Controversy brews over lawmakers’ China visit amid THAAD row

Controversy is growing over a trip to Beijing taken by opposition lawmakers, as top Chinese officials have called for a halt to South Korea’s plan to station a US missile shield while shunning official diplomatic consultations.  An eight-member delegation led by Rep. Song Young-gil of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea is currently visiting China. The group, which includes Park Sun-won, a former unification and security secretary to former President Roh Moo-hyun, said it would address

Jan. 5, 2017

Korea calls in China envoy to Seoul over THAAD row

The foreign ministry called in the Chinese ambassador to South Korea on Thursday as diplomatic tensions grew over Seoul's plan to deploy an advanced US missile shield.Chinese Ambassador Qiu Guohong was summoned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier in the day, according to officials.Chinese Ambassador Qiu Guohong (Yonhap)Ministry officials discussed China's recent retaliatory actions over the plan to deploy the Terminal-High Altitude Area Defense system, also known as THAAD, with the envoy,

Jan. 5, 2017

US ambassador abruptly postpones press meeting citing 'urgent' matter

US Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert abruptly postponed a press conference scheduled for Thursday, citing an "urgent" reason for the decision.Lippert who started his duty as top US envoy in October 2014 was supposed to hold a "farewell" press conference at 11 a.m. in his residence located in central Seoul. The ambassador appointed by President Barack Obama is expected to leave office soon after the Donald Trump administration takes office on Jan. 20.An embassy official said that the press m

Jan. 5, 2017

Chinese FM calls for S. Korea to halt THAAD deployment

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) and Rep. Song Young-gil of the Democratic Party of Korea (Yonhap)China's top diplomat called Wednesday for South Korea to halt the planned deployment of the US THAAD missile defense system when he met with a group of South Korean opposition lawmakers, according to the legislators.Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the appeal, saying China doesn't want relations with South Korea to move backward, but it would be unimaginable for the country to say it wants to

Jan. 5, 2017

S. Korea vows to continue employing pressure, sanctions on NK this year

South Korea plans to faithfully implement a set of UN and unilateral sanctions against North Korea and seek ways to boost their effectiveness this year, Seoul's unification ministry said Wednesday.The ministry handling inter-Korean affairs also said that it will not respond to North Korea's offer for talks which has no sincerity, but instead make efforts to seek inter-Korean dialogue that could contribute to North Korea's denuclearization."This year, North Korea is expected to seek recognition a

Jan. 4, 2017

Opposition lawmakers head to China for talks on THAAD tension

A group of seven South Korean opposition lawmakers on Wednesday embarked on a three-day trip to Beijing to discuss diplomatic tension between the two countries over Seoul's plan to deploy a US missile shield.The delegation from the main opposition Democratic Party is expected to voice concerns over a set of recent steps China has taken against South Korean businesses and entertainers in apparent retaliation.Delegation including former Incheon Mayor Song Young-gil at Gimpo International Airport (

Jan. 4, 2017

Another tumultuous year for Northeast Asia

South Korea faces another turbulent year, as the geostrategic dynamics surrounding Northeast Asia are poised to ebb and flow with an incoming US leadership of Donald Trump, while North Korea spurs its development of nuclear weapons. The Sino-US rivalry would continue to intensify across the region, yet this time the Trump administration’s relationship with Moscow is expected to act as a major variable. With an early presidential election looming, the alliance between Seoul and Washington could b

Jan. 2, 2017

Hitting the road on a rustic Korean getaway

For New Zealand Ambassador Clare Fearnley, her trip to North Gyeongsang Province this winter was like a walk down memory lane. Fearnley visited Hahoe Village in Andong -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- to participate in the International Mask Dance Festival in early October. The venue offered a “window into Korea’s past,” she said, as a living sanctuary of ancient lifestyles. Participants pose at the Hahoe Village in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, Dec. 17. (Joel Lee/The Korea Herald)Hahoe V

Jan. 2, 2017

Taiwan pivots to ASEAN through policy

The government of Taiwan approved its New Southbound Policy on Dec. 14, a move intended to lessen economic dependence on the mainland and shore up ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other regional allies.According to the Taiwanese representative office in Seoul, the policy is expected to “propel Taiwan’s economic development and foment fruits of the future, reorienting its place as a major country in the Asian region.” By fleshing out policy directions, objectives and enter

Dec. 26, 2016

Canada, Korea to collaborate in science, technology and innovation

The governments of Canada and Korea signed an agreement last week to lay the ground for bilateral cooperation in science, technology and innovation.At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul on Dec. 20, Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and Canadian Ambassador to Korea Eric Walsh inked the Science, Technology and Innovation Agreement, which builds on head of state visits in 2014. The accord sets in motion an institutional framework for civilian activities of common interest, mutual benefit a

Dec. 26, 2016

French Embassy to be repurposed, refashioned

The French Embassy in Seoul will be repurposed to its original glory, unveiling its traditional and modernist structures, according to the diplomatic mission.The new plan will refashion the residence and chancery, while adding an 11-story tower office and two-story gallery spanning 60 meters. The chancery in particular, which performs administrative duties, will be refurbished to its original form under the new name “Pavillon.” “Within the framework of partnership between France and Korea, the F

Dec. 26, 2016

Myanmar woos investments in infrastructure, transport and energy

With the recent enactment of the investment law and lifting of sanctions, Myanmar has become friendlier to foreign investment, particularly in infrastructure, transport and energy, according to its state investment agency. The Myanmar Investment Law was passed on Oct. 18 by combining the country’s foreign investment law and citizen investment law, providing income tax exemptions of up to seven consecutive years to outside investors, operating in underdeveloped regions. When the law comes into ef

Dec. 26, 2016

Challenges, opportunities for Korea’s ODA in 2017

Next year’s presidential election in Korea, growing global political and economic uncertainties and fresh waves of nationalism in the West are set to come together to pose both challenges and opportunities to Seoul’s efforts to help fight poverty in the developing world. Since it first started its official development assistance in 1987, Korea has been striving to shore up its commitment by focusing on sharing technology and other know-how from its own rapid development. Nearly 30 years on, offi

Dec. 25, 2016

Ministry to penalize diplomat for sex abuse

The Foreign Ministry plans to give severe penalties and pursue legal action against a diplomat who is accused of harassing at least two teenage girls while working in Chile, officials said Wednesday. After a two-day investigation on the diplomat, who returned home the day before, the ministry confirmed some of the allegations, to which he also partially admitted. The decision was based on his testimonies and those by others, as well as a video unveiled in a Chilean television show in which the o

Dec. 21, 2016

French chamber fetes thriving ties with Korea

Marking the 130th anniversary of bilateral ties and 30th anniversary of founding, the French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a gala on Dec. 10 in Seoul that spotlighted its feats and future. The event at Grand Hyatt Seoul attracted some 800 guests related to France commercially and diplomatically. The theme of the event was “Impressive Normandy,” referring to the northern region in France with a rich history and culture as well as a vibrant and creative economy. “These two anniver

Dec. 19, 2016

Philippine envoy awarded Ambassador of Year

Philippine Ambassador to Korea Raul S. Hernandez (center) poses with Dr. Lee Hong-koo (left), Asia Society Korea center honorary chairman and former Korean prime minister, and Han Sung-joo, an Asia Society board member and former foreign minister, at a ceremony in Seoul on Dec. 9, where he was conferred the 2016 Ambassador of the Year Award. Hernandez was honored for actively supporting the organization and diplomatic community here, as well as promoting relations between the Philippines and Kor

Dec. 19, 2016