Speculations of a possible Seoul-Washington summit are rising following Cheong Wa Dae’s confirmation of a trilateral South Korea-China-Japan summit next month. After President Moon Jae-in’s meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono on Wednesday, Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said that the trilateral summit would be held early next month in Japan. President Moon Jae-in (second from right) speaks at the meeting of inter-Korean summit preparation committee on Wednesday. YonhapThe mee

North Korea April 12, 2018

A trilateral summit with South Korea, China and Japan will be held in Japan in May, Seoul’s presidential office said Wednesday. The trilateral meeting, the date of which has yet to be specified, was confirmed by Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom in a statement regarding President Moon Jae-in’s meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in Seoul on Wednesday.  President Moon Jae-in (right) speaks with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in Seoul on Wednesday. YonhapIn the statement, Kim

Foreign Affairs April 11, 2018

Seoul’s presidential office on Monday confirmed that the US and North Korea are in direct contact, saying that progress is being made on the planned summit between the two countries. “(Cheong Wa Dae) is not aware about the degree to which information is being shared, but as far as we are aware, US-North Korea contact is going well,” a high level Cheong Wa Dae official said on condition of anonymity. US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. YonhapThe comment confirms US medi

North Korea April 9, 2018

The two Koreas are scrambling to prepare for the upcoming inter-Korean and US-North Korea summits. The meeting between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is scheduled for April 27. Kim’s meeting with US President Donald Trump is set for May. With the critical meetings looming closer, Seoul’s inter-Korean summit preparation committee convenes for the fourth time Thursday, when the two Koreas are set to hold a working-level meeting for the summit. President Moon Jae-in and U

North Korea April 4, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday attended a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Jeju April 3 Incident, apologizing for the violence inflicted by the state.Moon is the second incumbent president to attend the ceremony after former President Roh Moo-hyun, who attended in 2006. Citing efforts to reveal the truth about the events, Moon apologized to the victims and their families, and thanked those who have tried over the years to bring the truth to light. President Moon Jae-in gives a spee

Social Affairs April 3, 2018

South Korea’s National Security Office chief Chung Eui-yong met Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi in Seoul on Thursday. Yang arrived Thursday and was scheduled to meet President Moon Jae-in on Friday. Chung and Yang, accompanied by high-ranking diplomatic and trade officials from the two sides, met at a hotel in central Seoul to discuss a range of bilateral issues and those concerning North Korea. National Security Office chief Chung Eui-yong (left) and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi pose

North Korea March 29, 2018

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for Seoul and its allies to take measures corresponding to steps taken by Pyongyang. In his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday, Kim reiterated that denuclearization of the peninsula is the “will of the ancestors,” but called on Seoul and Washington to take progressive steps. The surprise meeting between Kim and Xi was held in Beijing, marking Kim’s first trip outside North Korea since taking power in 2011. His visit was confirmed by Chi

North Korea March 28, 2018

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met Chinese President Xi Jinping during an official trip to Beijing, North Korean and Chinese media revealed Wednesday. According to Chinese media, Kim was invited to Beijing and met Xi during a trip lasting from Sunday to Wednesday. North Korea had earlier revealed that Kim made the trip accompanied by his wife Ri Sol-ju. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping on March 28. (Yonhap)Kim was also accompanied by Choe Ryo

North Korea March 28, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday met with Korean soldiers stationed in the United Arab Emirates, and met with the ruler of Dubai, wrapping up his trip to the Middle Eastern state. Moon began his final day in the UAE with a visit to the Korean military unit, Akh. The unit has been stationed in the UAE since January 2011, tasked with aiding the training of UAE soldiers and protecting Koreans in the country in case of a military conflict. “The Akh unit is the pride of Korea’s armed forces, and the

Foreign Affairs March 27, 2018

The government on Monday submitted its Constitution amendment bill to the National Assembly, The bill was approved at a Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon, and approved by President Moon Jae-in from Abu Dhabi. Moon is in the United Arab Emirates on an official visit.  President Moon Jae-in approves the submission of the government`s Constitution revision bill during his visit to the United Arab Emirates on Monday. YonhapThe National Assembly now has up to 60 days to rev

Politics March 26, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Monday attended a ceremony marking the completion of the United Arab Emirates’ first nuclear reactor, as he continues efforts to improve ties with the Middle Eastern state. The reactor, located in Barakah, was built by Korean engineers in a multibillion-dollar project won in 2009. Moon was accompanied by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. According to Cheong Wa Dae, the trip and the crown prince’s presence highlight the importance the Barakah plant h

Foreign Affairs March 26, 2018

Former President Lee Myung-bak’s arrest is being met with mixed reactions from the country’s political arena.The ruling Democratic Party of Korea welcomed Lee’s arrest in the early hours of Friday, hailing it as the end of an era of corruption, while the conservative opposition repeated its accusation of political revenge.  Former President Lee Myung-bak seen inside a vehicle as he was taken into custody on Friday. YonhapThe ruling party’s chief Rep. Choo Mi-ae responded to the arrest by saying

Politics March 23, 2018

With former President Lee Myung-bak now in custody, speculation is rising about the timing of this possible indictment. Lee is now the fourth former president to be arrested on suspicion of corruption. In addition, it is the second time two former presidents have been in custody since 1995, when Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo were arrested. Former President Lee Myung-bak boards a vehicle as he was taken into custody on Friday. YonhapThe arrest warrant, executed in the early hours of Friday, enabl

Social Affairs March 23, 2018

South Korea and Vietnam on Friday agreed to raise bilateral relations to that of strategic partners, and to increase trade to $100 billion by 2020. The agreement was included in the Korea-Vietnam joint declaration announced following President Moon Jae-in’s summit with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang in Hanoi. President Moon Jae-in and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang pose for a photograph before their summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, Friday. YonhapIn a joint declaration released shortly after t

Foreign Affairs March 23, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Thursday began his state visit to Vietnam, seeking to strengthen bilateral ties and economic cooperation. As his first stop in Vietnam, Moon was to meet with Park Hang-seo, the head coach of Vietnam’s national under-23 soccer team. Moon’s second stop was to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology. The institute is modeled after the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, and the $70 million cost will be divided equa

Foreign Affairs March 22, 2018