Latvia celebrates 20th anniversary of EU, NATO membership

Latvia on Wednesday commemorated the 20th anniversary of its European Union and NATO memberships with a salon concert and business briefing. Delivering welcoming remarks at the event, Latvian Ambassador to Korea Aris Vigants introduced the progress made by Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania over the past decade, highlighting political systems and economic reform, particularly in shedding the remnants of the Soviet occupation. “Nobody is perfect, but at least we can always strive for perfection,

April 29, 2024

S. Korea, Cuba agree to open diplomatic missions

South Korea and Cuba have agreed to open diplomatic missions in each other's countries, Seoul's foreign ministry said Sunday, as a follow-up step to the establishment of their diplomatic relations earlier this year. A South Korean delegation, led by Song Si-jin, director general for planning and management at the foreign ministry, visited Havana from Wednesday through Saturday and discussed efforts to open the missions with Cuban officials, the ministry said in a release. "The t

April 28, 2024

Blinken calls on China to press N. Korea to end its 'dangerous' behavior

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that he renewed calls for China to exert its influence to press North Korea to cease its "dangerous" activities and return to dialogue during his talks with top Chinese officials in Beijing. Blinken made the remarks during a press conference after he had separate meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and other officials in the Chinese capital on the day. The secr

April 27, 2024

S. Korea, US lay out respective visions for new defense cost-sharing deal: US negotiator

South Korea and the United States outlined their respective visions for a new bilateral defense cost-sharing deal during their first round of negotiations in Honolulu this week, the top US negotiator said Friday. Linda Specht, senior advisor and US lead negotiator for security agreements at the State Department, made the remarks after the initial round of talks over the deal, named the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) took place from Tuesday through Thursday. The talks are aimed at determining

April 27, 2024

S. Korea, Japan could consider simplified entry agreement: Seoul official

South Korea and Japan could consider adopting a simplified entry procedure for people traveling between the two countries, as an effort to keep the momentum going in the dramatic improvement in bilateral relations, a Seoul official said Friday. The official made the suggestion as one of the possibilities that the two neighbors could explore, likening the idea to the Schengen Agreement in Europe that allows nationals of the signatory countries and eligible members to travel freely without borde

April 26, 2024

[Bridge to Africa] Africa, new gateway for Korean trade: envoys

Africa's economic potential, driven by a youthful population and a growing awareness of South Korean products, makes the continent a new gateway for the trade expansion of Asia's fourth-largest economy, said South Korean envoys to African countries in Seoul on Thursday, highlighting that the continent also holds significance as a platform for South Korea's diplomatic ambition to become a globally pivotal state. "Africa is not just a choice for us but a must-do," South Ko

April 25, 2024

S. Korea-US alliance won’t be swayed by US election outcomes: envoy

Cho Hyun-dong, South Korea's ambassador to the United States, said on Thursday that the current trajectory of the South Korea-US alliance, which has grown increasingly institutionalized, will not be swayed by US presidential election results. "One thing I can say for certain is that the axis of the Korea-US alliance is stronger than ever before, unparalleled by any previous period," Cho said during a press briefing held in Seoul. Cho underscored that the alliance "has already

April 25, 2024

S. Korean patrol vessel to be transferred to Ecuador

The Korea Coast Guard announced that it will transfer a 3,000-ton patrol vessel to Ecuador after signing a memorandum of understanding with its defense minister on Thursday. According to the Coast Guard, Ecuadorian Defense Minister Giancarlo Loffredo signed the memorandum with the KCG to transfer the decommissioned patrol vessel -- the KCG3001 -- and visited the vessel mounted in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, to review the handover process. The KCG3001 was the first 3,000-ton patrol vessel used

April 25, 2024

US will take steps for three-way engagement on nuclear deterrence with S. Korea, Japan: Campbell

The United States will take steps "in time" to have three-way engagements on nuclear deterrence with South Korea and Japan, a senior US diplomat said Wednesday, reiterating America's "firm" security commitment to the Asian allies. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell made the remarks, noting ongoing efforts to ensure the credibility of the US' "extended deterrence" commitment through bilateral platforms with the allies in the face of shared challenges,

April 25, 2024

Nicaragua shuts down Seoul embassy

Nicaragua has decided to close its embassy in South Korea, primarily citing financial difficulties as a major reason, the Foreign Ministry in Seoul confirmed Wednesday, after the Central American country announced a plan to establish a new embassy in North Korea last year. "The Nicaraguan government has recently informed our government of its decision to close its embassy in South Korea due to worsening financial conditions," a senior Foreign Ministry official confirmed on condition of

