MOSCOW (AFP) ― A hugely controversial Russian law banning curse words in films, theater, the media and arts came into force on Tuesday, part of a Kremlin-backed drive to play up traditional values and root out swearing.The legislation, which was signed off by President Vladimir Putin in May, imposes hefty fines on offenders ― up to 2,500 rubles ($72) for individuals and up to 50,000 rubles for businesses. Movies featuring obscenities will not be issued a distribution license, while traders will

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is accepting nominations for honorary citizenship until July 31. To be considered for honorary citizenship, current foreign residents must have lived in Seoul for three consecutive years and past foreign residents must have lived in Seoul for five cumulative years. Nominees need to have made a positive impact on the Seoul community, such as by bringing economic development, improving foreign relations or promoting cultural awareness. Special guests or other indi

North Korea and rock ’n’ roll are an unlikely combination, but an upcoming charity concert aims to provide a night of good music to support an even better cause.On Saturday July 19, the nonprofit People for Successful Corean Reunification (PSCORE) will host its eighth “Rock Out” concert at Club Freebird 2 in Seoul’s Hongdae district. Rock fans will be entertained with five hours of live music from some of the best rock bands in South Korea, with all proceeds going towards PSCORE’s North Korean D

Yeouido and Gangnam Global Business Centers have announced free one-on-one business consulting sessions for July.The first, to be held Thursday at Gangnam International Business Center, will cover incorporation procedures. There will be a second session in Gangnam on July 17 that will look at intellectual property rights such as patents and trademarks.The sessions in Yeouido will be on July 8 on labor issues, including ordinary wages, employment insurance and labor disputes, and on July 22 on in

Gwangju International Center is to run a tour down to Sinan County, South Jeolla Province, on July 26th for a day of salt-making and fun on the beach. In the first part of the trip, participants will visit Jeungdo Island, known for its long history as Korea’s largest sea salt producer.Sea salt has played a key role in the economic development of the region and continues to be an important ingredient in Korean food.The tour will make a stop at the Salt Museum, where visitors will not only learn a

Pope Francis is planning to meet with former Korean comfort women on Aug. 18, the last day of his visit to Korea, at a Mass for Peace and Reconciliation at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul.“Three of our former comfort women, referred to respectfully as ‘halmoni,’ along with a nurse and a social worker from House of Sharing, received an invitation,” said Ahn Shin-kwon, the director of House of Sharing. Located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, House of Sharing is a museum and residence for former Korea

NEW YORK (AP) ― Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz is collaborating on a book about veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.“For Love of Country: What Our Veterans Can Teach Us about Citizenship, Heroism and Sacrifice” will be released by Alfred A. Knopf on Nov. 4. The book will be cowritten by Washington Post correspondent and editor Rajiv Chandrasekaran. “Given that less than 1 percent of our country has served in the military conflicts of the last decade, this is a time in America when it