South Africa intends to broaden its export horizons with South Korea to include value-added products, a strategic shift deemed by the country essential for enhancing the economic partnership between the two countries, the South African ambassador to South Korea said in an interview with The Korea Herald. Ambassador Zenani Mandela-Dlamini said the bilateral trade relationship spans a diverse range of products, from minerals and semi-finished goods to high-tech electronic products. South Africa fe

Foreign Affairs May 29, 2024

South Korea and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday officially signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement aimed at enhancing trade openness, expanding market access and fostering investment during the first state visit of the UAE president to South Korea. The UAE is the first Arab country to sign such an agreement with South Korea. Trade, Industry, and Energy Minister Ahn Duk-Geun and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, attend the signing ceremony hel

Foreign Affairs May 29, 2024

The South Korean government on Monday underscored the significance of China's consent to include the phrase "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" in the joint summit declaration released earlier in the day, given the shifts in the geopolitical landscape including growing US-China rivalry and Beijing's deliberate avoidance of explicitly mentioning the phrase. The joint declaration followed the first trilateral summit in around 4 1/2 years, hosted in Seoul, where South Kor

Foreign Affairs May 27, 2024

Exploring the importance of the Korea-Africa partnership amidst global challenges and its potential for mutual prosperity, the African Group of Ambassadors in Seoul and Herald Media Group, co-hosted Africa Day 2024 Korea Business Forum on Thursday. Under the slogan, "When African Possibilities Meet Korean Capabilities," the event was held in anticipation of an inaugural summit that the South Korean government is set to host in June 4-5 with African countries in Seoul, and also to celeb

Foreign Affairs May 26, 2024

The South Korean government announced Friday sanctions against two North Korean individuals and two Russian ships involved in illicit arms and oil trades with Russia, contravening UN Security Council resolutions, according to the Foreign Ministry in Seoul. Rim Yong-hyok was blacklisted for his involvement in weapons trading between Russia and North Korea while serving as the representative of the Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation in Syria, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The

Foreign Affairs May 24, 2024

South Korea has the "potential to be the most trustworthy partner for African countries" by leveraging its unique experience of rapidly transitioning from a developing to an advanced country overcoming historical challenges akin to those faced by the African continent, said Park Jong-dae, a former South Korean ambassador to South Africa and Uganda. "Korea has no history of colonial rule over other countries, and it has navigated a development path similar to what many African nati

Foreign Affairs May 22, 2024

Herald Media Group will co-host "Africa Day 2024 Korea" on Thursday in collaboration with the African Group of Ambassadors representing 20 African countries, under the slogan "When African Possibilities Meet Korean Capabilities." The main aim of the event is to show how South Korea and Africa can chart a path forward in their economic partnership, and pave the way for the successful hosting of the first-ever Korea-Africa Summit on June 4 and 5. The event at the Convention Cen

Foreign Affairs May 22, 2024

The South Korean government expressed condolences on Monday over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the other passengers involved in a helicopter crash. "The government expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families and the people of Iran for the loss of the Iranian president and his entourage in the helicopter crash that occurred on May 19," read a statement issued under the name of South Korea's Foreign Ministry spokesperson. "(The gov

Foreign Affairs May 20, 2024

Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho on Monday issued a warning of the severe adverse security consequences that South Korea could face if it relies on the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's professed intentions of denuclearization. The minister's remarks directly contradict the memoir of former President Moon Jae-in, in which he wrote that Kim Jong-un "earnestly explained his commitment to denuclearization." "Placing complete trust in North Korea's intentions would only

North Korea May 20, 2024

South Korea and Zimbabwe have the potential to cultivate a mutually enriching "win-win" partnership by enchanting cooperation in developing manufacturing value chains, capitalizing on the unique strengths of each country, Zimbabwean Ambassador to South Korea Stewart Nyakotyo said in his interview with The Korea Herald. "Zimbabwe and Korea have 30 years of relations, and the future we want, which we can make together, is shared prosperity and growth," Ambassador Nyakotyo said

Foreign Affairs May 15, 2024

A four-hour meeting Monday between the top diplomats of South Korea and China has ignited new momentum in kickstarting strained high-level dialogue, essential for laying the groundwork to create a conducive environment for the resumption of long-stalled cooperation and exchanges at all levels. Experts noted that the development is especially significant as it sets the stage for a mood of cooperation and dialogue, paving the way for the upcoming long-awaited trilateral summit with Japan, the firs

Foreign Affairs May 14, 2024

South Korea's top diplomat said Monday that he would use his first trip to China as a first step toward fostering enhanced bilateral relations between Seoul and Beijing and as a pivotal opportunity to invigorate strategic communications. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul embarked on a two-day journey to Beijing, which included his first in-person meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Monday afternoon, amid a period of strained bilateral ties. The foreign ministerial meeting convened at

Foreign Affairs May 13, 2024

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has approved the appointment of Kim Jong-cheol, the incumbent deputy chief of the Presidential Security Service, as the new commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration as of Monday, Yoon's office announced on Sunday. Kim becomes the second head of the governmental body responsible for conscription, call-ups, and other military administration under the Yoon presidency. According to the presidential office, Kim is described as a "military adm

Defense May 12, 2024

Kim Ki-nam, a high-profile North Korean figure who dedicated his life to propaganda and agitation under the leadership of all three North Korean leaders since the 1960s, passed away Tuesday at the age of 94, North Korean state media announced Wednesday. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un paid a visit to the funeral of Kim Ki-am at 2 a.m. on Wednesday to convey his deep condolences over his passing, according to state media. State media reported the passing of Kim Ki-nam, who had been receiving medi

North Korea May 8, 2024

South Korea's Ambassador to Russia Lee Do-hoon on Tuesday attended the swearing-in ceremony of Russian President Vladimir Putin for his fifth term, while the United States and most European Union countries boycotted the ceremony at the Kremlin. Lim Soo-suk, the spokesperson for Seoul's Foreign Ministry said that South Korea's decision was based on "conducting a comprehensive review of all matters" when asked about sending a government representative to the ceremony durin

Foreign Affairs May 7, 2024