The Korea Herald

Late novelist Park Wan-suh receives medal

BooksJan 24, 2011

President Lee Myung-bak awarded a posthumous medal Monday to Park Wan-suh, a famous South Korean novelist, in recognition of her contribution to the country's literature, Lee's office Cheong Wa Dae said. Park died of gallbladder cancer Saturday at the age of 80. She is known for a number of novels and essays featuring post-Korean War realities, life of women here and the dark side behind the rap
Seoul's cultural programs for foreigners reduced by budget cut

Expat LivingJan 24, 2011

Foreigners wanting to participate in Seoul's cultural experience programs will face more competition this year after the city's council slashed the programs' budget, officials said Monday. The programs will be available for 1,740 foreigners through 30 events this year, down from a total of 2,591 slots for 37 events last year, according to the officials at the Seoul Metropolitan Government. This
Booyoung head donates pianos to Indonesia

PeopleJan 23, 2011

The Booyoung Group, a Korean housing developer, has donated 10,000 digital pianos and 30,000 blackboards to schools in Indonesia. The donation ceremony took place at the Indonesian education ministry in Jakarta. Lee Joong-keun, the founder and chairman of the group, National Education Minister of Indonesia Muhammad Nuh, South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Kim Ho-young and about 400 teachers and s
Denmark working on green energy synergies

PeopleJan 23, 2011

Denmark, the first country to work on an aggressive plan to rid itself of dependence on fossil fuels, is looking towards Korea as one of the countries to bring its dream to fruition.“We like to say that Denmark is a first mover; Korea looks like a fast mover and sometimes if you put a first and fast mover there some interesting things that come out of that synergy,” said the chairperson of the Dan
English book on beauty of Silla Gold Crowns

BooksJan 23, 2011

Among the many kingdoms of Korea, Silla (57 BC ― 935 AD), along with its neighbor Gaya, was the one that artfully used gold for its royal crafts. Its gold crowns, in particular, are known as some of the most spectacular national treasures uncovered in Korea.Korea Foundation’s newly released English book, “Gold Crowns of Silla: Treasures from a Brilliant Age,” features five Silla gold crowns disco
Female novelist Park Wan-suh dies at 80

BooksJan 23, 2011

Park Wan-suh, a well-known South Korean novelist and essayist who delved into post-Korean War realities of everyday people, died of gallbladder cancer on Saturday. She was 80. Park had been suffering the disease in recent years and died earlier in the morning, leaving behind four daughters, according to her acquaintances. The memorial photo of late writer Park Wan-suh is placed at a funeral room o
On mission to build rehab hospitals

PeopleJan 23, 2011

After wife suffers accident, former journalist propels campaign for disabledPaik Kyung-hak was in his car, and had just opened the trunk so that his wife could find something for their daughter.A moment later, an intoxicated driver in a Mercedes struck the back of their car, where his wife was standing. Paik was thrown from the car in the impact, inexplicably landing underneath the vehicle.In shoc
Beloved novelist Park Wan-suh dies at 80

BooksJan 23, 2011

Park Wan-suh (Yonhap News)Park Wan-suh, a well-known South Korean novelist and essayist who delved into post-Korean War realities of everyday people, died of gallbladder cancer on Saturday. She was 80.Park has been suffering the disease in recent years and died earlier in the morning, leaving behind four daughters, according to her acquaintances.Born in what is now a North Korean village bordering
Skiing in Andorra: Tiny place, tall mountains

TravelJan 21, 2011

EL TARTER, Andorra (AP) ― It is less than 32 kilometers from border to border. It has two heads of state, a bishop from Spain and the president of France, but its official language is Catalan. Its mountains rise higher than 2,745 meters, and they accommodate some 20 kilometers of ski slopes.This is Andorra, a tiny landlocked principality that is almost all vertical, tucked in the eastern Pyrenees
New Madrid hotel is absolute garbage

TravelJan 21, 2011

MADRID (AFP) ― A new hotel has opened in the heart of Madrid proudly declaring that it is complete rubbish.More of a wooden shack than a five-star establishment, the walls of the Beach Garbage Hotel are strewn with detritus dragged up by the tide, recovered from landfills or snapped up at flea markets.Among the wall decorations: plastic drums, wooden frames, musical instruments, striped socks, tir
Jeju’s Yongcheon Cave full of peculiarities

TravelJan 21, 2011

A maintenance worker planted an electricity pole in Woljeong-ri, Jeju Island in 2005. The next day, the pole was gone. Upon close inspection, he discovered that the pole had sunk into a deep hole with seemingly no bottom.That is how Yongcheon Cave was accidently revealed to the world, after lava from the volcanic eruption on Jeju Island made a series of lava caves, called “Geomun Oreum Lava Tube S
New books

BooksJan 21, 2011

Illustrious Iraqi familyLate for Tea at the Deer Palace: The Lost Dreams of My Iraqi FamilyBy Tamara Chalabi(Harper, $27.99)In this sweeping, enchanting memoir, Tamara Chalabi pieces together her illustrious family’s history and exile from Iraq in an attempt to uncover her own, fractured identity.The author’s father, Ahmad Chalabi, is the character readers may be most curious to learn about; a key
Korea steady seller

BooksJan 21, 2011

In exile and wanderingDeep Blue NightBy Choe In-hoTranslated by Bruce and Ju-chan Fulton(Jimoondang, 5,000 won)Disillusioned by every aspect of his life, the protagonist, once a renowned writer, leaves Korea for Los Angeles. There, he runs into Jun-ho, a popular singer who escaped from Korea after being accused of smoking marijuana. The protagonist thinks Jun-ho is pathetic for not being able to s
For prolific writer Mosley, work demands discipline

BooksJan 21, 2011

He’s written more than 30 books, including the popular Easy Rawlins mysteries, science fiction, literary fiction and a novel for young adults. He’s been translated into 21 languages and won a host of honors, among them PEN America’s lifetime achievement award. He’s the author of essays, political monographs and several plays, one of which, “The Fall of Heaven,” is wowing audiences at the Repertory
Actor writes about, paints with wine

BooksJan 21, 2011

For many, wine is nothing more than just a drink. But for actor Kam Wu-seong, it is the only alcoholic beverage he is allowed to drink, the main source of his literary inspiration, and special paint he uses for his art. Kam’s unique travelogue about Bordeaux, a historical French city famous for its wine and vineyards, has been published this month.The book, “Kam Wu-seong’s Little Note on Wine,” co