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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Dont Miss Panama Canal Boom

By Yoon Won-sup Staff Reporter The top envoy of Panama in Seoul highly recommended Korea to join the construction boom taking place in his country thanks to the Panama Canal expansion project. ``We now have a great construction boom in Panama just like Korea did in the past,’’ Panamanian Ambassador Daniel Abrego told The Korea Times. ``So this is the right time for Koreans to invest in Panama.’’ But the 55-year-old ambassador felt sorry to see Koreans showing little interest in investing in Panama even though there are lots of business opportunities. The Panamanian government will spend $5.2 billion to expand the canal until 2014 but no Korean companies participated even in the bidding process of the project. Abrego said he can’t understand why Korea, which has advanced construction and shipbuilding industries, does not participate in the historical project. ``When Panamanian Vice President Samuel Lewis Navarro visited Seoul in November 2005, he held a seminar with relevant Korean companies, encouraging them to join the boom,’’ the ambassador recalled. ``But it wa

Jun 17, 2007

New Framework Needed for Global Leadership

By Jane Han Staff Reporter The well of strong leadership to carry out the future of Korean corporations is running dry, says the local head of a global management consultancy, and work must be done quickly in order to avoid any human resource loopholes. ``The baby boomer generation will retire soon and what the country urgently needs is a backup plan for the retirement of highly skilled professionals,'' Charlie Kim, representative director of Hay Group, said in a recent Korea Times interview. ``It's not just top management, but the mid-management level that must be pipelined.'' Kim, who recently took office as the Korea executive of Hay Group, served as the CEO of Mercer Human Resource Consulting Korea for almost a decade, and after observing the local human resource market for years, he says a new framework is needed in order to produce global leaders. Companies must first define their needs, where they know what types of talent must be hired for the firm to reach its target, he said. ``Hiring ready-to-go employees is good, but what's important is to see th

Jun 15, 2007

Rain Strikes First China Ad Deal

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Rain's star power will reign in China as the hallyu star models for Fuma, a local confectionary company. The one-year contract is the singer's first deal with a mainland Chinese brand. The 25-year-old returned home after completing photo shoots and filming a TV commercial under tight security from June 8 to 9, according to Yonhap News. The advertisements featuring the pop star and Fuma's new roll cake will be revealed in September. ``Rain had previously modeled for Pepsi-Cola, Pentec cell-phones and make-up brand DHC, among other global labels, but this is his first advertisement for a mainland Chinese company,'' a Chinese advertisement firm representative told Yonhap News. ``Rain, like other superstars in China, chose the food industry, which is an easy means of reaching the masses.'' Fuma plans to spend about 50 billion won to promote Rain's ads, which will run on national television as well as on more than six satellite broadcasting systems and every regional channel, according to the local advertising company in charge of the project.

Jun 14, 2007

UN Wants More Humanitarian Aid From South Korea: Top Official

By Kang Shin-who Staff Reporter United Nations (U.N.) Undersecretary General John Holmes called on Korea to take a greater role in humanitarian and development causes during a special lecture at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, Wednesday. `` I'm here to host donors to establish a new partnership in Asia for humanitarian assistance. Considering Korean economic power, Korea can play a significant role in humanitarian assistance,’’ Holmes said. ``Since Korea had assistance from the international community, it's right to give something back.’’ He is currently working as Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the U.N. Under the theme, ``The Humanitarian Affairs of the U.N.,’’ Holmes made a 90-minute speech in front of 250 students. Humanitarian intervention had its birth in Switzerland in 1863, with the creation of the International Red Cross. Following it, the Hague Convention was founded. After World War II, the Geneva Convention was a further step in codifying international humanitarian aid. Then in 1991, the Office of Humanitarian Affairs was final

Jun 14, 2007

Korean-American Michelle Rhee Becomes Education Chancellor of Washington DC

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter Michelle Rhee, a 38 year-old second generation Korean-American, has been nominated for post of chancellor of education of Washington D.C. city, Tuesday, a post which overseas the control of 146 public schools. This is the first time for a Korean-American to take the position and also the first time for the city to pick a woman in her 30s with no school management experience. Even Rhee, with her Korean name of Rhee Yang-hee, told Yonhap News Agency that the city's educational circle were ``take by surprise'' at her nomination. Having graduated from Cornel University, majoring in public administration and gaining a master's degree at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, Rhee has dedicated herself to changing the quality of education in relatively low-income areas. She worked as an elementary school teacher in Baltimore for three years, where she helped students make dramatic progress in reading. Nationwide broadcaster ABC's morning show ``Good Morning America'' covered her story. In 1997, she formed ``The New

