N. Korea may resume nuclear, ICBM testing this year: US report

WASHINGTON -- North Korea may resume nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) testing before the year's end, a US government report said Tuesday. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) also said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un believes his nuclear weapons are the "ultimate guarantor" of his regime and that North Korea will eventually be accepted as a nuclear power over time. "In January, North Korea began laying the groundwork for an increase in

March 9, 2022

Biden sends letter of appreciation for Korea’s support on Ukraine

US President Joe Biden sent a letter of appreciation to President Moon Jae-in for the South Korean government’s measures against Russia, including export controls and financial sanctions, over the Ukraine crisis, Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday. Biden said in a letter that “Korea’s determined measures will be a strong message that it supports Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Park Kyung-mi said in a written briefing on the same day. Biden stated in t

March 8, 2022

[Newsmaker] A modern Churchill? Zelenskyy praised as war communicator

To a watching world, his message is this, in both his words and his resolute, sometimes haggard appearance: He stands as a mirror to the suffering and spirit of his people. It appears to be getting through. Just days into the war engulfing his nation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is drawing historical comparisons as an effective and stirring wartime communicator _ yet with a distinctly modern touch inflected by the sensibilities of live television and the personal feel of social media

March 8, 2022

'Peace for Ukraine' message put up on Seoul city library building

The Seoul city government has put up a message wishing for "peace for Ukraine" against an image symbolizing Ukraine's flag on a large signboard plastered on the front wall of the Seoul city library building. The message on the Seoul Metropolitan Library building was put up in the hope of peace in Ukraine and is in line with the city's ongoing "peace light" campaign to light up key city landmarks in blue and yellow symbolizing Ukraine. The signboard shows in the background a b

March 8, 2022

US confirms exclusion of S. Korea from its export controls against Russia

The US government has formally announced the exclusion of South Korea from its expanded export restrictions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, which enhances partner nations' joint efforts to implement strong sanctions against Moscow, Seoul's trade ministry said Tuesday. Last month, the US government announced the Foreign Direct Product Rule (FDPR) for all of Russia, calling on companies to receive a license from the United States for tech-related items using US technology before they can b

March 8, 2022

Over $3 million raised in S. Korean donations to Ukraine: Kyiv envoy

Ukraine's top envoy to Seoul said Monday his office has raised over $3 million in donations from South Korea to support Ukrainian efforts in the war against Russia. "We will send some of the donated money directly to the National Bank of Ukraine and use some to buy and send food and medicine for our people," Ukrainian Ambassador Dmytro Ponomarenko said as he revealed the amount of donations his embassy received from South Koreans at a forum held at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

March 7, 2022

Chinese FM says N. Korea's security concern not resolved yet, U.S. holds key

The top Chinese diplomat said Monday North Korea's "reasonable" security concern remains unresolved and a resolution to its nuclear issue is up to the United States. "North Korea's reasonable security concerns have not been fundamentally resolved," Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a press conference held on the sidelines of the National People's Congress in Beijing. He said Beijing is taking note of Washington's statement that it has no "hostility" toward Pyong

March 7, 2022

S. Korea reviews aid to Ukraine, but sending weapons ‘not an option’

The South Korean government has been reviewing how to provide humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine, but it does not consider sending lethal weapons as a feasible option, according to South Korea’s Defense Ministry. Ukraine recently made an official request to the South Korean government asking for humanitarian assistance and military supplies to combat Russia’s invasion. “We are currently reviewing possible ways to provide assistance at the government level,” minis

March 7, 2022

[Newsmaker] Russian war in world's 'breadbasket' threatens food supply

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- The Russian tanks and missiles besieging Ukraine also are threatening the food supply and livelihoods of people in Europe, Africa and Asia who rely on the vast, fertile farmlands of the Black Sea region -- known as the "breadbasket of the world." Ukrainian farmers have been forced to neglect their fields as millions flee, fight or try to stay alive. Ports are shut down that send wheat and other food staples worldwide to be made into bread, noodles and animal fe

March 7, 2022

UN set to hold meeting on N. Korea's latest missile launch: Seoul official

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) plans to convene a session this week in response to North Korea's latest projectile launch, a South Korean government official said Monday. It would be the second meeting of the council in about a week in connection with such a move by the recalcitrant regime. Regarding the North's test-launch of an apparent ballistic missile on Saturday, some members of the influential panel have requested closed-door discussions, and the meeting is scheduled to open

