Doha Forum calls for Gaza cease-fire, multipolar humanitarian diplomacy

DOHA, Qatar -- Heads of state, UN officials, diplomats and experts called for a cease-fire in Gaza and humanitarian diplomacy to resolve conflicts and foster a sustainable, shared future at the 21st Doha Forum held Dec. 10-11. Under the theme, "Diplomacy, Dialogue and Diversity," the global forum discussed the interconnected nature of global challenges, the future of education, the energy transition, AI governance, economic systems, women's health in conflict, international law, g

Dec. 15, 2023

Korea Herald, Verslo Zinios ink MOU to boost media cooperation

The Korea Herald and Verslo Zinios, a Lithuanian newspaper headquartered in Vilnius, inked a memorandum of understanding to foster international media collaboration Thursday. The agreement aims to elevate awareness of both Lithuania and South Korea through strategic cooperation in journalistic endeavors. The MOU covers the creation and exchange of journalistic content, the sharing of sources, comprehensive news coverage, heightened public awareness, joint event hosting, and conducting interviews

Dec. 15, 2023

Seoul denies Netherlands summoned ambassador over Yoon's ASML visit

South Korea's Foreign Ministry denied a media report on Friday that the government of the Netherlands had summoned its ambassador to voice concerns about Seoul's demands regarding a presidential visit to the headquarters of the semiconductor printing machine supplier ASML. The Joongang Ilbo newspaper reported that the South Korean Ambassador to the Netherlands Choe Hyoung-chan had been summoned to hear concerns over Seoul's "various demands" related to President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit t

Dec. 15, 2023

US reiterates commitment to 'complete denuclearization' of Korean Peninsula

The United States remains committed to the "complete denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula, the State Department said Thursday, highlighting diplomacy is its "first option" to address the North Korean nuclear quandary. Matthew Miller, the department's spokesperson, made the remarks after Politico, a U.S. media outlet, reported that former President Donald Trump is considering a negotiation plan under which North Korea freezes its nuclear program and stops building ne

Dec. 15, 2023

N. Gyeongsang governor, KDB chief suggest solutions to tackle weakening economy

Speakers for this week's Global Business Forum, hosted by The Korea Herald on Wednesday, suggested solutions to tackle Korea's falling economy. Decentralization is the key, said Lee Cheol-woo, the governor of North Gyeongsang Province, urging local governments to attract young Koreans with stable and well-paid jobs so that they can help to keep regions outside of Seoul young and vibrant. “We face the crisis of extinction. Yet, all young Koreans are going to Seoul and that’s

Dec. 14, 2023

Missile warning data sharing between S. Korea, US, Japan to be operational in 'next few days': US official

A system for the real-time sharing of North Korean ballistic missile warning data between South Korea, the United States and Japan is expected to become operational "within the next few days," a White House official said Wednesday. Mira Rapp-Hooper, the National Security Council senior director for East Asia and Oceania, made the remarks, touching on progress in trilateral cooperation since the landmark Camp David summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, US President Joe Bi

Dec. 14, 2023

Trump denies media article on N. Korea negotiation plan as 'fake news'

Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday dismissed as "fake news" a media report that he is considering a negotiation plan under which North Korea freezes its nuclear program and stops building new weapons in return for sanctions relief and other incentives. Citing three people briefed on his thinking, Politico, a US media outlet, reported that Trump is weighing the idea as he is seeking a second White House term in next year's election expected to be a rematch between him and incumb

Dec. 14, 2023

Yoon says S. Korea, Netherlands will form 'semiconductor alliance'

President Yoon Suk Yeol began his state visit to the Netherlands by meeting with a group of Korean residents and vowing to upgrade the two countries' relations to a "semiconductor alliance." As the first official schedule, Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee attended a welcoming ceremony hosted by Willem-Alexander, king of the Netherlands, held at Dam Square in Amsterdam on Tuesday (local time). Then, they were greeted by the Netherlands' palace and government officials at the R

Dec. 12, 2023

Culture minister vows continued cooperation with Vatican for peace, harmony

South Korea's culture ministry will continue to work with the Vatican to utilize culture as a bridge for world peace and harmony, Seoul's culture minister has said, as the two countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. Yu In-chon made the remarks during a Mass held in Rome on Monday to mark the anniversary. The Korean Catholic Church also held its side of the commemorative Mass the same day in Seoul. He attended the Rome Mass led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secr

Dec. 12, 2023

US succeeds in test of upgraded ground-based missile interceptor amid N. Korean threats

The United States successfully conducted a test of an upgraded ground-based interceptor to shoot down an intermediate-range ballistic missile Monday, its military said, as it seeks to counter growing threats from North Korea, Iran and other potential adversaries. The Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency led the test of the GBI designed to intercept a ballistic missile in a midcourse phase of flight. GBI is a key element of the United States' Ground-based Midcourse Defense system meant to

