North Korea may be trying a new tack in diplomatic relations, raising questions for the future of inter-Korean relations and denuclearization. On Friday, North Korean officials at the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong withdrew from the facility, stating only that they were following orders from higher up. The North also stated that it will not concern itself with South Korean officials remaining at the facility, and that practical matters will be dealt with at a later date. The move came am

North Korea March 24, 2019

President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday met with US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats in Seoul to discuss bilateral issues, Cheong Wa Dae said. According to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom, Moon and Coats held an “in-depth and wide ranging discussion about current issues between South Korea and the US.” President Moon Jae-in greets US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats at the presidential office in Seoul on Wednesday. Cheong Wa DaeCoats’ visit is seen as aimed at sharing info

North Korea March 20, 2019

The US is committed to engaging North Korea, and “sequencing” of denuclearization-related actions led to the summit in Hanoi ending without an agreement, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday.  US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to the media in Washington on Friday. YonhapSpeaking in an interview on KCMO, a Kansas-based radio station, Pompeo said that while he cannot reveal details of the summit, differences in the two sides’ ideas about the sequence of denuclearization caused its

North Korea March 19, 2019

President Moon Jae-in on Monday named Joo Hyung-chul as his new economic adviser. The post had been vacant since late January when Kim Hyun-chul resigned over controversy raised by his comments regarding opportunities in Southeast Asia. Joo Hyung-chul. Cheong Wa DaeJoo heads the Korea Venture Investment Corp. Previously, Joo headed the Seoul Business Agency and worked as the chief of SK Communications. Joo studied computer science at Seoul National University and received a master’s degree in ma

Politics March 18, 2019

President Moon Jae-in on Monday ordered thorough investigations of prominent scandals involving celebrities and a former ranking Ministry of Justice official.  President Moon Jae-in gives orders regarding investigations into a number of scandals to ministers of justice, and interior at the presidential office on Monday. Cheong Wa DaeAccording to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom, Moon gave the orders in connection with cases involving late actress Jang Ja-yeon, former Vice Justice Minister K

Social Affairs March 18, 2019

US national security adviser John Bolton said on Sunday that US President Donald Trump hoped to resolve the North Korean situation through negotiations, but warned Pyongyang against resuming weapons development. Speaking in an interview with a New York-based station on Sunday (US time), Bolton said Trump was committed to dialogue.  John Bolton. Yonhap“President Trump wants to see this threat resolved through negotiations,” Bolton said. “He’s made a number of proposals to Kim Jong-un, it hasn’t w

North Korea March 18, 2019

North Korea is considering ending talks with the US, a senior North Korean diplomat said Friday. In a press conference for foreign media in Pyongyang, the North’s Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui said Pyongyang had no intention of giving into US demands. (Yonhap)“We have no intention of compromising in any form to the demands of the US,” Choe was quoted as saying in foreign media reports. She also said the US had “lost a golden opportunity” at the US-North Korea summit in Hanoi on Feb. 27 and

North Korea March 15, 2019

President Moon Jae-in once again hopes to bridge the gap between North Korea and the US, but experts say the goal may be too high and room to maneuver too small. Seoul has had a significant role in facilitating the unprecedented level of US-North Korea dialogue seen over the past year. It was Moon’s special envoys to Pyongyang who delivered North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s message to US President Donald Trump in March last year, which was instrumental in initiating subsequent developments betwe

North Korea March 12, 2019

Singer-songwriter Jung Joon-young has been booked on suspicion of illegally filming and propagating videos and photographs of a sexual nature, the police revealed Tuesday. The suspicions against Jung came to light during a separate investigation into Seungri, a member of the popular boy band Big Bang. Jung returned to Korea from the US at about 6 p.m., where he was filming a television program. (Yonhap)According to reports, while looking into allegations against Seungri, the police found sex vid

Social Affairs March 12, 2019

President Moon Jae-in on Sunday departed for a tour of three Southeast Asian nations, continuing his push for the New Southern Policy. Ahead of departure, Moon emphasized the importance ties with Southeast Asian nations hold for Korea, and the potential the region holds. President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook wave before departing for a trip of three Southeast Asian nations on Sunday. Yonhap“On the occasion of this trip (I) will make the distance between Korea and the ASEAN even clos

Foreign Affairs March 10, 2019

South Korea’s first lady Kim Jung-sook on Wednesday stressed the importance of the country’s relations with Brunei, Cambodia and Malaysia, at a meeting with students from the countries studying here. Cheong Wa Dae had invited 10 students each from Brunei and Malaysia and nine students from Cambodia to the presidential office.  First Lady Kim Jung-sook poses with students from Brunei, Cambodia and Malaysia at Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday. YonhapThe event was held ahead of President Moon Jae-in’s of

Foreign Affairs March 7, 2019

President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday named new secretaries for peace and security strategy, completing the reorganization of the National Security Office. The appointments, which follow changes in the organization of the National Security Office, appear to be aimed at strengthening cooperation and communication with the US on North Korea-related issues. Choi Jong-kun was appointed to the newly established position of peace planning secretary, and Noh Kyu-duk as the secretary for security strategy.

Politics March 6, 2019

The Korea Kindergarten Association on Monday ended the postponement of the start of the spring semester for private preschools across the country. The KKA had declared that the starting date of the spring semester would be further postponed in protest of the government’s reform plans. Preschools were scheduled to open Monday, but the KKA’s protest ended after a day in the face of backlash from parents and the government. Korea Kindergarten Association office in Seoul. YonhapIn a statement releas

Social Affairs March 4, 2019

President Moon Jae-in on Monday called on the government to facilitate US-North Korea dialogue while stressing that the recent summit was not without results.Speaking at the first National Security Council meeting he had presided over in eight months, Moon said the result of the US-North Korea summit was less than hoped for, but the Feb. 27-28 summit in Hanoi served to highlight important advances in denuclearization talks. President Moon Jae-in speaks at the National Security Council meeting on

North Korea March 4, 2019

Denuclearization of North Korea is once again in question, with the US-North Korea summit in Hanoi being cut short without reaching an agreement. While the developments at the summit took the world by surprise, the underlying reasons that led to the outcome are unchanged -- the North wanting more for less, and the US wanting Pyongyang to give up more, quickly. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends a wreath laying ceremony at Monument to War Heroes and Martyrs in Hanoi, Vietnam Saturday. (AP-Yo

North Korea March 3, 2019