The Korea Herald

Korea, Kazakhstan agree to expand joint economic projects

Jun 19, 2014

ASTANA (Yonhap) ― South Korean President Park Geun-hye and her Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev agreed Thursday to work closely together to realize major energy and power projects currently underway between the two countries.The joint projects worth a total of $10 billion were a key focus of the two leaders’ summit talks in Astana, which came on the fourth day of Park’s six-day tour of Central Asia, officials said.The South Korean leader arrived in Kazakhstan on Wednesday following a thre
U.S. ambassador nominee vows role in Seoul-Tokyo ties

Jun 18, 2014

WASHINGTON (Yonhap) ― Mark Lippert, on track to become the new U.S. ambassador to South Korea, said Tuesday he would endeavor to help Seoul and Tokyo improve their often-prickly ties over shared history.“We obviously have conversations to encourage better dialogue between the Japanese and South Koreans to work through some of these very difficult and painful historical issues,” he said at a Senate confirmation hearing. Though the U.S. “wouldn’t play a mediation role,” it “can play an important r
Korea to send troops to peacekeeping drill in Mongolia

Jun 18, 2014

South Korea will dispatch troops to an annual multinational peacekeeping exercise set to kick off in Mongolia this week, the Marine Corps here said Wednesday.Some 34 South Korean Marines as well as eight service members of the Army, Navy and Air Force will participate in the Khan Quest exercise in the landlocked country. The exercise is set for June 20 to July 1.During the drill, the troops are scheduled to practice how to carry out operations in conflict areas, provide humanitarian aid and perf
U.S. cooperation threatened by Tokyo’s post-Cold War ties

Jun 17, 2014

Tension appears to be building between the U.S. and Japan as Tokyo’s moves to enhance ties with Pyongyang and Moscow have apparently unnerved Washington, which has imposed tough sanctions against the two.Tokyo’s controversial reexamination of its 1993 apology for its wartime sexual enslavement of Korean women is also a source of concern for Washington as it would escalate historical feuds between Japan and South Korea, and hamper the three-way security collaboration.Although the U.S. and Japan s
Korea, China discuss maritime border

Jun 17, 2014

Two neighbors hold first negotiation in 3 years
S. Korea, China hold closed talks on maritime border

Jun 17, 2014

South Korea and China held closed-door talks last week aimed at demarcating their economic exclusive zones (EEZs) ahead of an expected summit meeting between their leaders, a source said Tuesday. The Friday talks come as the two countries remain at odds over Beijing's declaration last year of its new air defense identification zone over the East China Sea that encroaches upon South Korea's and includes the Seoul-controlled submerged rock of Ieodo. Ieodo, which is 4.6 meters below sea level,
Tension rises as Japan set to unveil review of 1993 apology

Jun 16, 2014

Relations between Korea and Japan appear to be hanging in the balance as Tokyo is gearing up to unveil this week the results of a review of its landmark 1993 apology for its sexual enslavement of Korean women during World War II. In the document in the name of then-Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono, Japan acknowledged and apologized for its Imperial Army’s involvement in setting up “comfort facilities” and forcing women to serve in frontline brothels. Up to 200,000 women, mostly Koreans, are be
UNHCR exhibition promotes refugee protection

Jun 15, 2014

The U.N. High Commission for Refugees has joined forces with the Justice Ministry to raise public awareness of the refugee issue and drum up support through an exhibition in downtown Seoul. The event offers a glimpse into the life of refugees by showcasing world refugee maps, emergency kits and miniature refugee shelters. The 10-day event kicked off last week at the Seoul Citizen Hall to coincide with World Refugee Day on June 20. It is the first joint exhibition since Korea enacted Asia’s first
Britain celebrates queen’s birthday at garden party

Jun 15, 2014

National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa delivers a speech during a garden party celebrating the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II at the British Ambassador’s residence in Seoul on Thursday. (Philip Iglauer/The Korea Herald)The British Embassy celebrated the Official Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II with a garden party at Ambassador Scott Wightman’s residence in Seoul on Thursday. This year’s celebration was held a little later than in past years, in part because of weeks of nationwide mournin
Finnish ambassador salutes country’s defense forces

Jun 15, 2014

Finnish Ambassador to South Korea Matti Heimonen commemorated his country’s Flag Day of the Defense Forces with the embassy’s new defense attache, Navy Capt. Kariu Huhtala, at Heimonen’s residence in Seongbuk-dong in Seoul on June 9.This year’s Flag Day marked the first time it was commemorated with an accredited defense attache. When Finland and South Korea celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year, Finland expanded ties by opening a defense wing of
Embassies come out for Queer Fest

Jun 15, 2014

Spokesperson says the U.S. Embassy will participate next year.
Jordan Embassy marks Independence Day

Jun 15, 2014

Jordanian Ambassador to South Korea Omar Al-Nahar (center) poses with Arab and North African ambassadors and charges d’affaires during a reception celebrating his country’s Independence Day in Seoul on Tuesday. (Jordanian Embassy)The Jordanian Ambassador here hosted a luncheon celebrating the 68th Independence Day of his country and bilateral relations with South Korea in Seoul on Tuesday.In a sprawling reception that showcased Jordanian culture and cuisine, hundreds of government officials, for
Envoy, Assembly speaker celebrate Russian National Day

Jun 15, 2014

Russian Ambassador to Korea Konstantin Vnukov and National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa celebrated Russia’s National Day, along with dozens of foreign envoys, including many European ambassadors, as well as high-level Korean diplomats, at its chancery in the historic Jeong-dong district of Seoul on Wednesday.They gathered on a drizzly evening to celebrate the 24th National Day of the Russian Federation, enjoying a well-catered buffet that included traditional delicacies and toasting with Russia
Societas Koreana meeting briefs envoys on Korean culture

Jun 15, 2014

Foreign envoys were briefed on traditional Korean medicinal practices during the 49th Societas Koreana dinner and lecture at the National Press Center in Seoul on Wednesday.Hosted by the government-funded research institute the Academy of Korean Studies, Societas Koreana meetings have been introducing various topics in Korean studies since 2010 to “ambassadors, diplomats and opinion leaders staying in Korea” with “diverse English-language materials designed to promote a better understanding of K
Car crashes into CNN's headquarters in Atlanta

Jun 13, 2014

ATLANTA (AP) -- A motorist is facing charges after police say he crashed a car into a lobby at CNN Center, the news network's headquarters in Atlanta.Authorities say the car shattered a glass entryway before dawn Friday. It came to rest in the middle of the lobby.Atlanta police officer John Chafee says the driver is being charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving and marijuana possession. Chafee said the driver, whose name wasn't released, told police he had smoked marijuana ear