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Society
Is taxing religion an act of blasphemy?
Gambling monks scandal raises old issue anew The gambling scandal shadowing the country’s largest Buddhist order has triggered debate on whether the government should collect taxes from temples, churches and religious organizations. For decades, there has been an argument over taxing monks and clergymen, but little progress has been made…
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Society
Korea pursues ‘hallyu’ initiatives
30 language institutes will be set up around world every year As part of efforts to boost the staying power of “hallyu” or the Korean wave, the government plans to set up language institutes around the world — 30 or more every year. Plus, the current Romanization system, already 10…
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Society
Power struggle hits Jogye Order
The largest Buddhist order, Jogye, is in turmoil following last week’s release of a video clip showing eight monks gambling with hundreds of millions of won at a hotel room in late April. Jogye Order President Ven. Jaseung is under growing pressure to resign amid rumors that his opponents are…
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Society
Real face of adoption shames 8th Adoption Day
On May 11, 2006, National Adoption Day was established to achieve a healthy adoption culture and to encourage domestic adoptions. However, real change seems to have been slow. Even now, adoptees are still exposed to illegal trades or violence. Lately, an unidentified person uploaded a posting that she said she…
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Politics
A host of economic challengies agonize Syria
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks to the media at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, April 19, 2012. Ban said here Thursday that the situation in Syria remains highly precarious, and he looks forward to an early action by the UN Security Council on his proposed expansion…
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Society
Indonesian taekwondo athletes aim four golds
Harsono Danie, an Indonesian Taekwondo player, performs ‘Kumgang Pumsae’ during 6th International Taekwondo Pumsae Competition at Olympiat stadium in Vladivostok, Russia, Jul 30, 2011. <File Photo> JAKARTA, May 11 (Xinhua) — Indonesian taekwondo competitors are expecting to grab four gold medals during the International Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) in Riau…
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Society
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…
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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…
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Society
The AsiaN’s Chinese edition opens on May 11
The AsiaN has started publishing the Chinese edition (cn.theasian.asia) on the occasion of its half year founding anniversary which fell on Friday (May 11). This is the third following the Korean and English editions. We are ready to provide a variety of stories and columns on political, economic, military, social, culture and history in a way of meeting…
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Society
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…
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