Articles by Jo He-rim
Jo He-rim
herim@heraldcorp.com-
Seoul’s IPEF move aimed to expand presence in Indo-Pacific, reduce dependence on China: experts
As South Korea joined the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity on Monday, observers here view the move signals a shift of foreign policy to expand the country’s global presence on the side of the United States, and reduce dependence on China. On Monday, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol virtually attended the launch of the IPEF held in Tokyo, along with 12 other leaders of the founding member countries, including Japan and Singapore. In his speech, the president vow
Foreign Affairs May 23, 2022
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S. Korea aligns with US Indo-Pacific strategy
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol formalized the country’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a US-led regional initiative, during his first summit with US President Joe Biden. As the two leaders have announced plans to elevate their strategic cooperation in economic and security areas, experts here say the South Korean administration is making an official shift in policy by supporting Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy, for its bigger role in the region. I
Foreign Affairs May 22, 2022
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Former president Moon, Biden forge friendship in phone call
Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in spoke with US President Joe Biden, who is in Seoul for a summit, Moon’s close aide said on Saturday. According to Rep. Youn Kun-young of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, Moon and Biden held a phone conversation lasting about 10 minutes from 6:52 p.m. on Saturday, and exchanged friendly messages. Youn said that Biden referred to Moon as a “good friend,” and Moon welcomed the US leader and said “I appreciate this c
Foreign Affairs May 21, 2022
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Seoul-Tokyo relationship will change amid ‘competition between democracies and autocracies’
US President Joe Biden said there is room for improvement for Seoul and Tokyo’s strained relationship, and stressed on the importance of building strong ties in the wake of growing competition between democracies and autocracies, Saturday. Speaking at a press conference following the first summit talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul, Biden said he spoke about Korea’s relationship with Japan with Yoon in “generic terms,” and explained how he thinks
Foreign Affairs May 21, 2022
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Yoon, Biden agree to newly launch ‘economic security dialogue’ to boost cooperation
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and his US counterpart Joe Biden agreed Saturday to launch a new communication channel between their offices for “frequent” communication of the two countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation on economic security. Recognizing how the future of the alliance between the two countries will be defined by their common efforts to address the challenges ahead, they also pledged to deepen and broaden cooperation on critical and emerging technologies
Foreign Affairs May 21, 2022
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[H.Eco Forum] ‘Rising sea levels can bring biggest displacement of mankind’
In the past decades, global warming has gained much awareness, prompting the international society to look for solutions, but rising sea levels, one of the consequences, has often been overlooked, renowned photojournalist Kadir van Lohuizen said. People should understand the seriousness of rising sea levels around the world and act fast, as it could bring “the biggest displacement of mankind in history,” van Lohuizen said in an interview with The Korea Herald. “(Rising sea l
Social Affairs May 19, 2022
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South Korea to join US-led economic initiative: presidential office
South Korea will join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a US-led economic initiative, as a founding member, the presidential office said Wednesday. The decision appears likely to put further pressure on Seoul to choose a side in the US-China rivalry, with Beijing already expressing opposition to South Korea’s entry. President Yoon Suk-yeol will be participating in the launching ceremony of the initiative via video call, as the event is planned to take place in Tokyo on May 24, accord
Foreign Affairs May 18, 2022
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North Korea likely to launch ICBM within 48 to 96 hours: US official
North Korea appears to be preparing for a possible intercontinental ballistic missile test within the next 48 to 96 hours in time for US President Joe Biden’s visit to Seoul and Tokyo this weekend, CNN reported Wednesday. An official familiar with the matter told CNN that a government assessment shows that “things we have noticed in the past for a launch are the things we are noticing now.” While the official did not provide specific details on the latest satellite imagery
North Korea May 18, 2022
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Pyongyang criticizes Yoon for rehashing old-school North Korea policy
North Korea criticized South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol as a person who likes to “show off,” and said Yoon is rehashing an old-school North Korea policy, Tuesday. Uriminjokkiri, one of the North’s propaganda websites, called Yoon a “manspreading ship owner” who solely pursues his own authority and pleasure, and bothers his subordinates by ordering the relocation of the presidential office and the residence. The website also pointed how Yoon has “imper
North Korea May 17, 2022
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Could Moon act as special envoy to North Korea?
US President Joe Biden’s plans to meet former South Korean President Moon Jae-in during his visit to Seoul this weekend, have raised eyebrows, as Moon no longer holds office. The schedule has prompted observers to speculate on the purpose of the meeting, with the possibility that Seoul and Washington are considering asking Moon to serve as an intermediary to North Korea among the most widely held expectations. Former Unification Minister Chung Se-hyun said Biden was meeting Moon for a
North Korea May 17, 2022
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Kim reprimands officials for slow medical delivery
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reprimanded officials for failing to deliver medicine in time, and ordered the mobilization of the military to stabilize the supply in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, North Korea’s state media reported Monday. Raising concerns over the virus spread, Kim also strongly criticized law enforcement officials for failing to prevent people from hoarding and illegally distributing the medicines, the Korean Central News Agency said. “The fact that the m
North Korea May 16, 2022
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North Korea appears ready to conduct 7th nuclear test: presidential office
North Korea appears to be ready to conduct a nuclear test, and may conduct further missiles tests beforehand, South Korea’s presidential office said Friday. The government is also trying to figure out the reason for Pyongyang’s movements, a presidential official told reporters. If conducted, it will be Pyongyang’s seventh nuclear test. “North Korea has already staged six nuclear tests, and we are trying to figure out why it needs an additional test, whether it is for
North Korea May 13, 2022
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Yoon offers to send vaccines, medical supplies to North Korea
South Korea says it intends to provide COVID-19 vaccines and other medical supplies to North Korea, which is suffering from an “explosive” spread of the virus. The presidential office said Friday that President Yoon Suk-yeol had decided to provide the North with the supplies. However, Pyongyang has not indicated whether it will accept them. Previous offers of pandemic aid have been rebuffed. “President Yoon Suk-yeol will support North Korean people with COVID-19 vaccines a
North Korea May 13, 2022
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Moon makes first social media posts after returning home
Former President Moon Jae-in made his first social media posts since he moved to his hometown after his presidential term ended earlier in the week. Moon revealed that he visited his parents’ graves and a temple near his house in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, via posts on his Facebook and Twitter late Thursday. “Coming out for first time after returning to my hometown. I paid respects at my father and mother’s graves, and also visited Tongdosa temple,” M
Politics May 13, 2022
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Unification minister nominee willing to visit Pyongyang as special envoy
Unification Minister nominee Kwon Young-se said he would consider visiting Pyongyang as a special envoy when he steps into office, during a parliamentary confirmation hearing on Thursday. “I will consider the situation with North Korea and consult with our foreign policy and national defense team and openly consider the possibility,” he said in response to a question from Rep. Lee Tae-kyu of the ruling People Power Party. Kwon is a four-term lawmaker who is considered a close asso
North Korea May 12, 2022
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