The Korea Herald

Korea to spend W319 billion on promoting hallyu

Sept 27, 2012

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will spend a total of 319 billion won ($295.3 million) in promoting hallyu, or the Korean Wave, next year, the government announced Thursday.In its briefing for the 2013 draft budget, the amount allocated for promotion of hallyu went up 61.5 billion won, or 23.9 percent, from the previous year and will be distributed among 40 business projects. “The total amount of budget for next year for the ministry stands at around 3.95 trillion won, the largest ev
Jogye Order to mark 60th anniversary of Korean War

Sept 27, 2012

Jogye Order, the nation’s largest Buddhist order, will from October hold a string of events to mark the 60th anniversary of the truce between South and North Korea following the Korean War.A total of 80 Buddhist delegates headed by Ven. Jaseung, head of the Jogye Order, and Ven. Jiwon, head of the Propagation Center of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, will visit the U.S. from Oct. 31 through Nov. 5 to host the “Culture of Millennium, Peace of Millennium” event at the New York InterContinental
Temples, folk plays and speed dating: Spending Chuseok in the city

Sept 27, 2012

Known as the Korean Thanksgiving, Chuseok signifies the coming of autumn and is a time to spend with family and loved ones. Seoul offers many events and activities during the Chuseok holiday for both locals and foreigners alike to enjoy. These range from experiencing the traditional side of Korean culture and society, to finding that special someone to spend the upcoming holiday season with. For those looking to spend the Korean holiday looking for love, “Chicken n’ Chips” bar in Gangnam is host
[Newsmaker] Korean Methodist Church bans father-to-son succession

Sept 26, 2012

Christian churches in Korea have kept an unusual, anti-democratic and unfair system for decades ― the practice of hereditary succession or “seseup,” just like the father-to-son power transition that occurs in conglomerate groups.This unnatural process has allowed some commanding pastors at the top mega-churches to turn over their leadership to their children. The proponents of the practice have claimed that the system is necessary to ensure church stability and security. However, this seseup tra
Fest to show hallyu Gangnam style

Sept 26, 2012

Seoul’s plush district to host K-pop concert, international fashion show and marathon for foreign visitors and residentsSeoul’s Gangnam district will attract foreign visitors with its annual festival that will feature a K-pop concert, fashion shows and international marathon for six days starting on Tuesday.Gangnam has recently gained worldwide fame through singer Psy’s “Gangnam Style” music video, which has gotten over 200 million views on YouTube. “The word ‘Gangnam’ has recently become part o
K-pop fever grabs scholars’ attention

Sept 26, 2012

International gathering of Korean studies experts focuses on hallyu as well as traditional aspects of Korean societyJust on the outskirts of Seoul, away from the mile-high buildings and the hustle and bustle of city life, lies the small campus of the Academy of Korean Studies, where the landscape is reminiscent of traditional Asian culture. However, this academy, located south of Seoul in Seongnam, is not just for the study of Korea’s traditional culture, but popular culture as well. Kim Young-i
Sex, drugs and village politics in Potter author‘s new novel

Sept 25, 2012

Harry Potter author JK Rowling bids goodbye to the boy wizard on Thursday when she releases her first novel for adults, a gritty tale of poverty and politics in an idyllic English village.With more than 450 million copies of the Potter books sold and fans feverishly excited about the British author’s first major work since 2007, her new black comedy, titled “The Casual Vacancy,” is already a guaranteed success.Pre-order sales have reportedly topped a million copies and British booksellers expect
Hong Kong still socially divided

Sept 24, 2012

Despite 1997 handover to China, different cultural orientation creates gap between Hong Kongers and mainlandersOne night in the autumn of 2010, a pregnant woman called the hotline of the New Home Association (NHA).She was out on the street after a violent fight with her husband. Both of them were from China who came to Hong Kong to build a family.“She called us and asked, what can she do?” Chan Yee-fei tells AsiaNews. Chan is the head of service of NHA, a non-profit organization that provides pr
A healing trip to temples in fall

Sept 24, 2012

A variety of Templestay programs are offered for Chuseok holidays and throughout the fallThe following is the third in a 10-part series on Templestays and temple food, which give the public insight into the 1,700-year-old cultural history of Korean Buddhism. ― Ed.The change of the season has started to turn leaves into red and gold, urging many to hit the road for a fall foliage trip. If you are trying to find an alternative to mountain climbing, try a two-day trip to Buddhist temples across the
KF holds Korean Culture Day in San Francisco

Sept 23, 2012

The Korea Foundation, a cultural arm of the Foreign Ministry, hosted “Korean Culture Day” at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco on Sunday in commemoration of the upcoming Chuseok holiday, or Korean Thanksgiving.This all-day event was dedicated to allowing the people of San Francisco to experience the heritage of Korean art, food, music, dance and culture. Aside from the more traditional events of Korean art lacquer demonstrations and stories of Korean myths and folktales, the museum also offe
African snails confiscated in Scotland

Sept 21, 2012

Adult giant African land snail, measuring about 12 centimeters or almost 5 inches. (UPI)Customs officers at Scotland's Glasgow Airport say they seized 36 live giant African land snails from a Nigerian man attempting to bring them into the country.The snails, about 6 inches long with shells the size of a small human fist, were discovered in the man's luggage following a flight from Amsterdam earlie
CLAPPING TO THE BEAT

Sept 20, 2012
AUTOGRAPH SESSION

Sept 20, 2012
ADVERTISING WIZ

Sept 20, 2012
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AT HERALD FORUM

Sept 20, 2012

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AT HERALD FORUM — Leading figures from Korean government and businesses attend the opening ceremony of Herald Design Forum held at COEX Auditorium in Samseong-dong, Seoul, Thursday. From left: CEO and publisher of Herald Corp. Lee Young-man, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industries chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, Culture Minister Choe Kwang-shik, Herald Corp. chairman Jungwook Hong, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, National Pension Service chairman Jun Kwang-woo, KB Financial Group chai