US Embassy in Seoul removes rainbow flag amid speculation of Washington's disapproval

A rainbow flag symbolizing sexual minorities has been taken down from the US Embassy building in Seoul amid a news report that the State Department has adopted a new policy to reject all requests to raise such flags.The eight-by-four-meter flag was hoisted on the front wall of the US mission in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, on May 18. It was taken down on Sunday, according to the embassy.  The embassy had said it hung up the gay pride flag -- a larger one than those hung in previous years --

June 10, 2019

Moon orders launch of emergency response team on Hungary boat sinking

South Korean President Moon Jae-in instructed the government Thursday to use every possible means to rescue South Korean tourists, whose boat capsized in Budapest, Hungary, in cooperation with the local authorities, his office said.Moon received a briefing on the incident from Chung Eui-yong, head of the National Security Office, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson, Ko Min-jung.The president also ordered the formation of a government-level response team, headed by the foreign minister, she a

May 30, 2019

Seoul urges Tokyo to accept WTO's ruling on Fukushima seafood ban

South Korea's trade minister has urged Japan to accept the World Trade Organization's decision that upheld Seoul's import restrictions on Japanese seafood following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Seoul's trade ministry said Friday.During an informal trade ministerial gathering at the WTO held in France earlier this week, South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee said the final verdict from the organization's appellate body should be respected, according to the ministry.Yoo claimed it is al

May 24, 2019

Bush in S. Korea for former President Roh's death anniversary

Former US President George W. Bush arrived in South Korea on Wednesday to attend a ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of former President Roh Moo-hyun's death.He arrived at Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul on a special Korean Air flight, wearing a jacket and sneakers. He waved to reporters but did not answer a question about whether he has any message for South Koreans.Bush is scheduled to meet with President Moon Jae-in at Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday morning and head to Bongha Vill

May 22, 2019

S. Korea, France call for strengthening multilateral trade

South Korea and France on Friday called for strengthening multilateral trade to safeguard free trade, South Korea's finance ministry said.The consensus was reached in a meeting between Lee Ho-seung, the first vice minister of economy and finance, and French Junior Minister for Economy and Finance Agnes Pannier-Runacher, in Seoul. (Yonhap)They also shared the need of coping with uncertainties amid the trade war between the United States and China, and growing protectionism.Pannier-Runacher also s

May 17, 2019

S. Korean soprano Jo Su-mi receives Italian order, knighthood

Famed South Korean soprano Jo Su-mi has received an order of merit and knighthood from the Italian government for her contributions to fostering bilateral exchanges between the two countries in the field of music, the Italian embassy in Seoul said Monday.(Yonhap)Jo was decorated with the Ordine della Stella Italiana, which translates to Order of the Italian Star, and was granted a Cavaliere title, the embassy said in a release.Italian Ambassador to South Korea Federico Failla presented her with

May 6, 2019

US will help S. Korea find alternatives to Iran oil: official

The United States will continue to help South Korea find alternatives to imports of Iranian oil, a senior US official said Monday.US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Francis Fannon made the remark in an interview with Yonhap News Agency and Yonhap News TV, shortly after Washington announced an end to waivers for purchases of Iranian crude.That means South Korea, along with seven other economies that were granted temporary waivers in November, will face potential US sanctions if

April 23, 2019

No Koreans reported killed or injured in Sri Lanka bombings: embassy

No South Korean nationals were reported killed or injured in the deadly bombings in the Sri Lankan capital and two other towns on Easter Sunday, the Korean embassy in the South Asian country said.As many as 129 churchgoers and hotel guests were reportedly killed and some 250 others were wounded in the blasts that rocked St. Anthony's Shrine and three hotels in Colombo and two other churches in Negombo and Batticaloa.Local police are still investigating who is behind the bombings, although suicid

April 21, 2019

S. Korea temporarily withdraws embassy staff from Tripoli amid fighting

South Korea has temporarily pulled out its embassy staff from the Libyan capital of Tripoli amid escalating violence in the conflict-laden country, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday.Due to "drastically worsening security conditions," the ministry moved all embassy personnel, including Ambassador Choi Sung-soo, to Tunisia on Friday morning (local time), it said in a text message sent to reporters.  (Reuters=Yonhap)The ministry added that four South Korean residents in Libya decided to remain t

April 12, 2019

S. Korean, US first ladies to hold one-on-one luncheon this week

The first ladies of South Korea and  the United States plan to hold a one-on-one luncheon in Washington this week on the sidelines of the Seoul-Washington summit, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday.South Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook is scheduled to head to Washington on Wednesday to accompany her husband, President Moon Jae-in, for a two-day visit there. (Yonhap)On Thursday (Washington time) at the White House, first lady Kim plans to attend a one-on-one luncheon to be hosted