April 24, 2024

Trade minister meets head of African trade bloc

Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo has met Wamkele Mene, the secretary general of the African Continental Free Trade Area, in Seoul and they discussed ways to expand economic ties, officials said. The AfCFTA, the largest trade bloc in Africa, officially came into force in January 2021. During the meeting, Cheong said the launch of the AfCFTA is significant considering the growing protectionism around the globe, Seoul's trade ministry said. The upcoming summit between South Korea and African natio

April 24, 2024

Seoul's top diplomat to meet secretary of Chinese province bordering NK

South Korea's top diplomat is set to meet with Hao Peng, the party secretary of Liaoning province in China, which shares a border with North Korea, on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Hao will "discuss ways to enhance substantive cooperation" between South Korea and Liaoning province, as well as other topics of mutual interest on the occasion of luncheon, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said during a televis

April 23, 2024

S. Korea calls on Japan to confront history amid Yasukuni Shrine visit

The South Korean government on Tuesday expressed regret over the visit of a Japanese minister and more than 90 lawmakers to pay respect at the Yasukuni Shrine, which commemorates those who died in service to Japan over several wars, including war criminals from the World War II period. "The government urges responsible leaders of Japan to squarely face history, and demonstrate through action their humble reflection and sincere remorse for Japan's past," Foreign Ministry spokespers

April 23, 2024

FM Cho discusses Mideast crisis with Jordanian counterpart in phone call

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul spoke by phone with his Jordanian counterpart Monday and discussed the situation in the Middle East, including the clash between Israel and Iran and the prolonged conflict in the Gaza Strip, his office said. In the phone talks with Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Hussein Al Safadi, Cho highlighted the need for all parties involved to exercise "restraint" so that the conflict in the Middle East will not escalate any further. Cho stressed that South Kore

April 22, 2024

S. Korea, US to initiate early defense cost-sharing talks this week

South Korea and the United States are set to embark on the first round of negotiations for the next defense cost-sharing agreement from Tuesday to Thursday in Honolulu, Hawaii, the Foreign Ministry in Seoul announced Monday. The negotiations will commence nearly 20 months before the current agreement expires in 2025. The upcoming US presidential election in November where President Joe Biden faces a rematch with former President Donald Trump appears to have pushed the two parties toward initiati

April 22, 2024

S. Korean envoys convene to navigate strategy amid Middle East tensions

The annual conference of chiefs of overseas diplomatic missions commenced Monday, with a focus on navigating diplomatic strategy amidst an era of heightened geopolitical uncertainties, exacerbated by escalating tensions in the Middle East, according to South Korea's Foreign Ministry. A total of 181 ambassadors, consul generals and other dignitaries attended the opening ceremony of the five-day gathering entitled, "Our Diplomatic Strategy during the Era of Geopolitical Transition."

April 22, 2024

Sejong University placed 43rd in world rankings for hotel management major

Sejong University ranked 43rd in the top international university list for its hotel management education. Measured by Quacquarelli Symonds, a United Kingdom-based analytics firm that compiles college and university rankings, Sejong University placed 43rd in QS World University Rankings by Subject in the Hospitality & Leisure Management category. The hospitality and tourism management major at Sejong University ranked 48th in the same category in 2022 and 46th last year. It has grabbed the f

April 22, 2024

Trade minister holds meeting with Canada's business delegation

Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo held a meeting with a Canadian business delegation led by his counterpart, Mary Ng, in Seoul and they discussed ways to expand bilateral trade and industry cooperation, officials said Monday. The visit by the Canadian business delegation marked the largest of its kind since Seoul and Ottawa forged the so-called comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022. During the meeting, Cheong expressed hope to broaden the bilateral cooperation beyond its current focus on natura

April 22, 2024

Blinken to discuss N. Korea, Taiwan, Middle East during China visit next week: official

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to China next week to discuss an array of issues, including North Korea's "threatening" rhetoric and "reckless" actions, a senior US official has said. Blinken plans to visit Shanghai and Beijing from Wednesday to Friday for talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other senior officials in an endeavor, which the official said builds on America's push to "responsibly" manage the Sino-US relationship t

April 21, 2024

Vice FM visits UAE for talks on economic, energy cooperation

First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun has visited the United Arab Emirates for discussions on strengthening cooperation in core areas of mutual interest, his office said Saturday. Kim met with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi, and Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, minister of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Friday for talks on boosting cooperation in the areas of economy, peaceful nuclear power, the defense industry and energy, according t

April 20, 2024