The Korea Herald

S. Korea, Russia in talks for summit in fall

May 19, 2013

South Korea and Russia are in talks for a summit meeting later this year on the sidelines of a multinational conference in the Eurasian country, Seoul’s ambassador to Moscow said Sunday.Wi Sung-lac, the South Korean ambassador to Russia, told reporters that the G20 Summit, scheduled for Sept. 5-6 in Saint Petersburg, may serve as an opportunity to set up the first summit talks between South Korean President Park Geun-hye and her Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.“We’re discussing the schedule
Uruguay showcases beef in export promotion drive

May 19, 2013

Uruguay is well-known for soccer ― the country’s national team are reigning world champions, and for tango, but the South American nation is perhaps equally passionate about barbecue steak.The Uruguayan Embassy and the South American country’s National Meat Institute promoted the country’s love of dinning on grilled steaks at a tasting showcasing Uruguayan beef at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul on May 10. “Uruguay’s premium quality beef is among world’s best, blessed with its climate and terrain
Korea poised to import Colombian oil

May 19, 2013

Colombia has become a major oil producer in fewer than 10 years ― Latin America’s fourth largest now, from about 500,000 barrels per day in 2004 to over 1 million bpd in 2012.That fact was not lost on Colombian and Korean negotiators when they inked a free trade agreement in February. Although current energy exports to Korea are negligible, Colombia’s chief diplomatic representative here said the oil-rich Andean nation is poised to start exporting crude to Korea soon.Welcome news for the energy-
Mexico combines bridge-building with cuisine promotion

May 19, 2013

The Mexican Embassy in Korea hosted a dinner reception at a hotel in downtown Seoul on Tuesday to bolster the work of Mexican food professionals at a four-day international food exhibition. The reception and the food exhibition occurred at a time when Mexico and Korea could restart talks for a long-stalled free trade agreement.“This promotion and tasting event not only builds bridges between the two countries but it also allows for a generation of new allies of Mexico in Korea and Mexico,” said
New envoy sings praises of Australian food and wine

May 19, 2013

Incoming Australian Ambassador to Korea William Paterson introduced himself as a product of Victoria State in a food and wine tasting reception at a hotel in downtown Seoul on Wednesday.The “Put Victoria on Your Table” wine and dinner event was co-organized by Seoul-based Wine Review magazine, which featured the cuisine of the Australian state and its signature wines in its May issue. Representatives of 16 companies from Victoria were in Korea until Friday for the Seoul Food 2013 at Korea Intern
[Graphic News] Korea, China, Japan become permanent observers to Arctic Council

May 16, 2013

Arctic states Wednesday accepted South Korea, China, Japan, India, Italy and Singapore as permanent observers to the Arctic Council. They are joining the existing group of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain. A growing number of countries are vying for a bigger stake in the far north as global warming accelerates the melting of ice caps, boosting the potential for maritime logistics and resources development in addition to scientific research. The intergovernme
S. Korea slams Japan official for 'unhelpful' visit to N. Korea

May 16, 2013

South Korea criticized an adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Thursday for making an "unhelpful" visit to North Korea, voicing concerns that the trip may undermine efforts in forging a coordinated approach toward Pyongyang. Foreign ministry spokesman Cho Tai-young made the remarks two days after the aide to Abe, Isao Iijima, arrived in Pyongyang in a surprise visit that spawned speculation that Japan may be trying to mend frosty ties with the North amid a deepening territorial dispute
Korea gets foothold to develop Arctic

May 15, 2013

Becomes permanent observer to Arctic Council
Bureaucratic maze hampers multicultural policy

May 15, 2013

Economic prosperity, an aging population and stark gender imbalance have combined to turn Korea into a major destination for Asian migrants. But Asia’s fourth-largest economy appears to lack institutional systems to keep pace with the change. Its policies on immigration and expatriates are hamstrung by short-sighted vision, fragmented policymaking and a dearth of leadership and commitment in officialdom.Several years after it started a multicultural policy in earnest, the government still lacks
S. Korea calls Japanese delegation's visit to N. Korea 'unexpected'

May 15, 2013

Japan did not inform South Korea or the United States of an "unexpected" visit by an adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to North Korea, a Seoul government source said Wednesday, raising concerns that the trip may undermine efforts in forging a coordinated approach toward the belligerent country. North Korea's state media confirmed that a Japanese delegation led by Isao Iijima flew to Pyongyang earlier Tuesday. Japan's Kyodo news agency had also reported on lijima's trip to North Korea
U.S. gov't seeking distance from S. Korea's sex scandal

May 14, 2013

The U.S. government drew a clear line Monday between a sex scandal roiling South Korea and Seoul-Washington relations.Police in Washington, D.C., apparently at the instruction of federal prosecutors, are looking into allegations that then-presidential spokesman Yoon Chang-jung sexually abused a Korean-American woman during his stay here last week as part of the entourage accompanying President Park Geun-hye. The scandal has already dealt a heavy blow to the image of the Park administration, alth
Nuclear envoys from S. Korea, U.S. to hold talks on N. Korea

May 13, 2013

The top nuclear envoys from South Korea and the United States will hold talks in Seoul this week to discuss ways to deal with North Korea following last week’s summit talks between their leaders, an official said Monday. Glyn Davies, the U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, arrived in Seoul on Monday for talks with his South Korean counterpart, Lim Sung-nam, set for Tuesday, said the official at Seoul’s foreign ministry. The talks between Lim and Davies, who will also visit China
Korea makes last-minute push for Arctic Council

May 13, 2013

With just two days to go before eight Arctic nations hold a key meeting, South Korea is making a last-minute push to gain a foothold in the increasingly-influential Arctic Council, according to Seoul officials Monday. South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se held his second telephone conversation this month with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird on Saturday and again requested that Canada render support for South Korea’s bid to gain permanent observer status of the Arctic Council at its min
KOICA, KF appoint new chiefs

May 13, 2013

Yu Hyun-seok, an international relations professor at Kyung Hee University, was on Monday named the new president of the Korea Foundation, the Foreign Ministry said. Yu, 50, has succeeded Kim Woo-sang to steer the state-run public diplomacy institute. He took office on Monday after receiving a letter of appointment. A prominent figure in the fields of foreign relations and international politics, Yun has been a member of the KF’s public diplomacy forum and a policy adviser to the Unification Mi
Seoul, Beijing in talks to set up Park’s visit

May 12, 2013

South Korea is in talks with China to set up President Park Geun-hye’s visit to Beijing for an early date, Seoul’s top diplomat said Sunday, adding that the trip, if made, could yield much bigger outcomes than expected.Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se made the remark while appearing on KBS television, stressing that Beijing has recently been more cooperative than ever about ending North Korea’s nuclear programs.Yun said changes in China’s attitude are palpable.“China took an active part in the proc