This is Randi Hacker with another Postcard from Asia from the KU Center for East Asian Studies.

From the “sweetheart, get me rewrite” file comes this: A free trade agreement drawn up by South Korea to put into place with the European Union had to be withdrawn and resubmitted three times because of translation errors. In fact, one late audit discovered 32 embarrassing translation errors. Ooops. The deal, already passed by the EU, includes a 98% decrease in import duties and breaks down trade barriers in manufactured goods, farm products and services over a five-year period. The Minister for Trade took full responsibility and apologized for poor attention to detail. But there’s a happy ending: A new trade bill was drafted and submitted and was recently ratified by the National Assembly. So you see, kids: spelling counts!

From the KU Center for East Asian Studies, this is Randi Hacker. Wish you were here.