South Korea on Tuesday dismissed Japan’s formal proposal for an international litigation over the sovereignty of Dokdo islets as Tokyo is pondering options to retaliate against what it considers a diplomatic offense by President Lee Myung-bak.Ohtsuki Kotaro, a counselor at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, delivered to the Korean Foreign Ministry a diplomatic document detailing a proposal to file the Dokdo case with the International Court of Justice. Tokyo’s Cabinet endorsed the decision at a meet

Foreign Affairs Aug. 21, 2012

Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan met with Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla Miranda on Monday to discuss ways to expand economic cooperation and other technological and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Chinchilla arrived here on Sunday on invitation from President Lee Myung-bak. She is the first Costa Rican president to visit Seoul in 11 years. The two leaders are scheduled for summit talks on Tuesday. Chinchilla received an honorary citizenship from Seoul City after meeting with

Foreign Affairs Aug. 20, 2012

Amid spiraling tension, South Korea is considering reasserting its ownership of Dokdo in response to the Japanese prime minister’s letter which expressed regret about President Lee Myung-bak’s recent trip to the islets, Seoul officials said Sunday.Officials here have been grappling with how to respond to the dispatch delivered via the Korean Embassy in Tokyo on Friday. Yoshihiko Noda also expressed regret about Lee’s calls for Emperor Akihito’s apology for Japan’s colonial atrocities.  The unpre

Foreign Affairs Aug. 19, 2012

North Korea is stepping up diplomatic efforts to induce more assistance and investment critical to rejuvenating its antiquated economy and underpinning the new leadership’s power base. International sanctions against its missile and nuclear programs have stalled foreign aid and derailed cross-border economic cooperation. In recent months, however, positive signs have been detected in the North from Kim Jong-un’s recent public appearances and economic guidelines. Optimists say the moves reflect h

North Korea Aug. 16, 2012

Jang’s visit promises faster development of joint industrial zones, greater cooperation in technology, agriculture, infrastructureNorth Korea and China are furthering their ever-growing economic ties as the impoverished country tries to elicit capital needed to fix its crumbling economy and rebuild industries.The two allies reached an agreement on Tuesday to stimulate the sluggish development of joint industrial zones in the North and boost cooperation in technology, agriculture, infrastructure

North Korea Aug. 15, 2012

Amid deepening international isolation, North Korea is beefing up economic cooperation with China through trade, investment and joint industrial projects, which are expected to top the agenda for Jang Song-thaek, vice chairman of the North’s powerful National Defense Commission, who is visiting China this week.The two countries have joined forces to cultivate an industrial belt along their border, which entails free economic zones in the Rajin-Seonbong and Hwanggeumpyeong-Wihwa Islands areas. Un

North Korea Aug. 14, 2012

South Korea established a public-private partnership on Monday to cultivate overseas development programs in a more comprehensive, diverse and effective way. The Development Alliance Korea, a first of its kind here, seeks to forge an extensive network between the government, corporations, universities and civic groups that are devoted to assisting developing countries. It will also be working with multinational agencies.  Among the some 80 members are the Korea International Cooperation Agency,

Foreign Affairs Aug. 13, 2012

Japan may replace ambassador to Seoul, transportation minister threatens to visit controversial shrinePresident Lee Myung-bak’s trip to Dokdo on Friday is precipitating one of the biggest diplomatic crises in recent years between Korea and Japan in the latest twist to their volatile history often snowed under in territorial brawls. Lee became Korea’s first leader to land on the easternmost islets of Dokdo. He dropped by the nearby Ulleungdo earlier in the day to meet with residents there. Analys

Foreign Affairs Aug. 10, 2012

Civic organizations plan to request a U.N. agency this month to investigate alleged torture of Kim Yong-hwan, a North Korea human rights activist, by Chinese investigators.The Committee on the Torture of Kim Young Hwan which launched on Thursday said it will submit a petition to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment. They are also planning to refer the case to the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Work

Foreign Affairs Aug. 9, 2012

Just last week the United Nations General Assembly adopted the outcomes from the Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development. That conference on June 20-22 in Rio de Janeiro was held not to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the original Rio Earth Summit and creation of a comprehensive global action plan, Agenda 21, that contributed to the adoption of three major conventions ― United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Convention on Biological Diversity and United Nations Conventio

Foreign Affairs Aug. 9, 2012