Japan was expected to repeat its territorial claims over South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo in its annual diplomatic report, sources said Friday, just two days after Tokyo approved a series of textbooks claiming the islets as its territory.Japan's Cabinet planned to approve the "Diplomatic Blue Paper" report for 2011 that was expected to carry the same territorial descriptions of Dokdo as i

Heliport repair under way, to be completed in May: government sourceWhile cautious not to provoke too much tension as Japan continues to suffer from the aftermath of a powerful quake, South Korea is quietly carrying out projects aimed at countering the neighboring state’s continued claims over its islets of Dokdo, sources here said Thursday. Japan strengthened its claims over South Korea’s eastern

  Japan authorized a dozen new school textbooks renewing territorial claims to South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo on Wednesday in a move sure to sour the warming relations between the two neighbors.   The approval was seen by many South Koreans as a slap in the face as it came at a time when they have been pouring out sympathy and support for their former colonial ruler as it suffers from a

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik will visit China next month for talks with his counterpart and other senior officials on ways to develop diplomatic and economic ties, Kim’s office said Tuesday.During the April 12-14 trip, Kim will hold talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and pay a visit to President Hu Jintao, the office said in a statement.Kim will also meet with Wu Bangguo, China’s t

South Korea will act sternly should Japan move to strengthen its claims to Seoul’s easternmost islets of Dokdo in its reviewed middle school textbooks, the Foreign Ministry here said Monday. Tokyo is currently conducting a review of its history, geography and other middle school textbooks, the result of which is expected to be unveiled this week. The renewed textbooks are believed to contain Japan

The French Embassy is accepting applications for 18-25 local students for the Blaise Pascal scholarship scheme.Launched in 2005, the program encourages talented students from Korean universities to pursue postgraduate degrees in France.The French government, through the embassy in Seoul, has been providing scholarships of excellence to Korean citizens for more than 55 years, and over 1,650 Koreans

Students interested in studying in New Zealand under the Working Holiday Scheme should get ready as 1,800 places will become available on April 15.Applications can be made online from 10 a.m.For more information, including relevant links to the appropriate New Zealand government agencies, visit the embassy’s website at www.nzembassy.com/korea.(yoav@heraldm.com)

Ink from silver-coated copper particles for printed electronics marks the first commercial joint venture between a technology transfer office of an Israeli University and a Korean company.The deal gives a leading Korean printing firm the rights to an Israeli innovation in producing conductive ink.Vaxan Steel will develop a process invented at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for utilizing silver

For the Week of the Francophonie held throughout the world, the Canadian Embassy and Quebec Provincial Office in Seoul are organizing an event to showcase Canada’s place in the French world. Set for March 29, the event titled “Canada and La Francophonie” will feature a presentation on French Canadian universities and an advanced screening of the 2011 Oscar nominated French Canadian film “Incendies

India and Korea share a very long history, yet Indian culture in Korea is still relatively unknown and, at times, misunderstood.The Indian Embassy is planning to change that with the opening of its Cultural Center on the first floor of the Korean Methodist Women’s Society building in 36-1 Hannam-dong, Yongsan district. The embassy will hold regular classes from April 1.Everyone is welcomed to sign