March 7, 2022

S. Korea to impose export controls against Belarus

South Korea on Sunday decided to impose export controls against Belarus for “effectively supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” joining the US and other countries in implementing tough restrictions against Moscow’s strong ally.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it would notify the US and related countries of its decision.  “The Korean government decided today to implement export controls against Belarus, based on the judgment that Belarus is

March 6, 2022

[Newsmaker] Zelenskyy's 'desperate' plea to Congress: Send more planes

WASHINGTON -- Fighting for his country's survival, Ukraine's leader made a "desperate" plea Saturday to American lawmakers for the United States to help get more warplanes to his military and cut off Russian oil imports as Kyiv tries to stave off the Russian invasion. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy opened the private video call with US lawmakers by telling them this may be the last time they see him alive. He has remained in Kyiv, the capital, which has a vast Russian armored column thr

March 6, 2022

S. Korea, Australia vow to boost ties in digital trade

South Korea and Australia agreed Friday to enhance cooperation on e-commerce and other digital trade issues during a senior-level dialogue, Seoul's industry ministry said. Kim Wan-ki, chief of South Korea's trade policy bureau under the trade ministry, held a videoconference with Australia's First Assistant Secretary of the foreign and trade department Elisabeth Bowes, and the two sides discussed a wide range of issues on digital trade, including trade norms, standards and the industry's transit

March 4, 2022

Russia attacks Ukraine nuclear plant as invasion advances

Russian forces shelled Europe's largest nuclear plant early Friday, sparking a fire as they pressed their attack on a crucial energy-producing Ukrainian city and gained ground in their bid to cut off the country from the sea. Leading nuclear authorities were concerned -- but not panicked -- about the damage to the power station. The assault triggered phone calls between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Joe Biden and other world leaders. The US Department of Energy activat

March 4, 2022

S. Korea wins exemption from US' Foreign Direct Product Rule regarding exports to Russia

South Korea won an exemption from the United States' expanded export restrictions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Seoul's industry ministry said Friday. The move came as South Korea's Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with senior US officials in Washington on Thursday and the two sides agreed to include South Korea in the US' list of exempt countries. Last week, the US government announced the Foreign Direct Product Rule (FDPR) for "all of Russia" as part of its export controls

March 4, 2022

Sanctions against Russia show united front against unjust invasion of Ukraine: US official

WASHINGTON -- The sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies, including South Korea, show how many countries see Russia's invasion of Ukraine as unjust, a US state department spokesperson said Thursday. Jalina Porter, principal deputy spokesperson for the state department, said the United Nations has also voiced its clear opposition against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "The international community has been very clear and we've been united in our defense of this wa

March 4, 2022

South Korea relocates Ukraine Embassy from Kyiv to Chernivtsi

South Korea has relocated its embassy in Ukraine from the capital Kyiv to Chernivtsi, a city closer to the border with Romania, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday, as Russian troops continue to close in on the capital and attacks across the country intensify.  Ambassador Kim Hyung-tae and all remaining embassy staff left the capital and arrived in Chernivtsi on Wednesday night local time, along with six South Korean nationals who expressed the intent to evacuate, a ministry official in Se

March 3, 2022

Ukraine crisis causes delay in S. Korea,-US-Japan talks to arrange defense ministerial meeting: official

The armed conflict in Ukraine has led to a delay in talks among South Korea, the United States and Japan to arrange their in-person defense ministerial meeting, a Seoul official said Thursday. The three countries have been in talks to set up a meeting among Defense Minister Suh Wook and his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, Lloyd Austin and Nobuo Kishi, in line with an agreement at their phone talks last month to meet face-to-face at a "mutually agreed-upon" date. The three defense chief

March 3, 2022

S. Korea, Mexico agree to resume talks on free trade deal

South Korea and Mexico have agreed to resume negotiations to forge a bilateral free trade agreement 14 years after their suspension, Seoul's trade ministry said Thursday. The two nations began talks on a strategic economic complementary agreement in 2006, but the negotiations have stalled since 2008 amid opposition from businesses in the Latin American country. South Korea's Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and Mexican Economy Minister Tatiana Clouthier held ministerial talks in Mexico City on Tuesday

March 3, 2022

UN Assembly votes to demand that Russia stop war in Ukraine

UNITED NATIONS -- The UN General Assembly voted at an emergency session Wednesday to demand an immediate halt to Moscow's attack on Ukraine and the withdrawal of all Russian troops, with sustained applause breaking out after a formidable show of support among the 193 member nations against the invasion. The vote on the "Aggression against Ukraine" resolution was 141-5, with 35 abstentions. It came as Russia bombarded Ukraine's second-largest city and besieged two important ports, and a

March 3, 2022