the streets of Seoul, but, within, citizens were quietly pondering the truth of the news and its implications both good and bad.North Korea’s state media Korean Central News Agency announced that Kim Jong-il, 69, had died of a heart attack while riding a train within the country on Saturday