The Korea Herald

S. Korea urges Japan not to whitewash wartime history

Jul 28, 2015

South Korea urged Japan on Tuesday not to gloss over its history as some Japanese ruling party lawmakers claimed that its government should actively tackle the global community's misunderstanding over its wartime sex slavery.A committee under the Liberal Democratic Party plans to submit a proposal to the government saying that Japan should be more active in correcting what is wrongfully understood over the sex slave issue, according to Japanese media.Japan's sexual enslavement of Korean and othe
Korean independence fighter enshrined at Moscow cemetery

Jul 28, 2015

MOSCOW -- At the heart of this sprawling city, a storied cemetery enshrines a once high-flying Korean independence fighter alongside late Russian President Boris Yelchin, novelist Anton Chekhov, composer Dmitri Shostakovich and other luminaries: Gen. Kim Kyu-myun. Gen. Kim Kyu-myun’s memorial is laid at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow on Monday. (Shin Hyon-hee/The Korea Herald)　Kim and his wife Nadezhda are known to be the sole Koreans venerated at the Novodevichy Cemetery. Though the site is
Eurasia Express passengers pay tribute to fallen WWII soldiers

Jul 27, 2015

MOSCOW ― More than 250 passengers of the “Eurasia Express” opened the third and final chapter of their 20-day journey in Moscow on Sunday, reaching the last stop of a trans-Siberian railway and marking their journey by paying tribute to fallen soldiers during World War II at a memorial. Led by Rep. Kang Chang-hee of the ruling Saenuri Party, the visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier initiated their three-day layover here, designed to display South Korea’s appreciation for Russia’s immense sac
Singapore, Korea commemorate golden jubilee with photo exhibition

Jul 26, 2015

The small Southeast Asian city-state of Singapore has good reason to celebrate five decades of progress this year. After gaining independence from Malaysia in 1965, “Singapura,” meaning the Lion City, has charted a course described as “exceptional” even by the highest global standards. The city of 5 million residents is a global hub of finance, commerce, shipping and tourism, and tops international rankings in living standard, education, health care and economic competitiveness. The golden jubil
Colombian independence reception teems with festive music, dance

Jul 26, 2015

The Colombian Embassy celebrated the country’s 205th anniversary of national independence and 53 years of diplomatic ties with Korea in a reception at Grand Hyatt Seoul on Tuesday, which was jazzed up by vivacious Latin music. “El Combosabroso,” a quintet of three Colombian and two Korean musicians, played salsa, merengue and bachata, which was met by the elated dancing of 2015 Colombian Carnival Queen Felfle Fernandez de Castro and other guests. “Our relations go beyond formalisms that characte
Inside the Habib House

Jul 24, 2015

Wife of U.S. Ambassador talks about everyday experience of juggling work and family inside a symbolic hanok of enduring friendship between Seoul and Washington
[REPORTER’S COLUMN] Japan needs to focus on confidence-building

Jul 22, 2015

For a country’s external policy to fare well, it needs sufficient backing from both within and outside. It is particularly so when it comes to a defense initiative that is costly and could be perceived as a security threat to its neighbors. In this July 16 phpoto, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends a plenary session at the lower house in Tokyo. (AP-Yonhap)Despite its mantra of active contribution to peace, or “active pacifism,” Tokyo’s pursuit of heavier armament and an expanded security
Korea and Singapore: A look ahead to the next 40 years

Jul 22, 2015

This year’s August is a month of great significance to Singapore as well as Korea. The two countries will commemorate their 50th and 70th anniversary of independence respectively. In addition, this month includes another commemorative day for both countries -- Aug. 8, 1975, when diplomatic relations were formalized 40 years ago. 　Even though Korea had trade representative and consulate general offices in Singapore in the early 1970s, diplomatic relations only began some years later due to the
Seoul condemns Tokyo’s renewed claim to Dokdo

Jul 21, 2015

South Korea strongly protested Japan’s repeated claim to its easternmost islets of Dokdo in Tokyo’s 2015 defense white paper on Tuesday, demanding “rectification” and warning of a negative impact on the bilateral relationship.Kenji Kanasugi, minister and deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy, walks out of the building of the South Korean Foreign Ministry in central Seoul Tuesday, after receiving Seoul’s protest over Tokyo’s claim to Dokdo in its defense whitepaper. (Yonhap)Seoul’s cond
Korea, Honduras to boost energy ties

Jul 20, 2015

The leaders of South Korea and Honduras agreed Monday to bolster bilateral cooperation for the development of new energy sources and environment-friendly villages as parts of efforts to join the global drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.The agreement was reached at a summit between President Park Geun-hye and her Honduran counterpart, Juan Orlando Hernandez, at Cheong Wa Dae, officials said.After the meeting, the two leaders observed the signing of memorandums of understanding on improving
Korea safe from MERS: Foreign Ministry

Jul 20, 2015

The South Korean government told foreign diplomats on Monday that the country is now safe from the Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak with statistics highlighting that the disease is under control and will soon disappear. Lee Key-cheol, ambassador for Overseas Koreans and Consular Affairs at the ministry, speaks during a briefing on the MERS for foreign diplomats at Seoul’s Foreign Ministry in central Seoul on Monday. (Yonhap)During the second round of its briefing for embassy staff from
Tokyo to present defense white paper

Jul 20, 2015

Tokyo’s 2015 defense white paper is expected to be presented to its Cabinet on Tuesday, drawing keen attention to whether it would repeat its provocative sovereignty claim on South Korea’s easternmost islets of Dokdo.Over the past decade, the Japanese government has described Dokdo as part of its territory in its annual defense policy paper, triggering seething criticism from South Korea and impeding the efforts to improve bilateral relations.Last year’s white paper further infuriated Koreans as
S. African envoy calls for compassion on Mandela Day

Jul 19, 2015

The United Nations General Assembly in 2009 proclaimed Nelson Mandela’s birthday, 18 July, as Mandela Day to commemorate the late South African president’s contributions to the anti-apartheid struggle. The day calls on individuals around the world to spend 67 minutes in the service of others ― providing food, education, shelter and volunteer work ― symbolizing the 67 years Mandela devoted to humanity. “Becoming part of the international Mandela Day movement requires an action that helps improve
Danish Ambassador highlights green growth alliance with Korea

Jul 19, 2015

In Denmark, renewable energy creates half of the country’s electricity. People drink water from the tap, swim in city harbors and ride bicycles everywhere. The world’s happiest nation is also one of the greenest, not accidentally, and aims to create a “fully green economy” by 2050. In a lecture on July 11, Danish Ambassador Thomas Lehmann said Denmark and Korea should invigorate their partnership for a shared sustainable future by turning the threat of climate change into resourceful opportuniti
U.S. second lady arrives in South Korea

Jul 18, 2015

U.S. second lady Jill Biden arrived in South Korea Saturday on a trip to highlight women's education and economic empowerment issues.The wife of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden was greeted by U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert and other U.S. and South Korean military officials on the tarmac at Osan Airbase, about 50 kilometers southwest of Seoul.She was to head to Jinkwansa, a Buddhist temple in Seoul, where she will meet with female monks and discuss the role they play in the community,