Seoul will launch a 1 billion yen ($9.5 million) fund on Thursday for the victims of Japan’s sexual servitude during World War II, following months-long debate with Japan and ongoing protests at home. The organization, called the Foundation for Reconciliation and Healing, has several tasks to carry out, including persuading reluctant victims. Korea and Japan have also yet to agree on the timing of the funds’ transfer. An 11-member public-private preparation committee has been gearing up for the

July 27, 2016

With the regional security forum in Vientiane, Laos, drawing to a close, South Korea, the U.S., China and other countries on Tuesday stepped up diplomatic efforts to carry through their claims on pressing issues. The 27 foreign ministers took part in the ASEAN Regional Forum’s plenary and retreat sessions, delivering speeches and conversing with one another in between. South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se (center) and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry attend a dinner during the ASEAN Regi

July 26, 2016

U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi held talks in Beijing and agreed on the "shared goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the White House said Monday.Rice's visit to China drew attention as it came amid heightened tensions between the two countries after an international tribunal rejected China's territorial claims to most of the South China Sea in a victory for the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations locked in maritime dispute

July 26, 2016

Breaking a drawn-out cooling-off period after Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile tests, the top diplomats of North Korea and China held talks Monday at a regional security conference in Vientiane, Laos. The session between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his North Korean counterpart Ri Yong-ho took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum for the first time since Ri took office last May. His predecessor Ri Su-yong and Wang did not meet face-to-face during last year’s event.“The meeti

July 25, 2016

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida expressed pleasure at improved ties with South Korea since a landmark deal reached between Seoul and Tokyo late last year to resolve the sex slave issue.Kishida also said that communication has been smooth between the neighboring countries following North Korea's nuclear and missile tests earlier this year, saying that it indicates how much progress has been made.He made the remarks before starting bilateral talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byu

July 25, 2016

South Korea and Iran are set to begin discussions on boosting their bilateral cooperation in the fisheries sector that will include a joint fish farming venture, the Seoul government said Monday.The talks will be held in Iran from Thursday involving officials from South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and their Iranian counterparts.The talks will discuss follow-up measures for a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the fisheries area signed in May during South Korean President

July 25, 2016

China blamed South Korea on Sunday for hurting their trust by pushing to deploy an advanced missile system on the Korean Peninsula despite its strong opposition. The remarks were made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi before starting talks with his South Korean counterpart, Yun Byung-se, on the sidelines of a regional security forum."The recent behavior from South Korea has undermined the foundation for our bilateral trust," Wang said through an interpreter, voicing his displeasure apparently

July 25, 2016

In late June, moving on from five decades of fratricidal warfare, the Colombian government and armed guerilla group FARC agreed to a cease-fire as part of a peace process that had dragged on for nearly four years. In Havana, Cuba, under the watchful eyes of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and five Latin American heads of state, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC leader Rodrigo Londono inked the fourth point of the six-part pact, which would disarm and disband the crime syndicate

July 25, 2016

By Turkish Ambassador to Korea Arslan Hakan Okcal What had unfolded on the night of July 15 in Turkey was a failed attempt by a small faction of our armed forces to subvert our democratically elected government and constitutional order. This revolt was unrelated to the vast majority of our military. The plotters were defeated by our brave compatriots, who took to the streets in droves to defend Turkey’s democracy. I am pleased to note that law and order have been swiftly restored and the culprit

July 25, 2016

Starting Oct. 18, LOT Polish Airlines will launch a direct flight between Warsaw and Seoul, making it the first ever nonstop connection between the two countries.Serving three trips weekly in each direction between the Warsaw Chopin Airport and Incheon International Airport, the maiden initiative is expected to boost the exposure of both countries, streamlining their surging trade and investment, tourism and education exchange. The airline -- which is a member of the Star Alliance group -- will

July 25, 2016

The Thai Board of Investment Seoul Office held a seminar in mid-July to promote the country’s rising digital economy and attract investors and specialists. The venue titled “Thailand: Moving forward to digital economy” gave an overview of developments in the second largest economy in Southeast Asia, as it transitions toward a knowledge-based society. Through the ambitious government initiative “Thailand 4.0,” Bangkok aims to transform the country into a regional innovation hub, housing research

July 25, 2016

The two Koreas, the U.S., China, Japan and other major regional powers are embarking on a diplomatic race this week at a security forum in Vientiane amid tension over North Korea’s ceaseless military provocations and the planned stationing of U.S. anti-missile assets here. Foreign ministers from around the Asia Pacific began to touch down in the Laotian capital on Sunday for the ASEAN Regional Forum, the region’s largest security conference organized by the 10-nation Southeast Asian bloc.  Forei

July 24, 2016