April 9, 2019

S. Korea emerges as most favorite destination for Vietnamese women: survey

South Korea emerged as the most favorite destination among Vietnamese women, according to a survey released Monday.The survey, conducted by the Ho Chi Minh City-based market research firm Q&Me in March with 1,200 adults, showed that 20 percent of the respondents chose South Korea as their favorite country to visit, with Japan topping the list of favorite countries at 24 percent. (Yonhap)In the survey, however, 23 percent of all the female respondents said they prefer to visit South Korea, making

April 8, 2019

UN chief vows continued support for Korea peace process

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reaffirmed his support for South Korea's push for denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday.In talks with Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha in New York on Thursday (local time), he pointed out that both North Korea and the United States have expressed their willingness for dialogue despite their no-deal Hanoi summit.He said the UN will provide continued support so that South Korea's peace efforts will

March 29, 2019

China to reopen Ahn Jung-geun memorial hall at Harbin Station: source

The Chinese city of Harbin plans to reopen the memorial hall for renowned Korean independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun at its renovated main railway station during the first half of this year, a source here said Monday.According to the source, the Chinese authorities have recently expressed such an intention to the South Korean government, which had made several inquiries about the issue.Ahn's memorial hall was built at Harbin Station in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, in January 2014 to commemorate

March 25, 2019

Taekwondo adopted as part of regular school curriculum in Honduras

Taekwondo, a Korean martial art, has been adopted as a part of the regular curriculum at public elementary schools in Honduras, diplomats said.A ceremony was held at an elementary school in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, on Tuesday to celebrate the launch of the first regular taekwondo class in Latin America, they said. (Yonhap)About 150 people, including taekwondo teachers, students and parents, attended the ceremony jointly organized by the South Korean Embassy, Kukkiwon and Honduras' e

Feb. 19, 2019

S. Korean fishing ship seized by Russian border guard: ministry

A South Korean fishing vessel with 11 people on board has been seized by Russian authorities, Seoul's foreign ministry said Monday.Russia's border guard caught the 69-ton ship on charges of illegal fishing at around 5:30 a.m. (Seoul time) Sunday and informed the government of the seizure through the consulate general in Vladivostok a day later, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  (Yonhap)A total of 11 people, including five South Korean nationals, were aboard the ship, which remains d

Feb. 18, 2019

US think tank launches first-ever Korea program

An American think tank founded by former President Richard Nixon has launched its first-ever Korea program to enhance the public discourse on issues related to the peninsula.    The Center for the National Interest, based in Washington, recently established the Korean Studies program under the leadership of Harry Kazianis, an expert on the Koreas and formerly the think tank's director of defense studies.    "The reason I launched this program is simple," Kazianis told Yonhap News Agency Friday.

Jan. 26, 2019

Korean-American Andy Kim named to US House Armed Services Committee

The US House Armed Services Committee formerly announced the members for the 116th congress on Wednesday, including second generation Korean-American Rep. Andy Kim (Democrat-New Jersey) in the roster.  Andy Kim (AP)Kim will serve in the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats & Capabilities, responsible for dealing with defense and joint enabling activities, intelligence support and strategic communications, according to committee Chairman Adam Smith.“I’m honored to have been selected to

Jan. 24, 2019

Korean worker in Indonesia found dead

A South Korean man working in Indonesia was found dead at his home earlier this week, apparently murdered, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday.The man in his 50s had participated in the construction of a plant in the southern region of Kalimantan. (Tribun News=Yonhap)When discovered on Monday, his body was dotted with wounds.Given the condition of the site, local police believe he may have been murdered, according to the ministry.The South Korean Embassy in Jakarta has requested that Indones

Jan. 23, 2019

S. Korea condemns bomb attack in Colombia

The South Korean government on Friday strongly denounced the latest terrorist attack in Colombia, reiterating its support for efforts to root out terrorism.In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also sent a message of condolence for the victims and their families. (Yonhap)"Our government's firm stance is that terror should be eradicated as an inhumane crime that can be justified under no circumstances," it said.Seoul will continue to participate in the global fight against terrorism, it

Jan. 18, 2019

Trump names Korean-American woman as USAID assistant administrator

The US President Donald Trump has named Mina Chang, a 32-year-old Korean-American who heads an international relief organization, as the assistant administrator of the United States Agency for International Development.  Mina Chang (right) stands next to former US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. This photo was published on Mina Chang`s official Facebook on Nov. 12, 2015.According to a report by a Korea-American media outlet Thursday, Trump has requested the US Senate’s confirmation of the nom

Jan. 17, 2019