The Korea Herald

Greenland enchants Korea with ice, fur and seafood

Mar 20, 2016

A delegation of Greenlandic government officials and businesspeople, led by Vittus Qujaukitsoq, minister for industry, labor, trade and foreign affairs, visited Korea last week to promote interest in tourism, fashion and food. “Greenland as a beautiful tourist destination with its proud tradition of craftsmanship in fashion and design will be attractive to Koreans,” Danish Ambassador Thomas Lehmann said in a speech at a seminar at the Shilla Seoul on Wednesday.Representatives from Visit Greenlan
Japanese textbooks intensify Dokdo claim

Mar 18, 2016

The Japanese government on Friday approved a set of updated high school textbooks containing strengthened claims to Korea’s easternmost islets of Dokdo, casting a fresh cloud over Seoul’s efforts to put bilateral ties back on track. Seoul lodged a protest, calling the long-festering assertion “unjust” and urging Tokyo to correct its erroneous historical view and provide fact-based education. Hideo Suzuki, a minister at the Japanese Embassy, was called in by Chung Byung-won, director general for
Japanese textbooks intensify Dokdo claim

Mar 18, 2016

The Japanese government on Friday approved a set of updated high school textbooks containing strengthened claims to Korea’s easternmost islets of Dokdo, casting a fresh cloud over Seoul’s efforts to put bilateral ties back on track. Seoul lodged a protest, calling the long-festering assertion “unjust” and urging Tokyo to correct its erroneous historical view and provide fact-based education. Hideo Suzuki, a minister at the Japanese Embassy, was called in by Chung Byung-won, director general for
Korea, China can pursue 'win-win' relations: ambassador

Mar 17, 2016

South Korea and China can maintain a future-oriented, "win-win" relationship despite tensions arising from the potential deployment here of an advanced U.S. missile defense system, Seoul's ambassador in Beijing said Thursday. "The South Korea-China strategic partnership has already entered a mature phase in various areas, including politics, business, culture and humanities exchanges," Amb. Kim Jang-soo said during a luncheon meeting with Korean diplomats and local businessmen.Kim was here to
Japan submarine to visit Philippines, other ships to Vietnam

Mar 16, 2016

TOKYO (AFP) -- A Japanese submarine will make a port call in the Philippines for the first time in 15 years while accompanying naval ships will visit Vietnam's Cam Ranh Bay for the first time ever, Japan's navy said.The announcement came days after China accused its Asian rival of interfering in the South China Sea.Japan, which occupied the Philippines and Vietnam during World War II, is now strengthening relations. All three countries share growing concerns about China's increasing military mus
Korea, Indonesia to ink cooperation agreement between constitutional courts

Mar 16, 2016

South Korea's Constitutional Court said Wednesday it will sign an agreement with its Indonesian counterpart for cooperation and exchanges of information and research manpower.Under the agreement to be inked on Thursday, the judicial organizations of the two countries will also hold joint meetings, symposiums and seminars on common issues of interest, according to the court. Specifically, the two judicial organizations plan to exchange information, insights and experience in the areas of the cons
China's premier: Up to Japan to hold trilateral summit this year

Mar 16, 2016

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday that it is essentially up to Japan to make a decision on holding this year's trilateral summit among the leaders of Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing, citing "still fragile" ties between Japan and China. The leaders of South Korea, Japan and China resumed a trilateral summit in South Korea last year, marking the first such meeting in about three years, with the aim of repairing relations strained from historical and territorial issues."As to whether the format en
China's premier says diplomacy can maintain regional stability

Mar 16, 2016

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday that "diplomatic means" can maintain regional stability, with tensions in Northeast Asia spiking over North Korea's nuclear test and rocket launch."It is up to regional countries to maintain stability and harmony," Li said in response to a question about North Korea's provocations and regional security issues. Li, speaking at a press conference at the end of the country's rubber-stamp parliament session, did not mention North Korea by name, but stressed
Ambassador says Korea revs up efforts to restore ties with Iran

Mar 16, 2016

South Korea is revving up efforts to "restore" economic ties with Iran as the resource-abundant Middle East state is generating fresh business opportunities after the lifting of international sanctions earlier this year, its top envoy to Tehran said Wednesday.During a meeting with reporters here, Kim Seung-ho said that South Korean government officials and businesses are striving to regain some of the lost ground in the increasingly competitive Iranian market with a population of 80 million. "In
Korean minister calls for Japan to faithfully carry out deal on wartime sexual slavery

Mar 15, 2016

South Korea's Cabinet minister in charge of women's affairs said Monday she hopes Japan will faithfully carry out a landmark agreement with South Korea on resolving the issue of Japan's wartime sexual slavery.Gender Equality and Family Minister Kang Eun-hee made the remark to South Korean correspondents in New York, saying that the December agreement with Japan is a done deal and should be respected, though critics raised objections.Kang was in New York as head of Seoul's delegation to a meeting
Yun warns of worsened Chinese ties

Mar 14, 2016

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se on Monday warned of deteriorated relations with China this year as the two nations face tensions over the planned stationing of advanced U.S. missile defense assets and Beijing’s support of peace treaty discussions with North Korea.In his opening speech at an annual meeting of chiefs of overseas diplomatic missions, however, he offered an upbeat outlook for an unprecedented gathering with the U.S. and China “in the near future.” Despite concerns over a raft of poten
[HERALD INTERVIEW] Sri Lanka touts South Korea as ideal investment partner

Mar 14, 2016

Moving past three decades of civil war, Sri Lanka is transforming itself into a vibrant commercial hub in South Asia, and reengaging the international community and furthering bilateral ties are key, the nation’s top envoy said.“As Korea has made miraculous progress in democracy and economy in such a short period of time, it is an exemplary model for Sri Lanka, which is starting its journey toward economic prosperity,” said Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera in an interview with The Korea Hera
Malaysia welcomes investment in medical devices

Mar 14, 2016

Malaysia is aiming to become a regional leader in health care as it pushes its industrial economy toward a knowledge-based one. Under the 11th Malaysia Plan for national development (2016-20), the medical device industry was identified as key to rapid growth alongside the aerospace, chemical, electronics and machinery sectors. Due to its strong links to manufacturing and capacities to deliver high-value-added goods, the industry is poised to lead Malaysia’s economy, which has grown at around 5 p
Indonesia streamlines investment process

Mar 14, 2016

The Indonesian Embassy held a seminar in early March to woo Korean investments into the country’s burgeoning economy, which has seen sweeping reforms in recent months.Under the administration of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Indonesia has undertaken a series of stimulus measures, aimed at boosting industrial competitiveness through deregulation, facilitating infrastructure projects and strengthening law enforcement.The government recently overhauled its “negative investment list” -- a catalog
Ethiopia, Korea cooperate on forestry

Mar 13, 2016

A delegation of Ethiopian environment officials came to Korea in early March to share knowledge and experience in forest management and sustainable development. Shiferaw Teklemariam, Ethiopian minister of environment, forest and climate change, told The Korea Herald that his team was interested in Korea’s policies, institutions and governance, and how they were practically implemented.Amid Ethiopia’s push to become an industrializing nation, forestry is one of the four pillars of development und