Dec. 12, 2023

S. Korea, Vatican commemorate 60th anniv. of diplomatic ties with Mass

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea held a special Mass here Monday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and the Holy See. In a message sent to the Mass at Myeongdong Cathedral in downtown Seoul, Pope Francis expressed hope that the two sides will continue to develop their friendly ties and work together for peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula. The message was read by Monsignor Fernando Duarte Barros Reis, acting Apostolic Nuncio to K

Dec. 11, 2023

Yoon, Modi exchange messages marking 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties

President Yoon Suk Yeol and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have exchanged congratulatory messages marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the foreign ministry said Monday. In the message marking their establishment of formal ties on Dec. 10, 1973, Yoon said the two countries have advanced their "special strategic partnership" in various areas, including the supply chain, arms industry, science and technology as well as c

Dec. 11, 2023

8 NATO envoys to visit Seoul to discuss Indo-Pacific security

A delegation of representatives from eight NATO member countries is set to visit Seoul later this week, in a rare collective visit reflecting the transatlantic security alliance's heightened interest in the Indo-Pacific region amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The three-day visit from Wednesday to Friday aims to "engage in discussions on the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region and other pertinent issues," South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Monday. The participating

Dec. 11, 2023

[Herald Interview] ‘N. Korea needs reassurance, besides deterrence’

TOKYO -- Deterring aggression by reaffirming pledges to counter North Korean nuclear strikes with the same force needs to take place in tandem with reassuring the regime of its safety, a Japanese expert said of curbing North Korea’s provocations. The strategy of using the US nuclear umbrella is what Seoul and Washington have been doubling down on since April when the two allies agreed to bolster deterrence on the North’s weapons tests. President Yoon Suk Yeol, who came to power in Ma

Dec. 11, 2023

Israeli army dismisses outcry over stripped Gaza men footage

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israel's army on Sunday dismissed outcry over footage showing scores of stripped Palestinians in Gaza, saying it was part of routine searches, while Hamas insisted the men were "unarmed civilians." Footage of the men stripped down to their underwear, with some of them appearing to hand over weapons, was aired by Israeli media on Thursday, reporting the alleged surrender of Hamas militants. Israel launched an intense military campaign targeting Hamas in the Gaza S

Dec. 10, 2023

Yoon travels to Netherlands for chip allaince, strategic partnership

President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to embark on a state visit to the Netherlands on Monday, mainly to "forge a chip alliance" and level up the existing bilateral strategic partnership in diplomacy, defense and economic security, the South Korean presidential office said Sunday. The two countries are expected to strengthen cooperation in addressing a diverse set of challenges, including chip supply chain issues compounded by the intensifying US-China tech war. "To forge a chip alliance

Dec. 10, 2023

USAID official urges boosted development cooperation among S. Korea, US, Japan as 'like-minded' countries

South Korea, the United States and Japan seek to demonstrate to China and others that being democratic and transparent is "the way for greater economic growth" as the three countries work to deepen cooperation in development projects amid rising global competition, a senior official at the US development agency has said. Michele Sumilas, assistant to the administrator of the bureau for planning, learning and resource management at the US Agency for International Development, stressed t

Dec. 10, 2023

OPEC members push against fossil fuel phase-out in COP 28 deal

OPEC members are pushing against attempts to include language on "phasing out" fossil fuels in a UN Climate Change Conference, or COP 28, deal, highlighting the struggle over whether the summit can for the first time in 30 years address the future of oil and gas. Negotiators and observers at the annual U.N. climate talks, pursuing a deal to tackle the worst impacts of climate change, said several OPEC members appeared to have heeded calls by the oil producer group to veto any deal to p

Dec. 9, 2023

British Embassy, BASS celebrates 'Mince Pie Morning'

The British Embassy and the British Association of Seoul (BASS) celebrated the annual Mince Pie Morning at the residence of British Ambassador Colin Crooks in Seoul on Thursday. The event featured traditional English mince pies — a sweet pastry filled with a delectable mixture of fruit, spices, and suet — marking the spirit of the holiday season in English-speaking traditions. “BASS is an important part of the vibrant expat community here in Seoul. It was, as always, a pleasure

Dec. 8, 2023

US, Japan agree on need to bolster deterrence over NK missile threats in security talks

The United States and Japan have agreed on the need to beef up deterrence amid an "increasingly challenging" security landscape marked by North Korea's repeated missile launches and its military cooperation with Russia, the State Department said Thursday. The two sides shared the need during their bilateral Extended Deterrence Dialogue that took place in Japan from Tuesday to Thursday (local time). Extended deterrence refers to the US commitment to using the full range of its mili

Dec. 8, 2023