Xing Haiming says Korea-China relations are solvable

Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming said relations between South Korea and China are declining, but that they could be solved by developing a mature, independent and stable relationship while preserving the core interests of the two. “The current situation is complex and serious. Relations between China and South Korea have entered a new phase,” Xing said at a forum on Tuesday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Korea-China relations in Seoul. He admitted that the mu

Aug. 23, 2022

Seoul's 'audacious plan' entirely consistent with US approach toward N. Korea: State

WASHINGTON -- South Korea's offer to help North Korea in exchange for denuclearization is entirely consistent with the United States' own plan to rid the North of its nuclear ambition, a state department spokesperson said Monday. Ned Price also called on Pyongyang to respond positively to Seoul's outreach. "We have been clear about our support for the bold or the ambitious plan that the South Korean administration has put forward," the department press secretary said in

Aug. 23, 2022

Anti-China sentiment at its peak: survey

While South Korea and China celebrate 30 years of their diplomatic relationship this week, Koreans’ dislike for the neighboring country appears to be reaching its peak. According to a survey of South Koreans by Hankook Research on Monday, China was the second-least popular country among five countries -- the United States, Japan, North Korea and Russia. The survey asked 1,000 South Koreans aged over 18 from July 15 to 18 to rank their positive sentiment toward five major countries. Th

Aug. 22, 2022

Top S. Korean, Chinese diplomats to attend events marking 30th anniv. of bilateral ties

The top diplomats of South Korea and China plan to attend events celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties in their respective countries later this week, Seoul officials said Monday. Foreign Minister Park Jin and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, are set to join the ceremonies in Seoul and Beijing, respectively, on Wednesday, the officials said, in an apparent show of their commitment to maintaining close relations between the two countries. During the ev

Aug. 22, 2022

S. Korean FM expresses concerns over EV tax incentives during call with US counterpart: source

Seoul's top diplomat conveyed to his Washington counterpart concerns over a new US law excluding electric vehicles built outside North America from tax breaks during their recent phone conversation, a diplomatic source said Sunday. Per the source, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin broached the topic in his call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last Friday. The $430 billion bill, called the Inflation Reduction Act, was signed into law by US President Joe Biden last Tuesday. It ca

Aug. 21, 2022

[Newsmaker] UN: US buying big Ukraine grain shipment for hungry regions

BULLA HAGAR, Kenya -- The United States is stepping up to buy about 150,000 metric tons of grain from Ukraine in the next few weeks for an upcoming shipment of food aid from ports no longer blockaded by war, the World Food Program chief has told The Associated Press. The final destinations for the grain are not confirmed and discussions continue, David Beasley said. But the planned shipment, one of several the UN agency that fights hunger is pursuing, is more than six times the amount of grain t

Aug. 21, 2022

Vice FM to visit UN headquarters for briefings on NK policy

Second Vice Foreign Minister Lee Do-hoon will visit the U.N. headquarters this week to offer briefings on the government's policy on North Korea, including President Yoon Suk-yeol's "audacious plan" calling for denuclearization in exchange for economic aid, the ministry said Sunday. Lee will visit New York from Sunday to Thursday for meetings with Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed; Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu;

Aug. 21, 2022

S. Korea seeks to maximize national interest at IPEF negotiations

South Korea plans to take part in US-led negotiations over the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) in a way that maximizes national interests, the finance minister said Friday. Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho said as a ministerial meeting of the IPEF, the new economic framework launched by US President Joe Biden in May, will be held from Sept. 8-9, its official negotiations will start in earnest. He said from the rule-setting stage, there is a need to reflect his country's stance and buil

Aug. 19, 2022

US agrees with taking 'incremental steps' to denuclearize Korean Peninsula: State Dept.

The United States sees the need to take "incremental steps" with North Korea to completely denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, a state department spokesperson said Thursday, in apparent support of South Korea's offer to help the impoverished North when and if Pyongyang takes denuclearization steps. Department Press Secretary Ned Price also said "practical steps" may be taken to denuclearize the peninsula. "We believe that there are practical steps that can be taken t

Aug. 19, 2022

S. Korea conveys concerns to US over new EV tax credit law: official

South Korea has conveyed its concerns over a new US law that provides tax incentives for electric vehicles manufactured in North America only, a foreign ministry official said Thursday. "As revisions to the electric vehicle subsidies, included in the Inflation Reduction Act, are subject to violation of not only the South Korea-US Free Trade Agreement but also the World Trade Organization rules, we have reviewed (the issue) and expressed our concerns to the US through various channels,"

Aug. 18, 2022

Cheney defeat marks Trump's win over traditional conservatism

WASHINGTON -- Republican scion Liz Cheney's primary defeat to a hardline Trumpist rival underlines the dramatic shift the party has undergone under the former president as he pulls it away from mainstream conservatism towards the politics of personality. The congresswoman's loss to Harriet Hageman on Tuesday -- ending her hopes of seeking a fourth term in her safe Wyoming seat -- was a definitive rebuke for her opposition to Donald Trump. Cheney's voting record aligned with Trump's positions 93

Aug. 18, 2022

US will maintain sanctions until N. Korea changes behavior: State Dept.

