Biden extends declaration of national emergency with regard to N. Korea

President Joe Biden has notified US Congress of his intention to extend the national emergency declaration period with regard to threats posed by North Korea, the White House said Tuesday. In a letter sent to Congress, the US president also cited proliferation risks posed by Pyongyang. "The existence and risk of the proliferation of weapons‑usable fissile material on the Korean Peninsula; the actions and policies of the Government of North Korea that destabilize the Korean Peninsula and imp

June 21, 2023

From Psy to Sumi Jo: Star-studded BIE presentation takes spotlight

What opened the presentation for Busan's bid to host the World Expo in 2030 Tuesday was the surprise appearance of Karina of K-pop girl band aespa. A rather serious atmosphere involving an interview with children about the crises they face, such as climate change, soon gave way to an intense K-pop beat -- "Next Level" by aespa -- which was followed by Karina's message that every voice in the world matters. "You are the future of our planet, so you can be the judge of all

June 21, 2023

S. Korea ordered to pay Elliott $53.59m in investor-state suit

An international tribunal ordered South Korea on Tuesday to pay around US$53.59 million plus interest to US-based hedge fund Elliott Investment Management, bringing an end to a yearslong dispute surrounding a controversial merger of two units of Samsung Group. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Netherlands delivered the verdict in the investor-state dispute settlement suit that the New York-based activist fund filed in 2018 demanding the compensation of $770 million from the Seoul governm

June 20, 2023

S. Korea should start mending China ties soon: experts

As the US and China have agreed to stabilize their escalating rivalry in talks that have partially calmed growing worries over a full-on confrontation between the two superpowers, efforts should be made for South Korea to repair ties with China as soon as possible, preferably by the end of the year, experts said Tuesday. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese President Xi Jinping shook hands on a more stable relationship during a rare visit by a top American diplomat, the first in five

June 20, 2023

[Contribution] Farewell message from Vatican envoy

Life in Korea offered me an appropriate opportunity to express to people I met here, sentiments of deep gratitude for the diligent cooperation that was offered to me during my office as representative of the supreme pontiff in Korea and Mongolia over these last five years. Support from the bishops in Korea and their constant proximity has been of great support for me to best carry out the task that the holy father, Pope Francis, entrusted to me. I will leave Korea with sadness because I have to

June 20, 2023

[Photo News] ASEAN-Korea Talks

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary General Kim Hae-yong hold talks to enhance ASEAN-Korea trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchanges in Seoul, on Thursday. Kim introduced the center’s activities to promote sustainable and equal partnerships between ASEAN and Korea while Kao commended the work of the AKC in recent years and encouraged it to carry out more activities in mandated areas.

June 20, 2023

Yoon asks for support for Busan World Expo from overseas Koreans in France

PARIS -- President Yoon Suk Yeol has asked for support from overseas Koreans living in France to support Busan's bid to host the 2030 World Expo, saying that hosting the expo will open a new horizon for global diplomacy for Korea. President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived in Paris on Monday afternoon (local time) to begin his six-day, two-leg tour of France and Vietnam to rally support for South Korea's 2030 World Expo bid and to hold bilateral summits with the two countries' leaders. Upon

June 20, 2023

Imports of Japanese seafood down over 30% in May amid Fukushima concerns

South Korean imports of Japanese seafood sank more than 30 percent last month, data showed Monday, amid concerns over Tokyo's planned release of contaminated water from its crippled nuclear power plant. South Korea imported 2,129 tons of fishery products from the neighboring country in May, down 30.6 percent from a year earlier, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service. In terms of value, imports inched down 1.8 percent on-year to $14.06 million. In April, seafood imports droppe

June 19, 2023

Blinken visits China to ease rising tensions, S. Korea closely watches developments

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Beijing on Sunday on a high-stakes two-day mission to cool off growing tensions with China, with neighboring countries such as South Korea closely monitoring developments. On the first day of his tour, Blinken was expected to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and top diplomat Wang Yi ahead of a possible meeting with President Xi Jinping the following day, according to US officials. The rare trip was a follow-up on what Xi and US President

June 18, 2023

US keeps S. Korea on 'monitoring list' for foreign exchange policy

South Korea has again been placed on a list of countries to be closely monitored by the United States in terms of their foreign exchange policies, along with six other nations, the U.S. Department of Treasury has said. Asia's No. 4 economy has been placed on the list, along with China, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland and Taiwan, according to the Treasury's latest foreign exchange policy report Friday (U.S. time). Compared with the previous release, Japan was removed from th

