The number of South Korean couples who got divorced due to conflicts over money surged almost 78 percent in the past decade, a survey said Tuesday, indicating that financial problems are becoming a major factor in the rising divorce rate.   According to the survey of 4,405 divorced people conducted between 1990-2009 by one of the country's leading matchmaking firms Sunwoo, 12.7 percent of marria

SYDNEY ― Korean Culture and Information Service’s Korean culture centers promoting Korean studies, culture and arts around the world need to know exactly what kind of information and content local visitors want, Culture Minister Choung Byoung-gug said in a meeting with Korean cultural center heads in Sydney, Australia.His comments came as directors of Korean cultural centers and culture & press co

First Korean Culture Center in Oceania to openSouth Korea and Australia plan to hold cultural events in Sydney next week to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said a delegation of Korean government officials including Culture Minister Choung Byoung-guk and Australian leaders in politics, culture and media will attend the cultural performan

Economic downturn is changing the ideal types of men and women. Men and women both prefer powerful partners whom they can depend on, the Daily Mail reported, citing a survey by Electronics Arts, a game company. Megan Fox (AP)About 66 percent of modern men are attracted to high-flying females and the number goes up to 71 percent among men between 30 and 34 years old. About 35 percent of men said th

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Friday announced plans to set up an “Entertainer Supporting Center” as early as next month.The plans were unveiled at a forum involving about 20 influential figures in South Korea’s show biz industry at the SM Entertainment building in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul. The forum, hosted by the Culture Ministry, sought to solve problems clouding over the

Flower cafés emerge as new hope amid slump of flower sales and fierce competition in café industryInstead of the expected scent of coffee and waffles, the fresh fragrances of spring flowers greet visitors at the door of Blute, a flower café in Hannam-dong, central Seoul. On a Saturday afternoon, surrounded by bundles of flowers and plants, a barista made hot Americanos while a nearby florist skill

Ven. Myeongjin, former chief monk of Bongeun Temple, has left the temple permanently, claiming that he was coerced to leave by the nation’s intelligence agency chief who allegedly took issue with his anti-government comments. The Bongeun Temple is part of the Jogye order, the largest Buddhist sect in Korea, and is the largest temple in southern Seoul. Since Nov. 9, Ven. Myeongjin has been away for

LONDON (AFP) - Lawyers for US pop icon Lady Gaga have threatened legal proceedings against the makers of breast milk ice cream named "Baby Gaga", according to papers seen by AFP on Saturday.The New York singer's lawyers have given the manufacturers until 1600 GMT Wednesday to change the name "if you wish to avoid proceedings for trade mark infringement and passing off", according to a letter addressed to London restaurant The Icecreamists Limited.The cafe in the trendy Covent Garden district mus

Singapore’s government is planning to help unmarried citizens to find their match.The government is concerned about the country’s low fertility rate and the fact that the younger generation is reluctant to get married and have children. (MCT)The Straits Times reported Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s minister for community development, youth, and sports, said, “We need to help them find the right

Girls' Generation (Yonhap News)  The Korean entertainers considered to have advanced Korean art and culture in 11 categories last year gathered at the Olympic Gymnastics Stadium in southeastern Seoul to receive the 2011 Seoul Art & Culture Award on Monday.Attendees to 2011 Seoul Art & Culture Award ceremony pose for a photo at Olympic Park in southern Seoul, Monday. (Yonhap News)Rain picked up the

Life expectancy in Seocho district, the most affluent in southern Seoul, was 83.1. South Koreans living in the more affluent central southern part of Seoul tend to live longer than those in the north, a study said Thursday, a reflection of widening disparities in the quality of life among the residents of the 10-million-strong capital.According to the study conducted by Cho Young-tae, a public hea