The Korea Herald

Germany rejects N. Korea's new ambassador nominee to Berlin: report

Jul 14, 2016

Germany has rejected North Korea's top envoy nominee to Berlin, a U.S.-based media outlet report said Thursday.Radio Free Asia said the German government recently rejected the North Korean government's request for Berlin's approval for its new ambassador nominee who was set to replace incumbent Ambassador Ri Si-hong. The exact reason behind the German government's decision is still unclear, although observers have speculated it may be due to concerted moves by countries around the world to keep
Seoul’s China dilemma deepens after South China Sea ruling

Jul 13, 2016

In the aftermath of the Hague tribunal’s ruling on the South China Sea, Seoul’s dilemma is poised to deepen as the U.S. will likely call for its ally to speak up on Beijing’s assertiveness in the region in pursuit of joint action, observers here said Wednesday.　The watershed findings announced Tuesday dealt a major blow to China. The tribunal rebuked Beijing’s claim to “historic rights” over the bulk of the resources-rich waters as lacking legal basis and said some of its activities breached the
V4 Cultural specialists gather in Korea

Jul 12, 2016

Young cultural professionals from the four member countries of the Visegrad Group, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, visited Seoul on Sunday as part of the 2016 Korea-V4 Young Professional Cultural Exchange Camp. The week-long event, which is hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and run by Herald Corp., will take place in Seoul and Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. While in Korea they will experience the local culture and forge new friendships with Korean cultural special
Japanese prosecutors seek 5-year sentence for S. Korean over Yasukuni bombing

Jul 12, 2016

Japanese prosecutors demanded a five-year jail term for a South Korean man who is suspected of detonating a bomb in a public restroom at a controversial Tokyo war shrine last year, defining his actions as an act of terrorism.The 28-year-old suspect, identified only by his surname Chon, has been indicted on charges of breaking into the premises of the Yasukuni Shrine on Nov. 23 and setting up the bomb in the public restroom. No one was hurt by the bombing.He was arrested in December shortly after
Presidential office says it is carefully watching THAAD fallout

Jul 12, 2016

The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday that it is "closely watching" for negative economic fallout from the recent decision by Seoul and Washington to deploy an antimissile system here.The statement comes amid growing fears that China, which strongly opposes the stationing of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system in South Korea, could take some retaliatory steps, including some form of economic sanctions."With regard to (China's possible) economic sanctions, we are closely w
Jitters rise over China’s THAAD reaction

Jul 11, 2016

With Beijing’s rebuke showing little signs of abating over the U.S.’ envisioned THAAD stationing here, concerns are intensifying that China may take retaliatory steps that may take a substantial toll on the South Korean economy. Following last Friday’s announcement, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other officials have reacted with sharp criticism, urging South Korea and the U.S. to shelve the plan. Official media churned out editorials and articles calling for military action and economic c
Political parties divided over diplomatic impact of THAAD deployment

Jul 11, 2016

South Korea's ruling and opposition parties remained divided over the latest decision to deploy an advanced U.S. missile defense system in the country, with smaller parties expressing concerns over diplomatic fallouts with China and Russia, political pundits said Monday.Last week, Seoul and Washington agreed to station the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in South Korea to better counter Pyongyang's ever-growing missile threats. Moscow and Beijing have been opposing the move, claiming
Uzbekistan hosts Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Jul 10, 2016

The Uzbek Embassy organized a seminar last week to publicize the country’s hosting of the 15th summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which was held in Tashkent in late June.The event, which saw the participation of various heads of state of Central Asian countries, is a regional platform for addressing political, security, economic and cultural issues in Eurasia. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Tajik President Emomali
EU, Korea launch emissions trading scheme

Jul 10, 2016

The European Union delegation to Korea and Korea’s Ministry of Strategy and Finance launched a project last week to tackle greenhouse gas emissions as part of bilateral cooperation to curb climate change. The emissions trading scheme cooperation project -- worth over 3.5 million euros ($3.87 million) -- will run until January 2019. The EU will offer technical assistance and expertise to Korea through consultations, workshops and study visits to the EU. Through the three-year initiative, both sid
South Africa touts wonders for tourism boost

Jul 10, 2016

Despite offering far-flung thrills for tourists, South Africa has been a relatively unexplored destination over the years. The country on the southernmost tip of Africa exhibits a myriad of wonders ranging from natural adventure to cultural heritage. Across its beaches, vineyards, plazas and savannas, one can find “city lights and star-studded nights, exquisite cuisines and world-renowned wines,” and hear “the roar of lions and whisper of grasslands,” according to the country’s tourism board. To
Former Mongolian president urges N. Korea to give up nukes for economic development

Jul 10, 2016

Former Mongolian President Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat has said North Korea's simultaneous pursuit of nuclear weapons and economic development is an "impossible" task, adding that Pyongyang should first give up its nuclear program to seek economic growth.Ochirbat, who served as Mongolia's first directly elected president from 1990 to 1997, said economic cooperation with North Korea will be impossible, unless the reclusive state gives up its nuclear program."North Korea needs to focus on enhancing its
Korea to offer US$135 mln to Afghanistan in coming years

Jul 10, 2016

Korea said Saturday that it has pledged to provide US$135 million to Afghanistan in the coming years to help the war-torn country build up the capacity of its security forces.Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam made the announcement at the Warsaw summit on a NATO-led mission about Afghan security forces, the Foreign Ministry said.The ministry said Korea will contribute $45 million to Afghanistan per year from 2018 to 2020. The annual assistance accounts for 0.9 percent of its total a
UNC revises rules to allow machine guns, recoilless rifles, mortars into DMZ

Jul 10, 2016

The United Nations Command has revised its armistice rules to allow South Korean and United States forces to carry machine guns, recoilless rifles and mortars into the military buffer with North Korea, a copy of the guidelines showed Sunday. The Demilitarized Zone was originally set up to be clear of heavy arms.The revision to the United Nations Regulation 551-4 recently obtained by Yonhap News Agency governs compliance with the inter-Korean armistice agreement and authorizes South Korean and U.
French charcuterie to satiate connoisseurs

Jul 6, 2016

For those craving unfranchised gastronomy, France’s “charcuterie” is bringing in homegrown cookery for a pleasant surprise. The French Embassy hosted a series of events last week to promote the culinary art and science of charcuterie: preserved meat products like bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, ballotines, pates, and confit, primarily from pork.Six companies -- assisted by the French Federation of Charcuterie Producers, France Gourmet and France AgriMer -- visited Korea to introduce t
Senior foreign ministry official leaves for Britain to discuss Brexit

Jul 4, 2016

A senior South Korean foreign ministry official will leave for Britain to discuss its recent decision to leave the European Union with local officials and experts, a source here said Monday.Kim Hyoung-zhin, South Korea's deputy foreign minister, will hold talks with Hugo Swire, his British counterpart, on the Brexit decision in London on Monday (local time), according to the ministry. Last month, Britons held a referendum and voted to leave the EU. Following the so-called Brexit decision, global