The Korea Herald

[Robert Reich] The U.S. social security reform

ViewpointsAug 5, 2011

House Republicans want to put Social Security on the chopping block in order to help reduce the long-term budget deficit, and the president seems willing to agree. That we’ve reached this point reveals both the cravenness of the GOP’s demands and the callowness of the opposition to those demands. In a former life I was a trustee of the Social Security trust fund. So let me set the record straig...
[Editorial] Japan’s economic white paper calls for resilience

ViewpointsAug 5, 2011

The fiscal 2011 government white paper on the economy and state finances, issued July 22, analyzes economic conditions in the wake of the March 11 disasters. It calls for the creation of an economy resilient to crises and makes some policy proposals; however, the proposals are too general in the context of the post-disaster economy. According to the white paper, Japan’s potential gross domestic ...
[Editorial] Fast rail as a metaphor for authoritarian China

ViewpointsAug 5, 2011

What began as a transport accident in the busy rail corridor of Zhejiang province is turning into a test of China’s authoritarian methods of preserving stability. Should the old template of information control prevail? Is it even possible? Mastery of online media by citizens is weakening notions of governance by diktat. The Chinese Communist Party’s politburo is usually adept at riding out crise...
[Editorial] Auditing universities

EditorialAug 5, 2011

The Board of Audit and Inspection starts a three-week audit of 31 private junior colleges and universities throughout the nation next week. All private higher education institutions will be called on to use the outcome of the audit as a reference when they are setting tuition fees. It should also serve as a reference when the government selects insolvent or near insolvent institutions as candidat...
[Editorial] Tolerance wearing out

EditorialAug 5, 2011

A labor dispute that must be settled by Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction has now evolved into a major political conflict. It has become a rallying point for scattered opposition parties as well as dissident groups, imposing a heavy burden on the ruling party and its pro-business lawmakers in particular. The responsibility lies with no one else but Cho Nam-ho, chairman of the company, who...
[Yuriko Koike] China trains unsafe at any speed?

ViewpointsAug 5, 2011

TOKYO ― At least 38 people were killed and more than 200 injured by the recent crash of two high-speed trains near Zhenzhou in Zhejiang, a province in China. The wrecked body of the ruined train was buried immediately afterward, with no investigation. The intellectual-property dispute between Japan and China over the technology used in China’s new bullet trains was heated even before the acciden...
[Editorial] Small sigh of relief over raised U.S. debt ceiling

ViewpointsAug 5, 2011

Over the past few months, the world has watched with uneasiness and frustration the political drama unfolding in Washington, capital of the world’s largest economy. The fierce partisan debate over raising the debt ceiling was so ugly that it threatened to hold hostage not only the United States’ own economic and social well-being but also the global economy, by forcing the U.S. government to def...
[Editorial] Thorny road ahead for Afghan self-determination

ViewpointsAug 5, 2011

Nation-building efforts in Afghanistan face a major turning point. The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has started withdrawing troops stationed in Afghanistan. European and other countries helping to maintain security in Afghanistan will follow suit in reducing their military presence. The transfer of security duties to Afghan forces is under way, with completion targeted for the ...
[Editorial] America cannot afford to let Pakistan go rogue

ViewpointsAug 5, 2011

To a developing country drifting towards catastrophe as it tries to hold together under assaults from domestic threats and terrorism, $800 million is a lot of money. And so when the Obama administration decided to punish Pakistan by suspending $800 million of its annual $2 billion security aid, one wondered why it bothers sending any aid at all. It is an open secret that the U.S. government was...
Artificial stem cell sperm may treat infertile men

HealthAug 5, 2011

Fertility researchers succeeded in creating viable artificial sperm by using stem cells for the first time, marking a scientific breakthrough which may lead to new treatments for infertile men, according to the Telegraph. (MCT) Scientists at Kyoto University used stem cells from mouse embryos to create sperm-producing primordial germ cells. When transplanted into the testicles of infertile mic...
It’s real, fast and fun

More sportsAug 5, 2011

Experience the thrill of racing with kart driving It’s a blisteringly hot afternoon in July, and we are standing on the asphalt track, wearing heavy racing suits and helmets, perspiring as if we just ran a full-marathon. We are, in fact, just looking down at a tiny four-wheel car, commonly known as a go-kart, in which we’d be cruising around on the track in for the next four hours. This whole ...
Pop Music

MusicAug 5, 2011

“2011 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival”: Famous bands ranging from The Ting Tings to Korn, as well as singer-songwriters such as B.o.B are to perform in the 6th Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival from Aug. 5-7 at Incheon Dream Park. Popular Korean rock bands including Boohwal and No Brain will also hit the stage. For those who want to spend the night outdoors, there will be an outdoor pool and an in...
Dance

TheaterAug 5, 2011

“Suspicious Paradise”: The dance show is inspired by the Demilitarized Zone, which looks like a paradise with untouched nature but is also a place deeply scarred by the Korean War. Organized by Korea National Contemporary Dance Company, it aims to offer a fresh experience to the younger generation who know little about the war. It will run from Aug. 5 to 7 at Seoul Arts Center’s Towol Center in ...
Festival

TheaterAug 5, 2011

Po s t e r o f t h e 7 t h J e ch e o n International Music & Film Festival (Jecheon International Music & Film Festival Executive Committee) “The 7th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival”: As the first festival in Korea to celebrate films with the theme of music, Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF) will take place from Aug. 11-16 at theaters and concert halls in Jongmin-...
Classical Music

MusicAug 5, 2011

“Summer Classics”: The Seoul Metropolitan Youth Orchestra is to present educational performances for students to help them understand classical music and learn classical music concert etiquette. The orchestra consists of university students majoring in classical music and has been holding annual summer classic series since 2008. The program includes “Arirang,” “Peter and the Wolf” by Prokofiev, ...