[Hwang’s China and the World] India is not the weakest link in the Quad

India is expected to grow to have the world’s greatest population, overtaking China. Its economy also has a huge role in the United States’ Silicon Valley, as India produces numerous advanced IT human resources. And its low-key but powerful influence can also bee see in Indian diplomacy. India’s biggest antagonist is China. The Indo-China border dispute is appalling. In 2018, there was a military confrontation for more than 70 days in the Doklam region of the Himalayas, in wh

Aug. 1, 2022

Yoon to send special envoy to Colombian president's inauguration

President Yoon Suk-yeol will send a special envoy to the inauguration of incoming Colombian President Gustavo Petro and deliver his wish to work closely with the new government, Yoon's office said Monday. The delegation, headed by Rep. Park Duk-hyum of the ruling People Power Party, will attend the inauguration ceremony on Aug. 7 and extend Yoon's congratulations. "President Yoon will deliver his special congratulations on the inauguration of President Petro through the delegation

Aug. 1, 2022

[News Analysis] Can Yoon cut Gordian Knot of South Korea-Japan relations?

They are not allies, but they are close neighbors and sometimes join hands for regional security. Yet, there has always been tension between South Korea and Japan, as disputes stemming from their bitter history plague relations. The current issue between the two nations is the South Korean Supreme Court’s ruling that orders Japanese companies to sell their assets based in South Korea to provide compensation for Koreans who they forced into labor during the Japanese occupation of Korea

July 31, 2022

[Newsmaker] Isolation complication? US finds it's hard to shun Russia

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration likes to say Russia has become isolated internationally because of its invasion of Ukraine. Yet Moscow’s top officials have hardly been cloistered in the Kremlin. And now, even the US wants to talk. President Vladimir Putin has been meeting with world leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country is a NATO member. Meanwhile, his top diplomat, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, is jetting around the world, smiling, shaking

July 29, 2022

[Photo News] Wall of Remembrance unveiled in Washington

The unveiling ceremony of the Wall of Remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC was held on Wednesday, with names of 43,808 fallen heroes of the 1950-53 war displayed on the lengthy black granite board. The ceremony was held on the very day the Korean War came to a close 69 years ago. High-profile officials from South Korea and the US, as well as 2,000 citizens gathered to honor and lay flowers for those whose names are on the wall. 

July 29, 2022

USFK chief highlights importance of Korea-US alliance in dealing with challenges

WASHINGTON -- US Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Paul LaCamera stressed the importance of strengthening the US-South Korea alliance Thursday, one day after the countries marked the 69th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War. The four-star US general insisted the alliance provides the "strategic depth" and "legitimacy" to deal with any global challenges, including North Korea. "I see an opportunity for the alliance to extend its

July 29, 2022

US remains committed to defense of S. Korea, engagement with N. Korea: State Dept.

WASHINGTON -- The United States remains firmly committed to the defense of South Korea, a state department spokesperson said Thursday, hours after North Korea warned South Korea that it may face "annihilation." Ned Price said the US also remains open to engaging in dialogue with Pyongyang, but that the reclusive regime continues to remain unresponsive to US overtures. "We have a vital interest in deterring the DPRK, defending against provocation or use of force, limiting the reach

July 29, 2022

Ranking US official visits S. Korea to discuss cyber security: NSC

WASHINGTON -- A senior White House official visited South Korea this week to discuss ways to enhance the countries' cooperation in countering cybercrimes committed by actors such as North Korea, the White House National Security Council (NSC) said Thursday. Anne Neuberger, deputy national security advisor (DNSA) for cyber and emerging technologies, traveled to Seoul from Monday through Wednesday, according to NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson. "During her meetings with Korean counterpar

July 29, 2022

Yoon, Widodo agree to cooperate on supply chains, capital relocation

The leaders of South Korea and Indonesia have agreed to stabilize supply chains of materials crucial for manufacturing of technology, and strengthen ties to support smooth delivery of Indonesia’s capital city relocation project. President Yoon Suk-yeol also conveyed Korea’s strong willingness to strengthen ties with ASEAN nations and shared its views on the region’s strategic importance. The agreement was announced after a summit held Thursday between Yoon and Indonesian Pre

July 28, 2022

China demands Korea uphold ‘Three Nos’ policy

As China appears to relay stronger words to express its discomfort against Seoul’s diplomacy plans largely aligning with the United States, eyes are on how the Yoon Suk-yeol administration will navigate its way through the US-China rivalry. The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday demanded the Yoon administration, which was inaugurated in May, to up hold the previous government’s China policy of the so-called “Three Nos” -- no additional deployment of the US-made Term

