The Korea Herald

[Editorial] Prosecution-police clash

EditorialOct 16, 2011

The prosecution and the police are again locking horns over police officers’ right to open criminal investigations. In June, the two law enforcement agencies fought bitterly over the issue, which prompted the resignation of the then prosecutor general, Kim Joon-gyu. The dispute was papered over with
[David Ignatius] Raging against the financial elites

ViewpointsOct 16, 2011

WASHINGTON ― What’s intriguing about the eruption of Occupy Wall Street is that it’s so similar to other populist movements that are demanding change in nearly every major region of the world. You can’t help but wonder if we aren’t seeing, as a delayed reaction to the financial crisis of 2008, a kin
Do men have problem with Elizabeth Warren?

ViewpointsOct 16, 2011

Some women just bug men. Hillary Clinton did (and still does). Nancy Pelosi, who has replaced Clinton as the Scary Democratic Woman in Republican fundraising appeals, surely does. And now Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren has joined the club. Warren originated the idea of a Consumer Fi
Wall Street protesters should remember Jagger’s lyrics

ViewpointsOct 16, 2011

What do they want, and what do they need? That’s the question about the protesters who now occupy Wall Street, Washington and just about everywhere else. Theirs is what might be called a Rolling Stones situation: They can’t always get what they want, but if somebody tries, some time, they may get wh
[Zheng Bijian] China strategy: From peaceful rise to shared interests

ViewpointsOct 16, 2011

BEIJING ― In 1992, Deng Xiaoping, architect of China’s reform and opening up, toured some cities in south China. During the trip, he made remarks urging the whole nation to be bold in pushing forward reform and opening to the outside world. His milestone remarks led to double-digit economic growth i
Taiwan jet deal aids ally without provoking rival China

ViewpointsOct 14, 2011

The 100th anniversary marking the fall of China’s last imperial dynasty upped tensions in the Taiwan Strait, with Chinese President Hu Jintao calling for “reunification through peaceful means” and his Taiwanese counterpart, Ma Ying-jeou, responding that he was just fine with the status quo. The last
[Gerhard Schroder] A vision of Europe for 21st century

ViewpointsOct 14, 2011

BERLIN ― Economic crisis in the United States and in Europe, the rise of the emerging economies led by China and the revolutions in the Arab world are shaking the world order. In this context, only a new and expanded vision of Europe can provide a key pillar of stability in the coming decades.As the
[Editorial] Whither labor movement?

EditorialOct 14, 2011

More than 100 days have passed since the multiple labor union system went into effect on July 1. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, a total of 498 new unions were established during the first 100 days. These unions appear to be already exerting palpable influence on Korea’s labor mov
[Editorial] Speed up FTA ratification

EditorialOct 14, 2011

The U.S. Congress has finally ratified the Korea-United States free trade agreement, demonstrating America’s commitment to upgrading and expanding the long-standing military alliance between the two countries to encompass the economic dimension. With Washington completing its part of the deal, the b
‘Occupy’ protests strike a chord with youths around the world

ViewpointsOct 14, 2011

Before the current, weekslong “Occupy Wall Street” protest swept over New York City, news articles in the U.S. lamented the lack of political passion exhibited by the youth of America, most specifically, their absence in any aspect of public demonstration. Many reasons were given for their apparent
Revolution remembered

ViewpointsOct 14, 2011

Aside from traditional holidays, this is one of the few commemorations shared on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. The 100th anniversary is a suitable occasion to pay tribute to the forefathers of Chinese republicanism, and reflect on the nation’s pursuit of and march toward modernity, no matter whi
Don’t allow defense budget to fall for 10 years

ViewpointsOct 14, 2011

Japan’s national security has been deteriorating alarmingly. Now is the time to reverse the continuing decline in the nation’s defense budget.The Defense Ministry is seeking 4.69 trillion yen ($61.2 billion) in its budget demand for fiscal 2012, up 0.6 percent from the defense budget a year earlier.
[Shashi Tharoor] India’s civilian nuclear program

ViewpointsOct 14, 2011

NEW DELHI ― When the Commonwealth heads of government meet in Australia later this month, one prominent leader is almost certain to be conspicuously absent: India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. India is a strong backer of the association of former British colonies (and some new entrants without th
[Editorial] Lee’s land purchase

EditorialOct 13, 2011

The controversy over plots of land President Lee Myung-bak purchased in the name of his son is not dying down even though he has started the process of registering it under his name. The fault is Lee’s own.Lee bought the land in the outskirts of Seoul in May this year to build a new home in which to
[Editorial] Bracing for low growth

EditorialOct 13, 2011

The administration’s 2012 budget awaiting deliberation at the National Assembly is based on a 4.5 percent growth forecast. Few expect growth will be that high.At the outset of this year, the administration said it expected growth would be at 5 percent next year, but the official growth outlook has s