US official notes Korean firms' move not to sell used chip equipment to China as 'encouraging'

A senior US official on Thursday portrayed South Korean companies' reported move to stop selling used semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China as "encouraging," as Washington has been seeking tighter export controls on key technologies amid an intensifying Sino-US rivalry. Alan Estevez, under secretary of commerce for industry and security, made the remarks in his written statement to a hearing of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, entitled "Countering China on the Worl

March 22, 2024

FM says S. Korea can negotiate defense cost sharing with US on 'favorable conditions'

South Korea should be able to engage in negotiations on defense cost-sharing with the United States under "favorable conditions," its top diplomat said Thursday, promising efforts to ensure the new deal will be reached at a reasonable level. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul made the remarks as the allies are expected to soon launch the negotiations on determining Seoul's share of the costs for the upkeep of the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea. The two countries announced their respect

March 21, 2024

NK's illicit cyber activities fund 40% of WMD program: UN report

North Korea is suspected of pocketing $750 million in cryptocurrency just last year, with profits from illicit cyber activities purportedly accounting for 40 percent of financing for the country's prohibited weapons of mass destruction programs, according to a report by the UN Panel of Experts. The final annual report released Wednesday stated that during the reporting period from July 2023 to January of this year, North Korea's cyber threat actors continued to target the virtual asset

March 21, 2024

US must continue to invest in 28,500 American troops in S. Korea: USFK commander

The commander of US Forces Korea emphasized the need Wednesday to continue to invest in 28,500 American service members in South Korea through various training programs to defend South Korea against evolving North Korean threats. Gen. Paul LaCamera made the remarks amid lingering concerns that should former President Donald Trump return to the White House, he could consider reducing the USFK troop level, though the current level is stated in the US National Defense Authorization Act. Those conce

March 21, 2024

Why Korea-India partnership matters in era of uncertainties?

South Korea and India should amplify their cooperation across economic, technology, defense and security domains, particularly amidst mounting global uncertainties fueled by ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and the intensifying US-China strategic competition, experts from the two countries said Wednesday. The significance of enhancing bilateral collaboration serves as a crucial avenue to maintain peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and ensure economic security including stab

March 20, 2024

[Contribution] Looking into China's development, Sino-S. Korea ties in 3 keywords

China's Two Sessions for 2024 were successfully held March 4-11. As China's largest annual political event, the Two Sessions were an important opportunity for the world to listen to China's voice and understand its domestic and foreign policies. Recently, many acquaintances in South Korea have been asking me about the main topics addressed at the Two Sessions, the role China aims to assume globally and what steps should be taken for future China-Korea relations. In this article,

March 19, 2024

S. Korean, Mauritian top diplomats agree to 'substantial cooperation'

The top diplomats of South Korea and Mauritius agreed Tuesday to bolster cooperation across various sectors, encompassing infrastructure, tourism, and maritime security, during their bilateral meeting in Seoul, according to the Foreign Ministry in Seoul. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met with Mauritian Foreign Minister Maneesh Gobin during his visit to South Korea to attend the third Summit for Democracy hosted by the Yoon Suk Yeol government in Seoul. Both sides "exchanged view

March 19, 2024

South Korea rebuts China's criticism of Summit for Democracy

South Korea's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday dismissed China's criticism of Seoul hosting the Summit for Democracy and airing the Taiwan digital minister's virtual speech, clarifying that the summit is not aimed at singling out specific countries. "The Summit for Democracy is convened to contribute to the promotion of democracy and human rights, but it is not aimed at targeting any specific countries," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said during a regular briefing

March 19, 2024

At UN, S. Korea, US, Japan rebuke NK, Russia for nuclear saber-rattling

South Korea, the United States and Japan, in their role as members of the United Nations Security Council on Monday, collectively condemned North Korea for its illicit nuclear proliferation and Russia for its alarming threats to use nuclear weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine. During a ministerial meeting on nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation at the UN Security Council, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarked, "We meet at a time when geopolitical tensions and mistrust have es

March 19, 2024

Blinken says US will always work with S. Korea against NK provocations

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday the United States will always work with South Korea to firmly respond to North Korea's provocations, according to the presidential office, after Pyongyang fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea. Blinken made the remark during a meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol on the sidelines of the third Summit for Democracy hosted by South Korea this week. "Secretary Blinken said the United States will always be with Sou

