Biden: China air zone raises risk of accidents

TOKYO (AP)— U.S. Vice President Joe Biden voiced strong opposition Tuesday to China's new air defense zone above a set of disputed islands, showing a united front with an anxious Japan as tension in the region simmered.Standing side by side in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Biden said the U.S. is  "deeply concerned" about China's attempt to unilaterally change the status quo in the East China Sea."This action has raised regional tensions and increased the risk of accidents and mi

Dec. 3, 2013

First discovery of Chinese documents marking Dokdo as Korean territory

A researcher here said Sunday that she found multiple documents published by China in the 1900s that describe South Korea’s ownership of the easternmost islets of Dokdo, which are also claimed by Japan.Yoo Mi-rim, a researcher at the Korea Dokdo and Marine Territory Research Center under the state-run Korea Maritime Institute, published a book with multiple diplomatic documents she found in the archives of the Chinese foreign ministry.The documents were estimated to be written between Korea’s li

Dec. 1, 2013

Spouses of foreign envoys hold exhibition of photos of Korea

An association of spouses of foreign envoys posted here showcased its unique perspectives of South Korea in a special art exhibition at Raemian Gallery in Seoul through Dec. 1.Sixteen spouses of foreign ambassadors in South Korea shared with the Korean public a unique mix of their perceptions of South Korea and their individual artistic expressions. Organized by the Association of Spouses of Ambassadors in Korea, the exhibition is free and open to the public.“The synthesis of their own cultural

Dec. 1, 2013

Malaysian Embassy’s trade arm brings cuisine to Seoul

In contrast to fellow Asian capitals Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo, Seoul is regarded by many expatriates in South Korea as a food desert of sorts for quality international cuisine.Now, the city is taking one cautious step closer to offering world taste buds food that satisfies. For the first time ever, foodies here will have the chance to taste authentic Malaysian cuisine at Malaysian restaurants headed up by Malaysian chefs.The Malaysian Embassy’s trade arm is now flexing its commercial exper

Dec. 1, 2013

Aide expresses displeasure over Japanese magazine's derision of Park

A presidential official on Thursday expressed displeasure after a Japanese magazine reportedly derided President Park Geun-hye as "imbecile of the week" for taking a tough stance on the former colonial ruler.The latest edition of the weekly Shukan Bunshun carried an article about Park's stance on Tokyo, accusing her of "creating disturbances" with regard to rows over the sovereignty of the South's easternmost islets of Dokdo and Japan's enslavement of Korean women as sex slaves during World War

Nov. 28, 2013

Indonesia protests to Korea over alleged U.S. spying role

Indonesia has lodged a protest against South Korea’s alleged support of U.S. interception of undersea telecommunications channels across Asia, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Wednesday. Jakarta’s Vice Foreign Minister Wardana called in Seoul’s ambassador Kim Young-sun on Tuesday at the instruction of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. That was apparently to verify news reports that South Korea and Singapore are key “third parties” helping what is called the “Five Eyes” partners ― the U.S., t

Nov. 27, 2013

Greek president to visit S. Korea next week

Greek President Karolos Papoulias will visit South Korea next week for talks with President Park Geun-hye about enhancing all-round cooperation, Park's office announced Wednesday.Papoulias, who will arrive Monday, will be the first Greek president ever to visit South Korea.The four-day trip inclues talks with Park set for Tuesday that are expected to center on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, shipbuilding and shipping, infrastructure, defense and tourism, presidential spokeswoman K

Nov. 27, 2013

China's air zone takes aim at Japan over disputed islands

China's declaration of its air control zone over the East China Sea has come under strain to counter the "aggressiveness of Japan" amid an increasingly acrimonious dispute over a set of islands claimed by the two nations, a Chinese expert said Wednesday. The territorial dispute between China and Japan has been escalating since China announced Saturday its Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the sea that partly overlaps those of South Korea and Japan. Defying the Chinese move, the U.S. on

Nov. 27, 2013

China's aircraft carrier heads to South China Sea amid air zone concerns

China's aircraft carrier was set to depart for the South China Sea on Tuesday for a training mission, state media said, amid growing concerns over Beijing's newly declared air defense zone that sparked a war of words with Japan.It is the first time that China sent its sole aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, to the South China Sea since it was commissioned last year, Xinhua news agency reported.The Liaoning was escorted by two missile destroyers, the Shenyang and Shijiazhuang, and two missile frigat

Nov. 26, 2013

China informed Seoul of air defense zone

Seoul appeared to want to avoid a dispute with Beijing over a new air defense zone in East China, according to a diplomatic source in China who said South Korea had been informed in advance. China had told Seoul of the new zone that overlaps with South Korea's own air defense zone days before it publicly declared area, the source said."We had been recently informed of the Chinese side's decision to set up the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)," the source said on the conditio

Nov. 25, 2013

Foreign Ministry opens international law center

The Foreign Ministry announced the launch of a research institute for international law on Monday to beef up its diplomatic capabilities and networks with think tanks and experts at home and abroad. The Center for International Law has been set up at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, a state-run institution for research and the training of diplomats run by the ministry, which is based in southern Seoul. It also appointed as the inaugural president Shin Kak-soo, former vice foreign minister

Nov. 25, 2013

U.S. says its role limited in Korea-Japan ties

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) ― The U.S. government is keeping close tabs on the drawn-out political conflict between South Korea and Japan but it has no intention of acting openly to resolve the problem, the State Department said Friday.The department reiterated a call for Seoul and Tokyo to “work together to resolve concerns over history in an amicable way through dialogue.”The U.S. has been pushing for stronger trilateral cooperation with its two key regional allies in dealing with security issues

Nov. 24, 2013

ASEAN-Korea Centre eyes trade with seminars abroad

A Seoul-based intergovernmental body representing South Korea and Southeast Asian countries held two trade seminars on Thailand and Malaysia, and dispatched trade missions from Seoul to Vietnam and Malaysia, this month in a bid to bolster commercial ties.The ASEAN-Korea Centre on Nov. 19 dispatched a delegation of 14 experts and business people for a five-day trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, and another group to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for five days on Sunday.Organized in cooperation with the Malaysia Ex

Nov. 24, 2013

Envoy showcases Finnish flare for design and education

Finnish Ambassador to South Korea Matti Heimonen promoted Scandinavian education, art and architecture during an exhibition at the Seoul Museum of Art in the historic Jeong-dong district of Seoul on Thursday. The exhibition, “Nordic Passion: Architecture and Design from the Nordic Countries,” focuses on the philosophy and artistic vision of Scandinavian countries, and continues until Feb. 16.“Today people are showing a keen interest in public architecture and design. The design trends of Nordic

Nov. 24, 2013