World - THE AsiaN

K-literature reaches more readers

Following international exposure at the London Book Fair on April 8-10, worldwide interest in Korean literature is gaining momentum. A slew of translated versions of Korean novels and poems have been published in various countries from the United States to Singapore in an effort to attract a broader readership. Supported…
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War-torn Afghanistan holds successful election

The first round of Afghanistan’s presidential election was held Saturday and, based on most reports, so far so good. That is particularly true in light of the threat of violence posed by the Taliban and, potentially, other heavily armed elements in and outside the country. Turnout among the 12 million…
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Korea – hackers’ safe haven

One in five data theft cases in the world occur here This is the first in a series of articles highlighting the recent massive breach of cyber security. ― ED. Around 35 million of Korea’s population of 52 million population use mobile devices. But with this rising connectedness comes increased…
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Obama will return royal seals to Korea

U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to return nine stolen Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) seals to Korea during his Asian trip next week, a source familiar with the situation said Tuesday. They are three state seals, which kings used on diplomatic and other significant documents, and six ceremonial ones, which royal…
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Korean kids vs Jewish kids

Inquisitive mind key to successful education; experts Korean and Jewish moms have a single-minded devotion to their children’s success and put an overwhelming emphasis on education as a means to achieve it. Korean students have been at the top of international tests measuring the performances of 15-year-olds in math, reading…
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Who are most charitable stars?

Some celebrities become social inspirations beyond popularity Hollywood star Angelina Jolie, known as one of the most philanthropic celebrities, once said that she “opened her eyes” when she saw people from the war-ravaged region while filming “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” in Cambodia in 2001. Since then, she has turned into…
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US missile defense to pit Park, Obama

President Park Geun-hye may come under pressure to pledge support for a U.S.-led missile defense system (MDS) during President Barack Obama’s visit this month, according to observers. This time, Park will find it harder to maintain an ambiguous position, they added. “The U.S. will want South Korea to join its…
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New Global Coalition on Surveillance sought

The following article is quoted from the Human Rights Watch Homepage -Editor’s note- Governments Urged to Keep Invasive Technologies in Check (Brussels, April 4, 2014) – World leaders should make a commitment to keep invasive surveillance systems and technologies out of the hands of dictators and oppressive regimes, a new…
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‘Apple should rather focus on innovation’

A former Wall Street Journal reporter says that Apple should shift the focus of its business to “innovation” from patent disputes with Samsung Electronics. In a written interview with The Korea Times, Yukari Iwatani Kane said that Apple’s consistent claims that its design patents were copied by Samsung are rather…
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Taming Tokyo

President Obama’s forthcoming trip to Korea and Japan in late April is partly meant to narrow the growing differences between Washington’s two important allies in Northeast Asia. The need for action appears to be urgent from the U.S. perspective in regards to maintaining its Asian strategy. What is particularly worrisome…
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