Most Popular
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[Exclusive] Korean military set to ban iPhones over 'security' concerns
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Korean, Romanian leaders discuss defense tech, nuclear energy
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S. Korea calls on Japan to confront history amid Yasukuni Shrine visit
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Yoon’s jailed mother-in-law excluded from latest parole list
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Hybe and Min Hee-jin, CEO of Hybe sublabel Ador, lock horns
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[Herald Interview] 'Amid aging population, Korea to invite more young professionals from overseas'
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Korea’s homegrown nanosatellite successfully launches into space
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[Pressure points] Leggings in public: Fashion statement or social faux pas?
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Nicaragua shuts down Seoul embassy
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Rocket engine expert, ex-NASA exec to lead Korea's new space agency
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Despite apology, Japan denies mobilizing WWII sex slaves
Despite a much-touted deal with Seoul and an apology to the “comfort women,” Tokyo was found Sunday to have once again denied the forcible nature of its mobilization of sex slaves during World War II in a formal U.N. document. The Japanese government on Jan. 29 submitted a response to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, a group of 23 independent experts which has posed a list of questions on its handling of women’s rights issues including the conscription of sex sla
Jan. 31, 2016
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Japan formally denies coercion of wartime sex slaves in U.N.
Japan has submitted its official position denying the forced nature of the Japanese military's sex slavery of Asian women during World War II to a U.N.organization after signing a deal with South Korea on the issue last month, according to a U.N. Website monitored Sunday.The move prompted speculation that Tokyo may have begun efforts to spread its position against the forced nature of the wartime sex slavery throughout the international community. Japan has emphasized that the deal settled the d
Jan. 31, 2016
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Park boasts of birthday gifts from Chinese fans
President Park Geun-hye unveiled a set of birthday presents from Chinese fans via Facebook on Saturday, expressing gratitude for their support. The package from GH-League was to celebrate her Feb. 2 birthday and included a picture calendar and 64-page photo book also containing a letter, poem and caricatures of her, Cheong Wa Dae said.Launched in July 2013 and with some 23,000 members, the group sent similar items last year. “I sincerely appreciate that many Chinese have been conveying much inte
Jan. 31, 2016
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[HERALD INTERVIEW] New United States administration likely to end strategic patience on North Korea: scholar
The next U.S. government may shift from its North Korea policy called “strategic patience,” which has so far failed to curb the communist regime’s nuclear program and lacked a grand vision, said a U.S. scholar.John Ikenberry, a political scientist at Princeton University, also noted that South Korea, the U.S. and Japan need to move forward with tougher sanctions against North Korea despite China’s apparent reluctance. John Ikenberry (Ahn Hoon/The Korea Herald)“Now that we (U.S.) will have a new
Jan. 31, 2016
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Park receives photo book, calendar from Chinese fans
President Park Geun-hye has received a photo book and a desk calendar from her Chinese fans ahead of her birthday, Cheong Wa Dae said Saturday.The 64-page photo book features Park's photos taken last year, poems and congratulatory letters for Park's birthday that falls on Feb. 2.The desk calendar also features Park's photos, the presidential office said."I will always keep you in my mind," Park said in a Facebook post.Park wished her Chinese fans blessings and joy on the Lunar New Year and expre
Jan. 31, 2016
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In diplomatic flurry, Park mulls Iran visit
President Park Geun-hye (second from left) YonhapPresident Park Geun-hye is considering visiting Iran amid growing concerns that South Korea is lagging behind its neighbors and other countries in courting the Islamic republic for economic cooperation after international sanctions were scrapped earlier this month.“I understand that President Park is considering a visit to Iran,” Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Jeong Yeon-guk told reporters. “I will gi
Jan. 27, 2016
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In diplomatic flurry, Park considers Iran visit
President Park Geun-hye is considering visiting Iran amid growing concerns that South Korea is lagging behind its neighbors and other countries in courting the Islamic republic for economic cooperation after international sanctions were scrapped earlier this month.“I understand that President Park is considering a visit to Iran,” Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Jeong Yeon-guk told reporters. “I will give you details (about her potential visit) when everything is finalized.”Should Park decide to go to
Jan. 27, 2016
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Beauty of Budapest, Seoul captured through foreign lenses
A photographic exhibition featuring the cultural idiosyncrasies and vibrant lifestyles of Budapest and Seoul is running at the Korea Foundation Gallery in Seoul until Feb. 20. The venue ― “A Tale of Two Cities: Budapest and Seoul” ― is a collaboration between Hungarian photographer Gergely Szatmari and Korean photographer Kim Jin-seok. They traveled to each other’s capital in spring last year for over a month, from which they produced and selected 100 photographs for the exhibition. In trying to
Jan. 24, 2016
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EU, Korea up engagement for sustainable future
On the back of the European Union-Korea free trade agreement that entered into full force last year, the two sides are deepening engagement as important parties in regional and global issues, the EU Ambassador to Korea said last week. The bilateral accord has gradually come into effect since July 1, 2011, and fully entered into force on Dec. 13. It eliminates 99 percent of duties on both sides within five years and covers non-tariff barriers. More than 35 bilateral consultation channels run thro
Jan. 24, 2016
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AUSTRALIAN CHERRIES
