S. Korea, Japan, China agree to create new financing facility against regional crises

South Korea, China and Japan agreed Friday to reinforce the regional financial safety net, along with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, by launching a new financing facility program meant to extend greater support in case of a financial crisis, Seoul's finance ministry said. The agreement was made during a trilateral meeting of South Korea's Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, Japan's Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki and China's Finance Minister Liu Kun held

May 3, 2024

[From the Scene] Uzbekistan pursues economic reforms to attract foreign investment

TASHKENT-- Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has pledged to enhance foreign investment through wide-ranging economic reforms, including the implementation of new investment laws specifically designed for foreign investors. At the third edition of the Tashkent International Investment Forum on Thursday, Mirziyoyev delineated Uzbekistan's comprehensive economic reforms aimed at ensuring that "every entrepreneur feels free and confident" in the country. "Our main g

May 3, 2024

Seoul alerts overseas missions to NK terror threats

The South Korean government has raised its terror alert level from the lowest to the third-highest in its four-tier system, specifically targeting five overseas diplomatic missions, in light of intelligence indicating potential terror threats from North Korea. The announcement was made Thursday by the Foreign Ministry and the Office for Government Policy Coordination following a meeting convened under the National Counter Terrorism Center. The purpose of the meeting was to "assess the count

May 2, 2024

Trump rekindles criticism: US forces defending 'wealthy' S. Korea 'free of charge'

Former US President Donald Trump has criticized South Korea's contribution to US Forces expenses, claiming they were "free of charge," and scrutinized the Biden administration's defense cost-sharing talks with South Korea. "I want South Korea to treat us properly," Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election in November, said during his interview with Time magazine released Tuesday. Trump reiterated his long-standing personal belief

May 1, 2024

S. Korea discussed possible participation in AUKUS Pillar 2 with Australia: defense minister

South Korea's potential participation in part of the AUKUS security partnership was among the agenda items it discussed with Australia during a "two plus two" meeting among their foreign and defense chiefs Wednesday, the Korean defense minister said. Defense Minister Shin Won-sik made the remark during a joint press conference, noting that his country's possible participation in the minilateral security partnership, comprising Australia, Britain and the United States, will co

May 1, 2024

[Photo News] Korea-Arab Society unveils logos for Oman, Qatar ties with Korea

The Korea-Arab Society released logos selected through a contest to celebrate the 50th anniversary of South Korea's diplomatic ties with Oman and Qatar. The contest garnered 140 submissions from participants in Korea, Oman and Qatar over three weeks. The selected logos will be used for events throughout 2024, honoring the diplomatic ties between Korea and Oman, and Korea and Qatar, according to the organization. (Korea-Arab Society)

April 30, 2024

[Photo News]Ausbildung Graduation

AUSBILDUNG GRADUATION Trainees receive Ausbildung certificates at the 3rd Ausbildung Graduation Ceremony held at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul on Friday. The certificates are issued by the German Federal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) and the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) as part of a program blending practical industry training and theoretical education. The program had approximately 470 trainees and 280 trainers currently enrolled across 145 service centers. A tota

April 30, 2024

[Contribution] Celebrating 32 years of Tajikistan-Korea friendship

By Salohiddin Kirom, Tajikistan's ambassador to South Korea April 27 marked the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Korea. Under the astute leadership of President Emomali Rahmon, Tajikistan has witnessed remarkable progress and development since its independence. The country has established a robust political and legal foundation, fostering stability and prosperity. Tajikistan's international standing has

April 30, 2024

Korea can bridge Global West, South: ex-UN Undersecretary-General

South Korea could play an instrumental role in connecting the Global West and the South with its strong commitment to international cooperation and overseas assistance funds for developing countries, former UN Undersecretary-General Kim Won-soo at the CQ Forum in Seoul. Speaking at the CQ Forum in Seoul held last week, Kim said Korea was in a position to address fragmentation, skepticism and uncertainty in the world order, referring to its leading role in hosting a series of summits on contentio

April 30, 2024

S. Korea to issue travel ban on Haiti amid intensifying gang violence

South Korea will impose a travel ban on Haiti next month due to increasing safety concerns as gang violence is escalating in the Caribbean nation, the foreign ministry has said. The Level 4 travel advisory, the highest of the four-scale system, will go into effect Wednesday, and it will be applied to all areas of the island nation, the ministry said. The ministry cited the security situation in Haiti that has recently worsened due to the deadly attacks led by a gang coalition and the leadership

