Most Popular
-
1
Ex-justice minister's daughter attends forgery trial in college admissions scandal
-
2
US defense policy bill calls for maintaining 28,500 US troops in Korea
-
3
S. Korea determined to become tourism powerhouse
-
4
S. Korea logs current account surplus for 6th month in October
-
5
4 contentious bills scrapped in revote after Yoon's veto
-
6
Footballer Hwang's sister-in-law indicted for disclosing his private videos
-
7
Turkish woman gets jail term for killing abusive boyfriend
-
8
[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea
-
9
Ex-Democratic Party chair denies bribery, illegal campaign allegations
-
10
Government asks young couples why they refuse to have children
-
Shin Kyung-sook's novel listed top bestseller in 10 years: data
Shin Kyung-sook's "Please Look After Mom" was listed as South Korea's most-read book for the past ten years, a local bookstore said Monday.The country's biggest Kyobo Book Centre produced the data based on the accumulated sales figure since 2006.Published in 2008, the book became an instant bestseller with the heartbreaking story of a mother who suffers from Alzheimer's disease and her family who are haunted by her disappearance. Shin received the "Man Asia Literary Prize" in 2011 as the first K
March 21, 2016
-
[EYE] Grandma’s lifelong prayer answered
When Korean-American author Helie Lee wrote her first book, “Still Life with Rice,” she had no inkling that it would endanger the lives of her extended family in North Korea. Having moved to Canada as a 4-year-old and settled in the U.S. a year later, Lee’s life could have been described as that of the typical “1.5 generation” in the U.S. -- one foot here and the other there, the generation that did not feel completely comfortable in either Korea or the U.S. “I am (part of the) 1.5 generation,
March 18, 2016
-
Jacques Attali to speak at Korea-France Leaders Forum
Jacques Attali, one of the world’s greatest scholars, will speak at the Korea-France Leaders Forum on March 24 at The Shilla Seoul hotel. The forum, which will serve as the opening of a year-long celebration in Korea of the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, aims to discuss ways to strengthen the partnership between the two countries in various fields, including diplomacy, economy, culture and technology. Attali, a French economist who served as the first presid
March 16, 2016
-
Connecting cultures: Koreans returning from abroad make waves
For many Koreans, moving overseas helps personal and professional growth. This migration also has a broad impact on Korean society as many of the migrants return to Korea after decades abroad. When first-generation migrants left Korea, they could not have predicted the impact they would have upon their return, influencing Korean culture, lifestyle and business practices. Overseas ethnic Koreans (known as gyopo), travelers and students have also helped to open Korea to the world, changing the p
March 9, 2016
-
Gyeongju National Museum director tapped to head National Museum of Korea
President Park Geun-hye tapped Lee Young-hoon, director of Gyeongju National Museum, to head the National Museum of Korea, Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday. Director of Gyeongju National Museum Lee Young-hoon (Yonhap) The veteran archaeology specialist will replace the current NMK chief Kim Young-na, who has served as the director of the state-run museum since 2011. Lee began working at the NMK in 1982 as a curator and specialist in archaeology. He has previously served as director at national mus
March 9, 2016
-
Yoo Ah-in picked to endorse ‘KON’
Actor Yoo Ah-in has been picked to endorse the role-playing game “Knights of Nights,” Netmarble Games announced Tuesday. The game company released a video interview with Yoo on Monday, where the actor describes “KON” as a stylish dual-action RPG. “(The game’s) splendid scenes and stylish action are quite outstanding and it is also interesting to have a dual-action system where two separate characters compete and grow together,” he said.Promotional image of “KON” (Netmarble Games) “Actor Yoo’s s
March 8, 2016
-
Actress Kim Gyu-ri becomes honorary labor attorney
Kim Gyu-ri and An Nae-sang were appointed as honorary labor attorneys by the Korea Certified Public Labor Attorneys Association on Saturday. The two actors were given certificates by the president of the association, Chae Ho-il, to both stars during an official conference held at Sejong University convention hall. Actress Kim Gyu-ri with KCPLAA President Chae Ho-il (Korea Certified Public Labor Attorneys Association)The two stars have both played labor attorneys in past works. Kim played a publ
March 1, 2016
-
Foreign envoys get lesson in calligraphy
The Corea Image Communication Institute welcomed 60 foreign diplomats and opinion leaders with a calligraphy class Tuesday night, marking the opening of the 21st Korea Culture Quotient Program. Hosted at the residence of Malaysian Ambassador Rohana Ramli, the meeting gave an opportunity for the participants to welcome the spring program by learning and experiencing the art of calligraphy. Popular Hangeul calligrapher Kang Byung-in entertained the guests, explaining the art of calligraphy and the
Feb. 24, 2016
-
[Herald Interview] Um Hong-gil always has a new peak to reach
Stepping into Um Hong-gil's inner office at the Um Hong Gil Human Foundation in Jung-gu, Seoul, one can’t help but be struck by the feeling that everything is small -- the man and the office, both. Um is of medium stature, and the office is ordinary. But when considered against the feats that constantly tail Um's name, his down-to-earth manner, easy smile and unremarkable office are a bit unsettling at first. It’s difficult to imagine him clinging to the Himalayan slopes, fighting back the numbi
Feb. 12, 2016
-
Studying is the key to owning your life
