Documenting ‘hallyu’ to ensure longevity
The popularity of local culture, otherwise known as “hallyu,” has brought along new challenges in promoting Korea to the outside world. One of them is building online and offline database of hallyu, which the Korea Culture and Information Service (KOCIS), the state-run overseas PR agency, has started to embrace as key responsibilities. In a recent […]
Admissions Officer System revamps college entrance
This is the first in a three-part series on Korea’s innovative education programs that have drawn much attention from educational policymakers around the world. — ED. The Admissions Officer System, initiated in 2008, is one of the Lee Myung-bak administration’s bold measures to reshape the test-oriented college entrance process. Most Korean universities previously picked students […]
Cardinal celebrates Buddha’s birthday
Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, the archbishop of Seoul, delivered a congratulatory message on Buddha’s birthday, which falls on May 28 this year, to the Jogye Order, the country’s largest Buddhist sect, Monday. “We wish that the mercy of Buddha, who came to this world to save all creatures in agony, spreads to everyone, especially for […]
The illogic of China’s North Korea policy
Discussions in Beijing about North Korea are always frustrating. It’s not so much due to the sharp divergence in U.S. and Chinese thinking about how to deal with Pyongyang; the two sides differ on many issues. No, the real problem, from our perspective, is the illogic of the Chinese position. Indeed, it would be hard […]
‘Korean Eye’ takes 34 artists to London
“Korean Eye,” an exhibition to introduce contemporary Korean artists to the world, revealed the 34 who will present their work at the 2012 show at the Saatchi Gallery in London from July 25 to Sept. 23. “Korean Eye” was founded by Parallel Media Group chairman David Ciclitira to promote Korean art in cooperation with the […]
Allies stuck in 6-party deja vu
Seoul, Washington and Tokyo renewed their sticks-and-carrots approach to North Korea, Monday, amid tensions following a failed long-range rocket launch. But despite the diplomacy, huge doubts loom over the ability of the region to cope with Pyongyang. Officials of the three nations, following trilateral talks in Seoul, laid out their stance that the North will […]
APEC education ministers’ meeting opens
Top educators of 21 Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members will discuss globalization, the convergence of education and technology and other topics at the fifth education ministerial meeting, which will kick off a three-day run in Gyeongju today. The APEC Education Ministerial Meeting will be the biggestever such event to be held here. Under the […]
‘Kim’s remarks misinterpreted’
Human rights group claims detainees under duress in Chinese detention A human rights group said Sunday that it suspected the foreign ministry quoted Kim Young-hwan, a Korean activist detained in China, out of context during a meeting with a South Korean consular official. The group said the ministry erroneously concluded Kim and his three colleagues […]
Judges cautioned against using SNS
The Supreme Court advised judges Sunday to be careful in using social networking services (SNS) and refrain from commenting publicly on controversial social and political issues to prevent “unintended consequences.” The Public Servant’s Ethics Committee of the Supreme Court recommended this after its 11 members held discussions Thursday on judges’ use of SNS. “We felt […]
Will Ahn declare presidential bid?
Amid mounting speculations about his presidential ambition, rumors abound that Ahn Cheol-soo, a software tycoon and university dean, is poised to break his silence, drawing public attention prior to an upcoming lecture in Busan. He is scheduled to speak to Pusan University students May 30, as part of his lecture series. The lecture coincides with […]