Annual regional security forum kicks off, NK to top agenda

An annual regional security forum kicked off in Singapore on Thursday, bringing together top diplomats from 26 countries and the European Union for talks on political and security issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the meeting gathers foreign ministers from the two Koreas, the US, China, Japan and Russia -- key players in the Korean Peninsula’s denuclearization efforts -- amid growing concerns over little progress toward denuclearization.  (Y

Aug. 2, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘Declaring end to Korean War catalyst for NK denuclearization’

Declaring a formal end to the Korean War now is the best option for the US to accelerate North Korea’s denuclearization process and avoid repeating the mistakes of its past administrations, according to a prominent North Korea expert. The US would benefit from declaring an end to the 1950-53 Korean War -- a political statement that is not legally binding -- as the declaration could prompt bolder action by the North to denuclearize, said Kim Yeon-chul, head of the state-run Korea Institute for Na

Aug. 2, 2018

S. Korean minister promotes ‘New Southern Policy’ in Singapore

SINGAPORE -- South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha strived on Wednesday to publicize the government’s efforts to expand cooperation with Southeast Asian countries, as their annual high-level gathering is underway in Singapore.She had a series of bilateral talks with her Malaysian, Myanmar, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Brunei and Laotian counterparts on the sidelines of the annual ASEAN foreign ministerial sessions.Last year, the Moon Jae-in administration announced the “New Southern Policy” aim

Aug. 1, 2018

S. Korea to assist recovery of flood-hit Laos: minister

SINGAPORE -- South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said Wednesday her government will provide support for the recovery of a swathe of Laos devastated by a dam collapse and ensuing flash floods.She delivered the message in talks with her Laotian counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith here days ahead of the opening of the annual Mekong-South Korea foreign ministers meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum.(Yonhap)The latest disaster to affect the ASEAN member state was one of the main issues discussed

Aug. 1, 2018

Kang holds meetings with ASEAN ministers

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha held bilateral meetings with her counterparts from six Southeast Asian countries in Singapore on Tuesday to secure support for the government’s efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and to foster ties with the ASEAN bloc. Kang, who arrived in Singapore on Monday to attend a series of meetings on security in Asia, held bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos, promoted the government’s New Southern Po

Aug. 1, 2018

Korea's top diplomat in Singapore for key regional forum

SINGAPORE -- South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha arrived in Singapore on Tuesday for a series of bilateral and multilateral talks on North Korea and other regional issues.She's expected to hold talks with her North Korean counterpart, Ri Yong-ho.Speaking to reporters upon arriving at an airport here, the minister said no schedule has been set yet. (Yonhap)Her weeklong visit to Singapore will focus on Seoul's ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Korean peace proce

Aug. 1, 2018

Kang to step up diplomatic efforts at ARF

South Korea’s Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is set to fly to Singapore on Tuesday to attend a series of major forums on regional security in Singapore, amid a flurry of diplomacy to denuclearize North Korea.Kang will attend the ASEAN Regional Forum, which kicked off Monday and brings together key stakeholders involved in negotiations over the North’s dismantling of nuclear arsenal, sparking speculations of a possible three-way meeting among Kang, her North Korean and US counterparts.  (Yonhap)

July 30, 2018

S. Korea mulls restoration support for flood-hit Laos

The South Korean government is considering offering more support to Laos in the aftermath of a dam collapse that has left at least 27 killed and 131 missing, the Foreign Ministry said Monday.  (Yonhap)The project was being conducted by a consortium involving Korean firms. “We are reviewing whether to send extra emergency relief and emergency personnel,” a Foreign Ministry official said on condition of anonymity. “We will additionally review whether humanitarian aid will be extended to the next s

July 30, 2018

Korean foreign minister to pitch for Korea peace at regional forums

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will engage in a round of hectic bilateral and multilateral diplomacy in Singapore this week during a series of major forums on regional security and economic and cultural cooperation, her ministry said Monday.Kang and her counterparts from more than two dozen countries, including North Korea, will huddle together at the ASEAN Regional Forum on Saturday. ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.(Yonhap)It follows four other ASEAN-re

July 30, 2018

Korean medical team arrives in Laos to assist flood recovery

A South Korean medical team flew into in Laos on Sunday to assist with recovery efforts following the deadly flooding that resulted from the collapse of a dam that was under construction by a Korean builder.An emergency relief team composed of 15 medical personnel and five support staff arrived at Pakse International Airport in Champasak Province, southern Laos, at about 6 p.m. (on local time) aboard a Korean military plane.A South Korean Air Force plane carrying relief workers lands at Pakse In

