The Korea Herald

Seoul National University fires music professor accused of violence against students

Social affairsMar 1, 2011

Seoul National University decided Monday to sack a music professor accused of habitually using violence against her students and other alleged misconduct, officials said. Seoul National University decided to sack Professor Kim In-hye accused of habitually beating and taking high-priced gifts from her students. (Yonhap News) The top South Korean university has looked into allegations raised lat...
Korean clubs set for Asian Champions League

SoccerFeb 28, 2011

The Asian Football Confederation’s Champions League, the continent’s premier club tournament, kicks off Tuesday, with four South Korean teams in the battle for regional bragging rights. On Tuesday, Jeju United of the K-League, the first division South Korean league, hosts Tianjin Teda of China in Group E action. In Group F, FC Seoul travels to the United Arab Emirates to take on Al Ain. Then o...
Protestants scupper Islamic bond bill

PoliticsFeb 28, 2011

Legislation to exempt taxes on Islamic bonds and tap into the Islamic finance market missed the boat again amid fierce opposition from Protestant leaders, one of whom threatened to topple President Lee Myung-bak. The governing Grand National Party delayed deliberations on the Islamic bond bill last week, fearing conflict with religious groups ahead of the April by-elections. Rev. Cho Yong-gi, s...
LGE to step into energy consulting business

IndustryFeb 28, 2011

LG Electronics, Korea’s leading consumer electronics manufacturer, said Sunday that it plans to start a business-to-business energy consulting service next month as a new source of income. The business will involve analyzing energy flows, including heating and air conditioning in office buildings and providing solutions for energy saving. LG’s initiative reflects the group’s efforts to secure f...
‘Free Libya’ chants heard near capital

World NewsFeb 28, 2011

U.S. pledges assistance as opposition forms its own leadership ZAWIYA, Libya (AP) ― With residents shouting “Free, free Libya,” anti-government rebels who control this battle-scarred city nearest to the capital deployed tanks and anti-aircraft weapons Sunday to brace for an attack by troops loyal to Moammar Gadhafi. The Obama administration offered “any type of assistance” to Libyans seeking to ...
High-tech Asia still superstitious

PeopleFeb 28, 2011

Ancient practices, beliefs still prevalent among many people across Asia TAIPEI (AFP) ― From the compatibility of her groom, to the timing of her wedding and the naming of her child, Shen Yi-ching has always turned to fortune tellers for guidance on life’s big decisions. “It’s for good luck and peace of mind. I’d rather be safe than sorry,” said Taiwanese teacher Shen, 38, whose parents consult...
Plum blossoms herald spring

TheaterFeb 28, 2011

When Chinese plum trees bloom into clouds of puffy white and red blossoms, we know spring is just around the corner. The flowers are likened to “seonbi,” or a firm and right-minded scholar, in Korea because their soft and fragrant petals peep out despite the chilly weather. This herald of spring is one of the “sagunja,” or four gracious plants, which also include orchids, chrysanthemums and bam...
Libyan unrest worries Korea

Feb 28, 2011

The intensifying turmoil in Libya and the Middle East is feared to serve a major blow to the Korean economy and its firms doing business in the region. Korean builders seem to be hit hardest by the political crisis as most of their projects there have been put on hold and workers have fled Libya during the past week. Local firms’ unpaid fees from their Libyan partners have reached about $19 mil...
S. Korea, U.S. begin joint military drills

DefenseFeb 28, 2011

Allies defy latest retaliation threats from North Korea South Korea and the U.S. began annual joint military drills Monday to enhance readiness for any additional provocations by North Korea and a possible all-out war with the communist state. The nationwide Key Resolve and Foal Eagle exercises started as the North hardened its bellicose rhetoric against the allies, warning of a “ruthless” mili...
‘Lee to stay away from constitutional revision’

PoliticsFeb 28, 2011

President’s key supporter calls for parliamentary move on amendment to basic law President Lee Myung-bak feels an urgent need to revise the country’s decades-old Constitution but believes the issue is up to the parliament and not his office, his spokesperson has said. The issue of redrawing the Constitution, created in 1987, has sparked political disputes here, especially as the move could chan...
Choo deals with elbow soreness

BaseballFeb 28, 2011

GOODYEAR, Arizona (AP) ― Choo Shin-soo’s elbow is a little sore. Suddenly, the Cleveland Indians have another concern in their outfield. The club’s star right fielder was kept out of Cleveland’s starting lineup for the spring training opener against Cincinnati on Sunday to rest his left elbow, which flared up in recent days. Choo had Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery on the same elbow in 2...
China’s 5-year plan promises big changes

IndustryFeb 28, 2011

BEIJING (AP) ― China’s leadership is promising to steer the economy in a new direction in its blueprint for the next five years that would empower consumers and narrow a yawning wealth gap but require politically contentious reforms. The latest Five-Year Plan ― a throwback to central planning but a useful roadmap of party goals ― calls for creating self-sustaining growth based on domestic consum...
Tunisia gets new premier after new violence

World NewsFeb 28, 2011

TUNIS (AFP) ― Tunisia’s Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi resigned Sunday and was replaced by Beji Caid Essebsi, a former minister, after anti-government protests left five people dead over the weekend. Security forces again clashed with protesters in Tunis demanding the removal of some ministers of Ghannouchi’s interim government before the premier announced his resignation. “The acts of viol...
Korea to expand tariff quota on powdered milk, pork belly

Feb 28, 2011

Korea will expand the amount of powdered milk and frozen pork belly subject to no import taxes as part of efforts to ease price hikes sparked by the massive slaughter of livestock amid the spreading foot-and-mouth disease, the finance ministry said Monday. The measure, finalized during a Cabinet meeting held earlier in the day, will go into effect from early March under the government’s quota ta...
Court to review ban on teachers’ political activity

Social affairsFeb 28, 2011

A group of unionized teachers have asked the Constitutional Court to review the law that bans teachers from joining political activities, court officials said Monday, challenging the long debated law that causes any teacher who wages an anti-government campaign to face disciplinary action. The Seoul Administrative Court has accepted the appeal by three teachers, affiliated with the liberal Korea...