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China and Korea
New governments ought t seek better partnership America finished picking its leader for the next four years yesterday. China will begin a similar, but a very different, process tomorrow: the new Chinese leader has long been decided and will be in charge for a decade. Korea has been paying greater…
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East Asia
Cautious approach to wind energy
The capital is awash with advertisements promoting wind energy featuring predictable idyllic depictions of rolling green hills, trees and sunshine. Certainly wind power may have an important part to play in the fight against climate change but what developers never mention are its adverse environmental impacts. In the Republic of…
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East Asia
Presidential politics in Korea vs. US
It is only once every 20 years that the Korean and U.S. presidential elections coincide, so the recent campaigns have provided an excellent opportunity to compare how the political systems work in the two countries. The striking impression is that the state of democracy may be in better shape in…
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East Asia
3 saltwater crocodiles born in Seoul Zoo
Three saltwater crocodiles were born in Seoul Zoo, the first breeding of the species in Korea. Seoul Zoo Wednesday, made public the endangered species hatchlings that were born in August. The three, named Ssingssing, Ssukssuk and Ssakssak, which were 28.5 centimeters in length and 80 grams in weight on average…
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Hangeul Day to be national holiday from next year
Hangeul Day, which falls on Oct. 9, will become a national holiday from next year to celebrate the invention and proclamation of the Korean alphabet. The Ministry of Public Administration and Security said Wednesday that it will propose a revision to the holiday regulations to include Hangeul Day on the…
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The ball remains in NK court
The impetus remains with North Korea to improve ties with Washington in President Barack Obama’s second term, as analysts say his administration will watch how inter-Korean relations unfold rather than making a bold initiative. Citing a lack of political will to engage, the analysts said Obama will continue his “strategic…
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East Asia
N. Korea puts greater emphasis on sports
North Korea is showing noticeable effort in promoting sports from football to rollerblading in the latest reflection of a new leadership style exhibited by Kim Jong-un. The efforts, formalized by the establishment a new sports commission, will build on the nation’s surprise success at the London Olympics and paint Kim…
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East Asia
Koreans lack understanding of hanok’s cultural value
An American, who has lived in Korea and been involved in preserving traditional Korean houses, Hanok, for more than 40 years, claimed there is little understanding and awareness of the cultural value of the buildings among Korean people. Peter Bartholomew, managing director of iRC, a a Korea-focused business development consultancy,…
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East Asia
Van Gogh exhibit opens today
Some 60 works from post-Impressionist Vincent van Gogh’s oeuvre, including nine acclaimed self-portraits, will be on exhibition at Hangaram Design Museum of Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul. The exhibit runs through March 24, 2013. The gallery is rather dimly-lit to protect oil paintings. This exhibition provides a rare chance…
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East Asia
Yeokjeon Market struggles to survive mega retail giants
SUWON, Gyeonggi Province ― Jeon Hea-ok, 29, recalls the 1990s when Yeokjeon outdoor market near Suwon train station was still bustling with people seven days a week. Her parents ran a small stationery store in the market for several decades, and back then, take-home income was good for them and…
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