Foreign diplomats in Seoul are invited to join one-on-one Korean language and culture classes. The program, taught by a group from Gangnam Volunteer Center, aims to help foreign diplomats and their families adapt to Korean life and understand the culture here.The “Friends of Diplomats” volunteer team of students from major Korean universities aims to have international exchanges in English or other languages with participants. The program has been running since 2008. “Diplomats who were satisfie

A film about American boxing icon Muhammad Ali will be screened at the American Center on Feb. 17.The 2001 movie “Ali” is a biographical film directed by Michael Mann and starring Will Smith, Jamie Foxx and Jon Voight. It tells the story of the legendary heavyweight boxer, reflecting his role in American sports, politics and social history and his continued fights against racism and the Vietnam War.The film also discusses the great turmoil in American society following the assassination of two A

LONDON (AP) ― Manchester City rediscovered its attacking game in the English Premier League on Saturday, beating Fulham 3-0 to maintain its perfect home record and keep Manchester United at arm’s length in the title race.City’s 12th straight league victory at Etihad Stadium left the leaders three points ahead of United, which visits fourth-place Chelsea on Sunday.The most resounding victory came at Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal rebounded from its miserable recent run in the league by hammering

Former national short-track speed skater Ahn Hyun-soo, who recently changed his name to Viktor Ahn upon gaining Russian citizenship, made his debut for Russia at the World Cup short-track speed skating event in Moscow on Saturday. Ending his long hiatus from international competition, Ahn competed in the men’s 5,000m relay, helping Russia to advance to the semifinals. In the 5,000m semifinals on Saturday, Russia was running in second, behind Korea with two laps to go. But the team failed to adva

The nation will up efforts to have several Confucian academies and temples adopted into the UNESCO world heritage list as part of its drive to raise Korea’s profile abroad, said a government report on Friday.According to the Presidential Council on National Branding, it plans to have nine Confucian academies and several Buddhist temples recognized by the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization by 2014 and 2015, respectively.Well known schools such as the Sosu Seowon and Dosan Seow

GNP, DUP to apply stricter ethical standards to court disenchanted votersRival parties on Friday set in motion their candidate screening process for general elections slated for April 11 after finishing organizing their respective committees to lead the crucial nomination procedures.The ruling Grand National Party and the main opposition Democratic United Party are poised to apply stricter ethical standards to put forth competitive candidates as they step up efforts to appeal to disenchanted vot

President Lee Myung-bak on Friday tapped Nam Sung-wook, head of the Institute for National Security Strategy, as secretary general of a presidential advisory panel on reunification.The secretary-general at the National Unification Advisory Council is a vice-ministerial post. Nam, 52, is noted for his extensive research and lectures on North Korea. He had served as professor of North Korean studies at Korea University from 2002 to 2008.“Nam is well-versed in North Korean affairs and viewed as hav

North Korea appears willing to again embrace a key element of capitalism in a rare move to improve its faltering economy and raise its people’s standard of living. A North Korean economic quarterly has stressed the importance of commercials to help promote the country’s exports, which rely heavily on China.North Korea mostly exports mineral resources such as anthracite coal and iron ore to its giant neighbor and key ally. Their bilateral trade stood at $3.47 billion in 2010, the latest year for

President Lee Myung-bak embarks on an eight-day tour of Turkey and three oil-rich Middle East countries on Saturday. The trip is a bid to cement ties with the countries amid uncertainties in the global energy market caused by U.S.-led sanctions against Iran.During summit talks with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, Lee is expected to discuss issues concerning Iran’s controversial nuclear development and oil embargos on the country.“What the three nations have in co