The Korea Herald

Universities resist, bow to reforms

Sept 15, 2011

The recent government announcement of a list of 43 poorly managed universities to face subsidy cuts or closure has not only spurred reform efforts but provoked resistance.Forty-seven faculty members of Seoul-based Chugye University for the Arts on Wednesday announced their resignation in protest of
Toxic substance found in military antiseptics

Sept 15, 2011

The military used antiseptics containing toxic substances over the past two years a government report said on Thursday.According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, a public contractor had supplied the DAPA with antiseptics that were 7 to 40 percent industrial methanol, for two years,
Korean researcher appointed to U.N. panel

Sept 15, 2011

Kim Hyoun-soo, explosives expert at the state-funded Agency for Defense Development, has been appointed as a member of the International Explosives Technical Commission under the International Civil Aviation Organization, officials said Thursday.The 54-year-old researcher at the High Energy Density
Jonathan Lee named Dokdo envoy

Sept 15, 2011

Teenager to campaign on green issues around Korean isletsYoung environmentalist Jonathan Lee has been named a goodwill ambassador to promote environmental protection for Dokdo, the easternmost islets of Korea.The North Gyeongsang provincial government, whose jurisdiction covers the islets, said Wedn
Power blackouts strike across the country

Sept 15, 2011

Traffic lights are off at an intersection in Jung-gu, central Seoul, on Thursday, due to a nationwide power outage. (Yonhap News)Seoul and many other parts in Korea suffered power cuts on Thursday as the unseasonable heat drove up electricity consumption beyond capacity.According to the Korea Electr
Former tax agency chief cleared of bribery charges

Sept 15, 2011

A former chief of the national tax agency was cleared on Friday of charges that he offered an expensive painting to his boss while he tried to secure the top post before taking the helm.The Seoul Central District Court found former National Tax Service chief Han Sang-yool not guilty of bribing Jeon
Korea, Yonsei call for tuition fee cuts

Sept 14, 2011

Two prestigious Seoul-based private universities, Korea and Yonsei, will hold an event Tuesday calling for a halving of tuition fees and expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s plan to spend 1.5 trillion won ($1.3 billion) of next year’s budget to help ease the heavy tuition burden, the stu
Violent crimes by minors soar

Sept 14, 2011

The number of rapes, murders and other violent crimes committed by juveniles increased by nearly 50 percent in the past two years, despite a decrease in adolescent crime overall, a government report said on Wednesday.According to a report by the National Police Agency, 3,428 adolescents were convict
Seoul to offer free city tours for foreigners

Sept 14, 2011

Seoul city government will offer foreigners in Korea free autumn city tours from September to November to give them a chance to fully experience the city’s charms, city officials said Wednesday. Each of the three different themed tours ― bicycle tour, walking in forest and parks, and exploration of
Foreign doctors allowed in Incheon FEZ

Sept 14, 2011

Decision by Health Ministry hints at introduction of for-profit hospitalsThe government has recently allowed foreign medical doctors, dentists and nurses to work at foreign medical facilities to be established in Incheon Free Economic Zone, but not at non-profit hospitals. Only doctors who have been
Professor indicted for taking bribe from Seoul education chief

Sept 14, 2011

SEOUL, Sept. 14 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors said Wednesday they have indicted a college professor under custody for allegedly receiving money from the Seoul education chief in return for withdrawing his bid for the post in last year's election.Park Myoung-gee, a professor at Seoul National University of
Violent crimes by youth jump almost 50 pct over 2 years

Sept 14, 2011

SEOUL, Sept. 14 (Yonhap) -- Violent crimes by adolescents surged nearly 50 percent over the past two years, mainly driven by young rapists, a report showed Wednesday.A total of 3,428 adolescents were probed last year as suspects of murder, robbery, rape and arson cases, according to the report by th
Kwak’s arrest shakes liberals

Sept 13, 2011

Chief’s absence to hamper Seoul education office in securing free meal budgetThe arrest of Seoul educational superintendent Kwak No-hyun is expected to pose a severe setback to the free school meal program and other liberal policies. Regardless of whether the 200 million won ($185,000) he gave to Pa
Institute to improve officials’ speech skills

Sept 13, 2011

The Central Officials Training Institute has developed a new public speaking training program for government officials, in an effort to raise Korea’s competitiveness in international organizations, said officials.According to COTI officials, the institute located in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, will
Seoul City to make celebrity figurines

Sept 13, 2011

Korean Wave fans from all around the globe will be able to get their hands on dolls of their favorite stars from next year, said city officials on Tuesday.Seoul Metropolitan Government said it will develop figurines of Olympic champion figure skater Kim Yu-na and actor-singer Ryu Shi-won, and releas