S. Korea, Italy urge N. Korea to back out of rocket launch plan

Leaders of South Korea and Italy voiced concern over North Korea's rocket launch plan Monday, urging the communist nation to back out of the provocative move and comply with U.N. Security Council resolutions, the presidential office said.President Lee Myung-bak and Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti

March 27, 2012

World leaders to endorse specific actions to counter nuclear terrorism

World leaders gathered for a second summit on nuclear security are poised to approve more specific plans and new pledges of action to prevent nuclear terrorism and ensure atomic safety, diplomats said Tuesday. Top leaders from 53 nations and four international organizations, including U.S. President

March 27, 2012

Full text of Lee's opening address to Nuclear Security Summit

The following is the full text of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's speech at a plenary session of the Nuclear Security Summit on Tuesday. Distinguished leaders from around the world, Your excellencies, distinguished delegates,I would like to extend, on behalf of the Korean government and its p

March 27, 2012

Leaders engage in brisk bilateral diplomacy

World leaders attending this week's Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul are planning a string of high-profile bilateral talks on the sidelines of their discussions on preventing nuclear-armed terror.Participating leaders from 53 nations and four international organizations will have held approximately

March 26, 2012

Leaders of 57 nations, international organizations gather in Seoul

Seoul is ready to open a two-day nuclear summit in Seoul later Monday, with leaders of 57 nations and international organizations gathered for the country's biggest international gathering to date.Leaders from 53 nations, including 39 heads of state, and four international organizations have convene

March 26, 2012

Leaders of S. Korea, Kazakhstan pledge closer economic cooperation

President Lee Myung-bak and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev agreed Monday to continue to cooperate closely to ensure various economic projects between the two countries go ahead smoothly, the presidential office said.As part of the efforts, the two leaders agreed to conclude a temporary labor

March 26, 2012

S. Korea, Chile to expand ties in energy, resources, environment

President Lee Myung-bak and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera agreed Monday to expand cooperation between the two countries in energy and resources, infrastructure and renewable energy and environmental industries, the South Korean presidential office said.iThe summit took place on the sidelines of

March 26, 2012

Norwegian PM asks summit to address N.K. nuke issue

Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said risks related to North Korea's nuclear problems should be addressed at next week's nuclear summit in Seoul, calling for global efforts to promote the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.In an interview with Yonhap News Agency, Stoltenberg also urged No

March 23, 2012

U.N. chief urges 'new efforts' on global nuclear security governance

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday the world should strengthen the rule of law to address challenges of nuclear terrorism, calling for "new efforts" on a global nuclear security governance.Ban, who is on a four-nation tour through Asia that will highlight the second Nuclear Security Summ

March 23, 2012

At Seoul summit, U.S. to prioritize fight against nuclear smuggling

Leaders of more than 50 nations and international organizations will focus on crafting measures to secure nuclear and radioactive materials that could pose a danger to the world if handled improperly when they meet in Seoul next week, the U.S. said Thursday.The State Department made clear that its m

March 23, 2012

Lee tours summit venue to check final preparations

President Lee Myung-bak toured the venue for the upcoming Nuclear Security Summit Thursday to check final preparations to host the massive event set to bring together more than 50 leaders and high-level representatives from around the world.Lee visited various key points in the venue set up at the C

March 22, 2012

Seoul presses Pyongyang to cancel rocket launch

South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan on Thursday "strongly" called on North Korea to abandon its plan to launch a long-range rocket, which sparked fresh tensions on the Korean Peninsula ahead of a global nuclear summit scheduled for next week. The North's planned rocket launch will be discuss

March 22, 2012

Global leaders to be served traditional Korean liquor

Global leaders attending next week's nuclear summit in Seoul will be served a unique Korean traditional liquor made from indigenous berries, the organizing committee said Thursday.Omija -- a red Korean berry also known as "five flavor berry"for its blend of sweet, sour, salty, bitter and pungent tas

March 22, 2012

32 global leaders to arrive in private planes

More than 30 of the global leaders attending next week's nuclear summit in Seoul are expected to arrive in private planes, putting airport authorities on high alert for the extra traffic they will generate, officials said Thursday.A total of 58 leaders and ranking officials from 53 nations and four

March 22, 2012

British Deputy PM to meet N.K. defectors in Seoul

Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will hold a rare meeting early next week with North Korean defectors who have settled in South Korea, when he travels to Seoul to join a global nuclear summit, a British embassy official said Thursday. Clegg is scheduled to arrive in Seoul Sunday to attend

March 22, 2012

UN's Ban to raise N. Korea launch at Seoul summit

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday he would raise North Korea's planned rocket launch at a Seoul nuclear summit next week, expressing "deep concern" over the issue."I am going to discuss the issue with the president of the Republic of (South Korea) in Seoul and I will also engage with ot

March 22, 2012

Yudhoyono sees Seoul summit as 'golden opportunity' to ensure nuclear security

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said next week's global nuclear summit in Seoul will present world leaders with a "golden opportunity" to tackle the threat of nuclear terrorism and make the world a safer place for this generation and the next. In an interview with Yonhap News Agency on

March 22, 2012

Clinton urges China to stop repatriation of N. Korean defectors

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made clear Friday that her government is opposed to forceful repatriation of North Korean refugees, which is in breach of international obligations.   "We urge every country to act according to international obligations," such as the 19

March 10, 2012

Two Korean doctors kidnapped in Pakistan: report

Two Korean doctors were kidnapped by unknown people Wednesday morning while on their car to a hospital in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, reported local media Geo. <한글 기사>파키스탄서 한국 국적 의사 2명 피랍한국인 의사 두명이 29일 아침 파키스탄의 카라치에서 본인의 차량으로 병원을 향하던 중 피랍되었다고 현지 언론 지오가 전했다.

Feb. 29, 2012