A record shop run by a South Korean in Istanbul was attacked by some Turkish citizens who harbored resentment against it for serving alcohol during the Ramadan fast period, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said Sunday. The incident took place at around 9 p.m. on Friday, Istanbul time, as fans of British rock band Radiohead gathered at the Velvet Indieground store to celebrate the band’s new album. “During the event, an unidentified number of Turkish people spotted patrons drinking alcohol inside, broke

Foreign Affairs June 19, 2016

South Korea’s clampdown on Chinese boats illegally fishing in neutral waters is seen as a move to protect local fishermen and quell increasingly sour public sentiment, but the diplomatic predicament faced by Seoul remains unchanged, if not more intense.Besides its impact on security and maritime affairs, diplomats also perceive the inevitable impact on diplomacy of the ongoing, unprecedented operation involving military and police officers and U.N. Command monitors. The vessels’ rampant poaching

Foreign Affairs June 19, 2016

BAGAN, Myanmar -- Endless rows of yellow-green, tender young trees soughed in the breeze, churning out rustling sounds across a serene forest in Bagan, Myanmar. A 10-minute walk led to a more exuberant section where taller and lusher eucalyptuses, neems and acacias towered on the backdrop of a mountain. The once barren land is turning into a greener neighborhood for the agrarian residents thanks to assistance from the Korea International Cooperation Agency. A resident waters a tree on June 9 at

Foreign Affairs June 15, 2016

YANGON, Myanmar -- With Myanmar spurring political, economic and administrative reforms, technological assistance coupled with financial aid from Korea and other industrial powerhouses will help expedite the country’s ongoing transformation, according to a senior official at Myanmar’s ruling party. Hantha Myint, chief of the economic committee within the National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi, stressed the significance of technology transfers in the Southeast Asian nation’s agricu

Foreign Affairs June 14, 2016

NAYPYIDAW -- More than a dozen villagers began to dig in the ground and make a stream in the small town of Kyauncone near the capital of Myanmar, as the signature song of the Saemaul Undong resonated, with the lyrics in Korean calling for diligence and cooperation in refurbishing the rural community. Their task was to open drainage ditches and pave the road that has long prohibited the passage of vehicles in rainy seasons. It was intended to take a page from the Saemaul Undong (New Village Movem

Foreign Affairs June 13, 2016

 The newly proposed U.S. financial restrictions on North Korea are expected to hamper the North’s access to the global banking network by warning the international community against any transactions with the communist regime. Seoul on Thursday “welcomed” the U.S. designation of North Korea as a “primary money laundering concern” overnight, taking note of the Treasury’s portrayal as “the most significant measure available” under Section 311 of the Patriot Act. “The government highly appreciates t

North Korea June 2, 2016

With the initiative to set up a foundation for “comfort women” victims being set in motion, the newly created preparation committee appears to be already in the hot seat, fanning controversy over its membership, compensation plans and decision-making processes involving Japan. Tuesday’s launch came in the face of resistance from many victims. Of the surviving 42, 29 filed a constitutional appeal last March, saying their basic rights were violated by the Dec. 28 agreement between Seoul and Tokyo.

North Korea May 31, 2016

More than 30 Polish businesses are likely to have been using European Union subsidies to pay salaries to their North Korean employees totaling up to 800, a research team said Monday, raising the possibility of funds flowing to the communist regime. A group of academics, lawyers and human rights specialists at the Leiden Asia Center within Leiden University in the Netherlands has been delving into the practice of North Korean forced labor within the EU since last December. According to its prelim

North Korea May 30, 2016

Following a months-long tug of war, a public-private committee will be launched Tuesday in Seoul to lay the groundwork for a fund for the victims of Japan’s sex slavery during World War II, the Korean government said Monday. The preparation committee will consist of nine private sector experts and an official each from the foreign and gender equality ministries tasked with drafting articles of association, setting up a secretariat and other administrative affairs for the envisioned organization.

Foreign Affairs May 30, 2016

Despite the recent passage of strengthened sanctions over North Korea’s latest nuclear and missile tests, the United Nations should further tighten its squeeze on Pyongyang’s trade and financial networks to thwart its military ambitions, a former top U.N. official said.Nobuyasu Abe, who served as under-secretary-general for disarmament affairs at the multinational body from 2003-2006, showed regret over past botched efforts to dissuade Pyongyang from building atomic bombs in return for economic

Foreign Affairs May 29, 2016

JEJUDO ISLAND -- Despite persistent territorial and historical tension, Korea, China and Japan are committed to deepening three-way cooperation and carrying on with their plans to hold regular summits, the chief of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat said. Shortly after taking office last August, Yang Houlan observed the three nations’ first tripartite summit about two months later, for which the agency played a key facilitating role.Yang Houlan, chief of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretaria

Foreign Affairs May 27, 2016

JEJUDO ISLAND -- With bilateral, territorial and historical tensions threatening to overshadow the broader and indispensable need for regional collaboration, world leaders Thursday at the Jeju Forum warned against brewing nationalism.While raising the need to concede to and apologize for past wrongdoings, they highlighted the significance of reconciliation efforts and a joint response to common challenges such as terrorism, climate change and refugee crises. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, S

Foreign Affairs May 26, 2016