Iran allows crew of seized Korean tanker to leave: reports

Iran said Tuesday it has allowed the crew of a South Korean oil tanker it seized last month to leave the country, according to news reports. The MT Hankuk Chemi had 20 sailors, including five Koreans, aboard when it was seized by Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps for alleged oil pollution on Jan. 4. The release comes in a "humanitarian move" by Tehran following a request from the South Korean government, Reuters quoted a spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry as telling state med

Feb. 2, 2021

Seoul calls for Aung San Suu Kyi’s release

South Korea on Tuesday expressed “deep concern” over the takeover of Myanmar by the country’s military and called for the immediate release of detainees including the country’s top civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.  “Our government voices deep concern over the recent political situation in Myanmar,” Choi Young-sam, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said, reiterating that Seoul respects the desire for democracy that Myanmar’s people expressed

Feb. 2, 2021

Ambassador Xing calls for S. Korea to respect China's position on Taiwan, Hong Kong

China hopes South Korea will respect its position on Taiwan and Hong Kong, Ambassador Xing Haiming was quoted Tuesday as saying amid simmering Sino-US tensions over Beijing's policies toward them. Xing made the remark during a meeting Monday with Kwon Ki-sik, head of the Korea-China City Friendship Association, as the administration of US President Joe Biden reaffirms support for Taiwan, which China regards as part of its territory, and remains concerned about crackdowns on pro-democracy moveme

Feb. 2, 2021

S. Korea voices 'deep concern' over Myanmar coup, urges release of Aung San Suu Kyi

South Korea voiced "deep concern" Tuesday after Myanmar's military detained its top civilian leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, in an apparent coup and declared a one-year state of emergency the previous day. "Our government expresses deep concern over the recent political situation in Myanmar," Choi Young-sam, spokesman of the foreign ministry, said, stressing Seoul respects Myanmarese people's aspirations toward democracy witnessed in last year's general elections. &quo

Feb. 2, 2021

S. Korea expresses concerns over Myanmar coup

South Korea expressed concerns Monday after Myanmar's military seized power in an apparent coup and declared a state of emergency following the detention of top civilian leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi. "(The government) is paying keen attention to the recent political situation in Myanmar with concerns," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "In consideration of the fluid situation in Myanmar, the government will make all-out efforts to ensure the safety and rights of o

Feb. 1, 2021

Rocky Seoul-Tokyo ties expected to continue in Biden era

A dramatic shift in Korea-Japan relations is unlikely, despite anticipation for change with Joe Biden taking control of the White House in the US and expected pressure from Washington for its two key Northeast Asian allies to mend ties. 　 For Washington, forging strong trilateral cooperation with Seoul and Tokyo is critical, as it views a security coalition of like-minded allies as central to tackling mounting challenges in the region, such as containing China’s aggression and North Kore

Feb. 1, 2021

S. Korea's foreign minister urges fair supply of COVID-19 vaccines

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has urged the world to ensure a fair and equitable supply of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, voicing concerns about vaccine nationalism. Kang made the remarks at an online session of the World Economic Forum on Friday, the foreign ministry said in a statement. During the session, Kang called for the world to take a multilateral approach for a fair use of vaccines and treatments, the ministry said. Kang also hailed the World Health Organization

Jan. 30, 2021

'Quad' a foundation for American policy in Indo-Pacific: Sullivan

The US-led regional forum in the Indo-Pacific, known as the Quad, may serve as the foundation of US foreign policy in the region, the top US security adviser said Friday. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan also said the Joe Biden administration will continue to build on the Quad. "I think we really want to carry forward and build on that format, that mechanism which we see as a foundation upon which to build substantial American policy in the Indo-Pacific region," Sullivan said

Jan. 30, 2021

Vice FM Choi meets new Costa Rican ambassador to discuss economic cooperation

Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun met with the new Costa Rican ambassador Friday to discuss cooperation on the Central American country's projects for infrastructure development and electronic governance, the foreign ministry said. In the talks with Alejandro Rodriguez Zamora, Choi asked for his cooperation in helping South Korean companies join the projects, expressing his hope that their participation will create new opportunities for bilateral economic exchanges in the post-coronavirus era

Jan. 29, 2021

Double taxation avoidance pact between S. Korea, Cambodia takes effect

A tax agreement signed between South Korea and Cambodia to prevent double taxation went into force Friday, the foreign ministry said. The pact allows countries to avoid taxing the same income twice and helps ease the tax burden on companies doing business in another country. South Korea and Cambodia signed the agreement in November 2019, and both countries gained parliamentary approval last month. South Korea has now signed the double taxation avoidance pacts with all 10 members of the Associ

