The Korea Herald

Envoys commemorate 60 years of Korean peace at Buddhist reception

May 12, 2013

A coterie of foreign envoys commemorated on Wednesday the armistice agreement that ended fighting in the Korea War 60 years ago with National Assembly representatives, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other dignitaries at a Buddhist temple nestled in the foothills of Bukhansan Mountain. The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism hosted the special reception at Jinkwansa Temple for foreign ambassadors, including envoys of the 21 nations that fought for South Korea against the 1950 invas
Italian Embassy brings musical performance ‘The Betrothed’

May 12, 2013

The Italian Embassy and the Italian Cultural Center are bringing to Seoul a theatrical performance of “The Betrothed,” which is based on an Italian novel that unified usage of the language and inspired generations of artists.The performance is based on the 19th century Italian novel of the same name by Alessandro Manzoni and will be performed by Alessandro Finazzer Flory and Gilda Gelati, Teatro alla Scala’s first ballerina, and includes music by Giuseppe Verdi.The embassy organized the performa
Libyan envoy addresses violence

May 12, 2013

Libya’s democratic revolution in 2011 toppled strongman Moammar Gaddafi’s 30-year rule, drafted an interim constitution and, in July last year, Libyans democratically elected a new General National Congress for the first time. But now the North African country is reeling from several threats and attacks on Western targets, including the attack on a U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi that killed four Americans including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens.Islamic militants tried to blow up the B
Philippines promotes its investment climate

May 12, 2013

A delegation from the Philippines pitched investment in the Southeast Asian country’s semiconductor and electronics industries during a four-day promotion drive here from Tuesday.The delegation, led by Director General Liliade Lima of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, promoted increased investment in the Philippines in two days of seminars in Seoul and Ansan and by highlighting established commercial links and improved ratings from Fitch and Standard & Poor’s.The Philippines was Korea’s se
Envoy tells Mongolian students to make most of studying in Korea

May 12, 2013

Mongolian Ambassador to Korea Baasanjav Ganbold spoke at a Mongolian student group’s biggest annual meeting highlighting the rising presence of the Mongolian expatriate community in Korea at the National Institute for International Education in Seoul on May 4. The Mongolian Student Association in Korea (CMOX) organized the annual student meeting that hosted Ganbold and Mongolian poet, actor and musician Divaajin Sosorbaram. During his speech, Ganbold advised the audience of about 200 young peopl
U.S. extends visa waiver program for Korea

May 9, 2013

The United States has extended a visa waiver program for South Korea for another two years, a Seoul official said Thursday, allowing Korean citizens to continue to travel to the U.S. without needing to obtain a visa until March 2015.In 2008, South Korea joined the U.S. visa waiver program that enables Korean citizens to stay in the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa. It was the second time that the U.S. extended the program for South Korea. “The U.S. government notified our government through
U.S. extends visa waiver program for S. Korea

May 9, 2013

The United States has extended a visa waiver program for South Korea for another two years, a Seoul official said Thursday, allowing Korean citizens to continue to travel to the U.S. without needing to obtain a visa until March 2015.In 2008, South Korea joined the U.S. visa waiver program that enables Korean citizens to stay in the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa. It was the second time that the U.S. extended the program for South Korea. “The U.S. government notified our government through
Full text of joint declaration commemorating 60-year alliance between Korea and US

May 8, 2013

Joint Declaration in Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States of AmericaFor six decades, the U.S.-ROK Alliance has served as an anchor for stability, security, and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, in the Asia-Pacific region, and increasingly around the world. President Barack Obama of the United States of America and President Park Geun-hye of the Republic of Korea, meeting in Washington, D.C. on May 7, 2013, present this Joint
Enhancing security cooperation at the Korea-U.S. summit

May 7, 2013

In many ways, the alliance between the U.S. and South Korea is closer today than it has been for some time. But even in a very close relationship, issues will arise that require adjustments. This understanding set the context for the summit between President Barack Obama and President Park Geun-hye. And regardless of the decisions reached at the summit, the details of many agreements will take months to be resolved.A key challenge to the alliance is the recent round of extreme threats from North
U.N. chief expresses support for Park's 'trustpolitik'

May 7, 2013

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed support Monday for South Korean President Park Geun-hye's vision for confidence-building with North Korea and promised to play whatever roles possible for peace on the Korean Peninsula, an official said.The South Korean-born U.N. chief made the remarks when he met with Park at U.N. headquarters. Park arrived in New York on Sunday on the first leg of a five-day visit to the United States that will take her to Washington later Monday for a summit with P
The rise of the Korea-U.S. alliance

May 6, 2013

We are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance this year, making the summit meeting between presidents Park Geun-hye and Barack Obama this week even more meaningful. Despite ups and downs in its evolution, the Korea-U.S. alliance has been valuable for the national interests of the U.S. and South Korea during the Cold War and since. After the end of the Korean War, an armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, followed by the Mutual Defense Treaty on Oct. 1, 1953. The Korea-U.S. a
Park affirms ‘trustpolitik,’ economy unfazed by N.K. tension

May 6, 2013

President leaves door for dialogue with Pyongyang open
Park arrives in New York en route to summit with Obama

May 6, 2013

South Korean President Park Geun-hye arrived in New York on Sunday on the first stop of a visit to the United States that will culminate in a summit with President Barack Obama expected focus on how to deal with North Korea.The White House summit, scheduled for Tuesday, could also take up contentious bilateral issues as well, such as Seoul's demand for the right to reprocess spent nuclear fuel, and set the tone for how the alliance between the two countries will fare for years to come.Park first
Park seeks to cement alliance

May 5, 2013

Korean, U.S. leaders to pledge joint stance on N.K., alliance, regional cooperation
Seoul mulls body to boost cooperation with Africa

May 5, 2013

South Korea is considering establishing an organization to be tasked with sharing its development experience with Africa and further promote cooperation with the region, an official said Sunday.The body, tentatively named the Korea-Africa Center, will be headquartered in Seoul and the government is weighing plans to set up four chapters in Africa ― Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt, he said.“Modeled after the ASEAN-Korea Center, the government is reviewing the need for establishing a cooper