S. Korean delegation visits Kuwait to pay respects to late emir

A South Korean condolence delegation visiting Kuwait has attended a memorial service to pay respects to the late Kuwaiti leader Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, the foreign ministry said Tuesday. The delegation, led by Foreign Minister Park Jin, offered deep condolences to the new emir, Mishal Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, on behalf of President Yoon Suk Yeol and the South Korean government, during a meeting Monday (local time), the ministry said. Kuwait announced the death of Sheikh Nawaf on Sat

Dec. 19, 2023

Finnish envoy looks back on special ties with Korea on fighting COVID-19

Celebrating 50 years of diplomatic ties between Finland and Korea, Finnish Ambassador to Korea Pekka Metso talked about hurdles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the collaborative spirit that shaped an enduring relationship between the two nations. "The COVID-19 pandemic, a challenge faced by mankind as a whole, became a test of our bilateral relations. Finland and Korea worked together for innovative solutions, with test samples sent from Finland to Korea for analysis due to your prime te

Dec. 18, 2023

Kazakh Embassy showcases Aktobe tourism

A roadshow introducing tourist routes in Aktobe, Kazakhstan, was held at Seoul Cyber University in the city's Gangbuk district. The event featured exquisite works by Aktobe designers, artisans and jewelers, accompanied by traditional Kazakh sweets and treats. The Aktobe region in Kazakhstan is renowned for its sacred monuments, ancient oceans and Stone Age civilizations. Positioned at a strategic intersection of air, rail and highway routes leading to Russia, Uzbekistan and the Caspian Sea,

Dec. 18, 2023

3 in 10 new couples embrace DINK lifestyle

Nearly 30 percent of Korean couples who have been married for less than five years both work and have no children, according to a report released Monday by Statistics Korea. Among the 815,357 such couples, 28.7 percent were “dual-income, no kids” couples, or DINKs. It represented more than a 10 percentage point increase from 2015. The shift toward the DINK lifestyle is attributed to various factors, including the increased participation of women in the workforce, a growing societal

Dec. 18, 2023

Japan: Stop calling Fukushima water ‘contaminated’

TOKYO -- Tokyo Electric Power Co. wants South Korea to stop calling the wastewater released from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant “contaminated” because the water has been treated. “The two terms -- treated and contaminated -- should be used accordingly,” Tomohiko Mayuzumi, a spokesperson for the power company operating the plant, told reporters in Tokyo on Dec. 1. “It’s treated if the water has gone through the Advanced Liquid Processing System and i

Dec. 17, 2023

S. Korea expresses 'stern' protest to China, Russia over air defense zone incursion

South Korea's defense ministry lodged a "stern" protest with China and Russia on Friday over their warplanes' entry into the country's air defense identification zone (KADIZ) in the East Sea without notice. On Thursday, two Chinese and four Russian military aircraft entered the KADIZ and exited it, prompting the South Korean Air Force to scramble fighter jets to the scene. They did not violate South Korea's air space. Lee Seung-bom, director general for internationa

Dec. 15, 2023

Doha Forum calls for Gaza cease-fire, multipolar humanitarian diplomacy

DOHA, Qatar -- Heads of state, UN officials, diplomats and experts called for a cease-fire in Gaza and humanitarian diplomacy to resolve conflicts and foster a sustainable, shared future at the 21st Doha Forum held Dec. 10-11. Under the theme, "Diplomacy, Dialogue and Diversity," the global forum discussed the interconnected nature of global challenges, the future of education, the energy transition, AI governance, economic systems, women's health in conflict, international law, g

Dec. 15, 2023

Korea Herald, Verslo Zinios ink MOU to boost media cooperation

The Korea Herald and Verslo Zinios, a Lithuanian newspaper headquartered in Vilnius, inked a memorandum of understanding to foster international media collaboration Thursday. The agreement aims to elevate awareness of both Lithuania and South Korea through strategic cooperation in journalistic endeavors. The MOU covers the creation and exchange of journalistic content, the sharing of sources, comprehensive news coverage, heightened public awareness, joint event hosting, and conducting interviews

Dec. 15, 2023

Seoul denies Netherlands summoned ambassador over Yoon's ASML visit

South Korea's Foreign Ministry denied a media report on Friday that the government of the Netherlands had summoned its ambassador to voice concerns about Seoul's demands regarding a presidential visit to the headquarters of the semiconductor printing machine supplier ASML. The Joongang Ilbo newspaper reported that the South Korean Ambassador to the Netherlands Choe Hyoung-chan had been summoned to hear concerns over Seoul's "various demands" related to President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit t

Dec. 15, 2023

US reiterates commitment to 'complete denuclearization' of Korean Peninsula

The United States remains committed to the "complete denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula, the State Department said Thursday, highlighting diplomacy is its "first option" to address the North Korean nuclear quandary. Matthew Miller, the department's spokesperson, made the remarks after Politico, a U.S. media outlet, reported that former President Donald Trump is considering a negotiation plan under which North Korea freezes its nuclear program and stops building ne

