The Korea Herald

Police press sedition charge against labor group chief

Dec 18, 2015

Seoul police leveled an additional charge of sedition against the leader of Korea’s second-largest umbrella trade union on Friday as they handed him over to the prosecution for further investigation into what they called illegal rallies last month.It is the first time in nearly three decades that the rare charge has been pressed. The last sedition case occurred in May 1986 when police clashed with protestors at a massive rally over a constitutional revision in Incheon.Police officials said that
‘USFK conducted 16 covert anthrax tests since 2009’

Dec 17, 2015

The U.S. Forces Korea has conducted 16 rounds of clandestine experiments involving dead anthrax samples and one plague test since 2009, a joint investigation panel said Thursday, upending Washington’s previous claim that last May’s anthrax shipment marked its first-ever trial here. In late May, 22 U.S. servicemen were found to have possibly come into contact with the lethal bacteria sent to Osan Air Base in Gyeonggi Province from a military laboratory in Utah. Though the USFK said that none of t
[Newsmaker] Chung, ‘man of principle,’ goes against the odds

Dec 17, 2015

By strongly resisting Cheong Wa Dae’s efforts to press the National Assembly to pass contentious bills, Speaker Chung Ui-hwa has remained true to his “guardian of legislation” nickname. On Wednesday, the veteran doctor-turned-politician flatly turned down the presidential office’s request to put disputed bills to a parliamentary vote, saying, “The current economic situation cannot be seen as a national emergency.” He said if he did so, he would be overstepping the law.Chung, who has never shied
Protestant group shows tolerance toward LGBTs

Dec 17, 2015

A South Korean church group on Thursday indicated their willingness to show more tolerance of homosexuality, seen as the first such move of a major Protestant organization in the country. “Korean society and churches have been treating homosexuality with hatred, but we will now open a forum to discuss the issue and reflect (on our views),” the National Council of Churches in Korea said in a press conference.The group plans to hold debate sessions on the issue and hear testimonies from the lesbia
Controversy flares over Cheong Wa Dae influence

Dec 17, 2015

With Cheong Wa Dae and the parliamentary speaker remaining firm on introducing pending bills in the National Assembly, controversy has heated over whether the presidential office exceeded its authority and infringed upon that of the legislative body.The parliamentary office and the opposition camp argued that Cheong Wa Dae was exercising undue pressure upon the law-making body, while the presidential office defended its position. “It was a legitimate performance of duty,” presidential spokespers
Japanese reporter cleared of defaming president

Dec 17, 2015

A lower court cleared a Japanese reporter Thursday of defaming South Korean President Park Geun-hye by reporting rumors about her whereabouts during a deadly ferry disaster last year. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the not guilty verdict to Tatsuya Kato, former Seoul bureau chief for Japanese right-wing daily Sankei Shimbun, citing press freedom in a democratic society. “Kato’s article was inappropriate in some ways, but press freedom, the core of democracy and its development, sho
[HERALD INTERVIEW] ‘Smart branding essential in innovative economy’

Dec 17, 2015

In an innovative global economy, branding is no longer a nicety, but a necessity that guarantees the success of companies and countries worldwide, Danish business consultant Martin Roll argued.A long-time resident of Singapore, Roll, who authored “Asian Brand Strategy,” has offered advice for navigating the volatile international marketplace to Fortune 500 companies and leading Asian enterprises and family-owned businesses with a focus on Asia. “It’s time for Korea to project confidence for what
Court fines doctor 1m won in swimmer Park doping scandal

Dec 17, 2015

The Seoul court on Thursday handed down a 1 million won ($850) fine to a 46-year-old doctor on the charge of violating medical law by injecting Olympic swimming champion Park Tae-hwan with a banned substance off the books.The doctor, identified by her surname Kim, was indicted in February for administering Nebido, a commercial drug used to treat testosterone deficiency, to Park. It is banned for use in athletic events by the World Anti-Doping Agency. “Although the defendant had the obligation to
LG chief inspects R&D complex site

Dec 17, 2015

LG Group chairman Koo Bon-moo on Thursday paid a visit to the construction site of the group’s new research and development complex LG Science Park in Magok, western Seoul. LG last year announced a plan to build a 4 trillion won ($3.4 billion) science park on a 170,000-square-meter site in the emerging tech district located a five-minute drive from Gimpo International Airport. LG Group chairman Koo Bon-moo (center) looks around the construction site of the LG Science Park in Magok, western Seou
SUPPLY TO THAILAND

Dec 17, 2015

Golfzon CEO Jang Sung-won (right) shakes hands with Sikorn Cheeranavanit, CEO of Chunbok Co., a Thai tech company, after signing a contract to supply 100 golf simulators to Thailand at a ceremony in Bangkok on Wednesday. Golfzon
[Photo News] Ssangyong wins Dubai project

Dec 17, 2015

Ssangyong Engineering & Construction Co., a South Korean builder, said Wednesday it has clinched $1.6 billion worth of orders to construct a luxury hotel, as well as apartment and office buildings, in Dubai. An artist‘s rendering shows the 47-story hotel named Dubai Royal Atlantis. (Ssangyong E&C)　
Gray areas hinder medical tech innovation

Dec 17, 2015

Health care start-ups need successful role model for regulations, funding to improve: Neofect CEO
Sewol hearing highlights lackluster rescue

Dec 16, 2015

A three-day hearing on matters related to last year’s ferry sinking wrapped up Wednesday with the fact-finding committee stressing a lack of sufficient rescue efforts, men in charge dodging responsibility and suspicions left unanswered.The hearing focused mainly on the rescue efforts taken by the now-defunct Korea Coast Guard, Maritime Ministry and other related government officials in the face of Sewol’s sinking, which left 304 dead or missing in April 2014. The five committee members recommend
Lockheed to take over KF-16 upgrade

Dec 16, 2015

The government Wednesday picked U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin as the new contractor for its project to renovate the aviation electronic systems of KF-16 fighters that has sat dormant for months due to demands for a cost hike by a previous partner. Under the 1.84 trillion won ($1.58 billion) program, the Maryland-based company will exchange and upgrade the radar, armament and other integrated electronic systems of 134 KF-16s currently operated by South Korea’s Air Force. During a defense acq
Seoul book club hosts four Korean writers

Dec 16, 2015

The Seoul Book and Culture Club will be hosting an event with four writers who will be introducing their newly released bilingual novellas to English-speaking readers. At the event, Korean literature blogger and translation professor Charles Montgomery will be talking with the authors, whose books are part of Asia Publishers’ K-Literature series.The best-known of the four is Lee Ki-ho, author of “At Least We Can Apologize“ and “So Far and Yet So Near,” both of which are also available in English