The Eugene Bell Foundation, which provides tuberculosis treatment to North Korea, on Thursday called for Seoul to allow humanitarian aid apart from political consideration.South Korea has in recent years been reluctant to grant relief groups’ proposals for humanitarian assistance in the face of the North‘s relentless weapons development and provocations. The government’s attitude has posed a substantial obstacle to the foundation‘s efforts to save ailing patients, prompting it to mull moving its

North Korea June 15, 2017

Seventeen years after a peace declaration between the leaders, inter-Korean relations face grim prospects amid the North’s evolving nuclear threats and perpetual tension that have even made sheer friendship events far-fetched. Thursday marks the anniversary of a watershed summit and joint declaration of then-President Kim Dae-jung and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in 2000.The event sowed the seed of cross-border rapprochement through humanitarian and economic cooperation such as reunions of fa

North Korea June 14, 2017

Despite controversy over Seoul’s halt of the deployment of missile defense launchers, the US remains committed to the program and further discussions to iron out any differences, a top Washington official said Wednesday. US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon is visiting Seoul and held talks with Seoul’s Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam, chiefly to discuss a summit between presidents Moon Jae-in and Donald Trump on June 29-30 in Washington. The meeting came amid growi

Foreign Affairs June 14, 2017

Unification Minister nominee Cho Myoung-gyun on Tuesday called for a restart of an inter-Korean factory park that was shuttered last year in punishment for Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile test, despite controversy over its potential breach of sanctions. “The Kaesong Industrial Complex must be reopened,” Cho told reporters at the Office of the Inter-Korean Dialogue in downtown Seoul shortly after the announcement of his nomination. “I will speak after looking thoroughly into the details.” Cho Myo

North Korea June 13, 2017

Experts on Tuesday called for the Moon Jae-in government to formulate a more practical foreign and unification policy in order to boost its voice on North Korea issues amid a drawn-out nuclear deadlock. Dozens of former policymakers and leading scholars gathered to navigate the new administration’s North Korea and unification policy at a symposium hosted by the Peace Foundation in Seoul. (Yonhap)Cho Han-bum, a senior analyst at the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification, stressed the

North Korea June 13, 2017

Cho Myoung-gyon, the first Unification Ministry insider to be tapped to take its helm in its near 70-year history, boasts ample experience in negotiations with North Korea. Until his retirement in 2008, he worked at the ministry for 28 years, taking up core posts including head of the Kaesong industrial park business support team, policy coordinator for the office of planning for the North Korean light water reactor project and director-general for inter-Korean exchange and cooperation.  Cho Myo

North Korea June 13, 2017

One month into his presidency, President Moon Jae-in faces a critical early test as the diplomat in chief with his upcoming first summit with his US counterpart Donald Trump which would set the tone for the alliance over the next few years.Amid concerns over a drawn-out vacuum, Moon set out to kick-start summit diplomacy immediately after taking office, speaking with Trump and other world leaders on the phone, dispatching special envoys to key partner states and arranging early summits. (Yonhap)

Foreign Affairs June 9, 2017

A South Korean civic group said Friday its plan to hold a joint event in Pyongyang in celebration of a historic inter-Korean peace declaration has virtually fallen apart, with North Korea being aloof and Seoul remaining cautious. The June 15 South Korean Committee, which has been pushing for the plan, said it did not receive a response from its North Korean counterpart. (Yonhap)During a meeting last February in China, the sides agreed to hold a joint event in Pyongyang to mark a landmark summit

North Korea June 9, 2017

President Moon Jae-in on Thursday issued a stern warning after North Korea’s new missile test, saying he will never “stand back or compromise” on national security and people’s safety. Pyongyang fired multiple surface-to-ship cruise missiles from its east coast early in the day, in its fifth round of provocation since Moon was sworn in about a month ago, prompting him to preside over a meeting of the National Security Council for the first time.  President Moon Jae-in presides over a plenary mee

North Korea June 8, 2017

As opposition lawmakers waged attacks over suspected irregularities, Foreign Minister nominee Kang Kyung-wha apologized while defending against some of their allegations and stressing her credentials as a seasoned diplomat, during her confirmation hearing Wednesday. The National Assembly grilled the former UN official together with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister nominee Kim Dong-yeon and Constitutional Court President nominee Kim Yi-su in separate sessions. Opposition legislators rel

Foreign Affairs June 7, 2017

The government and ruling Democratic Party of Korea agreed Monday to set up a ministry to shore up small and medium-size enterprises and startups and revive a trade bureau within the industry ministry as part of their administration restructuring plans. The sides will also upgrade the chief of the agency for veterans affairs to a minister level, while detaching the fire-fighting and maritime police departments from the Ministry of Public Safety and Security in favor of two separate organizations

Politics June 5, 2017

 With confirmation hearings for top Cabinet nominees slated for this week, President Moon Jae-in faces yet another showdown with opposition parties in a crucial early test of his leadership which seeks to bring rivals and foes aboard his bold reform agenda.The National Assembly is scheduled to grill Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister nominee Kim Dong-yeon, Foreign Minister nominee Kang Kyung-wha and Constitutional Court president nominee Kim Yi-su starting Wednesday. Opposition lawmakers

Politics June 4, 2017

JEJU -- President Moon Jae-in on Thursday pledged to take the lead in North Korea’s nuclear issues without “leaning on the role of other countries,” in a veiled swipe at growing calls for China to play a greater role in tackling the dilemma.Despite concerns over his reconciliatory approach to Pyongyang, the liberal leader said he would respond to the recalcitrant neighbor’s provocations with robust punishment in line with the international community.(Yonhap)“We will convince and pressure North K

North Korea June 1, 2017

JEJU -- Academics from Seoul, Washington, Beijing and Tokyo clashed over ways to rein in North Korea’s evolving nuclear and missile program and bring it back on the path toward denuclearization at a forum in Jeju on Wednesday. The Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity kicked off its three-day run on the resort island, bringing together some 5,500 former and incumbent heads of state, top policymakers and scholars from about 80 nations around the world. At a preopening session, experts from four key

North Korea May 31, 2017