Worst dry spell in decades expected to deepen food shortageThe worst drought in decades is threatening to aggravate already serious food shortages in North Korea, posing a grave challenge to its new leader Kim Jong-un.A series of provocative acts, most recently an April 13 rocket launch, has curtailed foreign aid to the country that depends on outside assistance to feed its 24 million people.An expected food crisis could force Kim to make a choice ― whether to open dialogue with the internationa

North Korea June 6, 2012

The foreign affairs and defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States will meet next week in Washington to discuss North Korea’s nuclear threat, the bilateral alliance between the two countries and cooperation in global issues, Seoul officials said Tuesday. The meeting, dubbed two-plus-two, will be held on June 14 by Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan and Minister of National Defense Kim Kwan-jin, and their respective U.S. counterparts Hillary Clinton and Leon Panetta. They are expected to see

Foreign Affairs June 6, 2012

Rival groups clash over N.K. rights bill and leftist lawmakersThe ideological divide between Korea’s two major parties widened Tuesday as key members clashed over a North Korean human rights bill on top of controversy over allegedly “pro-North Korea” lawmakers. Lee Hae-chan, a former prime minister running for chairperson of the main opposition Democratic United Party, precipitated partisan bickering by branding the ruling Saenuri Party’s latest North Korea human rights bill a “diplomatic discou

North Korea June 5, 2012

North Korea is coming under greater international pressure over human rights issues as the U.S. and European Union are stepping up calls on the oppressive regime to free political prisoners and stop punishing repatriated defectors. The European Parliament subcommittee on North Korea’s human rights issues hosted a session in Brussels Wednesday with some 70 officials from EU, civic groups and other related organizations. Kim Chang-beom, Seoul’s ambassador to Brussels and EU, appealed for internati

North Korea May 30, 2012

The leaders of South Korea and Sweden agreed Wednesday to step up bilateral cooperation in trade, culture, science and green growth during their summit in Seoul, Cheong Wa Dae said. “President Lee Myung-bak and Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf acknowledged expanding trade, investment and technological collaboration between the two countries. They also agreed to develop partnerships in basic science, life science and green growth,” the presidential office said in a statement. The king and Queen Silvi

Foreign Affairs May 30, 2012

The foreign ministers of South Korea and Brazil agreed Monday to increase economic, political and scientific cooperation between the two growing economies, Seoul officials said Tuesday.Kim Sung-hwan met with Antonio Patriota in the capital Brasilia and discussed collaboration in trade, industry, scientific technology, agriculture and climate change. They also agreed to step up diplomatic cooperation in Africa and Southeast Asia. “During the talks, Kim sought measures to reinforce omnidirectional

Foreign Affairs May 29, 2012

U.N. rules North Korea ‘arbitrarily’ detains Shin’s two daughtersSeoul on Tuesday reiterated demands that Pyongyang release the daughters of Shin Sook-ja, a South Korean who allegedly died last month after being imprisoned for more than 20 years in North Korea. The Foreign Ministry said that a U.N. agency recently ruled that the North has “arbitrarily” confined Shin and her two daughters -- Oh Hye-won and Oh Kyu-won -- now 70, 36 and 33, respectively. The decision was made by the U.N. Office of

North Korea May 29, 2012

Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf is scheduled to attend a meeting with about 300 prominent figures in culture, art and education from Korea and his country in Seoul on Wednesday, the Korea Sweden Cultural Society said. The king and Queen Silvia of Sweden will arrive here Tuesday for a four-day stay. He will be the first Swedish monarch to visit Korea. “The event will provide a chance to strengthen friendly relations and cultural cooperation between Korea and Sweden,” Lee Se-woong, president of the s

Foreign Affairs May 28, 2012