WASHINGTON -- The United States will continue to maintain strong sanctions against North Korea until the recalcitrant country changes its behavior and engages in dialogue, a state department spokesperson said Wednesday. Department Press Secretary Ned Price made the remarks after North Korea fired two cruise missiles, marking its 19th show of force this year and first since June. "We will continue to maintain those sanctions until and unless the underlying conduct, the underlying activity ch

Aug. 18, 2022

[Newsmaker] Afghanistan marks 1 year since Taliban seizure as woes mount

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The Taliban on Monday marked a year since they seized the Afghan capital in a rapid takeover that triggered a hasty escape of the nation's Western-backed leaders, sent the economy into a tailspin and fundamentally transformed the country. Bearded Taliban fighters, some hoisting rifles or the white banners of their movement, staged victory parades on foot, bicycles and motorcycles in the streets of Kabul. One group marched past the former US Embassy, chanting "Long

Aug. 16, 2022

US supports S. Korean initiative to engage N. Korea: State Dept.

The United States strongly supports South Korea's efforts to restart dialogue with North Korea and denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, a state department spokesperson said Monday. Department Press Secretary Ned Price also said the U.S. will continue to closely work with Seoul to that end. "We strongly support the ROK's aim to open a path for serious and sustained diplomacy with Pyongyang," Price said in a press briefing, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Repub

Aug. 16, 2022

Blinken highlights Korea-US alliance on S. Korea's Liberation Day

WASHINGTON -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the importance of the US-South Korea alliance on Monday, while congratulating the Asian ally on its national day. "On behalf of the United States of America, I send my kindest regards and congratulations to the Republic of Korea and the South Korean people as you celebrate your National Day," the top US diplomat said in a released statement. South Korea observes Aug. 15 as Liberation Day, marking its freedom from Japanese c

Aug. 16, 2022

Nearly nine out of every 10 S. Koreans hold 'favorable view' toward US: poll

WASHINGTON -- Nearly nine out of every 10 South Koreans hold a favorable view of the United States, the second highest rating among 17 countries surveyed, a poll showed Monday. It also showed more than 80 percent of South Koreans think the US is a reliable partner. In the poll conducted by the Pew Research Center, a Washington-based nonprofit think tank, 89 percent of South Koreans surveyed said they hold a favorable view toward the US, the second highest rating after Poland with 91 percent. The

Aug. 16, 2022

The Arab world’s amazing changes

By Ma Young-sam There is a region which has been overshadowed by great powers. Similar to a hospital’s emergency room, which people usually do not give attention to during normal daily life, but rush into in the case of health emergencies. This is the Arab region, a place where US President Joe Biden hurried to visit in the face of super economic inflation as an aftermath to the Ukraine crisis. The Arab world still holds immense influence over the world economy as a fundamental oil reso

Aug. 14, 2022

[Hwang’s China and the World] What makes China so committed to winning the international technical standards battle?

By Hwang Jae-ho The international economy and industrial world are entering a revolution. The competition between nations and between corporations is escalating over industrial and technological competitiveness, and technological hegemony has emerged as the determinant factor in reorganizing the international order and maintaining the world great power’s status. The United States is continuing its strong stance on China policy, even after the Biden administration took over, and China is

Aug. 13, 2022

President Yoon, UN chief discuss N. Korea, voice concern over growing nuclear threat

The South Korean President and the UN chief had a “candid” discussion on the North Korean nuclear issue and shared their view that the country’s development of missile and nuclear weapons posed a “major challenge” to regional and world peace. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had a luncheon meeting that lasted for 2 hours and 20 minutes on Friday in Seoul, the South Korean presidential office said. Both sides discusse

Aug. 12, 2022

British documents shed light on Korean liberation forces' fight against Japanese imperialist forces

South Korea's patriots ministry on Friday unveiled part of rare documents confirming a group of Korean independence activists fought alongside British troops in a joint military campaign against Japan's imperial forces during World War II. The documents from Britain's National Archives were revealed as the ministry is commemorating the sacrifices of those who fought against Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule, ahead of South Korea's Liberation Day that falls on Monday. The doc

Aug. 12, 2022