France's first South Korean-born minister Fleur Pellerin said she will try to strengthen relations between the two countries in various areas as she is proud of her Korean origin and wants to learn more about Korean culture. In an interview with Korean correspondents stationed in Paris Thursday, Pellerin said her visit to South Korea may come as early as next year. But even if she visits Seoul, s

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, who was allegedly mired in a prostitution scandal with Bo Xilai, the former party secretary of Chongqing, China, has appeared at a film festival in Haicou, Hainan Province.Apparently denying news reports that the actress was banned from leaving China due to investigations, she went to Haicou via Hong Kong.Zhang flatly denied allegations that she provided sexual services

A U.S. scientist says he has a theory why a much fainter sun 2 billion years ago didn't leave a frozen Earth unfit to develop the kind of life we see today.Why the Earth avoided the deep freeze in what has been dubbed the Faint Young Sun Paradox is a much-debated question among scientists, but Purdue University's David Minton says he believes he might have an answer."If you go back in time to abou

Popular software developer and professor Ahn Cheol-soo has once again deferred a decision whether he will run for president, saying he is still thinking about whether he will be able to meet people's expectations as a politician.Ahn's lecture Wednesday at Pusan National University in Busan drew intense media attention due to the possibility of him finally announcing his presidential bid after mont

A large caisson structure to be used for building a breakwater off Jeju Island's naval base construction site has been moved into position, South Korea's Navy said Saturday.It said the 8,800-ton structure that is 38 meters long, 25 meters wide and stands 20 meters high has been placed on a floating dock and moved offshore near Gangjeong village.It said the caisson will be the third such unit deplo

South Korea and China can conclude free trade negotiations in two years, and the deal can be expanded to include Japan, President Lee Myung-bak said in an interview broadcast Saturday, stressing the ambitious three-way trade pact can be reached earlier than expected.The three countries agreed earlier this month to launch free trade negotiations this year. The ambitious pact, if realized, would cre

The 2012 Yeosu Expo, which has been struggling with low turnouts, reported over 50,000 visitors entering the fairground for the first time on a weekday, organizers said Saturday.Organizers said the number of visitors reached 54,474 on Friday, with the total number of people who visited the exposition hitting 565,718 since opening on May 12.The increase was helped by Hyundai Motor Group, the world'