South Korea is expected to try to use the momentum generated by North Korea’s participation in the PyeongChang Olympics this year to encourage the reclusive regime to the denuclearization talks. Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon (second from left) meets with top policymakers  to be briefed on this year's major policies on foreign affairs and national security in Seoul on Friday. (Yonhap)The foreign, defense, unification, culture and veterans ministries jointly briefed Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon on poli

Foreign Affairs Jan. 19, 2018

South and North Korea have agreed to plans to collaborate in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics next month, but challenges lie ahead in making the plans materialize. South Korea is now tasked with finding ways to host the North Korean delegation -- which could comprise at least 400 athletes, officials, musicians, cheerleaders and journalists -- without violating United Nations Security Council sanctions against the North.  North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects Masikryong Ski Resort, North Korea,

Foreign Affairs Jan. 18, 2018

Despite ongoing inter-Korean talks, 20 nations including South Korea and the US agreed Wednesday to beef up sanctions on North Korea to pressure the country to give up its nuclear and missile programs during a meeting in Vancouver. 　Foreign ministers from the 20 countries also vowed to support ongoing dialogue between the two Koreas “in hopes that it leads to sustained easing of tensions” and “diplomatic efforts to denuclearize North Korea” during the meeting co-hosted by the US and Canada. 　But

Foreign Affairs Jan. 17, 2018

Amid inter-Korean talks on North Korea’s participation in the PyeongChang Olympics on Monday, attention has turned to Hyon Song-wol, who leads the Moranbong Band, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s favored performance troupe. 　Inter-Korean working-level talks on North Korean art troupe’s participation in the Winter Games convened at the northern side of the truce village of Panmunjeom after Pyongyang last week agreed to send a delegation including athletes, an art troupe, journalists and high-ran

North Korea Jan. 15, 2018

South Korea-Japan relations may be facing yet another downturn, with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe rejecting the South Korean government’s calls for extra measures to resolve the issue of Japan’s wartime sexual enslavement of Korean women. Abe reportedly said during a meeting with reporters that Japan could not accept South Korea’s unilateral demands for extra measures, and reiterated his call for Seoul to faithfully carry out the agreement reached in 2015. His remarks came after President

Foreign Affairs Jan. 12, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday said that the government will consult with Japan, victims of Japan’s wartime sexual enslavement and civic organizations on what to do with Tokyo‘s funds earmarked for victims.In a nationally televised press conference, Moon reaffirmed the Foreign Ministry’s announcement a day earlier that the government would not to seek a renegotiation of the deal, but would replace Japan’s funds with a governmental fund.“It means that we will heal the wounds of the victims wi

Foreign Affairs Jan. 10, 2018

The last two seasons were something of a struggle for South Korean slugger Park Byung-ho, who was mostly toiling in the minors of the Minnesota Twins system and awaiting a call-up that never came. Park Byung-ho (Yonhap)Now that he's back with his former Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) club, Nexen Heroes, Park said he feels "right at home.""It's great to see some familiar faces, and I feel really comfortable now," Park said at a press conference in Incheon on Tuesday, moments after arriving bac

Baseball Jan. 9, 2018

(Yonhap)Thousands of union members of Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., South Korea's leading shipbuilder, have voted down a tentative wage deal, the union said Tuesday, a move that could lead to the resumption of drawn-out wage negotiations.The union said 56.1 percent of 8,804 union members who cast ballots voted against the agreement signed by the company and the union in December. More than 1,000 union members did not participate in the vote held earlier in the day at the shipyard in Ulsan, an in

Industry Jan. 9, 2018

"The Handmaiden" by Korea's celebrated film director Park Chan-wook has been nominated for best non-English movie at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), the organizer said Tuesday.The movie, based on Sarah Waters' Victorian lesbian crime novel "Fingersmith," is among five nominees for the Best Film Not in the English Language category. Other films include "First They Killed My Father" produced by Hollywood actress and director Angelina Jolie.The erotic thriller was one of 21

Film Jan. 9, 2018

The South Korean government said Tuesday that it will not seek to renegotiate the 2015 Korea-Japan deal on Korean victims of Japan’s wartime sexual enslavement, but reiterated that the controversial agreement cannot resolve the “comfort women” issue.　Sticking to the deal under which Japan apologized to the victims and provided 1 billion yen ($8.8 million) to a fund to support them, the Foreign Ministry said that it will replace Japan’s money for the victims from the government’s budget. 　“We can

Politics Jan. 9, 2018

Top nuclear envoys of South Korea and Japan vowed Monday to enhance bilateral diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis, a day before high-level talks between the two Koreas are to be held in the South.  Lee Do-hoon (L), the special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, shakes hands with Kong Xuanyou, China`s assistant foreign minister, before their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul on Jan. 5, 2018. (Yonhap)Lee D

North Korea Jan. 8, 2018

For Father Vincenzo Bordo, an Italian-born Catholic priest who has lived in Korea for 28 years, the happiest moment of the day comes at 4:30 p.m. when homeless people start to flock to his soup kitchen. “Many of the homeless people come a long distance to have the meal -- most likely the only meal they can have for the day,” Father Bordo, wearing an apron, told The Korea Herald during an interview at Anna’s House in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.“People think homeless people end up being on the st

Social Affairs Jan. 5, 2018

South Korea and North Korea agreed Friday to hold their first high-level talks in more than two years next week to discuss Pyongyang’s potential participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, hours after Seoul and Washington decided to delay joint military exercises until after the Games.The Unification Ministry said that North Korea informed the South at 10:16 a.m. through a faxed massage that it has accepted Seoul’s offer to hold talks next Tuesday on the South Korean side in the truce vill

North Korea Jan. 5, 2018

South Koreans have become more negative toward migrant workers compared to four years ago amid the prolonged economic downturn, a poll showed Wednesday.  A foreign worker works on a machine at a factory (Yonhap)According to the Overseas Koreans Foundation survey of 820 people July 31-Aug. 25, 61.1 percent of the respondents residing in the country’s seven largest cities find it hard to accept foreign workers as members of Korean society. The figure is up 3.6 percentage points from a 2013 survey.

Social Affairs Jan. 3, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Monday vowed his efforts to continue his fight against the accumulated ills to create a fairer society and improve people’s livelihoods this year in his New Year’s message to the nation.  President Moon Jae-in goes on a hike on Monday to mark the first day of a new year. Cheong Wa DaeHailing South Koreans for getting through difficulties in the face of political turmoil and security challenges posed by North Korea’s provocations, Moon said his priority in state affairs t

Social Affairs Jan. 1, 2018