June 17, 2023

Blinken supports efforts toward "mature" China-South Korea ties

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he supports South Korea's efforts to develop a "healthy and mature" cooperative relationship with China, South Korea's foreign ministry said on Saturday. Blinken, who arrives in Beijing on Sunday for the highest-level visit by an official of US President Joe Biden's administration, discussed bilateral relations, relations between China and South Korea, and North Korea in a call with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin on Sat

June 17, 2023

Indonesian embassy holds 'Indonesia Night' in Daegu

The Indonesian Embassy on Wednesday held "Indonesia Night" in Daegu to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Indonesia-Korea relations. Showcasing Indonesia’s diversity through an exhibition and cultural performances, the Indonesian Embassy highlighted the significance of Tenun, traditional handwoven fabric, as an icon of Indonesian culture. "For centuries, handweaving techniques for making Tenun from various provinces of Indonesia have been passed on from generation to genera

June 16, 2023

US, S. Korea and Japan condemn N. Korea's latest missile provocation

The top national security advisers of South Korea, Japan and the United States condemned North Korea's missile launches Thursday, calling them "clear violations" of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. They also vowed stepped up efforts to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, according to a joint statement released by the White House. "The United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea condemn today's DPRK missile launches," said

June 16, 2023

Italian culture festival to kick off in Chuncheon

The city of Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, and the Italian Embassy in Seoul are set to co-host the "Ciao Italia" festival from June 16 to 19 in various parts of the city. The festival will introduce diverse aspects of Italian culture, ranging from food to movies and language, the embassy said in a statement. Responding to increasing interest in Italy, the festival event was specially designed for Gangwon Province residents and Chuncheon citizens to mark its third anniversary, the embassy

June 15, 2023

3-way security partnership not necessarily for NCG, says Cronin

South Korea, the United States and Japan should forge a trilateral security partnership amid rising tension on the peninsula, but that collaboration does not necessarily require Japan's participation in the Korea-US nuclear consultative group, according to Patrick Cronin, the Asia-Pacific security chair at the Hudson Institute. With an upcoming trilateral summit on the horizon, expectations are high for the three countries to strengthen their security cooperation. This is the first time the

June 15, 2023

S. Korean official elected as judge of UN sea tribunal for 3rd straight term

A South Korean official on Wednesday was elected to serve as a member of the United Nations sea tribunal, marking Seoul's third consecutive time in winning a seat in the organization. Rhee Zha-hyoung, director-general for international legal affairs at Seoul's foreign ministry, was voted as a judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for the 2023-2032 term, according to South Korea's permanent mission to the UN, gaining support from 144 among 164 voting member sta

June 15, 2023

Blinken will raise concerns over wide range of issues in meeting with Chinese counterpart: State Dept.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will raise concerns held by the United States over a number of issues involving China during his upcoming trip to Beijing, a state department spokesperson said Wednesday. Matthew Miller made the remark when asked if the secretary would raise issues about China's interference in the internal affairs of other countries. Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming earlier caused an uproar in Seoul by saying those who bet on China's loss in its rivalry

June 15, 2023

[Photo News] National security adviser arrives in Tokyo

South Korea's National Security Adviser Cho Tae-yong speaks to reporters at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Wednesday after arriving in the Japanese capital to hold talks with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Japan's National Security Secretariat Secretary General Akiba Takeo on North Korea as well as key regional and international issues. (Yonhap)

June 14, 2023

Portugal celebrates national day

Portugal celebrated National Day, remembering the country’s national icon and poet, Luis de Camoes, in Seoul, on Monday. Delivering remarks at the event, Portuguese Ambassador to Korea Susana Vaz Patto recalled Vasco da Gama’s exploration of the west coast of Africa and the discovery of a maritime route to India during the 15th and 16th centuries. Those were the days of pioneers that paved the way for globalization, she said. "Everywhere around the globe, there are features of P

June 14, 2023

Envoy urges Japan to persuade Koreans on wastewater safety

Japan has to persuade South Koreans that the wastewater it will release this summer from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant is safe, South Korean Ambassador to Japan Yun Duk-min said in an interview with a Japanese outlet. In the interview with Jiji Press published Wednesday, the envoy said there are difficulties even if “such persuasion were to take place with scientific evidence presented” because the issue itself is a “highly sensitive matter concerning the health

June 14, 2023