Kim Chung-woon, formerly a psychology professor and who now calls himself a “creator,” is perfectly at home in his basement office in Nonhyeon-dong, Seoul. It is an entirely appropriate title, he claims, as he now writes and paints. Kim’s office is a veritable man cave, that any man -- or woman, for that matter -- would dream of having: Walls lined with massive bookshelves holding volumes and volumes of books; a long desk from Japan that is crafted out of a very old tree trunk; a little nook wit
Feb. 5, 2016
-
Hong named Sentinel advisor
Sentinel has appointed Hong Jung-gi, professor at Kookmin University’s College of Physical Education, as its health advisor, the provider of high-functional and intensive crossfit and boot camp training services said. Hong Jung-gi (Emerson K)Hong, who used to be a professional weight lifter, will be providing his expertise in three areas -- educate Sentinel’s crossfit and boot camp coaches; develop and implement new training programs; and offer regular health seminars to members.“My goal is to i
Feb. 5, 2016
-
KAIST professor heads new futures studies society
The Korea Association of Futures Studies held a launching ceremony Friday and elected Lee Kwang-hyung of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology as its founding president.Lee, currently a dean of KAIST Moon Soul Graduate School of Future Strategy, will head the group devoted to research in the field of future studies, including establishment of state-level strategy, education in the field and hosting conferences. He will lead the group for two years. Lee Kwang-hyungProfessors at colle
Jan. 24, 2016
-
Activist, author Shin Young-bok dies at 75
Activist and author Shin Young-bok, a professor at Sungkonghoe University best known for writing “Reflections from Prison,” containing his thoughts while imprisoned during the military-backed government, passed away Friday from skin cancer. He was 75.Shin was imprisoned for his pro-democracy ideas in 1968, accused of being part of the Tongil Hyeongmyeongdang (Unification Revolution) party. He remained imprisoned for 20 years until he was released through a special pardon on the Aug. 15 Liberatio
Jan. 17, 2016
-
[Eye interview] Breaking free of the Korean dream
The Korean dream, a highly competitive pursuit of the masses, is so deeply entrenched in the collective consciousness that there is hardly room for deviation: Study day and night to get great test scores, enter a top university and land a job at one of the country’s major conglomerates. Each year, thousands of new graduates enter the chase for positions at Samsung and Hyundai, a socioeconomic sign that they’ve “made it.” Those who succeed then begin a decades-long rat race up the corporate ladde
Jan. 15, 2016
-
Iranian literature showcased in Seoul
The Iranian Embassy has organized an exhibition that sheds light on the country’s literary masterpieces spanning over a thousand years. The event at the Seoul Metropolitan Library ― “For two eyes, for two hands, Persia” ― is a collection of Iran’s finest books, poems and folktales, as well as handicrafts and calligraphy, running until Jan. 24. Organized to mark the 37th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution of January 1978-February 1979, the venue showcases works of Persian Gulf intellectuals: O
Jan. 11, 2016
-
[Herald Interview] Korea aims to keep tourists coming back
At 25 minutes past midnight on Jan. 1, government officials and corporate executives welcomed the country’s first foreign tourists of the year at Incheon International Airport. Gifts including cosmetics kits and beverages were handed out to inbound travelers, with officials wishing them “Happy New Year” while holding placards that read “Korea Smiles on You.”Over the next two years until the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, Korea will hold a series of grand promotional campa
Jan. 3, 2016
-
[Herald Interview] ‘I’m survivor, not victim’
In Park Yeon-mi’s defection from North Korea, she encountered a South Korean pastor. The compassionate minister had told the then-teenage girl, who had just escaped the clutches of one of the most secluded and oppressive regimes in the world, that she deserved a “second chance.” “What second chance? I’m not a criminal. It was not my choice to be born in North Korea,” she told The Korea Herald in an interview after giving a speech last month at an international forum in Bangkok.The conversation w
Dec. 13, 2015
-
[Herald Interview] Korean iron man Park Byung-hoon on life after triathlon
This is the first installment in a three-part series featuring athletes who help people transform their lives. – Ed. Park Byung-hoon doesn’t have a special high-tech suit of armor to keep himself strong and invincible like the Tony Stark character in “Iron Man.” Park, who is considered a legendary Asian iron man triathlon athlete with some records that still stand, had relied only on his physical and mental strength -- backed by his family’s love -- to cycle, swim and run the Ironman’s high-inte
Dec. 9, 2015
-
Actor Namgung Won gets lifetime achievement award
Veteran actor Namgung Won was honored with the lifetime achievement award at the fifth Shin Young Kyun Arts & Culture Foundation Artist of the Year Awards ceremony held at the Seoul Press Center Tuesday.Namgung has been a key figure in the Korean movie industry, starring in over 300 films and winning dozens of honors, including a Blue Dragon Award. He played an instrumental role in spearheading the Korean film boom of the 1960s and 1970s and, following his retirement from acting in 2002, has bee
Dec. 8, 2015
-
[Eye] Being a responsible man
Men in uniform were the objects of pure admiration for Kang Sin-myeong, South Korea’s police chief, who now commands more than 140,000 police forces across the country. Recalling his childhood when money, not his grades, was an issue for him to enter prestigious universities in the capital city of Seoul, Kang said he may have been destined to become an officer. He was offered to study at the Korean National Police University, an elite school established to nurture young police officers with four
Dec. 4, 2015