The Korea Herald

Seoul Global Center offers Korean classes

Expat LivingJan 14, 2014

The Seoul Global Center will restart its Korean courses in February.Courses are available in 10 levels, from beginner to advanced classes designed to prepare students for the Test of Proficiency in Korean. Classes are 90 minutes long and will be held twice a week on weekdays in the morning or evening, depending on the level. They will run from Feb. 3 until April 25 at the Seoul Global Center Building near Jonggak Station.Foreign residents of Seoul can apply in person at the SGC Building this Wed
House of Sharing invites expats for tour

Expat LivingJan 14, 2014

The House of Sharing International Outreach Team invites visitors to the House of Sharing on Saturday. The tour is an opportunity to learn more about the history and stories of the former “comfort women,” who were forced into sexual slavery during World War II by the Japanese military.The number of women involved is still unknown, but it is believed to be about 200,000, most of whom were Korean or Chinese.Today, seven surviving women live at the House of Sharing, located just southeast of Seoul.
SIWA offers courses for expat women

Expat LivingJan 14, 2014

The Seoul International Women’s Association is providing more than 40 different courses for its members.The courses, which are run by the association’s members, range from language exchanges in Korean and Italian to classes on cooking international cuisine, such as German and Pakistani food. Art classes are also available.SIWA is a club of expatriate and local women that has supported cultural exchanges for more than 50 years.Those who wish to participate in a course should sign up at a special
Korean wrapping cloths showcased in Japan

CultureJan 14, 2014

A collection of traditional Korean wrapping cloths, called bojagi in Korean, is being showcased in Japan, where the garments are often used in everyday life.About 40 Korean bojagi on loan from the Museum of Korean Embroidery, along with 25 traditional pocket bags, are on view in a special exhibition at Koryo Museum of Art in Kyoto until March 30.It is the third time for the Korean museum to be invited to present its collection in Japan, reflecting a growing interest in Korean bojagi. “In Japan,
Former child genius to become full-time university professor

PeopleJan 14, 2014

Kim Ung-yong, a former South Korean prodigy once heralded as the smartest soul on Earth, is about to fulfill his overdue dream of becoming a professor. Chungbuk Development Corporation announced Monday that 51-year-old Kim was leaving its staff to serve as a professor at Shinhan University in Gyeonggi Province. Kim taught students as a part-time lecturer at prestigious universities including Yonsei, Sunkyunkwan and KAIST, but he said it had always been his goal to become a full-time professor.“I
[Photo News] Laura Jewell shares wine know-how

PeopleJan 14, 2014
The top six vitamins you should avoid

HealthJan 14, 2014

(123RF)Forbes has released a list of the top six vitamins that can harm your health. Several studies have found that there may be no benefits to taking supplemental vitamins. Here is Forbes’ selection of the top six vitamins you should avoid taking (unless recommended by your doctor).1. Vitamin CVitamin C does not prevent or cure colds. Megadoses of 2000 mg or more can increase the risk of kidney stones.2. Vitamin AIn a large study supported by the National Cancer Institute, smokers who took vit
China designates Korea’s Yut Nori as its cultural heritage

CultureJan 14, 2014

A Chinese province added Yut Nori, a Korean traditional board game, to its list of regional intangible assets, local media outlet MBN reported. Yut Nori, along with the six-holed bamboo flute Tungso and sword dance, was included on a list of intangible cultural assets posted on the official website of Heilung-chiang province, where ethnic Koreans living in China are concentrated.The popular Korean game was recognized as provincial cultural heritage, not at the national level. However, speculatio
New cardinal vows to serve poor, isolated

PeopleJan 13, 2014

Cardinal appointee Andrew Yeom Soo-jung said Monday that he would serve the poor and isolated and work toward peace and harmony in an increasingly polarized society. “With my mind quivering with fear (of the immense honor given to me), I humbly obey the pope’s (words),” Yeom told the crowd that gathered in front of the Seoul Archdiocese building in Myeong-dong, central Seoul, on Monday to congratulate him on the appointment. “I am a man of many shortcomings, but I will do my utmost to fulfill th
[Newsmaker] Yeom to become Korea’s third cardinal

PeopleJan 13, 2014

Seoul Archbishop Yeom Soo-jung will be the third Korean to become a cardinal ― the second-most senior position in the Roman Catholic Church after the pope. Yet, he will be the only representative of Korea in the case of a conclave, a convention of cardinals younger than 80 for electing a new pope.Korea’s first cardinal, Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, died in 2009, and its second Cardinal Nicolas Cheong Jin-suk is over 80, the canonical retirement age. “We believe that (Yeom’s appointment) is a blessing f
[Photo News] First chief justice

PeopleJan 13, 2014
Exhibition shows men’s bags’ evolution from practical carryalls to style items

Arts&DesignJan 12, 2014

Men’s bags have become more than a practical means of carrying belongings. They are now much more like accessories, fashion statements or reflections of a man’s identity. In step with changing perceptions about the nature of men’s bags, the Simone Handbag Museum on the trendy Garosu-gil in Seoul recently opened a small exhibition to examine the relationships between men and bags. “Bags have become a style accessory, no longer a practical carrier. I think bags are one of the fashion items with wh
Cologne Phil to present rarely performed ‘Alpine Symphony’

CultureJan 12, 2014

Richard Strauss’ “Alpine Symphony” is rarely performed because of the demands it makes on an orchestra ― for starters, it requires 125 players. So far, no foreign orchestra has played the grandiose 50-minute piece here. That is why so many Korean music fans are thrilled about the upcoming concert by the Cologne Philharmonic Orchestra.The Germany-based orchestra will hold its first concert in Korea on Feb. 15 at Seoul Arts Center, with the program consisting of the “Alpine Symphony” and Mozart’s
Somerset Palace Seoul to celebrate Orthodox New Year with cultural event

PeopleJan 12, 2014

The Somerset Palace Seoul is hosting a special “Orthodox Christians New Year’s Event” for those looking to spend the New Year in Slavic tradition. Orthodox Christians traditionally celebrated the New Year holiday following the Julian Calendar ― which corresponds to Jan. 14 of the Gregorian calendar this year ― participating in festive ceremonies and wishing each other good health and prosperity throughout the year. This tradition continues to be celebrated in many Eastern European nations includ
Calendar

CultureJan 10, 2014

Exhibitions“Re-Atta, Part 1: On-Air Project”: Photographer Atta Kim, whose innovative, striking photographs have received much attention in the global art community, returns with a solo exhibition in Seoul. Kim presents new images to wrap up the “On-Air” project that won him worldwide attention, as well as his previous works such as city images taken with long exposure and introduce another ambitious, philosophical project that overlaps 10,000 snapshots of a city into one. The extensive survey o