The Korea Herald

South Africa inspires troubled world with Mandela’s words

Jul 18, 2016

Monday is Nelson Mandela International Day, which commemorates the late South African president’s sacrifices during the antiapartheid struggle and his contributions to universal human rights.The United Nations General Assembly in 2009 chose Mandela’s birthday on July 18 to honor his life and message, calling on people worldwide to devote 67 minutes of their lives to serving others -- through works such as feeding, schooling and sheltering the needy -- in recognition of the late leader’s charity
Turkish officials say coup attempt appears to have failed

Jul 16, 2016

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Turkish officials said Saturday morning the government had appeared to have repelled an attempted military coup following a night of explosions, air battles and gunfire across the capital that left at least 17 dead, according to state-run media.Turkish people attempt to stop a tank moving into position in Ankara, Turkey, late Friday, July 15, 2016. Members of Turkey's armed forces said they had taken control of the country, but Turkish officials said the coup attempt had b
Korea to keep watchful eye on Turkey coup attempt

Jul 16, 2016

South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Saturday it will keep a watchful eye on the latest coup attempt in Turkey overnight, adding it has also started the operation of emergency hotlines among South Korean organizations in the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said its Turkey-based embassy will keep in close contact with South Korean companies and organizations in an effort to ensure the safety of its overseas residents. The Turkish military said Friday (local time) that it has taken full co
Park condemns truck attack in southern France

Jul 15, 2016

President Park Geun-hye on Friday condemned what appears to be a terrorist attack in southern France, saying that acts of terrorism cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.Speaking at the Asia-Europe Meeting summit, the president expressed her condolences to the victims and their grieving families, calling the attack a "heinous" act."We need to watch the investigation result, but under any circumstances, acts of terrorism cannot be tolerated," she said.On Thursday night, at least 77 people w
Park holds summits with leaders of EU, Laos, Vietnam

Jul 15, 2016

President Park Geun-hye on Friday held bilateral talks with the leaders of the European Union, Laos and Vietnam as part of her diplomatic push to strengthen international cooperation to deal with North Korea's nuclear ambitions and expand economic ties.The talks were held on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting, which began its two-day run in Ulaanbaatar on Friday. The ASEM summit brought together the leaders of some 50 countries from Asia and Europe, including Japan, China and Russia.Park's
PM to visit Seongju to alleviate concerns over THAAD deployment

Jul 15, 2016

Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn visited the town of Seongju, which was tapped as the site for the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system, on Friday, in the face of strong opposition from the residents who questioned the safety and legitimacy of the government's decision.The trip is seen as a move to alleviate concerns that residents may have about the health issues related to the missile system's powerful radar and questions raised about the fairness of the government's decision-maki
Park arrives in Mongolia for summit diplomacy

Jul 14, 2016

President Park Geun-hye arrived in Mongolia on Thursday, setting in motion her summit diplomacy aimed at firming up international cooperation to deal with North Korea‘s nuclear ambitions and a rising wave of trade protectionism.　During her five-day visit to the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, Park will attend the two-day Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), which begins Friday, and hold bilateral talks with her Mongolian counterpart Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj.　“This visit (to Mongolia) focuses on strengthen
Germany rejects N. Korea's new ambassador nominee to Berlin: report

Jul 14, 2016

Germany has rejected North Korea's top envoy nominee to Berlin, a U.S.-based media outlet report said Thursday.Radio Free Asia said the German government recently rejected the North Korean government's request for Berlin's approval for its new ambassador nominee who was set to replace incumbent Ambassador Ri Si-hong. The exact reason behind the German government's decision is still unclear, although observers have speculated it may be due to concerted moves by countries around the world to keep
V4 Cultural specialists gather in Korea

Jul 12, 2016

Young cultural professionals from the four member countries of the Visegrad Group, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, visited Seoul on Sunday as part of the 2016 Korea-V4 Young Professional Cultural Exchange Camp. The week-long event, which is hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and run by Herald Corp., will take place in Seoul and Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. While in Korea they will experience the local culture and forge new friendships with Korean cultural special
Japanese prosecutors seek 5-year sentence for S. Korean over Yasukuni bombing

Jul 12, 2016

Japanese prosecutors demanded a five-year jail term for a South Korean man who is suspected of detonating a bomb in a public restroom at a controversial Tokyo war shrine last year, defining his actions as an act of terrorism.The 28-year-old suspect, identified only by his surname Chon, has been indicted on charges of breaking into the premises of the Yasukuni Shrine on Nov. 23 and setting up the bomb in the public restroom. No one was hurt by the bombing.He was arrested in December shortly after
Presidential office says it is carefully watching THAAD fallout

Jul 12, 2016

The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday that it is "closely watching" for negative economic fallout from the recent decision by Seoul and Washington to deploy an antimissile system here.The statement comes amid growing fears that China, which strongly opposes the stationing of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system in South Korea, could take some retaliatory steps, including some form of economic sanctions."With regard to (China's possible) economic sanctions, we are closely w
Political parties divided over diplomatic impact of THAAD deployment

Jul 11, 2016

South Korea's ruling and opposition parties remained divided over the latest decision to deploy an advanced U.S. missile defense system in the country, with smaller parties expressing concerns over diplomatic fallouts with China and Russia, political pundits said Monday.Last week, Seoul and Washington agreed to station the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in South Korea to better counter Pyongyang's ever-growing missile threats. Moscow and Beijing have been opposing the move, claiming
Uzbekistan hosts Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Jul 10, 2016

The Uzbek Embassy organized a seminar last week to publicize the country’s hosting of the 15th summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which was held in Tashkent in late June.The event, which saw the participation of various heads of state of Central Asian countries, is a regional platform for addressing political, security, economic and cultural issues in Eurasia. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Tajik President Emomali
EU, Korea launch emissions trading scheme

Jul 10, 2016

The European Union delegation to Korea and Korea’s Ministry of Strategy and Finance launched a project last week to tackle greenhouse gas emissions as part of bilateral cooperation to curb climate change. The emissions trading scheme cooperation project -- worth over 3.5 million euros ($3.87 million) -- will run until January 2019. The EU will offer technical assistance and expertise to Korea through consultations, workshops and study visits to the EU. Through the three-year initiative, both sid
South Africa touts wonders for tourism boost

Jul 10, 2016

Despite offering far-flung thrills for tourists, South Africa has been a relatively unexplored destination over the years. The country on the southernmost tip of Africa exhibits a myriad of wonders ranging from natural adventure to cultural heritage. Across its beaches, vineyards, plazas and savannas, one can find “city lights and star-studded nights, exquisite cuisines and world-renowned wines,” and hear “the roar of lions and whisper of grasslands,” according to the country’s tourism board. To