After years reeling from a lack of foreign investment and a moribund property market, Songdo is brimming with fresh vigor and a new vision as it was picked to house the secretariat of the Green Climate Fund. Long known for its seaside amusement park, the reclaimed island is the centerpiece of the Incheon Free Economic Zone, launched in 2003 with an aim of developing a leading business, logistics and tourism center in Northeast Asia.The ambition, however, was dented by doubts of its advantages ag

Paraguayan Ambassador to Korea Ceferino Valdez hosted a special guest at his residence in Seoul: 78-year-old Tranquilina Franco, who won a round-trip ticket and two-week trip to Korea.Franco won the expenses-paid vacation participating in a marathon in her South American home town, Asuncion, Paraguay, through her participation in a marathon co-sponsored by the Korean Embassy which is celebrating with Paraguay the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two natio

Many Koreans here dedicate themselves to studying English with the sole aspiration that their proficiency will some day translate into middle-class employment.But 29-year-old Jang Eun-mi wants to leverage her foreign language ability to help people oppressed in North Korea. “I really want to become a specialist in North Korean studies and will do my best in order to help people suffering from the North Korean dictatorial government,” Jang said during a media event at the residence of British Amb

Spanish Ambassador Luis Arias Romero zeroed in on the European sovereign debt crisis to talk up the financial health of the debt-ravaged Spanish economy during a reception celebrating his nation’s National Day on Oct. 12 in Seoul.Romero said Spain’s financial stability is “guaranteed” because of steps already taken to strengthen the European Union and on account of financial reforms enacted in Spain by the conservative People’s Party with its parliamentary majority.Korea, which has an export-dri

Korea to dispatch peacekeepers to South Sudan, expand development assistance to African continentKorea and African nations sent relations to new highs as they wrapped up the 3rd Korea-Africa Forum in Seoul on Thursday, highlighting the East Asian nation’s pledge to contribute fresh military personnel to peacekeeping efforts in the restive Darfur region and South Sudan.The 3rd Korea-Africa Forum is the largest yet ― the marquee event of a week of “Korea-Africa Cooperation,” which brought together

South Korea and China agreed Friday to work together to prevent the recent death of a Chinese fisherman during a Korean Coast Guard raid from damaging diplomatic ties. Chinese Ambassador Zhang Xinsen visited Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Ahn Ho-young to discuss the incident that occurred in the West Sea Tuesday.Xinsen expressed hopes for “appropriate handling and humanitarian treatment” of the death and detained fishermen, a ministry official said.“The ambassador said he wishes for reinforced co

South Korea’s entry into the U.N. Security Council will boost the country’s say in global security issues and help facilitate cooperation in addressing North Korea’s nuclear threat, officials and experts said Friday. The country was selected as a non-permanent member of the council during a vote on Thursday. It will replace India whose two-year term expires at the end of the year.Seoul beat Cambodia in the second round 149 to 43 over the slot reserved for Asia. Other newly elected members are Au