Jun 13, 2007

Lee Jun-ki Donates Items for Auction

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Korean star Lee Joon-ki is once again showing his generous side, donating some of his personal belongings for an auction in Thailand. The proceeds from the auction will go to the Tapasa Foundation, the Thai royal family’s foundation. Lee donated his DVD collection, sunglasses and hat to the Korea-Thailand Cultural Center (KTTC), which will hold the auction. Lee was quoted as saying, he donated the items in hopes of raising money for the Thai royal family’s foundation which helps the poor people of Thailand. Around 5,000 Thai fans attended Lee’s promotional event at the Central World in Bangkok on June 8. He also sold 200 specially designed necklaces at 1,200 baht each. There was also a special draw, where five lucky fans won a chance to have dinner with the actor. This is not the first time Lee has donated for a good cause. During Christmas and Chuseok holiday last year, he donated money to a Korean organization helping children who are heads of households. Lee was in Thailand to film the MBC drama ``Time between Dog and

Jun 11, 2007

Philippines Targets Korean Retirees

By Yoon Won-sup Staff Reporter The top Philippine government official in charge of attracting foreigners to live there after retirement said that due to various projects, the Philippines is the best destination for them. ``Our vision is to make the Philippines the most attractive country for retirees,'' Edgar Aglipay, chairman of Philippine Retirement Authority, said during a press conference in Seoul. ``Now so many Koreans are coming to our country to enjoy their retirement.'' Aglipay said the reason why Koreans choose the Philippines for their retirement destination is that the country offers excellent weather with warm temperatures, safety, world-class healthcare, hospitality, low cost of living, natural attractions such as clean beaches and good facilities for retirees. Philippine Ambassador to Seoul Susan Castrence also agreed with the chairman because so many Korean retirees recently began settling in the Philippines that their movement is jokingly called ``invasion.'' Aglipay saw the development of retirement destinations has become a very big industry in itsel

Jun 11, 2007

Prof. Ma Kwang-soo Resumes Teaching Career

By Bae Ji-sook Staff Reporter Yonsei University Professor Ma Kwang-soo, who was suspended from teaching over plagiarizing his student's work, will resume his teaching from next semester, the school announced Monday. The professor of Korean literature and an authority on erotic literature, will teach two classes on ``understanding the theatrical play,'' once a week. Ma said that he will talk about abnormal sexual desire, which is very important in understanding the psychology in a play. ``I won't be talking about boring principles,'' he said. There will be 200 students taking the course and a special textbook will be used. Ma was much in the limelight for being charged with obscenity. He was imprisoned in 1995 for writing ``Happy Sara,'' which was ruled pornographic by the Supreme Court. Recently he was fined 2 million won for posting the novel on his blog. The book is banned for teenagers. The school did not punish Ma over the incident, for it guarantees the freedom of expression in academy and arts. The school spokesman said that though his suspension has

Jun 11, 2007

Jang Na-ra Touches Hearts in China

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter South Korean singer and actress Jang Na-ra not only dazzled the audiences onstage but warmed their hearts with acts of benevolence off stage in her first solo concert in China. The 26-year-old performed on June 8-9 in the Beijing Exhibition Center to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic ties. The hall was packed with 3,000 fans, including 200 that flew in from Korea, as well as high profile diplomats. The star sang Korean and Chinese songs, and various traditional performances from the two countries filled the stage, such as percussion, dance and martial arts demonstrations. Jang also elated fans by revealing her talent in playing the flute. One of the concert's touching highlights, however, was the attendance of a very special guest. Jang personally invited on stage a 12-year-old Chinese fan suffering from acute leukemia, after reading about the girl in an article. She also made a financial donation and gave her a laptop computer. ``She (Jang) is so much prettier than her pictures,'' remarked the girl, who had always

Jun 10, 2007

Pop Singer ‘Bangsiri’ in Critical Condition

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Korean singer Bang Yeon-soon, known more commonly as ``Bangsiri,’’ is in critical condition in hospital, after suffering a stroke early Thursday morning, according to her management agency. Bang, 44, had been hospitalized since late May at a hospital in Sillim-dong for diabetes and fatigue. She was moved to the Seoul National University Hospital on Thursday after her stroke. Bang is said to be in serious condition, having suffered brain damage. Doctors said it is difficult to perform brain surgery on her, since the damage is located in a delicate area of the brain. Because of this, doctors are reluctant to perform surgery. She is currently receiving drug treatment for the brain damage. Even if Bang gets better, doctors said she will have to undergo two to three months of intensive therapy and treatment for a full recovery. Last March, Bang released a new album. She had been holding performances to promote her music, and had made appearances on a local radio program. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

Jun 7, 2007
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