The Korea Herald

‘Comfort women’ stick to suit against Japan

Jun 23, 2015

A surviving group of South Koreans enslaved by Japan during World War II said Tuesday they will file a lawsuit against the Tokyo government unless it issues a formal apology and provides legal compensation. The “comfort women” said they plan to file a lawsuit claiming $20 million to the San Francisco court against Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Emperor Akihito, Japanese media who called them “prostitutes” and Japanese companies accused of war crimes.“The Japanese government continues to reduce
Korean wartime sex slaves to take Japan to U.S. court

Jun 23, 2015

A dozen Korean victims of Japan's wartime sex slavery said Tuesday they will bring Japan to a U.S. court for financial compensation for the atrocities done to them. The 12, including Yoo Hee-nam and Kang Il-chul, will lodge a civil suit at a California district court on July 1, Ahn Shin-kwon, director of the House of Sharing, told reporters at a news conference, quoting the victims.They will seek $2 million each for the wartime atrocities committed by Japan and its companies "and their continued
Japanese experts see need for more efforts to solve sex slave issue

Jun 23, 2015

Japanese experts Tuesday hailed joint celebrations by leaders from South Korea and Japan for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties but stressed the need for further efforts to resolve the thorny issue of Tokyo's wartime sex slavery.President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday attended each other's embassy events in their capitals to celebrate half a century of relations, raising hopes that the long-strained relations between the two may improve in the landmark year.
Any solution to sex slave issue should satisfy victims: FM Yun

Jun 23, 2015

The dispute between South Korea and Japan over Tokyo's sexual enslavement of Korean women for Japan's World War II soldiers should be resolved in a way that satisfies the victims, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said.Yun was in Tokyo for two days until Monday to mark the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations. During the visit, he held talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and attended an anniversary reception hosted by the South Korean Embassy in Tokyo.His visit was the f
U.S. veterans at Army retirement home express pride in serving in Korean War

Jun 23, 2015

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Richard Robinson served two stints in South Korea, including one during the Korean War -- a career that has earned him a string of medals as well as a deep sense of pride."I was proud to be there and I did my duty," Robinson said during an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Monday, speaking of his service in 1952-1953 as a corporal delivering intelligence reports from the 8th Army headquarters in Seoul to the frontlines as the three-year conflict drew to its end.Rob
U.S. welcomes joint anniversary celebrations involving Park, Abe

Jun 23, 2015

The United States on Monday welcomed the rare celebrations that South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended to mark half a century of relations, saying it looks forward to the relations getting "broader and deeper."Earlier in the day, Park and Abe visited each other's embassy in Seoul and Tokyo to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two neighboring nations.During the visits, the two leaders called for im
Park stresses future over history in ties with Japan

Jun 23, 2015

President Park Geun-hye said Monday that South Korea and Japan should unload their "heavy burden of history" toward a future-oriented partnership for reconciliation and co-prosperity.Seoul and Tokyo are in a stand-off over a divergent interpretation of their shared history, especially the so-called "comfort women" issue.South Korea has urged Japan to admit its legal responsibility for forcing Korean women into sexual servitude at Japanese military brothels during World War II.Japan has claimed t
Park, Abe stress forward-looking partnership

Jun 22, 2015

Two leaders attend anniversary events in each other’s missions
Park eyes 'starting year' for new ties with Japan

Jun 22, 2015

President Park Geun-hye held out her "sincere expectations" Monday that South Korea and Japan will turn 2015 into the starting point for forward-looking bilateral ties.In her message to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe conveyed by visiting Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, Park emphasized the need for the two sides to resolve pending issues in a smooth manner."Minister Yun Byung-se delivered President Park's verbal message that she sincerely hopes the two countries will resolve pending issues and
Abe vows effort for improved ties with S. Korea

Jun 22, 2015

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday he wants to make concerted efforts with President Park Geun-hye for improved relations between the two countries."I would like to improve and develop ties toward the next half-a-century, together with President Park, for the people of both nations and the next generation," he said in a meeting with visiting Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se at his official residence.Abe's remark came as the Northeast Asian neighbors marked the 50th anniversary of normal
U.S. reacts cautiously to signs of thaw in Korea-Japan ties

Jun 22, 2015

The United States reacted cautiously Sunday to signs of a thaw emerging in the long-chilled relations between South Korea and Japan as their leaders agreed to visit each other's embassy to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations.South Korean President Park Geun-hye plans to attend an anniversary ceremony to be held at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul on Monday while Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also plans to visit the Korean Embassy in Tokyo for a similar c
Ministers of Korea, Japan meet to mend ties

Jun 21, 2015

The foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan held talks in Tokyo on Sunday to forge much-needed momentum to mend bilateral relations that have been strained amid escalating historical and territorial feuds.Their meeting was arranged as the two countries are to mark the 50th anniversary on Monday of the normalization of bilateral diplomatic ties. It was the first visit by Seoul’s top diplomat since the Park Geun-hye administration was inaugurated in February 2013. During their talks, Seoul’s Fo
Park to join Japan's anniversary reception

Jun 21, 2015

President Park Geun-hye will attend the Japanese Embassy's reception this week to mark the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties with Japan, Cheong Wa Dae announced Sunday."President Park plans to participate in the event to be held on Monday afternoon," at a Seoul hotel, the presidential office said.Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will also attend a similar ceremony to be hosted by the South Korean Embassy in Tokyo on Monday, added Cheong Wa Dae."We look forward to develop
History’s shadow eclipses Korea-Japan trust-building

Jun 21, 2015

Since normalizing their diplomatic ties half a century ago, South Korea and Japan have made substantial progress in the economic, social and cultural domains, with trade volume nearly 400 times what it was.But their deepening partnership has been overshadowed by historical and territorial conflicts that have escalated in recent years amid their lack of high-level dialogue, political distrust and rising domestic nationalism.Seoul’s Prime Minister Yun Byung-se’s visit to Tokyo on Sunday has raised
Greek tourism minister touts natural beauty

Jun 21, 2015

Visiting all of Greece’s turquoise seas, picturesque islands, lush mountains, ancient monuments and public festivals would take a lifetime, even for Greeks. As the birthplace of democracy and philosophy, and now a thriving tourism nation of natural and cultural riches, Greece supplies endless wonders to its visitors. Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura came to Korea last week to promote her country’s tourism, as it seeks to provide year-round services.“Korea has a very special place in my hea