The surprise victory of Donald Trump has many officials in Seoul looking up what exactly he has said about South Korea on his campaign trail, in interviews and debates. Here are some of the things the US Republican real estate mogul turned politician publicly said about Korea -- both South and North. -- Ed. On North Korean leader Kim Jong-un“If you look at North Korea -- this guy (Kim Jong-un), he’s like a maniac, OK? And you have to give him credit. How many young guys -- he was like 26 or 25 w

Nov. 9, 2016

Donald Trump’s win in the US presidential election casts uncertainties over Washington’s Asia policy and its joint defense posture with Seoul, as he has hinted at a sweeping departure from the Democratic administration’s approach. The billionaire real estate mogul has yet to offer a clear foreign and security policy vision, other than an isolationist concept with the “America First” motto. Throughout the campaign trail, however, he was adamant that South Korea should pay greater defense costs, l

Nov. 9, 2016

 A Korean-born French deputy minister said Tuesday he hopes Hillary Clinton wins the United States presidential election, casting Donald Trump as a dangerous politician in terms of national security."At least for the sake of global development and stability, I think Clinton should win," French Deputy Minister for Government Reform and Simplification Jean-Vincent Place said in a press conference in Seoul.He is in South Korea for a four-day visit to attend a government forum on digital administrat

Nov. 8, 2016

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Korea Center in Seoul hosted its annual culinary fair last week, bringing Southeast Asia’s diverse, distinct foods to the Korean public that has become increasingly drawn to the region’s gastronomic and touristic attractions.The event, titled the “ASEAN Culinary Festival 2016,” was held at COEX in Seoul from Wednesday to Saturday. It showcased 30 signature dishes and beverages from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which were prepared by top c

Nov. 7, 2016

The Finnish embassy in Seoul showcased last week the country’s wholesome, organic edibles in a bid to raise its profile in Korea, where consumers increasingly look for healthy options in their diet. Finland, located at the northeastern edge of Europe, is famous for its simple, yet nutritious cuisine made from organic ingredients grown near the Arctic. Much of its food comes from the unsoiled arctic greens and its crystal-clear waters. Representing cleanness, trustworthiness and high quality, the

Nov. 7, 2016

Gen. Vincent K. Brooks -- commander of United States Forces Korea, Combined Forces Command and United Nations Command -- was bestowed a Korean name last week at a ceremony in a show of appreciation for his commitment to strengthening fraternity between the defense forces of the US and Korea. At the venue Friday organized by the ROK-US Alliance Friendship Association, the top commander was given a plaque and a scroll displaying his new name: “Park Yu-jong.” The last name “Park” comes from Park Je

Nov. 7, 2016

Sudan’s vast land and water resources and strategic position in northeastern Africa present unexplored opportunities to Korean investors, according to the country’s top envoy. Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour came to Korea last week and held a discussion on diverse bilateral with his counterpart, Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se. He also met potential investors and officials at a forum organized by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “With vast land and water, we have large

Nov. 7, 2016

The European Union delegation to Korea and Korea’s Ministry of Strategy and Finance will jointly organize a series of programs in emissions trading to help curb greenhouse gas emissions and jump-start the green economy simultaneously. Officially launched July 8, the three-year scheme shares the EU’s experience and knowledge in operating the emissions trading system -- an innovative approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the trading of emissions credits on the market -- with the Ko

Nov. 7, 2016

With American voters poised to cast ballots to pick their next president Tuesday, Seoul officials are gauging the election’s potential impact on high-stake issues such as bilateral alliance, the US policy on North Korea, regional security and trade.Throughout the campaign trail, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton has in general maintained a slight edge over Republican nominee Donald Trump. In the final NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll, Clinton garnered 44 percent of likely voters and Trump 40

Nov. 7, 2016

Negotiations at the UN Security Council over a new sanctions resolution on North Korea are being drawn out with no signs of an imminent breakthrough nearly two months after Pyongyang's fifth nuclear test.Analysts said that the delay appears to be in part because of political uncertainties in the United States, which will hold a presidential election this week, and a strategic rivalry between the US and China.Following Pyongyang's Sept. 9 nuclear test, the most powerful one to date, the US, along

Nov. 6, 2016

“The Little Mermaid,” a bronze sculpture designed by sculptor Edvard Eriksen and located near Copenhagen’s Langelinie waterside promenade, was replicated and unveiled as a miniaturized monument in Seoul last week. The inaugural ceremony took place at Yeouido Hangang Park on Oct. 24 and was attended by Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, Copenhagen Mayor Frank Jensen and Danish Ambassador to Korea Thomas Lehmann, among other dignitaries and officials. Borrowing

Oct. 31, 2016

The Turkish embassy on Friday celebrated the 93rd anniversary of the country’s founding amid steady recuperation from the foiled putsch in mid-July and strengthening relations with Korea. The National Day holiday on Saturday marked the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 under the auspices of Mustafa Kemal Pasha (1881-1938), an army commander, revolutionary and the first national president, referred to as “Ataturk,” the father of the Turks. “As we celebrate the 93rd anniversary, our

Oct. 31, 2016

During the 1950-53 Korean War, around 2,000 North Korean orphans settled in Poland, then a communist ally in the Warsaw Pact, through a covert arrangement of socialist care and schooling. Some 1,270 of them went to the tranquil forested village of Plakowice in the southwest, where from 1951 to 1959 they lived under the nurturing eyes of 300 Polish teachers. Living off their humane guardianship, the children came to learn the Polish language and found a second home in the fledgling socialist soci

Oct. 31, 2016