Vietnamese pop singer My Linh has been appointed an honorary ambassador for tourism to South Korea, reported Asia News Network.The singer was named an honorary ambassador by the South Korea embassy in Vietnam in Hanoi on Wednesday. The ceremony was held in conjunction with an event to promote Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay and South Korea’s Jeju Island in their bid to be named among the New Seven Wonders o

Investors can be confident that fears of a debt contagion “bonfire” across the eurozone were without grounds and that the bloc’s economic future is bright, a senior member of the European Central Bank said on a visit to Korea on Wednesday.Central Bank of Luxembourg governor Yves Mersch was in Seoul to meet with Bank of Korea head Kim Choong-soo and senior figures in investment, banking and insuran

‘Food innovation key to feeding global population’With a rapidly growing world population, ensuring food security and safety for future generations is a crucial challenge. New Zealand has a key role in meeting the task, according to the general manager of a renowned food science institute and an official from the country’s economic development agency. “Riddet Institute is really interested in unde

On abortion ...If someone tried to kill you while sleeping, what would you do?Maybe you would shout out “Robber! Help me!” for a neighbor to hear. Or you might call the police.The baby in a mother’s womb is alive like us. Even if he can’t shout and talk, can we, even their parents, take away their life? We don’t have a right to do this. That is why the relationship is not top to bottom but horizon

With the current statute largely ignored ...A common practice outside the lawAbortion in South Korea is illegal in most circumstances, with only a limited number of exceptions listed under 1973’s Maternal and Child Health and the Mother and Fatherless Child Health Acts. An abortion may legally be performed if either parent has a eugenic, hereditary or communicable disease; the pregnancy is the res

The Austrian embassy in Seoul has announced a summer course for German and Austrian studies. The four-week program will include an intensive German language course for speakers of varying ability and workshops on Austrian politics, history and culture.The course is in accordance with the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework and is designed in particular to meet the needs and interests of

January’s popular uprising against former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will continue to have an impact not just across Egypt and the Middle East but also the world, Egyptian Ambassador Mohammad El-Zorkany told a gathering on the country’s national day on Thursday.“The revolution that erupted in Egypt on the 25th of January 2011 is proceeding and is evolving and I think eventually we will give

Italian artist Omar Galliani’s newest exhibition “Seoul’s Soul” consists of multiple monumental charcoal drawings that demonstrate his ability to blend together reality, spirituality and the imagination. But Galliani brought more than a collection of enigmatic, sensual artworks to Seoul ― he brought with him conduits for diplomacy between Italy and South Korea.“Seoul’s Soul” is Galliani’s first ex

Country’s new talent connects at PiFan showcaseIsrael and Korea may not share a common tongue, but it was the international language of film that shone through at the Israeli Film Reception on Wednesday, held in cooperation with the 15th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.Two Israeli films showcased at PiFan were celebrated at the event: “Rabies,” a horror written and directed by Navot P

On English lectures ...Korean students have studied English very hard at school, educational institutes and even gone abroad to study the language. We have invested enormous time and money in English.Though the situation is such, when a foreigner asks us something, why are we embarrassed?When we are faced with English, why do we feel repulsion about it first?There are many reasons for this but I t

 Following the FTC’s guidelines to protect young entertainers ... K-pop groups with underage members such as KARA have caused controversy with their provocative dress and dance routinesDrawing a line between sex and popOver the last 15 years, K-pop has grown from being entertainment for Koreans to being the subject of affection of fans across Asia, North America and Europe. Concerns over the incre

South Korea does not ban civic groups from sending flour and other humanitarian supplies to North Korea, an official here said Tuesday, hinting at a new policy direction on aid, which has been banned since the North’s November naval attack. Seoul has been cautious about sending flour to Pyongyang due to its possible use as military provisions. The purported approval indicates South Korea’s softeni

Armaments is one possible point of cooperation between Switzerland and South Korea if the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission becomes obsolete in the event of reunification of North and South, Swiss Defense Minister Ueli Maurer told a gathering at the Swiss Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday.Switzerland, along with Sweden, is one of two nations making up the NNSC, tasked with keeping the peace at the

Soju may be the typical accompaniment to “samgyeopsal,” but German Ambassador to Korea Hans-Ulrich Seidt is on a mission to promote a less obvious pairing with the Korean favorite ― Riesling white wine.“I like Korean food very much. And I realized that German white wine goes very, very well with Korean food, in particular Riesling from the different areas we have in Germany,” Seidt said Wednesday

New Poland ambassador sees promise in academic partnershipsAmbassador and scientist ― those are the two titles that the new Polish envoy is bringing to an already strong and flourishing bilateral relationship.“I plan to put a lot of emphasis on developing science and technology cooperation,” said Poland Ambassador Krzysztof Ignacy Majka during his first interview with the local English press.As a

On English lectures...I think the English lecture debate in Korea has two sides, which is good because it is an exciting moment to share ideas among students in English. However, it is true that it also has limitations.This semester, I took two lectures in English. One I took was about Korean theater. We were taught how Korean theatre has developed with shamanism. I think it would have been better

With Korea part of an ever more globalized world...Balancing globalization and reality in the lecture hallLectures conducted in English have become commonplace at Korean universities in the last few years. It has been reported that universities in Seoul conduct between 20 and 40 percent of their lectures in English. A desire to keep in step with globalization and bump up Korean universities’ place

North Korean dictators are enjoying their luxurious lives through seizing the aid provided to help those on the streets.Even though the South knows that not all the food will reach those in need, South Korea keeps sending food.Just because North Korea is a brother nation does not give them the right to starve the poor. The South should realize the truth and find a better way to help civilians rath

On food aid...Food is a basic human need with water, shelter, education and primary health care. It is a prerequisite for health -- the most important component of human resource development. Food security is now listed among the social determinants of health which is clearly a determinant of HRD - life, dignity, civil society, progress, justice and sustainable development. As an awakened academic

Divisions over aidEver since President Lee Myung-bak suspended food aid to North Korea upon taking office in 2008, the question of its resumption has been highly contentious. Lee ended the shipments of rice that had taken place under his liberal predecessors with the insistence that aid be tied to denuclearization by the North. The sinking of the Cheonan last March and the attack on Yeonpyeong isl