China executes S. Korean for drug trafficking

China on Friday executed a South Korean national convicted of drug trafficking, despite appeals from South Korean authorities for clemency, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry has announced. “Chinese authorities just notified us of the execution,” a Foreign Ministry official said at a briefing held the same day. Beijing had informed Seoul of when the execution would take place, according to the official. The Korean, whose name, age and gender were withheld because the family wants n

Aug. 4, 2023

US working to bring Travis King home but N. Korea remains unresponsive: Blinken

WASHINGTON -- The United States is working to learn more about the safety of a US service member who crossed into North Korea last month, but the reclusive state has yet to offer any response, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday. The top US diplomat added that the US is also working to bring the US soldier home safely. "I wish we did know more," Blinken said when asked what information the US government had on Travis King in an interview with American TV network ABC. "

Aug. 4, 2023

[Herald Interview] Digitalization, green tech key areas for future cooperation

Digitalization of the manufacturing sector and green technology are potential areas for bilateral cooperation between South Korea and Indonesia for the countries' future growth, suggested Indonesian Ambassador to Korea Gandi Sulistiyanto as he wraps up his two-year mission in Seoul in September. He is set to leave the country for a new position as an elected member of Indonesia's Presidential Advisory Council, he said. “I tried to actualize my priority to promote the digital and

Aug. 3, 2023

S. Korean FM visits Holy See for talks on bilateral ties celebrating 60th anniversary

South Korea's top diplomat has visited the Holy See for talks on bilateral relations as the two countries mark the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday. Foreign Minister Park Jin paid a courtesy call on Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and met with Archbishop Gallagher, the Vatican's secretary for relations with states, on Tuesday to discuss ways to boost bilateral ties, according to the ministry. Park extended Seou

Aug. 2, 2023

Biden sees Korea-US-Japan ties as special: envoy

The summit US President Joe Biden is hosting on Aug. 18 for South Korea and Japan at Camp David in Maryland, the first of its kind, is evidence that Biden considers the alliance special, South Korea’s ambassador to the US said Monday. The trilateral meeting, meant to curb China’s influence and North Korea’s aggression while boosting economic ties, is the first Camp David summit Biden will hold since taking office in January 2021. “We took the initiative in making this wor

Aug. 1, 2023

Morocco recalls friendly ties with Korea on Throne Day

The Moroccan Embassy in Seoul held a ceremony to commemorate Throne Day, marking the accession to the throne of King Mohammed VI in 1999. This year marks the 24th anniversary of Mohammed VI's appointment as the Moroccan monarch, succeeding his father, King Hassan II. Moroccan Ambassador to Korea Chafik Rachadi emphasized the longstanding, deep-rooted and friendly ties between Morocco and Korea. Rabat and Seoul established diplomatic relations in July 1962. "Cooperation has blossomed in

Aug. 1, 2023

Peru looks for new era of bilateral ties with Korea

The Peruvian Embassy is looking to upgrade bilateral ties with South Korea, as the two countries commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. Speaking at a ceremony held to mark the country's 202nd Independence Day on Thursday, Peruvian Ambassador Paul Duclos said the two countries built bonds through the signing of the free trade agreement in 2011 and the establishment of a strategic partnership in 2012. Such formal partnerships have been driving forces behind growin

Aug. 1, 2023

S. Korean, Italian FMs hold talks on boosting cooperation in multilateral frameworks

The top diplomats of South Korea and Italy held consultations to reaffirm their shared commitment for cooperation in the multilateral stage and discuss cooperation in other areas of mutual concern, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday. In the meeting held in Rome the previous day, Foreign Minister Park Jin and his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, agreed on the need to closely cooperate within the multilateral frameworks, including in the United Nations and the Group of 20 meetings. Par

Aug. 1, 2023

US will impose sanctions on N. Korea, Russia when necessary: state dept.

The United States will not hesitate to impose sanctions on North Korea and Russia when necessary, a state department spokesperson said Monday, following the Russian defense minister's trip to Pyongyang that many believe may lead to increased military cooperation between the two countries. The spokesperson, Matthew Miller, also highlighted that the close relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow has "not exactly been productive" to international security. "It certainly did not appe

Aug. 1, 2023

S. Korean FM discusses quake response with Turkish disaster relief chief

Foreign Minister Park Jin has met with the chief of Turkey's disaster management agency and discussed recovery efforts in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake that struck the country earlier this year, the foreign ministry said Sunday. The meeting between South Korea's top diplomat and Yunus Sezer, head of Turkey's Disaster And Emergency Management Presidency, on Saturday, came as the South Korean foreign minister is visiting the country as part of his four-nation trip that has

