The Korea Herald

‘Design your life through sports’

Dec 23, 2015

This is the last installment in a three-part series featuring athletes who help people transform their lives. ― Ed.Jung A-reum (Jung Areum)Beauty must be gained through hard work and perseverance, said Jung A-reum, a celebrity lifestyle and fitness trainer and former Miss Korea beauty contest winner.Those in pursuit of it must first learn how sports or regular exercise can help improve their physical and mental beauty.“The problem in Korea today is that people take sports or exercise too lightly
Top court backs sacking of stem cell scientist Hwang

Dec 23, 2015

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that Seoul National University’s dismissal of Hwang Woo-suk was justifiable, marking an end to a nine-year legal battle for the scientist whose fabrication of his stem cell research had tarnished his reputation.The top court upended its original ruling in 2014 that the SNU ruling was fair as Hwang’s actions “eroded people’s trust in SNU and the entire science circle.”In 2006, the SNU dismissed the veterinarian and cloning expert after he was found to have fak
Hailing cab late at night a challenge in winter

Dec 23, 2015

A line of people, intoxicated and weary from the festivities of year-end parties, shiver outside Itaewon Station in central Seoul on a cold December night, trying to hail taxis. The seemingly insignificant task proves to be daunting, as a parade of cabs rush past them in search of passengers looking to travel long distance. “Where are you headed?” a driver asks a potential passenger, before speeding away at his mention of a destination 20 minutes away. Local taxi drivers’ tendency to cherry-pick
Oil price likely to sink even lower

Dec 23, 2015

Oil prices, which have already hit the lowest mark in a decade, could fall further in the first half of next year, partly due to the resumption of Iranian supply, officials and experts here said Wednesday.At a forum hosted by the Trade Ministry, experts forecast that the benchmark oil price could hover around $40-$50 a barrel next year. However, it could fall rapidly when Iran increases its oil exports in the wake of the lifting of international sanctions, they said. (Yonhap)It may take some tim
‘Korean start-ups still in need of trailblazers’

Dec 23, 2015

Companies need to find ‘chaebol bypass’ to reach consumer, says Storm Ventures investor
Ahn’s bloc expands with another NPAD defection

Dec 23, 2015

Another opposition lawmaker on Wednesday left the New Politics Alliance for Democracy to follow Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, foreshadowing the division of the main opposition party ahead of next year’s general elections. Rep. Lim Nae-hyun announced that he defecting from the NPAD to join a new political group spearheaded by Ahn. His split brings the number of defectors from the embattled party to five since Ahn left the party on Dec. 13. Lim Nae-hyun. (Yonhap)“Together with Ahn’s new party, I will clear
Exhibition offers taste of ‘glitch art’

Dec 23, 2015

We’ve all been there ― a downloaded video that won’t play properly, the image distorted on the screen.But it is more than a computer error for a number of artists, who are exploring these gremlins as “glitch art,” and expat Mathieu St-Pierre wants to introduce viewers to the concept through his exhibition “100dpi.”Showing large images ― printed at 100 dots per inch to break conventions not only in video but also in print ― the exhibition features a variety of abstract work.St-Pierre studied fine
Showul goes one-to-one to reach out to expats

Dec 23, 2015

Looking to introduce Korea to foreign nationals here in a friendlier way than the standard tours, a group of Korean undergraduates is offering group events to help expats build bridges.On Jan. 2, a group of Showul volunteers plans to take 30 foreign participants on a tour of the War Memorial of Korea before letting them try their hands ― and feet ― at breaking some boards with martial arts at Korea Arirang Taekwondo in Seoul. But rather than having one or two guides, Showul takes a one-to-one ap
Seorae center to run Spanish classes

Dec 23, 2015

Seorae Global Village Center in southern Seoul will be running beginners’ Spanish classes from next year.The course will run on Thursdays and last 10 weeks, after which participants should be able to introduce themselves and carry out basic conversation.Classes will run at the SGV Center building near Seocho Station from 1:30-3 p.m. Tuition costs 50,000 won but a trial lesson that opens the course on Jan. 7 will be free.The class size is limited to 10, with priority given to foreign residents.Fo
Talk to examine rise of French food in Korea

Dec 23, 2015

The Royal Asiatic Society, Korea Branch will kick off the new year with some Gallic flavor, with a talk by Hal Swindall on the rise of French restaurants in Korea.Before 2000, there were fewer than five French restaurants in all of Korea, he says, while today, there are 60, as well as bakeries. Swindall argues that the sharp increase indicates a major shift in food preferences here.He will talk about how a new interest in a wider range of foreign food here has drawn young Korean chefs to France
Seoul Global Center alters legal advice service

Dec 23, 2015

Seoul global Center will be changing the way it offers legal counseling from next year.Those seeking advice will need to consult a multilingual counselor to assess their needs. The counselor will then book a session with a legal adviser, who will review the consultee’s situation before the session.Various languages are supported for the initial consultation, including English, Russian and several Asian languages, and the consultation can be made in person or by phone or email.The center said it
New climate deal could boost nuclear energy

Dec 23, 2015

As the new global climate accord reached in Paris earlier this month emphasized the role of nuclear energy in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. hosted a forum in Seoul on Tuesday to discuss the future of clean energy in preparation for the post-fossil fuel era. Organized by the Korea Atomic Industrial Forum, the discussion-driven event covered such agendas as the role of nuclear power in a low-carbon economy and Korea’s strategies to achieve its emi
Hyundai wins Vietnamese bridge construction deal

Dec 22, 2015

Hyundai Development Co. on Tuesday announced that it has won a 92.7 billion won ($78.9 million) contract to build Hung Ha Bridge in northern Vietnam.The project is the company’s first overseas deal this year, and the third after it resumed overseas operations in 2014. According to HDC, the project consists of constructing a 2.1 kilometer-bridge and another 4.1 kilometer-four lane road linking Hung Yen and Ha Nam. The three-year construction will kick off with a groundbreaking ceremony in Februar
What is holding up business bills?

Dec 22, 2015

A negotiation impasse at the National Assembly is proving hard to break, as rival parties refuse to yield their position on provisions embedded in a set of controversial economic bills aimed to relax regulations on business activity. National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa (third from right) convenes a meeting of standing committee chairpersons on Tuesday. The NPAD members did not attend. YonhapThe bills in question are the Service Industry Development Act and Special Act for Boosting Business (b
Hyundai displays design philosophy

Dec 22, 2015

“Helio Curve” by Reuben MargoliCan an automotive company show its design philosophy through art?Hyundai Motor Group’s answer to the question is now on display at the “SIM: Sculpture in Motion” exhibition at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in downtown Seoul until Jan. 10. Aimed at promoting its fluidic sculpture design philosophy, two pieces of internationally acclaimed installation art are on display at the Allim 2 exhibition hall reflecting the aesthetic catchphrase of the company. The first piece,