Dec. 15, 2023

N. Gyeongsang governor, KDB chief suggest solutions to tackle weakening economy

Speakers for this week's Global Business Forum, hosted by The Korea Herald on Wednesday, suggested solutions to tackle Korea's falling economy. Decentralization is the key, said Lee Cheol-woo, the governor of North Gyeongsang Province, urging local governments to attract young Koreans with stable and well-paid jobs so that they can help to keep regions outside of Seoul young and vibrant. “We face the crisis of extinction. Yet, all young Koreans are going to Seoul and that’s

Dec. 14, 2023

Missile warning data sharing between S. Korea, US, Japan to be operational in 'next few days': US official

A system for the real-time sharing of North Korean ballistic missile warning data between South Korea, the United States and Japan is expected to become operational "within the next few days," a White House official said Wednesday. Mira Rapp-Hooper, the National Security Council senior director for East Asia and Oceania, made the remarks, touching on progress in trilateral cooperation since the landmark Camp David summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, US President Joe Bi

Dec. 14, 2023

Trump denies media article on N. Korea negotiation plan as 'fake news'

Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday dismissed as "fake news" a media report that he is considering a negotiation plan under which North Korea freezes its nuclear program and stops building new weapons in return for sanctions relief and other incentives. Citing three people briefed on his thinking, Politico, a US media outlet, reported that Trump is weighing the idea as he is seeking a second White House term in next year's election expected to be a rematch between him and incumb

Dec. 14, 2023

Yoon says S. Korea, Netherlands will form 'semiconductor alliance'

President Yoon Suk Yeol began his state visit to the Netherlands by meeting with a group of Korean residents and vowing to upgrade the two countries' relations to a "semiconductor alliance." As the first official schedule, Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee attended a welcoming ceremony hosted by Willem-Alexander, king of the Netherlands, held at Dam Square in Amsterdam on Tuesday (local time). Then, they were greeted by the Netherlands' palace and government officials at the R

Dec. 12, 2023

Culture minister vows continued cooperation with Vatican for peace, harmony

South Korea's culture ministry will continue to work with the Vatican to utilize culture as a bridge for world peace and harmony, Seoul's culture minister has said, as the two countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. Yu In-chon made the remarks during a Mass held in Rome on Monday to mark the anniversary. The Korean Catholic Church also held its side of the commemorative Mass the same day in Seoul. He attended the Rome Mass led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secr

Dec. 12, 2023

US succeeds in test of upgraded ground-based missile interceptor amid N. Korean threats

The United States successfully conducted a test of an upgraded ground-based interceptor to shoot down an intermediate-range ballistic missile Monday, its military said, as it seeks to counter growing threats from North Korea, Iran and other potential adversaries. The Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency led the test of the GBI designed to intercept a ballistic missile in a midcourse phase of flight. GBI is a key element of the United States' Ground-based Midcourse Defense system meant to

Dec. 12, 2023

S. Korea, Vatican commemorate 60th anniv. of diplomatic ties with Mass

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea held a special Mass here Monday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and the Holy See. In a message sent to the Mass at Myeongdong Cathedral in downtown Seoul, Pope Francis expressed hope that the two sides will continue to develop their friendly ties and work together for peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula. The message was read by Monsignor Fernando Duarte Barros Reis, acting Apostolic Nuncio to K

Dec. 11, 2023

Yoon, Modi exchange messages marking 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties

President Yoon Suk Yeol and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have exchanged congratulatory messages marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the foreign ministry said Monday. In the message marking their establishment of formal ties on Dec. 10, 1973, Yoon said the two countries have advanced their "special strategic partnership" in various areas, including the supply chain, arms industry, science and technology as well as c

Dec. 11, 2023

8 NATO envoys to visit Seoul to discuss Indo-Pacific security

A delegation of representatives from eight NATO member countries is set to visit Seoul later this week, in a rare collective visit reflecting the transatlantic security alliance's heightened interest in the Indo-Pacific region amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The three-day visit from Wednesday to Friday aims to "engage in discussions on the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region and other pertinent issues," South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Monday. The participating

Dec. 11, 2023

[Herald Interview] ‘N. Korea needs reassurance, besides deterrence’

TOKYO -- Deterring aggression by reaffirming pledges to counter North Korean nuclear strikes with the same force needs to take place in tandem with reassuring the regime of its safety, a Japanese expert said of curbing North Korea’s provocations. The strategy of using the US nuclear umbrella is what Seoul and Washington have been doubling down on since April when the two allies agreed to bolster deterrence on the North’s weapons tests. President Yoon Suk Yeol, who came to power in Ma

Dec. 11, 2023