March 18, 2024

Taiwanese minister attends democracy summit amid China's opposition

Taiwan's digital minister on Monday virtually attended a session of the third Summit for Democracy in Seoul amid Chinese opposition against inviting Taiwanese officials to the gathering. In a video message, Taiwan's Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang participated in the session, stressing the risk of cyberattacks in elections around the globe this year. "Bad actors in the pay of authoritarians pulled out all stops, coming close to poisoning our information climates and interf

March 18, 2024

Top diplomats of S. Korea, Indonesia agree to continue cooperation on delayed fighter jet project

SEOUL, March 18 (Yonhap) -- The top diplomats of South Korea and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to work on the joint development of the KF-21 fighter jet delayed due to Jakarta's suspended payment, Seoul's foreign ministry said Monday. The discussions between Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and his Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi, were held earlier in the day on the margins of the third Summit for Democracy hosted by South Korea. Indonesia has agreed to shoulder about 20 pe

March 18, 2024

Leaders call for action against threats to democracy posed by AI

The third Summit for Democracy kicked off on Monday in Seoul, underscoring the urgency of addressing digital technology threats, particularly the proliferation of disinformation fueled by artificial intelligence, which poses a challenge to the foundations of democracy. President Yoon Suk Yeol shed light on the paradoxical nature of digital technologies, highlighting their simultaneous provision of "convenience" and their instigation of a "crisis of democracy" in his welcoming

March 18, 2024

Summit for Democracy opens in Seoul in mega-election year

South Korea is set to launch the three-day Summit for Democracy on Monday, with a focus on fostering democracy for future generations, particularly in this pivotal year of elections -- a fundamental pillar of democracy. South Korea is the first country outside of the United States to host the Summit for Democracy singlehandedly. Pioneered by the Biden administration, the international gathering brings together governments and nongovernment stakeholders from around the world with the goal of adva

March 17, 2024

Blinken set to arrive in S. Korea to attend democracy summit

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was set to arrive in South Korea on Sunday to attend a session of the Summit for Democracy, a US-led multination gathering formed to boost solidarity and shared values among democratic countries. Blinken is expected to arrive at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul, for a two-day visit that will also include talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, their second meeting in less than a month after the earlier one held in Washin

March 17, 2024

S. Korea to host 3rd Summit for Democracy, first apart from US

The South Korean government will host the third Summit for Democracy next week, becoming the first foreign country to lead the US key initiative aimed at rejuvenating democracy and defending against authoritarianism. The three-day summit, themed "Democracy for Future Generations," is set to commence on Monday, with a ministerial conference and multistakeholder roundtable discussion on "Artificial Intelligence, Digital Technology and Democracy," the South Korean presidential o

March 15, 2024

S. Korea closely eyeing China's push to add Mt. Paekdu as UNESCO global geopark

South Korea is keeping close eyes on China's push to list Mount Paekdu as one of UNESCO's new global geoparks in the name of "Mount Changbai," the foreign ministry said Thursday. The issue of evaluating and approving the "Mount Paekdu area" nominated as one of the new global geoparks will be discussed at the 219th session of the UNESCO Executive Board to be held later this month, foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk told a press briefing. In 2020, China applied

March 14, 2024

White House official calls S. Korea democracy 'champion' ahead of democracy summit

A White House official on Wednesday highlighted "real value in the symbolic nature" of South Korea hosting the third Summit for Democracy next week, casting the Asian country as a democracy "champion." Kelly Razzouk, National Security Council senior director for democracy and human rights, made the remarks as Seoul is preparing to host the summit, a US-led initiative to promote solidarity among democracies, from Monday to Wednesday. "As President Biden said when we conve

March 14, 2024

CU opens first store in Kazakhstan

South Korean retail company BGF Retail has recently launched the first CU convenience store in Almaty, Kazakhstan, the Kazakh Embassy in Seoul said Wednesday. The new CU opened on March 6 in the busy Tole Bi Street in downtown Almaty. The embassy said the store was expected to breathe fresh air into Almaty’s retail landscape. “The CU chain store is to enhance the shopping experience for Almaty’s populace. … The store boasts appealing exteriors, unique interiors, swift se

March 14, 2024

Top envoy to Moscow meets deputy Russian FM over detained S. Korean national

MOSCOW -- South Korea's top envoy to Russia asked for Moscow's cooperation in relation to the arrest of a South Korean national in Russia reportedly on espionage charges, according to the South Korean Embassy in Moscow on Wednesday. Ambassador Lee Do-hoon met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko and requested the Russian government actively cooperate to ensure the safety and protect the rights of the South Korean national, the embassy said. The meeting took place at th

March 13, 2024