The Korea Herald

Park shuns Abe’s early gesture to thaw relations

Dec 23, 2012

President-elect Park Geun-hye has turned down a visit by incoming Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s special envoy, heralding a rough ride in the relations between the next governments of the two nations. Shinzo Abe of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party planned to send his congratulatory letter last weekend via former Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga and three other senior members of the Japan-South Korea parliamentarians’ association. But Park’s side “respectfully” declined the meeting due to
U.S. to publish report on Chinese ‘distortion’ of Korean history

Dec 23, 2012

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) ― A United States congressional institute will soon publish a report that might give the wrong impression to the international community of China’s “distortion” of history involving its Northeast Asian neighbor, South Korea, diplomatic sources said Sunday.In the report that would serve as reference material in predicting Beijing’s role in case of a regime collapse in North Korea, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) will first introduce China’s claim that Korea’s anc
Classic Italian films come to Seoul

Dec 23, 2012

The Italian Cultural Institute has brought 21 classic and award-winning films that screened at the Venice Biennale to Seoul Art Center in “Venice in Seoul” through Jan. 16.The Italian Cultural Center in Korea, with the Korean Association of Cinematheques and the Venice Biennale Foundation, organized the event which celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Venice Film Festival. Hidden masterpieces from all over the world that have been introduced at the Venice Film Festival over the last 80 years w
New Zealand’s Embassy marks release of ‘The Hobbit’

Dec 23, 2012

The New Zealand Embassy in Korea organized a special reception and screening of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” to a packed house of Kiwi expatriates, foreign envoys, friends of New Zealand and Hobbit fans, Monday.About two hundred guests enjoyed New Zealand Rapaura Spring’s Sauvignon blanc and pinot noir imported by Tiwitrade Company and the quintessentially Kiwi green-lipped mussels.“It is a great chance to show off New Zealand and a great way to round off our 2012 Korea-New Zealand Year o
French military attache awarded Legion of Honor

Dec 23, 2012

France recognized the 30-year career of Col. Eric Jouin, defense attache at the French Embassy in Korea, by presenting him with the Legion of Honor medal at a reception at the residence of French Ambassador-Designate to Korea Jerome Pasquier, Tuesday.Jouin was awarded the insignia of “Chevalier” in the Order of the Legion of Honor by Brigadier General Franck Reignier, French Defense Ministry’s international relations regional director for East Asia, during the reception.Reignier is in Korea to a
Iranians in Korea celebrate Winter Solstice

Dec 23, 2012

Persians around the world have been celebrating Yalda, or the eve of Winter Solstice, since ancient times.It was no different for Iranian diplomats here, as well as the many Iranians who reside in Korea.Iranian Ambassador to Korea Ahmad Masoumifar, other diplomats and their families as well as other Iranian expatriates residing in Seoul celebrated Yalda at the Iranian Embassy here, Thursday.“According to ancient customs, Iranian families celebrate the Yalda night, which is the longest and darkes
Kenyan envoy marks watershed year in Korea ties

Dec 23, 2012

Africa is the next economic frontier and Korea wants in
Dispute looms over continental shelf claims by Korea, China

Dec 23, 2012

China has claimed a greater portion of its continental shelf in the East China Sea in a document it recently submitted to the United Nations, in an apparent bid to raise its stake in territorial rows with its neighbors. The U.N. Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf’s website showed on Sunday Beijing’s claim to the edge of its seabed beyond its 200 nautical mile (370 kilometer) exclusive economic zone from the baselines of its territorial waters. The report, filed on Dec. 14, said “g
U.S. to publish report on Chinese distortion of Korean history: sources

Dec 23, 2012

A United States congressional institute will soon publish a report that might give the wrong impression to the international community of China‘s distortion of history involving its Northeast Asian neighbor, South Korea, diplomatic sources said Sunday.In the report that would serve as reference material in predicting Beijing’s role in case of a regime collapse in North Korea, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) will first introduce China‘s claim that Korea’s ancient kingdoms of Koguryo (B.C
S. Korea, China overlap claims on East China Sea shelf

Dec 23, 2012

South Korea and China made overlapping claims to an extended portion of continental shelf beyond their exclusive economic zones (EEZs) in the East China Sea, with Seoul set to submit its official claim to a United Nations body this week, officials and experts said Sunday.Beijing presented its official document to the U.N. Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) on Dec. 14, claiming that its natural prolongation of the continental shelf in the sea extends to the Okinawa Trough, a
Leaders of China, Japan, Russia congratulate Park on election victory

Dec 22, 2012

The top leaders of China, Japan and Russia have congratulated South Korean President-elect Park Geun-hye on her election victory, her party said Saturday.Park, the 60-year-old daughter of the late authoritarian president, Park Chung-hee, was elected the country's first female president in Wednesday's election. The conservative candidate of the ruling Saenuri Party won just over 51 percent of the vote against main opposition Democratic United Party candidate Moon Jae-in's 48 percent.Park will suc
U.S. sanctions Iranian companies

Dec 22, 2012

The United States on Friday sanctioned four Iranian companies, including one accused of providing weapons to the Syrian regime's crackdown.The Treasury Department said SAD Import Export Company shipped weapons to the Syrian Armed Forces on behalf of Iran's Defense Industries Organization, which it accused of being used by the government to "assist" the Syrian regime's crackdown.In 21 months, the anti-regime revolt in Syria has claimed more than 44,000 lives, according to monitors.SAD Import Expo
Monti resigns as Italy heads to elections

Dec 22, 2012

Mario Monti handed in his resignation to Italy's president in Rome on Friday, bringing to a close his "difficult but fascinating" 13-month technical government and preparing the country for national elections. With the short trip to the president's office after bidding a farewell to foreign diplomats and then his Cabinet, Monti kept his pledge to step down as soon as Parliament approved a budget law. President Giorgio Napolitano, who tapped Monti in November 2011 to draft reforms to shield Italy
Obama picks Kerry as secretary of state

Dec 22, 2012

President Barack Obama nominated Sen. John Kerry as secretary of state on Friday, commencing a widely anticipated reshuffle of his national security team."In a sense, John's entire life has prepared him for this role," Obama said as he announced the decision at the Roosevelt Room of the White House with Kerry and Vice President Joe Biden standing next to him.The son of a Foreign Service officer, Kerry has a "deep respect for the men and women of the State Department," Obama said."Having served w
Korea-Japan ties hang in the balance

Dec 17, 2012

Relations between South Korea and Japan appear to be hanging in the balance as Tokyo’s revitalized conservatives are poised to roll out more nationalist foreign and territorial policies after a landslide win in Sunday’s election. With a supermajority in the Diet, the Liberal Democratic Party is expected to focus on resuscitating the long-moribund economy and building a “normal” state. Concerns are growing that Tokyo’s swing to the right could further aggravate historical and territorial friction