July 30, 2023

Delegations from UK, Turkey honor veterans of Korean War

British Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey paid tribute to soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the 1950-53 Korean War at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan, where nearly 900 British troops are buried. According to the British Embassy in Seoul, more than 80,000 British military personnel served in Korea, and the United Kingdom suffered over 1,000 casualties during the war. Turkey’s Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services Zafer Tarikdaroglu also offered his prayer at the

July 28, 2023

Ukrainian Embassy apologizes for 'distress' over diplomat's alleged assault

The Ukraine Embassy on Thursday apologized for causing concern over an incident involving a Ukrainian diplomat who was accused of assaulting a Korean police officer at a bar in Seoul. A first-secretary Ukrainian diplomat in his 40s was arrested Tuesday evening in Itaewon for allegedly assaulting a bar employee and a police officer while intoxicated, local media reported. The diplomat was later released, according to Yongsan police station. In response to a media inquiry from The Korea Herald, th

July 27, 2023

Pakistan eyes Korean investments, suggests potential sectors

Officials and representatives from Pakistan showcased trade and investment potential at the Pakistan-Korea trade and investment conference seeking Korean investments at the Ambassador Hotel in Seoul, Thursday. Attendees shared diverse ideas and business solutions in energy, construction, minerals, agriculture, food processing, textiles, automobiles, information technology and telecommunications to reach out to investors and key figures taking the lead. Underscoring Pakistan’s economic outl

July 27, 2023

Wang’s return good sign for S. Korea-China ties: experts

The Tuesday reshuffle that put China’s top diplomat Wang Yi back in his old job as foreign minister, a post he had held for almost a decade since 2013, could reinforce South Korea’s push to improve ties with its largest neighbor, experts said Wednesday. According to China’s state media, former Foreign Minister Qin Gang was removed from the job, marking the shortest-ever tenure for the role. Qin assumed the position in December last year but disappeared from public view in June

July 26, 2023

China, Russia can and must help reduce tensions on Korean Peninsula: State Dept.

WASHINGTON -- China and Russia have a role to play in bringing North Korea to the dialogue table, a state department spokesperson said Tuesday, insisting the two countries are also required to do so as members of the United Nations Security Council. Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson for the state department, added the United States remains open to engaging with Pyongyang without any preconditions. "Both Russia and the PRC have a potential role they can play, including through the

July 26, 2023

Latvia hopes for biotech, digital cooperation with Korea: minister

Latvia's precision and telemedicine development, combined with its solid pharmaceuticals sector, offers a promising opportunity for collaboration with South Korea, the country's economy minister said. "Latvia's specialization in precision medicine, telemedicine development and a robust pharmaceutical sector aligns well with South Korea's expertise in genomics and digital health," said Latvian Minister of Economics Ilze Indriksone. "Korea has a large domestic ma

July 25, 2023

Egypt touts growing economic ties, infra projects with Korea

The Egyptian Embassy in Seoul touted the growing economic ties and infrastructure project deals with South Korea, while marking the country's 71st anniversary of the Egyptian revolution in Seoul on Friday. Revolution Day, which falls on July 23, celebrates the 1952 revolution that ended the country’s monarchy and marked the country's founding as a modern republic. Egypt and Korea are leveraging strengths to create opportunities through joint ventures, investments, and knowledge e

July 25, 2023

[Herald Interview] UN special envoy urges Korea to join Egypt's green initiative

INCHEON -- South Korea can play an important role in Egypt's initiative for green and smart industries, with a shared goal in building a sustainable future for the African country, said UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for Egypt Mahmoud Mohieldin. He was referring to Egypt's National Initiative for Green Smart Projects, launched by the Egyptian government in 2022. It is designed to promote participation from various stakeholders to make concerted efforts for climate change. Korea&

July 25, 2023

S. Korea to hold ministerial meeting on veterans affairs with 22 countries in Busan

South Korea will hold a ministerial meeting on veterans affairs this week with 22 countries that supported the country during the 1950-53 Korean War, Seoul's veterans ministry said Tuesday, as Seoul commemorates the 70th anniversary of the signing of the conflict's armistice. The 2023 Ministerial Summit on Veterans Affairs will take place in Busan, 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Wednesday, a day ahead of the landmark anniversary of the armistice's signing, which ended fight

July 25, 2023

S. Korea, Japan set to hold working-level consultations over Fukushima water

South Korea and Japan are set to hold working-level consultations Tuesday to discuss Seoul's request regarding Tokyo's plan to discharge contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant. The director-general-level talks will be held in Japan later in the day, with the South Korean side led by Yun Hyun-soo, head of the foreign ministry's bureau for climate change, energy, environment and scientific affairs, and the Japanese side headed by Atsushi Kaifu, director-g

July 25, 2023