The Korea Herald

One week to apply for U.K. scholarships

Jan 8, 2012

South and North Korean students may apply until Jan. 17 for the chance to study in the U.K. through a prestigious scholarship. The Chevening Scholarship program allows South Koreans and North Koreans living here to travel to the U.K. for fully funded postgraduate study. Chevening alumni and director general of Korea’s National Forensic Service Chung Hee-sun praised the scholarship for helping her devote her life to her field. “When I applied for this scholarship I was just a forensic scientist.
Time for Nepal to grow?

Jan 8, 2012

Envoy hopes that investment will follow new constitutionNepal is moving to entice Korean tourists and investors as a peace process nears conclusion with a new constitution for the Himalayan country. The top Nepali envoy in Korea, Raja Ram Bartaula, wants his country to become the world’s top Buddhist pilgrimage site thanks to the development of Buddha’s birthplace. But he said the mountainous country is still “desperate” for foreign investment to meet basic power and transport needs.“We are qui
Kids’ art befriends ASEAN

Jan 8, 2012

An exhibition of award-winning children’s art will promote Southeast Asian countries in Seoul from Jan. 19. More than 1,000 elementary school students in Korea entered the ASEAN-Korea Children’s Drawing Contest in December. Sixth grade Seoul elementary student Im Se-yeon won the grand prize for a drawing titled “Glittering ASEAN” in the contest which aims to raise awareness of ASEAN among the younger generation.The silver award went to six students and the bronze award went to 12 others. Fifty a
Anniversaries, events and expo to make for a busy diplomatic 2012

Jan 8, 2012

With its success in drawing high-level international conferences, Korea has enjoyed an especially full diplomatic calendar in recent years. And 2012 looks set to be no exception with foreign heads of state attending the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul in March, and international experts coming to the World Water Conference in Busan this September. The Yeosu Expo is also set to draw high-level political delegations from the 31 participating countries when it runs from May to August. What’s more,
India names new Seoul envoy

Jan 8, 2012

The new Indian ambassador to Korea has been announced as Shri Vishnu Prakash. He is the current government spokesperson of the Indian ministry of external affairs and is set to take up his new post in Korea shortly. Prakash is taking over the role from former ambassador Skand Tayal, who returned to New Delhi in December after spending more than three years in Seoul.
Seoul kids to enjoy Israeli dance

Jan 8, 2012

Kids in Korea have the chance to enjoy dance from Israel this week -- in an adaptation of a classic children’s book. The performance “A Flat for Rent” is based on a children’s story by Hebrew author and poet Leah Goldberg. The show by Israel’s Kibbutz Dance Ensemble reinterprets the famous story of quarreling neighbors -- a hen, cuckoo, squirrel, cat and mouse -- living in the same building. The colorful dance performance promises to tell what happens when the mouse packs up and vacates the apar
One week left to apply for U.K. scholarships

Jan 8, 2012

By Kirsty Taylor North and South Korean students may apply until Jan. 17 for the chance to study in the U.K. through a prestigious scholarship. The Chevening Scholarship program allows South Koreans and North Koreans living here to travel to the U.K. for fully funded postgraduate study. Chevening alumni and director general of Korea’s National Forensic Service Chung Hee-sun praised the scholarship for helping her devote her life to her field. “When I applied for this scholarship I was just a for
Two jobs open at Danish embassy

Jan 8, 2012

A new commercial officer and an investment officer are being sought to work at the Embassy of Denmark in Seoul. The embassy is seeking two experienced staff members to promote investment opportunities in Denmark to Korean companies and to assist Danish businesses wishing to enter or already active in the market here. The commercial officer will be responsible for the life science sector, including pharmaceutical products, medical devices and biotechnology. Prior experience in the sector would be
Time for Nepal to grow

Jan 8, 2012

Country hopes investment will follow new constitutionBy Kirsty Taylor Nepal is moving to entice Korean tourists and investors as a peace process nears conclusion with a new constitution for the Himalayan country. The top Nepali envoy in Korea, Raja Ram Bartaula, wants his country to become the world’s top Buddhist pilgrimage site thanks to the development of Buddha’s birthplace. But he said the mountainous country is still “desperate” for foreign investment to meet basic power and transport need
Foreign Minister Kim to hold Twitter conference

Jan 8, 2012

Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan, considered the most active user of social networking services among South Korea‘s cabinet ministers, will hold a Twitter conference next week with the public, the ministry said Saturday.It said Kim and Ha Young-sun, a political science professor at Seoul National University, will talk about a range of foreign policy issues as the minister takes and answers questions on Twitter and Facebook.The ministry said the 100 people who registered through Twitter can attend
Havel’s inspiration honored in Seoul

Jan 8, 2012

The legacy of Vaclav Havel should inspire commitment to promoting human rights and democracy in North Korea, the director of South Korea’s Human Rights Special Committee has said. Kim Tae-hoon praised the former Czech president, who died in December, at a memorial in Seoul on Friday. “Havel’s life was a most noble one, dedicated to democracy and human rights, and I lack the words to give it due honor,” said Kim at the ceremony on the 35th anniversary of Charter 77. The leader helped author the C
South Korea willing to hold talks with new NK leader

Jan 5, 2012

Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan said Thursday South Korea would consider holding talks with North Korea’s new leader Kim Jong-un at the Seoul Nuclear Summit in March.“If he takes up an appropriate title when we hold talks with North Korea, the talks will be held with him” Kim told reporters in Seoul, after briefing President Lee Myung-bak on 2012 policy plans.In the aftermath of the death of the North’s long-time leader Kim Jong-il on Dec. 17, his son ― believed to be in his late 20s ― took over
Stability of Korean peninsula, 2012 top priority for foreign ministry

Jan 5, 2012

South Korea’s foreign ministry said its top priority in carrying out 2012 policy will be keeping the Korean peninsula stable, as a power transition in North Korea under untested young leader Kim Jong-un is likely to add up uncertainties.In the aftermath of the death of the North’s long-time leader Kim Jong-il on Dec. 17, his son -- believed to be in his late 20s -- took over power of the 1.02 million-strong military and the Workers’ Party in a relatively short period of time.However, it is uncle
Seoul to request exception from U.S.’ Iran sanctions

Jan 2, 2012

Seoul will request that the U.S. make an exception for Korea in the application of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 that calls for stronger measures against Iran, sources said Monday.“There is a need for the government to visit the U.S. at an appropriate time to hold discussions regarding the National Defense Authorization Act,” an unnamed government official was quoted as saying by a local news agency. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is reported
U.N. chief expresses hopes for eased tensions in Korea

Jan 1, 2012

UNITED NATIONS (Yonhap News) ― U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday he hopes to see tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia ease next year, saying 2012 will be a very important one for Koreans.In a New Year’s message to the people of his native South Korea, Ban also said he will provide unsparing support as U.N. chief to help reduce tensions on the divided peninsula and in the region.Ban said that the year 2012 will be “very important” for the Korean Peninsula, apparentl