The Korea Herald

Korea, Iran seek ministerial talks at U.N

Sept 22, 2014

The foreign ministers of South Korea and Iran are seeking to hold their first bilateral talks in nearly six years in New York this week in apparent efforts to heal ties dampened by Tehran’s suspected military cooperation with Pyongyang and international sanctions, government sources said Monday. The meeting between Yun Byung-se and Mohammad Javad Zarif is likely to take place Friday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, where President Park Geun-hye is scheduled to deliver a speech on W
Saudi Arabia celebrates 84th national day

Sept 22, 2014

The following is a congratulatory message from Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Korea Ahmad Y. Al Barrak celebrating the kingdom’s 84th National Day on Sept. 23. ― Ed. The national day anniversary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia comes at a time when the comprehensive development renaissance, the foundations of which were laid by the kingdom’s founder King Abdulaziz Al Saud, is continuing apace. Building on the intellectual, institutional and management foundations laid by the founding
Korea, Canada to ink free trade agreement soon

Sept 21, 2014

Park arrives in Ottawa for summit with Harper
‘Comfort women’ abuses were crimes against humanity

Sept 21, 2014

After spending six years as U.N. human rights chief, Navi Pillay strongly urged Japan to investigate “every allegation of sexual slavery” and “prosecute perpetrators” through a rare statement and then again a media interview last month.Her perspective and interest in the issue of the “comfort women” stand out because they demonstrate the international community’s human rights standards and growing demands for Tokyo’s action.In the Aug. 6 statement, Pillay expressed “profound regret that Japan ha
[Herald Interview] Seeking justice for sex slavery victims

Sept 21, 2014

The following is the 10th in a series of articles on Japan’s wartime sexual enslavement of Asian women on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of the foundation of The Korea Herald on Aug. 15. ― Ed.In 2007, U.S. lawmaker Mike Honda set a milestone in the issue of Japan’s sexual enslavement of Asian women during World War II by spearheading the adoption of a resolution at the House of Representatives calling for Tokyo’s apology. The resolution played a key role in boosting awareness in the intern
Korean trade ties highlighted on Mexico’s Independence Day

Sept 21, 2014

Mexican Ambassador Jose Luis Bernal lauded diplomatic ties between his country and South Korea during a reception celebrating Mexico’s 204th Independence Day in Seoul on Monday.“Our bilateral trade exceeds $15 billion per year. There are more than 1,600 Korean companies in Mexico, the most recent of which is the decision by KIA to establish an automobile production plant which was announced just two weeks ago and which comes to join other big projects of KORES, KEPCO, POSCO, Samsung, LG and many
German envoy lauds preparation as key to fall of Berlin Wall

Sept 21, 2014

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the “Peaceful Revolution” that began in the East German cities of Leipzig and Dresden and precipitated the fall of the Berlin Wall, and eventually led to the unification of the country the following year. Commemorating the historic event this year is particularly important for the German Embassy and for the South Korean government. A slew of more than 20 events are planned, including academic seminars, cultural exchanges, visits by VIPs and trade delegatio
EU, Northeast Asian diplomats compare notes on regional security

Sept 21, 2014

European diplomats, policymakers and academics and their counterparts from Japan and South Korea hashed out what Northeast Asia should take away from Europe’s nearly 70 years of experience with regional integration and the creation of the EU from out of the ashes of World War II on Thursday and Friday in Seoul.The officials also discussed how regional integration and community-building can ensure peace and security in Northeast Asia, as it has in Europe.Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se hosted EU Am
Paraguay eyes Korean investment

Sept 21, 2014

Public-private partnerships could draw Korean investment
Seoul-based group promotes ‘shared histories’ in East Asia

Sept 21, 2014

As compared to the success of the European Union in fashioning a European identity, East Asian community building has proved frustratingly elusive for regional organizers.In anticipation of the launch of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC 2015) late next year, advocates for a regional identity for “East Asia” are redoubling their efforts.In one such endeavor, the Seoul-based Asia-Pacific Center of Education for International Understanding led an intercultural dialogue exploring shared histories d
Free press crucial for continued development in Vietnam

Sept 21, 2014

Press freedom is crucial for development, said Vietnamese Ambassador to South Korea Pham Huu Chi during a lecture organized by the Asia Society Korea Center at the ASEAN-Korea Center in Seoul on Tuesday.Pham described how his country dramatically decreased the poverty rate and achieved many United Nations Millennium Development Goals in just two decades. But he cautioned that continued development would depend on a free press. Vietnam has long been criticized for having a poor record on press fr
Park: S. Korea to sign free trade deal with Canada

Sept 21, 2014

South Korea will sign a free trade deal with Canada next week, President Park Geun-hye said Saturday, as she arrived in Ottawa for a three-day state visit on a trip that will also take her to New York for the U.N. General Assembly.The two countries concluded a free trade agreement in March after nearly nine years of tough negotiations, a deal Seoul says could benefit South Korea's automobile industries, among other industries."The free trade deal will serve as an important occasion" to take bila
Ex-Japan leader conveys Abe’s message to Park

Sept 19, 2014

A former Japanese leader conveyed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s message to President Park Geun-hye on Friday, an official said, a move that may pave the way for a potential summit between the two neighbors.Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori delivered the message to Park during their meeting in the presidential office in Seoul, the official said, though details of the message were not immediately available.The message came as South Korea and Japan are seeking to repair bilateral relations
President Park to meet former Japanese leader

Sept 18, 2014

South Korean President Park Geun-hye plans to meet with a former Japanese prime minister later this week, an official said Thursday, amid a recent thaw in relations between the two neighbors.Park is set to meet with former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on Friday, presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook said, a move that’s widely seen as a potential stepping stone for a summit between Park and her Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe.Mori, who is due to arrive in Seoul to attend Friday’s opening
S. Korea, Turkey initial FTA in service, investment sectors

Sept 18, 2014

South Korea and Turkey initialed a free trade agreement (FTA) for their investment and service sectors Thursday, which will complement a trade pact for products that went into effect last year.The new South Korea-Turkey FTA on service and investment will soon undergo reviews by each side after it is translated into their languages, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy."The two countries have agreed to officially sign the agreement in early 2015, and they plan to work for its i