• 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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  • East Asia

    Blackout feared

    Concerns are rising that Korea will face serious power shortages this winter following the unexpected stoppage of two nuclear reactors in Younggwang, South Jeolla Province due to faulty parts. The demand for electricity surges when temperatures fall. Yet it’s believed that the two reactors ㅡ each capable of generating one…

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  • East Asia

    Foreign Student’s first experience of taking school exams in Korea

    Mid Term Examination period officially ended for Korean university students. Many students must hope that their weeks of preparation for the exam would pay off. Cafes are turning into place for hanging out once again, not as ‘fun study room’ anymore. Read also Cafe emerges as a favorite spot for Korean students…

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  • East Asia

    [The AsiaN 1st Anniv] Message from Mohammed Larbi Messari

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