Norwegian youth orchestra dazzles crowd in Korea

Norway’s top youth orchestra -- Young Strings of Norway -- performed a vivacious rendition of classical pieces during its maiden tour of Korea last week.Comprised of 40 teenage talents up to the age of 19, the orchestra, directed by Barratt Due Institute of Music, has nurtured generations of prodigies since it was founded in 1927.Among them are world-class concert masters Ludvig Gudim and Camilla Kjoll, and violinists Vilde Frang and Eivind Holtsmark Ringstad, who have performed in cultural capi

Nov. 21, 2016

‘Support for World Food Program undergirds sustainable development’

The strengthening cooperation between the United Nations World Food Program and the Korean government is helping eradicate poverty worldwide and equipping communities against future disasters, the humanitarian agency’s leading official said during a visit to Korea in early November.Chris Kaye, director of the government partnerships division, stressed in an interview with The Korea Herald that the bilateral collaboration is a cornerstone of the UN sustainable development goals, a set of intergov

Nov. 21, 2016

‘Latvia, a Baltic jewel in tourism, culture and environment’

The Latvian Embassy in Seoul celebrated its National Day and the silver jubilee of its relations with Korea last week, promoting the country’s tourism, cultural and environmental assets around the Baltic Sea. The holiday on Nov. 18 marks the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia in 1918, when the country declared independence from Russia after more than 200 years of occupation. Latvia was subsumed into the Soviet Union in 1940, but became a vibrant democracy and market economy following the dis

Nov. 21, 2016

Trump's national security advisor calls S. Korea 'vital alliance'

Mike Flynn, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's first national security advisor, told a delegation of South Korean officials that relations between the two countries are a "vital alliance" and should be further strengthened, an official said. Mike Flynn (EPA-Yonhap)Flynn also told the delegation during the meeting earlier Friday that he plans to tackle the North Korean nuclear issue as a "priority," South Korea's deputy National Security Advisor Cho Tae-yong told reporters. Flynn, a retired thre

Nov. 19, 2016

Denmark shares secret to surefooted happiness

In Denmark, people pursue happiness in everyday activities that land the Scandinavian society at the top of international happiness rankings year after year. Whether chumming around the fireplace, reading by the candlelight or cooking for loved ones, Danes have mastered the art of “hygge”: the pursuit of well-being through down-to-earth endeavors, which reportedly contributes to overall health and wealth.While the Nordic nation has championed its societal peace of mind, Korea has struggled, rank

Nov. 14, 2016

Photo exhibition illuminates 1956 Hungarian Revolution

Marking the 60th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight, the Hungarian Embassy and the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History have organized a photo exhibition that runs until Jan. 22. Organized in collaboration with the House of Terror Museum in Budapest, the exhibition showcases some 50 pictures and infographics at the museum in Seoul.The exhibition includes representative images of the time, such as students marching on the streets and the Hungarian flag with a

Nov. 14, 2016

Poland, Hungary share legacies of transformation

Throughout the late 1980s and ’90s, the Visegrad Group of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia transformed from Soviet satellite states to sovereign European democracies. On Feb. 15, 1991, Polish President Lech Walesa, Czechoslovakian President Vaclav Havel and Hungarian Prime Minister Jozsef Antall met in the small castle town of Visegrad, Hungary, and established the informal alliance of Central European nations. The waves of transition that followed rippled from Warsaw, Prague and

Nov. 14, 2016

ASEAN buoys connectivity, woos investment

In line with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ Economic Community Blueprint 2025, the regional bloc of 10 countries aims to enhance their physical, institutional and societal connectivity over the next 10 years to navigate the volatile world economy. Bolstered by the launch of the ASEAN Community last year, which comprises of security, economic and socio-cultural dimensions, the association envisions a “more comprehensively and seamlessly connected” Southeast Asia through state-of-the-