April 30, 2024

S. Korea, Africa craft vision statement for first-ever summit

High-ranking officials from South Korea and Africa convened Monday to deliberate on a pivotal vision statement, aimed at fostering a better-structured and strengthened partnership between the two sides. The statement is poised to be unveiled as the defining outcome of the first-ever Korea-Africa summit in South Korea. The Senior Officials' Meeting in preparation for the two-day summit on June 4 and 5 took place in Seoul, with resident and nonresident ambassadors and high-level representativ

April 29, 2024

[Bridge to Africa] Tanzania marks Independence Day, lauds Korea’s support

The Tanzanian Embassy celebrated the country's 60th Independence Day while lauding Korea’s unwavering support over the years on Friday. The occasion marked the formation of the United Republic of Tanzania on April 26, 1964, when Tanganyika and Zanzibar united to form a single nation. Tanganyika gained independence from British rule in December 1961, followed by Zanzibar’s freedom through a revolution on Jan. 12, 1964. "Tanzania" symbolizes the unity between the mainlan

April 29, 2024

Latvia celebrates 20th anniversary of EU, NATO membership

Latvia on Wednesday commemorated the 20th anniversary of its European Union and NATO memberships with a salon concert and business briefing. Delivering welcoming remarks at the event, Latvian Ambassador to Korea Aris Vigants introduced the progress made by Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania over the past decade, highlighting political systems and economic reform, particularly in shedding the remnants of the Soviet occupation. “Nobody is perfect, but at least we can always strive for perfection,

April 29, 2024

S. Korea, Cuba agree to open diplomatic missions

South Korea and Cuba have agreed to open diplomatic missions in each other's countries, Seoul's foreign ministry said Sunday, as a follow-up step to the establishment of their diplomatic relations earlier this year. A South Korean delegation, led by Song Si-jin, director general for planning and management at the foreign ministry, visited Havana from Wednesday through Saturday and discussed efforts to open the missions with Cuban officials, the ministry said in a release. "The t

April 28, 2024

Blinken calls on China to press N. Korea to end its 'dangerous' behavior

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that he renewed calls for China to exert its influence to press North Korea to cease its "dangerous" activities and return to dialogue during his talks with top Chinese officials in Beijing. Blinken made the remarks during a press conference after he had separate meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and other officials in the Chinese capital on the day. The secr

April 27, 2024

S. Korea, US lay out respective visions for new defense cost-sharing deal: US negotiator

South Korea and the United States outlined their respective visions for a new bilateral defense cost-sharing deal during their first round of negotiations in Honolulu this week, the top US negotiator said Friday. Linda Specht, senior advisor and US lead negotiator for security agreements at the State Department, made the remarks after the initial round of talks over the deal, named the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) took place from Tuesday through Thursday. The talks are aimed at determining

April 27, 2024

S. Korea, Japan could consider simplified entry agreement: Seoul official

South Korea and Japan could consider adopting a simplified entry procedure for people traveling between the two countries, as an effort to keep the momentum going in the dramatic improvement in bilateral relations, a Seoul official said Friday. The official made the suggestion as one of the possibilities that the two neighbors could explore, likening the idea to the Schengen Agreement in Europe that allows nationals of the signatory countries and eligible members to travel freely without borde

April 26, 2024

[Bridge to Africa] Africa, new gateway for Korean trade: envoys

Africa's economic potential, driven by a youthful population and a growing awareness of South Korean products, makes the continent a new gateway for the trade expansion of Asia's fourth-largest economy, said South Korean envoys to African countries in Seoul on Thursday, highlighting that the continent also holds significance as a platform for South Korea's diplomatic ambition to become a globally pivotal state. "Africa is not just a choice for us but a must-do," South Ko

April 25, 2024

S. Korea-US alliance won’t be swayed by US election outcomes: envoy

Cho Hyun-dong, South Korea's ambassador to the United States, said on Thursday that the current trajectory of the South Korea-US alliance, which has grown increasingly institutionalized, will not be swayed by US presidential election results. "One thing I can say for certain is that the axis of the Korea-US alliance is stronger than ever before, unparalleled by any previous period," Cho said during a press briefing held in Seoul. Cho underscored that the alliance "has already

April 25, 2024

S. Korean patrol vessel to be transferred to Ecuador

The Korea Coast Guard announced that it will transfer a 3,000-ton patrol vessel to Ecuador after signing a memorandum of understanding with its defense minister on Thursday. According to the Coast Guard, Ecuadorian Defense Minister Giancarlo Loffredo signed the memorandum with the KCG to transfer the decommissioned patrol vessel -- the KCG3001 -- and visited the vessel mounted in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, to review the handover process. The KCG3001 was the first 3,000-ton patrol vessel used

April 25, 2024