The Korea Herald

Seoul considers raising subway fares

May 19, 2011

Seoul is planning to raise subway fares by as much as 20 percent in an effort to cut the system’s deficit, officials said on Thursday. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, they are considering raising the base fare by 100 to 200 won to stem this year’s estimated deficit of more than 574 billion won ($530 million) for lines 1 through 8.Seoul Metro, operators of lines 1 through 4 and the
Seoul to extend services for 217,000 elderly living alone

May 19, 2011

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Thursday a plan to support the city’s 217,000 senior citizens living alone. According to the city’s recent survey, of the more than 1 million elderly people aged 65 or older in Seoul, 21.5 percent live alone, many of them financially struggling.The number of aged living alone has continued to increase in recent years from 16.2 percent in 2004, the city s
80% support post-military hiring plan

May 19, 2011

Results of Defense Ministry survey more divided on financial supportNearly 80 percent of the public support the re-installment of a military duty employment plan, previously abolished for being unconstitutional, according to a Defense Ministry survey released Thursday. Working to gain parliamentary approval for the system, the ministry released a survey showing that 79.4 percent of the 508 men and
Jindo dogs not suitable for police work

May 19, 2011

A Korean dog trainer shows off a Jindo dog as Los Angeles Police Department canine officer Jeff Miller, right, takes notes on South Korea's Jindo Island. (MCT)Los Angeles Police Department has failed to train two Korean Jindo dogs for police work as two dogs from the breed that is South Korea’s 53rd national treasure “didn’t have enough focus, drive or consistency needed,” LA daily news reported.T
Regional action needed for biodiversity decade

May 18, 2011

The following article was contributed by Ahmed Djoghlaf, executive secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity of the United Nations Environment Program. ― Ed.It is a great pleasure for me to attend the launch ceremony of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020 organized by the Republic of Korea. The aim of the Decade is engaging all the citizens of the world to protect life on
Seoul Fortress to be fully restored by 2014

May 18, 2011

The overpasses planned to be buit near Sungnyemun, the historic gate in central Seoul. (The Korea Herald)The Seoul Fortress, which has surrounded the city for 615 years, will be fully restored by 2014, officials said Wednesday.The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Wednesday a plan to reconnect the 18.6-kilometer fortress and seek to list it as a UNESCO cultural heritage site.“The Seoul Fortr
Russia arrests man who ate human liver with potatoes

May 18, 2011
No more 119 ‘taxis’ for drunks

May 17, 2011

Emergency response crews can deny drunks asking for a ride home or others trying to misuse the system, said the state’s disaster control center on Tuesday. According to a revised bill to take effect Sept. 9, response crews can also deny service at their discretion to those asking for treatment for bruises, cuts and scrapes.Those denied service either by phone or on the scene will receive a letter
Korean parents’ education fever remains high

May 17, 2011

Her elder son who is preparing for an Ivy League school at a prestigious foreign language high school in Seoul may receive the best school education in Korea. However, his mother, Park Sung-hee, says she has never reduced the family’s spending on private education. “Even though you enter a good school, the situation is the same at least for the students at the school. In order not to lag behind ot
Asbestos still present at 85% of Seoul schools

May 17, 2011

Over 85 percent of below-college-level academic facilities suspected of asbestos pollution contain the potentially dangerous mineral fiber, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said Tuesday.According to data released by the office, of the 54,279 facilities in 1,669 kindergarten, elementary, middle and high schools inspected between 2009 and 2010, roughly 87 percent contained the fiber which
Retirement of baby boomers weighs on Korean society

May 17, 2011

Experts predict grave consequences unless proper measures takenTwo years ago, he applied for an early retirement when his company, an electronic appliances manufacturer, announced layoff plans.At the time, the man surnamed Sohn believed he would soon find another job to utilize his experience as a personnel manager. But Sohn, now 53, still remains unemployed with his hope of getting a job ― even o
Facebook 'planking' craze claims life in Australia

May 17, 2011

A new craze sweeping the Internet known as "planking" claimed a life in Australia Sunday and police fear the tragedy may not be the last.Planking involves someone lying flat on their stomach with their arms against their bodies in unusual and sometimes dangerous situations, with photographs of their exploits shared through social media sites.It has gone viral in recent weeks with Facebook page Pl
Prosecutors raid Orion Group chief's house

May 16, 2011

Prosecutors have raided the house of the Orion Group chief in expanding their investigation into allegations that he spearheaded the formation of the group's slush fund, officials said Monday.According to the officials, Orion Chairman Tam Chul-gon and his wife are suspected of ordering the formation of a slush fund and exploiting the money for personal uses.Last week, prosecutors indicted a key ex
Daejeon to host new science belt

May 16, 2011

Rival regions rage, claim decision was made on political motivationThe nation’s multi-trillion won science belt project took its first step on Monday with Daejeon selected as the host city. A government-private committee said Monday that Daejeon, some 164 kilometers south of Seoul, will have the National Basic Science Institute and a particle accelerator that will be completed in the region over t
Spain embassy vehicle in hit-and-run rampage

May 16, 2011

A Spanish diplomatic vehicle was involved in a two-kilometer, multiple-hit-and-run rampage in Itaewon, Seoul, injuring three police officers, police said Sunday.According to the National Police Agency, the husband of a Spanish Embassy official was driving a black Veracruz, a private vehicle registered under the embassy, when he hit a guard post, a patrol car and five civilian vehicles.The man, ide