The Korea Herald

S. Korean embassy in China apparently hit by air gun round

Dec 14, 2011

The South Korean Embassy in Beijing was apparently hit by an air gun shot earlier this week amid growing tensions over the killing of a South Korean Coast Guard officer by a Chinese fisherman, sources said Wednesday.Chinese authorities launched an investigation soon after the incident took place on
China expresses ‘regret’

Dec 13, 2011

China’s Foreign Ministry expressed regret over the death of a South Korean coast guard officer fatally stabbed by the captain of a Chinese fishing boat when he tried to arrest him for illegal fishing in Korean waters.“The Chinese side regrets that the relevant incident caused the death of an ROK (Republic of Korea) coast guard officer, which is an unfortunate event,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told reporters in Beijing.Liu added that Chinese and South Korean officials are in close com
U.S. briefs 3 Korean firms on new sanctions against Iran

Dec 13, 2011

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul has briefed three South Korean firms involved in business with Iran on Washington‘s new set of sanctions against the Islamic state, officials said Tuesday.The U.S. is concurrently seeking support from its allies for sanctions targeting Iran’s financial, petrochemical and energy sectors. The U.S. and several other nations tightened punitive measures against the Islamic state last month following a United Nations report accusing Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons.Embassy of
Nuke summit to discuss everyday radioactivity

Dec 13, 2011

The upcoming 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit’s agenda will include how to ensure the safety and security of radioactive materials widely used in people’s daily lives, a government official said Tuesday.Korea will host the summit on March 26-27 as a continuation from the first nuclear security summit in April 2010, led by U.S. President Barack Obama, to prevent nuclear materials falling into the hands of terrorists.“Terrorism using nuclear materials such as highly enriched uranium and plutoniu
U.S. briefs Korean firms on sanctions against Iran

Dec 13, 2011

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul has briefed three South Korean firms involved in business with Iran on Washington’s new set of sanctions against the Islamic state, officials said Tuesday.The U.S. is concurrently seeking support from its allies for sanctions targeting Iran’s financial, petrochemical and energy sectors. The U.S. and several other nations tightened punitive measures against the Islamic state last month following a United Nations report accusing Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons.Embassy of
U.S. FTA may still be delayed: Kim

Dec 12, 2011

Consultations taking longer than expected; report predicts February implementationKorea’s Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan said the implementation of the free trade agreement between South Korea and the U.S. could be delayed until after Jan. 1, as further consultations with the U.S. may be needed.“Although we hope to have the Korea-U.S. FTA take effect on Jan. 1 next year, it might take a longer time for consultations on the implementation,” Kim told business leaders at a CEO forum in Seoul. “If t
Seoul to impose more sanctions on Iran soon

Dec 11, 2011

The South Korean government is expected to announce additional sanctions against Iran this week, apparently pressured by the U.S. to join its toughened stance against Tehran’s alleged nuclear weapons program, a source said.A diplomatic source said related ministries were in final consultations about sanctions likely to be drawn up this week.Potential sanctions mentioned include banning imports of Iran-made petrochemical products, worth $300 million, it said.The U.S. House of Representatives is t
Marking a much-loved monarch’s birthday

Dec 11, 2011

Celebrations of the Thai king’s birthday got a royal treat thanks to dancers in Seoul. Dec. 5 marks the birthday of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest reigning monarch who ascended to the throne in 1946. While the date known as “Wan Chalerm” is an important public holiday with celebratory fireworks and street parties in Bangkok, Thais in Korea marked the occasion with a reception featuring a traditional dance performance. Thai Ambassador to Korea Chaiyong Satjipanon spoke at the e
Green tourism steps forward in Seoul

Dec 11, 2011

Tourism chiefs from Southeast Asia and Mongolia have completed a project in Korea to boost green travel in their countries. Foreign government officials, lecturers and tour guides traveled around Korea taking in popular tourist spots such as temples and Seoraksan as well as studying the language for ten weeks until Dec. 9. Malaysian tour guide Loke Chew Koon said the experience would help her assist people traveling to her country, as 262,000 Koreans did last year. “It is very useful so that we
New home for Oman Embassy in Seoul

Dec 11, 2011

Oman’s embassy in Korea has moved to a new specially-designed building. The Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Seoul moved to the new building located in the Jongno-gu area of the city and resumed operations Monday. “Oman was keen to build an embassy using Omani architectural design in combination with Korean and modern design to appreciate art and history of both Oman and Korea,” an official at the Omani Embassy said. “We hope that the new building will be a landmark in Seoul, the world design
Award for boosting Spanish tourism

Dec 11, 2011

A Korean who has helped grow tourism from here to Spain is to be honored with a decoration this week. Chung Tae-wan helped to increase the number of Koreans visiting the European country over the last 17 years from 2,000 to 80,000 annual visitors. He is to be conferred on Tuesday with the Encomienda de la Orden de Isabel la Catolica for developing friendship and economic relations between the two countries. The Korean representative of the National Office of Tourism of Spain and Air Europa from
Vote open for Ireland’s EU logo

Dec 11, 2011

The Irish embassy is asking people to help choose a logo to represent its EU presidency. The poll has been launched by the Irish Tanaiste (deputy prime minister) and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, and Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton. Go to www.eu2013.ie to find details about the four designs and vote. The winning logo will be featured online and in print when Ireland holds the presidency during the first six months of 2013. Voting is open now unti
Diplomats learn more about Korea

Dec 11, 2011

New ambassadors and diplomatic staff in Korea have taken part in a program to introduce them to the country. The program run by the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security, which is affiliated with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, held cultural and information events for 62 people from 43 countries. Ambassadors to Korea from Belarus, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Gabon, Laos, Norway, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka attended events on Wednesday and Thursday last week. Diplomatic
Fiji to open embassy in South Korea

Dec 11, 2011

Fiji is to open a new embassy in South Korea next year, sending an ambassador from Suva to Seoul. The new embassy is expected to open in the first half of 2012 to foster trade and investment between Korea and the archipelago about 2,000 km northeast of New Zealand. It will employ about 5 staff, a Fiji government official said, adding that an ambassador may be selected in the next month. “We want to open an embassy there because Korea is right in the heart of Asia,” he added. “Korea and Fiji have
Jang transports envoys to the ‘Beautiful World’

Dec 11, 2011

He may be small in stature, but Jang Sa-ik proved he had the voice of a mountain when he entertained Seoul’s diplomatic community in an end-of-year concert Friday.The haegeum traditional fiddle and Korean percussion fused with piano and guitar as Jang took the audience on a “Voyage to the Beautiful World” at Seoul Women’s Plaza.At times he sang from the side of his mouth, at others he tilted his head back and let the emotive Korean lyrics pour freely out of him. His body bobbed up and down as if