China envoy greets diplomatic community

The new Chinese Ambassador here hosted a reception in Seoul on April 17 to officially introduce himself to some 300 guests, including envoys from the foreign diplomatic community, top government officials and the Chinese expatriate community.Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Qiu Guohong also took time to express condolences to the families of the more than 300 killed or missing in the tragic sinking of the Sewol passenger ship that occurred on April 16.Qiu lauded how far South Korean-Chinese bil

May 11, 2014

Exhibition highlights South America, Amazon rainforest

Envoys from South American nations extended their support for an exhibition that highlights the art and beauty of their region, as well as the importance of protecting the Amazon rainforest, at Oulim Art Gallery in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.Envoys from Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela attended the opening reception for “Amazon Color,” an exhibition that continues through Aug. 17.Organized by Bellarte, a group established in Seoul in 2004 with the aim of promoting Latin American art to the public

May 11, 2014

Korean, U.S., Japanese defense ministers to meet in Singapore

Defense ministers of South Korea, the United States and Japan are expected to meet on the sidelines of the Asia Security Summit in Singapore late this month, a Seoul official said Sunday, with expected discussions on cooperation in dealing with the North Korean nuclear program."South Korean, U.S. and Japanese defense ministers have met annually during the Asia Security Summit, and this year is expected to be no exception, considering the North's nuclear provocations,"the official said. "Specific

May 11, 2014

U.S. House panel backs review of wartime command transfer

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee on Thursday backed Washington’s decision to review the timing of the transfer of wartime operational control to South Korea, slated for 2015. The bipartisan support for the decision, made at a summit between the two countries’ leaders last month, was included in the National Defense Authorization Act, according to Seoul officials and news reports from Washington. The bill was approved unanimously by the panel and will head to the floor of the House later t

May 9, 2014

N. Korea nuke test would be direct challenge to China: Yun

South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said Wednesday that should Pyongyang press ahead with its fourth nuclear test, it would be a “direct challenge” to China.During a press conference in New York, Yun noted that Beijing has made a flurry of efforts to discourage its wayward ally from conducting another test, which would substantially enhance the North’s nuclear capability.Yun was in New York to lead U.N. activities as South Korea holds a one-month presidency at the U.N. Security Council th

May 8, 2014

European business delegation to visit N. Korea in Sept: report

A European business delegation plans to visit North Korea in September to explore business opportunities in the isolated country, a U.S. radio report said.The Washington-based Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported Tuesday that the delegation is set to travel to the North from Sept. 23 to Sept. 28, citing GPI Consultancy, a consulting company in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, that focuses on North Korea and other developing countries.The delegation is also scheduled to attend a trade fair in Pyongyang and

May 7, 2014

Will U.S. back Korea over Dokdo?

After U.S. President Barack Obama publicly sided with Japan over a territorial dispute between Tokyo and Beijing last Thursday, questions have arisen about his stance on the long-simmering spat between Seoul and Tokyo over Dokdo.Seoul wants Washington to clarify that the allies’ mutual defense treaty applies to its easternmost islets. But experts say that the idea of the U.S. taking the side of either of its core allies regarding Dokdo is out of the question.“It is much easier for the U.S. to ta

May 1, 2014

S. Korea, Malaysia agree on greater cooperation at FM talks

South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and his Malaysian counterpart Anifah Aman agreed in talks in Seoul to work together to increase substantial cooperation in all areas, the foreign ministry said Wednesday.The two sides also agreed to resume long-suspended senior-level policy consultation talks this year and seek ways to strengthen cooperation in information and communications technology and other high value-added industries, the ministry said.    Yun asked Anifah for Malaysia's support f

April 30, 2014

Two envoys’ homes robbed in a month

The residence of Fijian Ambassador to South Korea Filimone Kau was burglarized late on April 19, the second residence of a foreign envoy in the Yongsan district to be robbed in a little over a month. Not far from the Fijian ambassador’s residence, located in Itaewon 2-dong, the house of Uzbek Ambassador to South Korea Alisher Kurmanov in Hannam-dong was robbed on March 12. Police ruled out any connection between the two crimes. Two thieves made off with 150,000 won ($144) in cash and 450,000 won

April 27, 2014

Korea plants sapling offered by Obama after ferry disaster

The high school that lost hundreds of students and teachers in a tragic ferry sinking on Saturday planted a magnolia sapling offered by U.S. President Barack Obama in a token of sympathy and condolences, a South Korean government official said.Danwon High School in Ansan near Seoul planted the tree near its front gate, said presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook.Obama brought the sapling from the White House for the high school when he came to Seoul on a two-day official visit that began on Frida

April 27, 2014

Commonwealth vets honored in new war monument

They were dubbed the “glorious Glosters” for their heroic last stand in 1951 during the Korean War.More than 60 years later, 100 Commonwealth veterans, spouses, widows and other family members came to South Korea to commemorate and honor their brothers fallen at the Battle of Imjin River, and for the unveiling of a multimillion-dollar monument honoring them in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on Wednesday, the anniversary of the battle.A towering beret, which is set against the backdrop of photographs o

April 27, 2014