Jan. 29, 2021

OPCON transition will be conditions, not time-based: Pentagon spokesman

WASHINGTON -- The planned transition of the wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean troops will take place when all necessary conditions are met, not because of a simple passage of time, a Pentagon spokesperson said Thursday. John Supple also said a "conditions-based" transition is not only what has been agreed on but also what is necessary to ensure peace and security. "Wartime Operational Control will transition when the mutually-agreed upon conditions are fully me

Jan. 29, 2021

US committed to keeping readiness of USFK through exercises: Pentagon official

WASHINGTON -- US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin remains committed to maintaining the readiness of American troops in South Korea through military exercises, a Pentagon official said Thursday. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby also highlighted the importance of troop readiness amid North Korea's continued pursuit of new advanced weapons, such as the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). "We recognize the value of training and exercises to keep forces ready, and no place is that

Jan. 29, 2021

S. Korea launches task force to strengthen policy communication with Biden govt.

South Korea's foreign ministry on Thursday launched a task force aimed at strengthening policy-related communication with the new administration of US President Joe Biden and American experts. The launch came amid Seoul's efforts to beef up cooperation with the Biden government in resuming dialogue with Pyongyang and advancing its stalled agenda of fostering a lasting peace on the divided Korean Peninsula. The need for policy communication with the United States has also arisen amid criticism

Jan. 28, 2021

S. Korea voices 'deep concerns' over air attack on Saudi capital

South Korea voiced "deep concerns" Thursday over a recent aerial attack on Saudi Arabia, renewing its opposition to any destabilizing activity in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed a "hostile air target" going toward Riyadh on Saturday, according to media reports. The culprit behind the attack remains unknown, though Houthi rebels in Yemen had mounted a series of attacks against the kingdom. "Our government expresses deep concerns over the fact tha

Jan. 28, 2021

South Korea, Uzbekistan agree to begin free trade talks

President Moon Jae-in and his Uzbek counterpart, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, declared the kickoff of free trade talks between the two countries to further strengthen their strategic partnership during an online summit Thursday. Uzbekistan is one of the key partners in the South Korean government’s New Northern Policy, which aims to explore ways to step up economic cooperation with Central Asian countries under a vision of peace and prosperity in Eurasia. If the pact, called the Agreement for Su

Jan. 28, 2021

FM nominee: Boosting alliance with US 'primary task' for S. Korea diplomacy

Boosting the alliance with the United States is a primary task for South Korean diplomacy, the nominee for foreign minister said Thursday. Chung Eui-yong, who served as national security adviser to President Moon Jae-in before his nomination as foreign minister, made the remarks during a brief press availability, calling the alliance with the US "the foundation of our diplomacy." "I think one of the most important tasks for our diplomacy is to continue to develop our alliance wi

Jan. 28, 2021

Biden administration seeking foreign policies that will stand test of time: Blinken

The Biden administration will work to create foreign policies that will endure, even through a change of US administrations, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday. The top US diplomat said that is why the new administration seeks to work closely with Congress. "The members of Congress are the representatives of the American people. They provide advice and consent to our policies, and I think one of the things you are going to see from our administration is working as closely

Jan. 28, 2021

S. Korea extends suspension of flights from Britain till Feb. 11

South Korea on Wednesday extended its suspension of direct flights from Britain for two more weeks, amid its stepped-up efforts to block the inflow of a more transmissible variant of the new coronavirus. The suspension, which was set to end on Thursday, will remain in place until Feb. 11, according to the South Korean Embassy in Britain. Seoul introduced the ban on flights from Britain in December. As of Monday, South Korea reported 27 cases of mutated virus strains, including 19 from Britai

Jan. 27, 2021

Moon briefs global leaders on S. Korea's inclusive policy amid pandemic

President Moon Jae-in introduced global political and business leaders Wednesday to South Korea's policy measures designed to promote inclusive growth in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was delivering a special speech at an online meeting of the World Economic Forum as part of its Davos Agenda Week event. He enumerated Seoul's policy measures to help households and businesses that have suffered a heavy blow from the virus spread, including three batches of emergency cash handouts and f

Jan. 27, 2021

Washington could revive four-party, six-party talks with NK under Blinken

Washington could seek the now-defunct four-party or six-party talks with Pyongyang to resolve the nuclear issue with Antony Blinken, a strong advocate of multilateral diplomacy, at the reins of the US State Department, experts said on Wednesday. Blinken, a long time foreign policy aide to President Joe Biden, was sworn in as the new Secretary of State Tuesday (US time), after being approved by the Senate with a vote of 78-22.  With the top diplomat in place, Washington will kick off a re

Jan. 27, 2021