Today’s versatile, cutting-edge devices like smartphones and tablet PCs have reshaped how people obtain information. Released in 2009 in Korea, Apple’s iPhone has allowed Korean users to enjoy multimedia content anywhere, anytime. The multimedia function was further strengthened by tablet PCs’ bigger screens and better processing power.The digitization movement is also rapidly changing the news industry. Gone are the days when people sat on the couch waiting for the 9 o’clock news or the morning

The Arts Council Korea announced Monday the appointment of Kim Seung-duk to curate the Korea Pavilion of the 2013 Venice Biennale.A nine-member group of art experts selected Kim as the commissioner for the Korean exhibition for her expertise in and knowledge of international art as well as international curatorial experience and a broad network that can effectively promote Korean art to an international audience, the council said.“I am honored to be given an opportunity to work for the Venice Bi

The 1942 recording of the Korean national  anthem performed by Korean-Americans reveals longing for the country’s independenceThe oldest existing recording of the Korean national anthem, or “Aegukga,” performed by Korean-American men and women in 1942 while Korea was under Japanese colonial rule, was revealed for the first time in Seoul on Monday. The state-run Independence Hall of Korea unveiled the record that has three songs ― old and new versions of the national anthem and “Mugungwha,” or th

NEW YORK (AP) ― Jennifer Aniston is finally ready to wed again.Her representative, Stephen Huvane, confirmed Sunday night that the actress is engaged to her boyfriend of more than a year, Justin Theroux.“Justin Theroux had an amazing birthday on Friday, receiving an extraordinary gift when his girlfriend, Jennifer Aniston, accepted his proposal of marriage,’’ said Theroux’s rep in a statement to People, which first reported the engagement.Theroux, 41, and Aniston, 43, have known each other for y

The Korea Herald has established itself as the country’s largest English newspaper over the past six decades by providing quality news and analyses to readers both at home and abroad.Ahead of the 60th anniversary of The Korea Herald and the 10th anniversary of the renaming of The Herald Business next year, the paper is to unveil a new design and content selection on Aug. 14 to better serve our readers. The revamped design will offer visually sophisticated and reader-friendly content. The most vi

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in South Korea Saturday for a four-day visit to attend an international maritime conference and the closing ceremony for the World Expo in Yeosu, Seoul officials said. Ban gave a keynote speech at a global conference on Sunday that marks the 30th anniversary of the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.Co-organized by the South Korean government and the U.N., the one-day conference in the southern coastal city of Yeosu brought together high-ranking offi

YEOSU (Yonhap News) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched Sunday a new initiative to promote the sustainable development of the oceans, urging the world to achieve “healthy oceans for prosperity.” The new Oceans Compact aims to bring all U.N.-linked organizations together in improving the coordination and effectiveness of their work on oceans. It also promotes the engagement of non-governmental organizations, businesses and academics to tackle challenges in protecting and restoring the

LOS ANGELES (AFP) ― U.S. musical icon Neil Diamond ― who penned and sang hits like “Sweet Caroline” and “Red Red Wine” ― crowned his nearly five-decade career Friday with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “This is probably the most fun,” the 71-year-old singer told reporters after the ceremony.“I didn’t have to campaign for it. They wanted me. They opened their arms and took me in, and that makes it all the better.”The star with Diamond’s name can be found on Vine Street, in front of Los Ang

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) ― U.S. R&B singer Beyonce has recorded a video clip in the hall of the U.N. General Assembly that will be used to celebrate World Humanitarian Day Aug. 19.The solemn chamber was transformed for the occasion Friday, with an improvised stage and a gigantic arching screen. Clad in a white dress with sequins, the winner of 16 Grammy Awards sang one of her hits, “I was here,” before images of floods and rescuers digging through rubble after an earthquake. The video, which the sin

(MCT)Australian researchers found children given a healthy diet up to age 24 months had a higher IQ when tested at age 8. Dr. Lisa Smithers of the University of Adelaide and colleagues studied 7,000 children compared a range of dietary patterns, including traditional and contemporary home-prepared food, ready-prepared baby foods, breastfeeding and 'discretionary' or junk foods on children from bir

Institute aims to export standardized Korean language courses, culture overseasIn 1443, King Sejong invented the Korean alphabet, called Hunminjeongeum, or the “proper phonetic system to educate the people.” The system was created for those of his subjects who could not read Chinese characters. But he could never have realized that more than 500 years later his invention would be used globally.The number of Korean languages users worldwide is estimated at more than 80 million. And the figure is

Six years ago, Kim Eung-soo, a retired Air Force colonel, wanted to do something that would make a difference. Teaching Korean language and culture to foreign laborers in Korea seemed like a worthwhile thing to do, so he took an intensive training course to become a Korean language lecturer. After graduation, however, he made an unusual choice ― opening a Korean language class in Nairobi, Kenya, not Seoul.“There was no one there to teach Korean but Kenyan people wanted someone to be there. And I

Different types of swimming pools offer entertainment, reliefAlthough the record-breaking temperatures that gripped the nation have abated somewhat and the heat wave warning was removed early Friday, the weather is still expected to remain warm. A number of pools in the city offer both cool relief as well as dining and entertainment opportunities for the Seoulites seeking a break from the dog days of summer close to home. There is an “infinity edge” pool, where swimmers cannot see the edges of