July 28, 2022

US will react appropriately to any N. Korean nuclear test: Kirby

The United States and its allies will take appropriate steps to hold North Korea accountable should the recalcitrant country conduct a nuclear test, a National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson said Tuesday. John Kirby, NSC coordinator for strategic communications, also noted the North may continue to be ready to conduct a test. "We have been very clear that North Korea could be ready to conduct a nuclear test. That is something we said very, very openly," Kirby said in a press brief

July 27, 2022

Japan should seek neighbors’ consent before releasing Fukushima wastewater: Yoon

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said on Tuesday that Japan should seek the consent of neighboring countries before moving ahead with its plan to discharge treated radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. When asked by a reporter about the Japanese government’s recent approval to build discharge facilities during his regular morning press briefing, Yoon said: “Since my presidential campaign, my position has been that (Japan) should provid

July 26, 2022

South Korea condemns Myanmar military regime’s execution of pro-democracy leaders

South Korea condemned Myanmar military regime’s latest execution of democracy activists, issuing a joint statement with top diplomats from the United States and seven other countries on Tuesday. On Monday, Myanmar’s ruling military said it had executed four democracy activists accused of committing “terror acts.” The activists were sentenced to death in secretive trials in January and April for supporting a civilian resistance movement fighting the military since last

July 26, 2022

Biden given commemorative Korean name of 'Bae Ji-sung'

WASHINGTON -- US President Joe Biden was given an honorary Korean name of Bae Ji-sung on Monday as part of a weeklong commemoration to mark the end of the Korean War 69 years ago. The US leader was given the name by the Republic of Korea (ROK)-US Alliance Friendship Association. "We, the ROK-US Alliance Friendship Association, are honored to announce and grant US President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. a Korean name. His name will be Bae Ji-sung," the association said in a released statem

July 26, 2022

Seoul, Washington to restart extended deterrence dialogue in near future: Amb. Cho

WASHINGTON -- South Korea and the United States will likely resume their strategic dialogue on extended deterrence in the very near future, South Korea's ambassador to the US said Monday. Amb. Cho Tae-yong said the bilateral dialogue, known as the "Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG)," may be held within the next two months. "(We) have been working to strengthen our traditional alliance (with the US), while focusing on efforts to restart the EDSCG amid

July 26, 2022

Bangladesh invites Korean companies to potential opportunities

The Embassy of Bangladesh highlighted the business and investment prospects the country has to offer at the second edition of the Global Business Forum co-hosted by the embassy and The Korea Herald on Wednesday. Bangladesh’s Ambassador to South Korea Delwar Hossain invited South Korean companies to participate in his country’s robust socioeconomic progress and vibrant private sector. “Complementarities of the Bangladeshi and Korean economies render huge potential for a mutual

July 25, 2022

Korea, Indonesia to hold summit on Thursday

President Yoon Suk-yeol will hold a summit with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Seoul on Thursday and discuss pending bilateral and major international issues, the presidential office said on Monday. According to Kim Sung-han, head of the National Security Office, Widodo will arrive in Seoul Wednesday for a two-day visit. On Thursday, the Indonesian leader will visit Hyundai Motor Technology Research Institute in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, after a meeting with business leaders. He pl

July 25, 2022

S. Korean, US defense chiefs to hold talks this week on alliance, N. Korea

The defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States will hold talks in Washington D.C. this week to discuss security on the Korean Peninsula and deterrence against evolving North Korean threats, the defense ministry here said Monday. Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and his counterpart, Lloyd Austin, are scheduled to meet Friday, as the allies have been cranking up security coordination amid speculation Pyongyang could ratchet up tensions by conducting a nuclear test or other provocative acts.

July 25, 2022

Senior US diplomat to visit Seoul next week

  A senior US State Department official will visit Seoul next week to discuss issues including Russia's war in Ukraine and North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, the department said. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland will visit Japan and South Korea from Monday to Thursday to meet with her counterparts from the foreign ministries and other government agencies of the respective countries. Nuland will "coordinate on regional and global issues, including

July 23, 2022

Top nuclear envoys of S. Korea, US meet in Indonesia

The top nuclear envoys of South Korea and the United States met in Indonesia and coordinated their responses to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, the foreign ministry said Saturday. The meeting between Kim Gunn, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, and US Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim was held Friday in Jakarta, where the American diplomat also serves as the US ambassador to Indonesia. "As our government is crafting a North Kor

July 23, 2022