Nov. 14, 2016

Military holds policy assessment meeting after Trump's surprise win

South Korea's military held an emergency meeting on Thursday to assess the possible impact of the Donald Trump presidency on its decades-old alliance with the United States that has been critical in maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula. At the meeting, civilian leaders and the military's top brass reviewed potential U.S. defense policy changes that may occur between Washington and its Asian ally.Rep. Kim Young-woo, a ruling Saenuri Party lawmaker who heads the National Defense Committee in

Nov. 10, 2016

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump reaffirms Washington's security commitment to S. Korea

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday reaffirmed Washington's security commitment to South Korea during his telephone conversation with South Korean President Park Geun-hye, an official source said.During the talks that lasted some 10 minutes, Trump was quoted as saying that the United States will maintain a "firm, strong" defense posture to defend its Asian ally South Korea. The talks took place at around 10:00 a.m.Trump added that Washington will work together with Seoul "until the end

Nov. 10, 2016

ASEAN foods whet appetites at culinary festival

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Korea Center in Seoul hosted its annual culinary fair last week, bringing Southeast Asia’s diverse, distinct foods to the Korean public that has become increasingly drawn to the region’s gastronomic and touristic attractions.The event, titled the “ASEAN Culinary Festival 2016,” was held at COEX in Seoul from Wednesday to Saturday. It showcased 30 signature dishes and beverages from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which were prepared by top c

Nov. 7, 2016

Healthy Finnish food comes to Korea

The Finnish embassy in Seoul showcased last week the country’s wholesome, organic edibles in a bid to raise its profile in Korea, where consumers increasingly look for healthy options in their diet. Finland, located at the northeastern edge of Europe, is famous for its simple, yet nutritious cuisine made from organic ingredients grown near the Arctic. Much of its food comes from the unsoiled arctic greens and its crystal-clear waters. Representing cleanness, trustworthiness and high quality, the

Nov. 7, 2016

USFK Commander given Korean name in ceremony

Gen. Vincent K. Brooks -- commander of United States Forces Korea, Combined Forces Command and United Nations Command -- was bestowed a Korean name last week at a ceremony in a show of appreciation for his commitment to strengthening fraternity between the defense forces of the US and Korea. At the venue Friday organized by the ROK-US Alliance Friendship Association, the top commander was given a plaque and a scroll displaying his new name: “Park Yu-jong.” The last name “Park” comes from Park Je

Nov. 7, 2016

‘Sudan is gateway to African and Middle East markets’

Sudan’s vast land and water resources and strategic position in northeastern Africa present unexplored opportunities to Korean investors, according to the country’s top envoy. Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour came to Korea last week and held a discussion on diverse bilateral with his counterpart, Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se. He also met potential investors and officials at a forum organized by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “With vast land and water, we have large

Nov. 7, 2016

EU kick-starts programs for Emissions Trading System

The European Union delegation to Korea and Korea’s Ministry of Strategy and Finance will jointly organize a series of programs in emissions trading to help curb greenhouse gas emissions and jump-start the green economy simultaneously. Officially launched July 8, the three-year scheme shares the EU’s experience and knowledge in operating the emissions trading system -- an innovative approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the trading of emissions credits on the market -- with the Ko

Nov. 7, 2016

French minister to give lecture in S. Korea

French State Reform Minister Jean Vincent Place will give a special lecture on the digital revolution in the South Korean port city of Busan later this week, a city official said Monday. The lecture, titled "The Digital Revolution as a Solution to the Democratic and Environmental Challenges of the 21st Century," will be given at the city's inaugural Global Talk Show on Thursday, the official said.  South Korean President Park Geun-hye (wearing red) is greeted by Jean-Vincent Place (L), French mi

Nov. 7, 2016

UNSC negotiations being protracted amid Sino-US rivalry, political uncertainties in US

Negotiations at the UN Security Council over a new sanctions resolution on North Korea are being drawn out with no signs of an imminent breakthrough nearly two months after Pyongyang's fifth nuclear test.Analysts said that the delay appears to be in part because of political uncertainties in the United States, which will hold a presidential election this week, and a strategic rivalry between the US and China.Following Pyongyang's Sept. 9 nuclear test, the most powerful one to date, the US, along

Nov. 6, 2016