US sanctions N. Korea over human rights

The US on Monday imposed sanctions on three senior North Korean officials for human rights abuses, amid Pyongyang’s continued silence in its denuclearization talks with Washington. 　The US Treasury Department announced the sanctions on Choe Ryong-hae, vice chairman of the ruling Workers’ Party; Jong Kyong-thaek, minister of state security; and Pak Kwang-ho, director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department.　The Treasury Department cited “brutal” human rights abuses and censorship as well as th

Dec. 11, 2018

S. Korea calls for diplomatic efforts for denuclearization, peace

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha called on South Korean ambassadors and consuls general Monday to increase their diplomatic efforts to achieve complete denuclearization of North Korea and establish peace. “Now, we are facing an important opportunity for a resolution to the North Korean nuclear issue,” Kang said at the opening of the annual meeting of some 181 ambassadors and general consuls abroad.  “The journey, going forward, will not be smooth, but I believe in the power of our di

Dec. 10, 2018

Trump wants South Korea to double funding for US troops: report

US President Donald Trump is reportedly demanding South Korea pay as much as double its current funding for American troops stationed in South Korea, as Seoul and Washington negotiate how to shoulder defense costs in the coming years. (Joint Press Corps)The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump wants South Korea to pay roughly double the current amount, equivalent to $1.6 billion per year for the next five years, citing people familiar with the talks. Other sources cited in the report say the

Dec. 9, 2018

Allies’ top diplomats pledge to maintain close coordination on NK

The top diplomats of South Korea and the US pledged united efforts to deal with North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, as the allies’ leaders seek another summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un amid the stalled nuclear talks between Pyongyang and Washington. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her US counterpart Mike Pompeo held a meeting in Washington on Thursday, the first since they met in Seoul after Pompeo’s trip to Pyongyang in October. The meeting came amid efforts in Seoul and

Dec. 7, 2018

President Moon meets Vietnamese assembly speaker

President Moon Jae-in held a meeting Thursday with the chairwoman of Vietnam’s National Assembly, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, to discuss ways to further enhance the countries’ bilateral relationship.The meeting was held at Moon‘s presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.　The Vietnamese lawmaker has been on a four-day visit since Tuesday at the invitation of her South Korean counterpart, Moon Hee-sang.　While meeting with the chairwoman, President Moon emphasized the importance of Vietnam to South Kore

Dec. 6, 2018

Top S. Korean, US diplomats hold talks on N. Korea

The top diplomats from South Korea and the US were set to meet Thursday in Washington amid continued efforts to achieve the denuclearization of North Korea, the Foreign Ministry said. South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were scheduled to meet in Washington D.C. at 8:30 a.m., according to the ministry. Kang was in the US to lead South Korea’s delegation to the funeral of former US President George H.W. Bush. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Sout

Dec. 6, 2018

Korea to convene meeting of its top envoys abroad

South Korea will hold an annual meeting of its top envoys abroad next week to focus on promoting diplomacy for the people and fostering peace and prosperity on the peninsula, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.A total of 181 ambassadors, consul generals and other heads of diplomatic missions in foreign countries will participate in the five-day session that will open on Monday in Seoul. (Yonhap)Major programs include special lectures by Yoon Young-chan, senior presidential secretary f

Dec. 6, 2018

US pressures N. Korea to respond

US President Donald Trump plans to hold a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un because the North has failed to follow through on its promise to denuclearize, US national security adviser John Bolton said Tuesday (US time), amid North Korea’s continued silence. His remarks came after Trump reaffirmed his wish to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim in January or February. Trump said he could grant Kim his wishes if he delivers on denuclearization, according to South Korean Pre

Dec. 5, 2018

Korea, China, Japan to hold FTA talks in Beijing

South Korea, China and Japan will hold their 14th round of negotiations for a free trade agreement to boost trade and investment between the Asian neighbors, Seoul's trade ministry said Wednesday.Senior trade officials of the three nations will gather in Beijing on Thursday and Friday to discuss ways to open goods and services markets and lower other trade barriers, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said. (Yonhap)The talks come at a time when China is seeking to strike trade pacts with

Dec. 5, 2018

President Moon returns home after three-nation tour

President Moon Jae-in returned home Tuesday after a three-nation tour that began a week earlier in the Czech Republic.In Prague, the president held a meeting with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis to discuss ways to improve the countries' ties. (Yonhap)His tour then took him to Argentina, where he was joined by the leaders of 19 other developing and developed nations for the annual Group of 20 Leaders' Summit.The annual meeting, held in Buenos Aires, also provided the venue for a series of bilat