July 29, 2018

Korea's medical team leaves for Laos to assist flood recovery

A South Korean medical team left for Laos on Sunday to assist with recovery from the deadly flooding that resulted from the collapse of a dam that was under construction by a Korean builder, Seoul's foreign ministry said.An emergency relief team composed of 15 medical personnel and five support staff embarked on a 10-day mission to treat displaced residents in southern Laos and prevent the spread of contagious diseases, it added.A dam built on a mountain saddle of a larger hydropower dam project

July 29, 2018

S. Korea sends relief supplies to Laos

A South Korean military aircraft carrying relief supplies has left for Laos, the foreign ministry said Saturday, following the government's announcement that it will provide help with recovery from the deadly flooding that resulted from the collapse of a dam that was under construction.   The military jet took off at 8 a.m. from an airport in Seongnam, just south of Seoul, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.    The relief supplies include 1,200 blankets, clothing and sanitation

July 28, 2018

President Moon meets special envoy of Indonesian president

President Moon Jae-in on Friday met with a special envoy of his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo, who is said to be seeking to host the leaders of both South Korea and North Korea during the upcoming Asian Games.In the meeting, held at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi delivered a personal invitation from the Indonesian president for Moon to visit his country during the upcoming Asian Games, slated to begin Aug. 18. (Yonhap)"The reason I came here

July 27, 2018

Kang says inspection needed for NK’s dismantling of missile testing site

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha on Thursday hailed North Korea’s dismantling of a missile engine testing site as a meaningful step toward denuclearization, but stressed the need to verify it. Speaking at a joint press conference with her Germen counterpart Heiko Maas in Seoul, Kang said that each step taken by North Korea toward denuclearization should be verified.  (Yonhap)“The North has shut down its nuclear test site without verification by the international community, we hope that there will

July 26, 2018

US issues advisory on NK sanctions evasion tactics

The US issued an advisory on Monday warning businesses about North Korea’s sanctions evasion tactics, ramping up pressure on the reclusive country amid a lack of progress on denuclearization talks. 　The Departments of State, the Treasury and Homeland Security put out the advisory aimed at protecting manufacturers, buyers and service providers from the risk of violating US and UN sanctions on North Korea. 　The advisory does not add any new sanctions against Pyongyang, but appears to reflect the T

July 24, 2018

US official to visit Seoul for consultations on N. Korea

A US State Department official in charge of Korea affairs will travel to South Korea this week for discussions on North Korea and pending alliance issues, a government official here said Tuesday.Mark Lambert, the department's Korea desk director and acting deputy assistant secretary, plans to arrive in Seoul on Wednesday and meet foreign ministry officials. They include Kim Tae-jin, head of the North American affair bureau, and Jeong Yeon-doo, director general for the North Korean nuclear issue.

July 24, 2018

Seoul left with tough task to move denuclearization talks forward

With the US and North Korea’s follow-up talks on denuclearization showing little progress, South Korea is left with the tough task of keeping up the momentum of dialogue and persuading both sides to meet each other halfway.  　Less than six weeks after the summit between the US and North Korea in Singapore, Washington is reportedly growing impatient with the pace of talks on denuclearization, while Pyongyang has accused Washington of making “gangster-like, unilateral demands.” 　North Korea has st

July 23, 2018

Seoul steps up efforts to facilitate Washington-Pyongyang talks

South Korea’s presidential security adviser Chung Eui-yong returned to Seoul on Sunday after a two-day visit to the US, as South Korea seeks to propel denuclearization talks between the US and North Korea.  Chung Eui-yong (Yonhap)Chung said he had “very helpful” consultations with his American counterpart John Bolton to successfully and rapidly push ahead with denuclearization negotiations between North Korea and the US. “We reaffirmed that settling peace on the Korean Peninsula through complete

July 22, 2018

PM to embark on weeklong trip to Africa, Middle East

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon was to leave Thursday for a weeklong trip to Kenya, Tanzania and Oman to bolster economic cooperation and business opportunities with the countries.Lee will travel with 74 businessmen from 49 companies on South Korea's presidential jet. It would be the first time that the prime minister has used Air Force One on a long distance trip. President Moon Jae-in suggested Lee use the plane, officials said.Lee will first stop in Kenya for a three-day visit that includes talks

July 19, 2018

FM does not rule out trilateral summit at UN Assembly in September

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha did not rule out the possibility of a trilateral summit among leaders of the two Koreas and the US at the United Nations General Assembly in September. “It is hard to predict and we are not yet specifically consulting on it, but we cannot rule out the possibility,” Kang told reporters during her first visit to London since she took office in June last year. The top diplomat was in London from Tuesday to Thursday to meet her British counterpart before flying to New

July 19, 2018