AUSTRALIAN CHERRIES -- Fresh Australian cherries imported from Tasmania are available in Korea until early February. The cherries are grown organically free from pesticides, and have a rich flavor from its long harvest. Imports of Australian cherries have surged sharply from 9 tons in 2013 to 232 tons last year, after the Korea-Australia free trade agreement entered into force in December 2014. In the picture (from left to right) are Australian Senior Trade Commissioner Brett Cooper, Australian
Jan. 24, 2016
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Lawmakers, EU envoys discuss N.K. at National Assembly
Twenty-two ambassadors and diplomats of the European Union based in Seoul spoke with the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee last week to discuss the ongoing North Korean nuclear threats, inter-Korean relations and foreign policy. In a luncheon meeting Thursday organized by Rep. Na Kyung-won, chairwoman of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, the envoys stressed the EU’s united stance in condemning Pyongyang for its fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6, and its commitment to pressu
Jan. 24, 2016
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Azerbaijan remembers ‘Black January’ massacre
The Azerbaijani Embassy held a memorial last week to commemorate the massacre that eventually sparked the country’s independence from the Soviet Union.Known as Black January, the event annually marks the martyrdom of 137 Azeri citizens, who were killed by Soviet troops from Jan. 20-21, 1990. Armed with rifles and tanks, some 26,000 soldiers stormed the capital Baku to murder, torture and imprison demonstrators who demanded national freedom.The bloody crackdown, enforced under a martial law decre
Jan. 24, 2016
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FM Yun, Kerry reaffirm strong response to N. Korea's nuke test
SEOUL (Yonhap) – South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday discussed "specific ways" to enact a strong punishment against North Korea for its recent nuclear test, Yun's ministry said.They spoke on the phone for about 20 minutes, as Kerry plans to visit Beijing later this week.Yun and Kerry "discussed specific ways to push for the strongest and most comprehensive sanctions on North Korea at the U.N. Security Council" to make it pay a price for the
Jan. 24, 2016
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Korea urges Japan to resolve history issues for regional cooperation
South Korea has urged Japan to work toward resolving historical disputes to further regional cooperation in Asia, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday.Rep. Choi Kyung-hwan of the ruling Saenuri Party, a special envoy of President Park Geun-hye, made the remarks at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos that ran through Saturday. Choi said the historical disputes with Japan must be resolved to establish the economic cooperation system of East Asian countries.Choi also called for gl
Jan. 24, 2016
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Korea denounces Japan for Dokdo claim
South Korea called on Japan Friday to drop its reckless claim to sovereignty over a pair of rocky islets in the East Sea.It was responding to a Tokyo speech by Japan's top diplomat Fumio Kishida. He reiterated that Dokdo belong to Japan and said his government will deliver the position constantly.In a statement, Seoul's Foreign Ministry said it can't help deploring Kishida's repeat of such an "unfair claim.""(We) urge the Japanese government to immediately abandon its reckless claim to Dokdo, wh
Jan. 22, 2016
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Abe says South Korea, Japan share 'strategic interests'
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe described South Korea on Friday as his country's "most important neighbor that shares strategic interests," an expression reflecting the mood of improved bilateral ties.In his annual policy speech in parliament, Abe pointed out that Seoul and Tokyo have put an end to a longstanding source of conflict with a deal on the "comfort women" issue late last month.Under the agreement, Japan admitted that it's responsible for the sexual enslavement of many Korean women
Jan. 22, 2016
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Chinese fishing boats' requests for access to Korea's EEZ dips in 2016
Chinese fishing boats requesting access to operate in South Korea's exclusive economic zone has dipped in 2016, the government said Friday.The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the number of boats that applied for permits stood at 1,502, down 4 percent from 1,564 in 2015.The fishing quota given to these boats also decreased 9 percent to 54,603 tons, from 59,996 tons in the previous year.All ships that want to fish in South Korea's EEZ must get prior permits that they must show to fishery pat
Jan. 22, 2016
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U.N. chief meets with President Park's special envoy
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with a special envoy of South Korean President Park Geun-hye in Switzerland and discussed ways to increase cooperation between the two sides, Ban's office said Thursday.The meeting with Rep. Choi Kyung-hwan took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in the ski resort of Davos and the two sides discussed global issues as well as bilateral cooperation, the office said in a statement.Ban expressed his appreciation for South Korea's support in adva
Jan. 22, 2016
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Ministry says no illicit act by foreign envoys over law firm rules
South Korea's Foreign Ministry defended foreign envoys here Tuesday from criticism that they are illegitimately seeking to pressure the country's parliament over a bill on law firms.A day earlier, U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Mark Lippert met with Rep. Lee Sang-min, head of the National Assembly's legislation and judiciary committee, and delivered a protest statement against the revision bill on the opening of South Korea's legal market.It was also signed by British Amb. Charles Hay, EU Amb. Gerhard
Jan. 19, 2016
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Korea hits back after Abe denies forced nature of sex slavery
South Korea made clear Tuesday that Korean women were forced against their will to provide sexual services for Japanese soldiers during World War II, rebutting contrary claims by the Japanese prime minister.South Korea and Japan reached a landmark deal last month to resolve the issue of the so-called comfort women through an apology from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and payment of Japanese state-funded reparations to the South Korean victims.Amid controversy over the agreement, Abe told a
Jan. 19, 2016