The Korea Herald

Number of surviving Korean sex slavery victims falls to 40

Jul 10, 2016

Another Korean woman who was forced into sexual servitude by Japan's World War II soldiers died Sunday, a local advocacy group for former "comfort women" said, reducing the number of surviving Korean victims of sexual slavery to 40.Yoo Hee-nam died at the National Medical Center in Seoul due to lung cancer, the House of Sharing said. The organization that runs the shelter for former sex slaves, euphemistically called comfort women, on the outskirts of Seoul, added Yoo's death lowered the number
Former Mongolian president urges N. Korea to give up nukes for economic development

Jul 10, 2016

Former Mongolian President Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat has said North Korea's simultaneous pursuit of nuclear weapons and economic development is an "impossible" task, adding that Pyongyang should first give up its nuclear program to seek economic growth.Ochirbat, who served as Mongolia's first directly elected president from 1990 to 1997, said economic cooperation with North Korea will be impossible, unless the reclusive state gives up its nuclear program."North Korea needs to focus on enhancing its
Korea to offer US$135 mln to Afghanistan in coming years

Jul 10, 2016

Korea said Saturday that it has pledged to provide US$135 million to Afghanistan in the coming years to help the war-torn country build up the capacity of its security forces.Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam made the announcement at the Warsaw summit on a NATO-led mission about Afghan security forces, the Foreign Ministry said.The ministry said Korea will contribute $45 million to Afghanistan per year from 2018 to 2020. The annual assistance accounts for 0.9 percent of its total a
(News Focus) THAAD decision unlikely to do lasting harm to Korea-China ties: U.S. expert

Jul 10, 2016

Despite China's vehement protests against the planned deployment of the U.S. THAAD missile defense system in South Korea, the decision is not expected to do lasting harm to Seoul's relations with Beijing, a U.S. expert said Friday.South Korea and the U.S. announced earlier that they have officially decided to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery to South Korea to cope with ever-growing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea. China, which has long voiced opposition to THAAD
House Foreign Affairs chairman welcomes THAAD deployment in S. Korea

Jul 10, 2016

The chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee welcomed the decision to deploy the U.S.THAAD missile defense system in South Korea, saying it will provide good protection from the North's nuclear and missile programs.South Korea and the U.S. announced earlier Friday that they have officially decided to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery in South Korea to cope with ever-growing nuclear and missile threats from the communist nation. "The North Korean regime's continued
Incoming deputy chief of USFK's 8th Army to take charge of base relocation

Jul 7, 2016

A new deputy commander of the Eighth Army of the United States Forces Korea took command Thursday to spearhead efforts to relocate the American troops stationed in the country.In a change of command ceremony held in the USFK headquarters in Yongsan, central Seoul, Brig. Gen. Tammy Smith took over from Maj. Gen. David Puster as the Eighth Army's deputy commanding general for sustainment."Instead of assuming the normal duties of her predecessor in Seoul, Smith will immediately begin work at Camp H
Korea, France to discuss nuclear energy cooperation

Jul 7, 2016

Korea said Thursday it will hold working-level talks with France this week on promoting a partnership in the nuclear energy field.The two-day bilateral "joint coordinating committee" meeting is due to open in Seoul later in the day, according to the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning.It would mark the 22th biennial session since the two sides launched the committee on nuclear energy cooperation in 1982.The two sides will focus on three main fields: R&D, nuclear safety and industry, a m
S. Korea welcomes U.S. sanctions on N. Korean human rights violators

Jul 7, 2016

Korea on Thursday "welcomed" the United States' move to impose sanctions on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and other high ranking officials for human rights violations, expressing hopes that the move will help the world better recognize the deplorable way the reclusive country treats its people. On Wednesday (local time), the U.S. Treasury Department blacklisted 23 officials and entities, including Kim, for their roles in the North's human rights abuses. Their assets in the U.S. will be frozen
No. 2 diplomats from U.S., S. Korea, Japan to hold talks next week

Jul 7, 2016

The No. 2 diplomats from the United States, South Korea and Japan will hold trilateral talks in Hawaii next week, the State Department announced Wednesday.The July 14 meeting will involve U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken, South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama, the department said in a statement."The meeting will be the fourth round of deputy-level trilateral consultations and will continue our close coordination wi
French charcuterie to satiate connoisseurs

Jul 6, 2016

For those craving unfranchised gastronomy, France’s “charcuterie” is bringing in homegrown cookery for a pleasant surprise. The French Embassy hosted a series of events last week to promote the culinary art and science of charcuterie: preserved meat products like bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, ballotines, pates, and confit, primarily from pork.Six companies -- assisted by the French Federation of Charcuterie Producers, France Gourmet and France AgriMer -- visited Korea to introduce t
New deputy USFK chief to take command this week

Jul 6, 2016

A new deputy chief of United States Forces Korea will take command in a change of command ceremony this week, the U.S. military said Wednesday. Air Force Maj. Gen. Thomas Bergeson will replace Lt. Gen.Terrence O'Shaughnessy as the deputy commander of the United Nations Command and the USFK in the ceremony to be held at a U.S. air base in Osan, south of Seoul, the USFK's Seventh Air Force said in a statement.With the new position, Bergeson will also serve as the chief commander of the Seventh Air
Korea, U.S. conduct joint marine attack exercise

Jul 6, 2016

South Korea and the United States are conducting a joint marine infiltration and attack exercise, testing the interoperability of the two countries' forces for a potential operation against North Korea, Seoul's military said Wednesday.The joint exercise kicked off on June 27 in the southwest coastal city of Pohang for an 18-day run, mobilizing 800 South Korean marine troops and 500 U.S. marine forces based in Okinawa, Japan, the Marine Corps said in a statement.YonhapSouth Korea deployed about 1
S. Korea, Russia to hold high-level talks on N. Korea, Far East

Jul 6, 2016

South Korea and Russia will hold a series of high-level talks this week to expand cooperation over North Korea's nuclear program and the development of Russia's Far East region, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday.The meetings will take place in Moscow on Thursday and Friday, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Hyoung-zhin representing the South Korean side. Russia will be represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov during the policy talks on Friday and by First Deputy Far East Develop
U.S. approves Korea's request to buy SM-2 Block IIIB missiles

Jul 6, 2016

The U.S. government has approved a proposed sale to Korea of SM-2 Block IIIB Standard missiles, containers and support, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Tuesday.The agency said in a statement that the South asked for a possible sale of 17 SM-2 Block IIIB Standard missiles and 17 SM-2 missile containers, and that the State Department approved the proposed sale.The estimated cost is $65 million, the agency said, adding that it has notified Congress of the possible sale."The Republic of
Pentagon: No final decision on THAAD

Jul 6, 2016

No final decision has been made as to the potential deployment of the U.S. THAAD missile defense system in South Korea, the Defense Department said Tuesday, amid growing speculation that a decision is imminent.Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook made the remark in response to a question about a newspaper report that the U.S. and the South have reached a decision to place a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery in the South's southeastern town of Chilgok."I can't confirm any report of that