The Korea Herald

Civic group VANK revs up promotion of Dokdo via SNS

Oct 1, 2012

A South Korean civic group said Monday it will launch a campaign to promote South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo via social networking services against Japan's renewed territorial claim.Tension remains high between Seoul and Tokyo over the rocky outcroppings in the East Sea following the unprecedented visit there by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in August.Lee has cited Tokyo's unrepent
Global warming freezes world economy: report

Sept 27, 2012

NEW YORK (AFP) ― Climate change caused by global warming is freezing the world economy and already leading to the deaths of millions every year, a report commissioned by 20 of the world’s most vulnerable countries said Wednesday.“Climate Vulnerability Monitor: a guide to the cold calculus of a hot planet” says global warming will not only lead to environmental catastrophe, but is choking the international economy.Key findings include estimates that carbon-intensive economies and associated clima
UNSC seat, history row with Japan top agenda for Seoul in U.N. session

Sept 17, 2012

Heading into this year's U.N. General Assembly meeting, South Korea has two major goals _ winning a seat in the Security Council and making the case for its firm stance in history disputes with Japan.The 67th session of the 193-member U.N. General Assembly will open on Tuesday in New York for discussions on a range of international issues, including renewed anti-American protests in the Islamic wo
A fraudster accused of a more serious deception

Sept 16, 2012

After a film denigrating the prophet Muhammad served as a lightning rod for already strained tensions in the Middle East, it took a while before the media spotlight ultimately focused on an Egyptian-American with a Coptic background.Protests erupted across the Middle East decrying the film “Innocence of Muslims,” after a trailer was released and then dubbed in Arabic. By Sunday, protests had spread as far as Australia.Federal law enforcement authorities in the United States have told the Associa
[Newsmaker] Security dominates agenda of new Libyan premier

Sept 13, 2012

After Libya’s 200-member General National Congress elected him prime minister Wednesday, the domestic security situation must be foremost on the mind of Mustafa Abu-Shakour.One of his last acts as Deputy Prime Minister was to condemn the killing of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens during an attack on the United States’ consulate in Benghazi just hours before he was elected. The attack brought more international attention to a situation Abu-Shakour had sought to downplay a month before. In a Reuters
Political outsider tasked with rebuilding Somalia

Sept 11, 2012

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Tuesday became the first leader to be chosen from inside Somalia since President Said Barre was overthrown by warlords in 1991.Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, president of the outgoing U.N.-backed interim administration, accepted defeat and called the election free and fair. But adding democratic to that description is still a mighty task.The country’s security situation dominated the campaign, and it was this that meant Mohamud was chosen by parliamentarians elected not by the peo
Japan finance services minister dead: reports

Sept 10, 2012

Japan's financial services minister was found dead at his home on Monday in what police believe was a possible suicide, media said.Tadahiro Matsushita, 73, who was also the state minister in charge of postal reform for Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, was found collapsed at his house in Tokyo and confirmed dead at hospital shortly afterwards, public broadcaster NHK said.Kyodo News and Jiji Press, ci
S. Korea, Greenland agree to cooperate in green growth, resources development

Sept 10, 2012

President Lee Myung-bak said Sunday South Korea wants to help Greenland pursue economic development in an environment-friendly way, expressing sadness and concern after seeing Arctic glaciers that are melting due to global warming.Lee arrived in Greenland earlier in the day to take a first-hand look at problems resulting from climate change and to hold talks with Premier Kuupik Kleist of the Danis
Sudan withdraws candidacy for UN rights council

Sept 1, 2012

UNITED NATIONS (AP) _ Sudan has withdrawn its candidacy for a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council following strong criticism from human rights and pro-democracy groups.Sudan's U.N. Mission said in a letter obtained Friday by The Associated Press that ``it is no longer interested in taking up one of the vacancies available in the Human Rights Council.''Sudan's president, Omar al-Bashir, is accuse
[Newsmaker] Romney’s running mate comes out fighting

Aug 30, 2012

Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan accepted the Republican Party’s nomination for vice president Wednesday with a speech that showed he was not afraid to take on Obama.While pushing his outline for smaller government, he took several swipes at the U.S. president.“Ladies and gentlemen, these past four years we have suffered no shortage of words in the White House,” he said. “What’s missing is leadership in the White House.” Ryan even took on the left over health care, traditionally a weak suit for the Repu
Korea sends diplomatic document to refute Japan's proposal over Dokdo

Aug 30, 2012

South Korea sent a diplomatic document to Japan on Thursday, dismissing Tokyo's latest proposal to take the sovereignty issue of South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).Last week, Tokyo handed over to Seoul a "note verbale," a diplomatic document that is unsigned but more formal than a verbal request, suggesting that both sides jointly refer the Dokdo
Korea blasts Japan over remarks denying responsibility for sex slave issue

Aug 29, 2012

South Korea lambasted Japan on Wednesday for trying to dodge responsibility for its mobilization of Korean women as sex slaves during World War II, saying the country would have "no future" if it "turns a blind eye to history."Earlier this week, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and other senior officials made remarks that there is no documentary evidence showing Japan forced Korean women int
Korean lawmakers adopt resolution calling on Japan not to use rising sun flag

Aug 29, 2012

Lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties adopted a resolution on Wednesday calling for the prohibition of the flag Japan used during World War II from football matches with South Korea.Rep. An Min-suk of the main opposition Democratic United Party said in a news conference that 68 lawmakers signed off on the resolution that calls on the South Korean government to petition the International
Korea expresses dismay at Japan's denial of wartime sex slavery

Aug 28, 2012

The South Korean government on Monday criticized a high-profile Japanese official's denial of the country's forced wartime sexual enslavement of Korean women, calling on Tokyo to take "sincere measures" for the victims.According to historians, up to 200,000 women, mostly Koreans, were coerced into sexual servitude at front-line Japanese military brothels during World War II as the Korean Peninsula
U.S. calls on Japan, S. Korea to resolve row

Aug 24, 2012

The United States on Thursday called on South Korea and Japan to resolve differences through dialogue as tensions took a farcical turn, with a new row between the two nations over correspondence."Both of these countries are strong, important, valued allies of the United States. It's obviously not comfortable for us when they have a dispute between them," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nulan