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Korea Herald
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
University student council suspends group for calling Yoon 'leader of insurrection'
Operators of community library at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies accused of political bias A university in Seoul recently attracted controversy after it suspended a student group for alleged political bias, taking issue with the group decrying disgraced ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol as the "leader of an insurrection." The student council at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies last week declined the ratification of its affiliated community library, which is funded by the student council but had been granted autonomy in its operations. The decision effectively suspended the library's operators from their right to run the library for one semester, relinquishing control to the student council. The HUFS Student Council took issue with six statements that the library operators released in the aftermath of Yoon's Dec. 3 declaration of martial law, in which they demanded Yoon step down and criticized Yoon as the "leader of an insurrection" and his followers as an "anti-democratic" movement. Yoon was removed from office as the president of South Korea after the Constitutional Court on April 4 confirmed his impeachment, but the accusation of insurrection has yet to be confirmed in an ongoing criminal trial. Yoon is charged with insurrection under Article 87 of the Criminal Act, which carries a maximum sentence of capital punishment. The Constitutional Court said the ex-president's imposition of martial law was illegal and unconstitutional but did not specifically refer to his actions as insurrection. The National Assembly initially listed insurrection among its reasons for impeaching the former leader, but retracted it later. Members of the HUFS student council accused the library operators of political bias, pointing out that they did not attempt to reflect student consensus when criticizing Yoon, released statements related to Yoon too frequently, and that they used the phrase "leader of an insurrection" in the statement. The operators of the library denied that their actions were politically motivated, and claimed they were merely criticizing what they believed was a threat to democracy. They pointed out that their independent statements were in keeping with the intent shown in a separate statement released by the HUFS Student Council. The HUFS Student Council in December released a statement decrying Yoon's martial law and demanding that he step down. The statement was issued in 19 languages, apparently to stress that the school is considered among the country's leading institutions in international studies. The student council also stated that Yoon's declaration of martial law was "a clear act of insurrection that trampled on the spirit of the Constitution and destroyed democracy."
Korea Herald
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Ambassador Al-Hamar on 50 years of Qatar-Korea relations and Qatar's cultural diplomacy
The recent performance by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in Seoul was more than an evening of music — it was a vivid expression of the deepening cultural dialogue between Qatar and Korea. Held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, the concert struck a symbolic high note in a year filled with cross-cultural engagement. Khalid Ebrahim Al-Hamar, ambassador of the State of Qatar to Korea, described the event as a bridge between two cultures — one that brought the Qatari spirit to Korean audiences not through words or treaties, but through music. 'This performance, presented by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, was a channel of communication between peoples,' he said, adding that the concert "offers a glimpse into the development witnessed by the State of Qatar in all fields, especially the cultural field,' he said. The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, led by conductor Wilson Ng, took the stage over the weekend with top Korean artists, singer Sumi Jo and pianist Park Jae-hong. Founded in 2008, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, comprising 96 musicians from more than 30 countries, has emerged as a central institution in the country's efforts to cultivate and export culture. With a mission to blend Arab musical heritage with international repertoires, the orchestra has become both a national emblem and a diplomatic envoy, the ambassador explained. Its recent performance in Seoul was not only a celebration of Qatar's artistic evolution, but also a testament to the enduring friendship between the two countries, he added. That friendship, once anchored in trade and energy, has steadily expanded into education, tourism and increasingly, the arts, the ambassador said. In recent years, cultural ties have accelerated, with Qatari and Korean institutions hosting exhibitions, musical events and collaborative programs. The orchestra's visit followed a series of cultural initiatives marking the 50th anniversary, including Qatar Day at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, a translated book on Qatari heritage released in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Library, and a children's art contest co-hosted with the Multicultural Museum. Al-Hamar points to these efforts as part of a broader strategy — one that sees culture as an essential component of diplomacy. Qatar's approach to cultural diplomacy is deeply institutional, built on major investments in museums, heritage preservation and global arts initiatives. Landmark institutions such as the National Museum of Qatar and the Museum of Islamic Art not only reflect the nation's cultural identity but also function as tools of soft power on the world stage, according to the ambassador. One of Qatar's most prominent cultural platforms is the Years of Culture program, which partners annually with another country for a curated season of cultural exchange. Past partnerships have featured Japan, China and Indonesia. Ambassador Al-Hamar expressed strong interest in launching a Qatar-Korea Year of Culture, which would further solidify the foundation laid by events like the recent concert. Looking ahead, Al-Hamar was optimistic about the future of Qatar-Korea cultural relations. 'Qatari-Korean relations can now be described as advanced, solid, and based on mutual interests and benefits, yet open to further development. Although these relations were initially based solely on economics and trade, in recent years they have evolved into comprehensive, complementary relations across various fields, including culture," he said.
