K-pop concert hall proposed to promote Korean culture
Four districts in northeastern Seoul have proposed jointly building a K-pop concert hall, saying the facility will help promote the nation’s pop culture as well as boost the region’s economy. Chiefs of the districts ― Dobong, Nowon, Seongbuk and Gangbuk ― signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with private investors to construct the tentatively named […]
How far are you going Psy?
As far as I can … As much as Koreans are wondering who will become the next president in December, they are also guessing just how far Psy will go with his song “Gangnam Style.” Psy, whose real name is Park Jae-sang, had no idea his music video would go so viral within a couple […]
Korean-born Australian ‘stolen’ for adoption
A Korean-born Australian woman has charged that she was the victim of an illegal adoption. She claimed she was adopted by an Australian family after she was “stolen” from her biological parents immediately after she was born in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province. Her story was aired by Australian public broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service. According to […]
Maestro Chung’ brother faces arrest
An arrest warrant has been sought for the elder brother of maestro Chung Myung-whun on charges of fraud. Investigators at Incheon District Prosecutors’ Office said Monday they sought the warrant for Chung Myung-keun, chief of performing arts management company CMI, for embezzling billions of won in subsidies from Incheon City and other funds. According to […]
‘Registered brothels needed’
This is the last in a series of articles about sex crimes against children and women, alcohol-induced violence and child pornography. ― ED. Kim Kang-ja, a professor and a former senior police officer, has proposed that strictly-regulated brothels be set up in designated areas. “There are members of society for whom it is difficult to […]
Avalanche at Mt. Manaslu claims 11 lives, injuring18 others
KATHUMANDU — At least 11 climbers were killed and more than 18 injured in an avalanche that lashed the upper reaches of Mt Manaslu in Gorkha district, some 200 kilometres away from Kathmandu early Sunday (Sept. 23). Nine of them died in the spot while two died during treatment in Kathmandu. According to Nepal Police, nine bodies […]
Mutual relations witness steady developments
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ahmad Al-Barrak contributed the following article to The Korea Times on the occasion of the 82nd National Day of Saudi Arabia. — ED. The 82nd celebration of the National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the year 2012 comes while the bilateral relations between >the Kingdom […]
Why Korea wants Nobel Prize for literature
The Seoul Literary Society’s latest meeting last Monday was a thought-provoking one. Novelist Kim Young-ha said the craving for a Korean Nobel Prize winner in literature is Koreans’ innate craving for recognition. “Sooner or later, people will begin to ask if a Korean national can be the Nobel Prize winner this year,” novelist Kim said […]
Foreigners dance to ‘Gangnam Style’
“Oppan Gangnam Style!” shouted foreigners who danced to the song “Gangnam Style” in the middle of Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul, Friday. About 70 foreigners danced to rapper-singer Psy’s hit song which has gone viral online and hit the billboard charts in the United States, during a dance session held Friday from 11:30 a.m. till […]
Long-term vision needed on East China Sea disputes
Taipei ― Korea, China and Japan should take a pragmatic, long-term approach to boundary disputes in the East China Sea, experts said Friday, warning that domestic politics can rapidly escalate tensions. The sea is the stage for complex debates over geographic features including Ieodo, a submerged rock claimed by both Seoul and Beijing; and disagreements […]