Taxing gambling monks
The leadership of Jogye, the nation’s largest Buddhist order, is being thrown into question following the disclosure Thursday of a video clip showing monks gambling, drinking and smoking in a hotel room. The monks were seen playing poker with hundreds of millions of won, which is believed to be from donations from believers. Many within […]
Yeosu Expo officially begins
The 2012 Yeosu Expo, which will run for 93 days until Aug. 12, officially kicked off Saturday morning. The official opening ceremony was held in front of the digital gallery of the exhibition hall under the presence of the expo committee and Yeosu city officials. At the opening ceremony, the honor guards made a solemn […]
Empty talk
Big firms playing dumb to challenges of aging population A workforce aging in dog years has been fueling apocalyptic talk about the future of Korea’s economy. Nonetheless, the country’s biggest corporations continue to display a maddening inability to think beyond the next quarter. Policymakers like Strategy and Finance Minister Bahk Jae-wan are frequently expressing alarm […]
Over 100,000 petitioners ask White House to adopt East Sea
More than 100,000 people have signed on an online petition asking the White House for its support to have the East Sea rather than the Sea of Japan adopted as the name of the body of water separating Korea from Japan. The petition drive started two months ago. Now, the ball is in the White […]
Celebrating King Sejong
King Sejong was the fourth king of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) and is well-known for many impressive things such as having created “Hangeul,” or the Korean alphabet but did you know that he was also a lover of music? The king researched and modified the contemporary music and dance of that period. He also urged […]
Bask in light at Lotus Lantern Festival
Colorful lotus lanterns light up Jogye Temple to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday, which falls on May 28. The age-old “Yeondeunghoe” or Lotus Lantern Festival is a highlight among the many festivities that take place this month. Although modern Korea is not a mainly Buddhist country, the festival is considered one of the representative cultural festivals of […]
Tragedian-in-chief
WASHINGTON ― President Barack Obama recently addressed the White House correspondents’ dinner as comedian-in-chief at the capital’s Hilton Hotel. The annual gathering has been held since 1920 to strengthen communication between the presidential office and journalists. It has a rich tradition of pertinent humor and amusing dialogue between the incumbent president and the White House […]
Korea to attract more foreign students
Korea plans to attract more foreign students in the coming years and is preparing a package that allows for tourism combined with education. The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday to increase the number of foreign students to Korea and to […]
50 Chinese couples wed on Jeju
Couples from Daqing, China’s northeastern Heilongjiang Province, hug each other at a joint wedding ceremony at Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), Jeju Island, Wednesday. A scenic joint wedding ceremony of 50 couples from Daqing in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, was held at Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) on Jeju Island, Wednesday. The wedding ceremony was planned by […]
Paik’s legacy in dispute
Family of late video artist opposes memorial project An effort to commemorate Korean-born video artist Paik Nam-june and his legacy is being objected to by his family and executor. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, KBS and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education established a committee for a Paik Nam June memorial project in […]
Media in Tie-up with The AsiaN 
Trump, Kim, and the Three P’s of Summit Diplomacy: 