Dec. 5, 2018

Trump’s race against time, lack of bargaining chips in denuclearization talks

As US President Donald Trump eyes a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for a breakthrough in stalled denuclearization talks early next year, Washington faces its own dilemma stemming from a lack of bargaining chips. 　Time may also not be on Trump’s side, with reported cases of sanctions being eased, intelligence reports pointing to North Korea’s continued work on nuclear and missile programs, and a fast-approaching 2020 presidential election.　North Korea has called on the US to t

Dec. 4, 2018

Korean foreign minister to attend Bush funeral

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will attend the funeral of former President George H.W. Bush this week, her ministry announced Tuesday.Kang is leading South Korea's delegation to the funeral to be held at the Washington National Cathedral in the US capital Wednesday.(Yonhap)The delegation will also include Seoul's Ambassador to the US Cho Yoon-je and Ryu Jin, chairman & CEO of Poongsan Group, a South Korean conglomerate, according to Noh Kyu-duk, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreig

Dec. 4, 2018

Leaders of Korea, New Zealand agree to boost cooperation, economic ties

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern agreed Tuesday to further enhance their countries' cooperation in various areas, including trade and Antarctic research.In a summit held in Auckland, the two leaders also agreed to boost their cooperation in the defense industry. (Yonhap)"While noting that the South Korea-New Zealand FTA that went into effect in 2015 is providing a strong institutional foundation to promote trade and investment between the two count

Dec. 4, 2018

Korea, Argentina sign working holiday visa deal

South Korea and Argentina have agreed to exchange visits by their young citizens as part of a work and pay program, Seoul's foreign ministry said Monday.The two sides signed the "working holiday" agreement last week, which allows South Koreans, aged 18-30, to work, study and travel in Argentina for up to a year. The yearly quote is 200. Argentine youth will be able to do so in South Korea as well. Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie (R) and South Korea's Ambassador to Argentina, Lim Ki-mo, s

Dec. 3, 2018

Korea's Moon to begin state visit to New Zealand

South Korean President Moon Jae-in began his state visit to New Zealand on Monday, one day after his arrival here following his participation in the Group of 20 summit in Argentina.A welcome ceremony was set to be held later in the day at the official residence of Governor-General Patsy Reddy, according to Moon's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae. (Yonhap)Moon and his wife, Kim Jung-sook, will hold a brief meeting with the governor-general and her husband, David Gascoigne, before attending an of

Dec. 3, 2018

S. Korean FM meets North's titular leader in Mexico

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has met with the North's ceremonial head of state in Mexico and expressed her hope for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's prompt visit to Seoul, the foreign ministry here said Sunday. Kang's meeting with Kim Yong-nam took place on Saturday while visiting the Latin American country to attend the presidential inauguration ceremony of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, according to Seoul's foreign ministry. In this photo, provided by Seoul's foreign ministry, S

Dec. 2, 2018

S. Korean president arrives in New Zealand on state visit

AUCKLAND, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in arrived in Auckland on Sunday on a state visit that will include his summit with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. South Korean President Moon Jae-in (Right) shakes hands with Jenny Salesa, minister for building and construction, as well as for ethnic communities, of New Zealand, after arriving in Auckland on Sunday,on a three-day state visit. (Yonhap)New Zealand is the last stop in Moon's three-nation tour that began Tuesday with an u

Dec. 2, 2018

Moon works to secure NK leader’s visit to Seoul during G-20 summit

　With President Moon Jae-in having wrapped up the G-20 summit following a meeting with US President Donald Trump, hopes are high that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s visit to Seoul will materialize before the end of the year. 　Moon is expected to arrive in New Zealand on Sunday for a three-day state visit after leaving Argentina, where he attended the Group of 20 summit. During his three-day stay in Buenos Aires, Moon held a series of meetings with world leaders to rally support for diplomatic

Dec. 2, 2018

Moon urges immediate action by G-20 leaders to address climate change

BUENOS AIRES -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in called on his Group of 20 peers Saturday to do more to address climate change, insisting they owed it to the world and future generations."Globally, abnormal weather and natural disasters are becoming part of daily lives. A dark shadow of global warming and environmental damage have been created on the other side of global economic growth, and they are approaching mankind as disasters," Moon said in a meeting of G-20 leaders here in Buenos Aires

Dec. 2, 2018

Korean president heads to New Zealand after trip to G-20 summit

South Korean President Moon Jae-in headed to New Zealand on Saturday, ending his three-day trip to Argentina for the annual Group of 20 summit, which also provided the venue for a possibly crucial meeting with US President Donald Trump.At the annual meeting of the leaders of the world's 20 largest economies, the South Korean president sought to promote free trade and joint efforts to tackle global issues, such as climate change and slowing economic growth.South Korean President Moon Jae-in (L) a

Dec. 2, 2018