Expectations for inter-Korean economic cooperation are rising with talks of cross-border projects on infrastructure and environment, but challenges remain amid the persistent economic sanctions on the reclusive regime. 　Starting from the talks on reconnecting inter-Korean railways and subsequent meetings on reforestation of North Korea, the discussion over the joint projects raises the prospect of pursuing broader economic cooperation between the two Koreas. 　While the inter-Korean summits and

North Korea June 26, 2018

The two Koreas’ militaries Monday agreed to restore suspended military communication lines “as soon as possible,” as they announced a plan to hold a series of cross-border talks this week on reconnecting inter-Korean railways and reforestation of North Korea. 　Following the one-hour meeting at the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine office, the two sides decided to restore the communication line in the West Sea first before reconnecting a similar one in the East Sea.　Reconnecting the military c

North Korea June 25, 2018

　US President Donald Trump’s remark over the remains of US service members fueled confusion in South Korea, despite the president’s apparent attempt to correct his previous suggestion that the remains have been sent back from North Korea to the US. 　During his meeting with cabinet members Thursday, Trump said the remains of US troops missing in the Korean War were in the process of being returned to the US from North Korea. The president said Wednesday that the remains have been sent back. 　Trum

North Korea June 22, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Friday announced a plan to launch negotiations for South Korea’s first free trade agreement with Russia, calling for joint efforts to boost the two countries’ bilateral trade to over $30 billion by 2020. During a business forum in Moscow, Moon said he would agree with Russian President Vladimir Putin to begin domestic processes aimed at launching FTA negotiations related to the service and investment sector. The South Korean president said that he expects the FTA to enco

Foreign Affairs June 22, 2018

South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in on Thursday pledged to enhance trilateral cooperation between the two Koreas and Russia, expressing hopes that the Trans-Siberian Railway will link to the southern tip of South Korea.During his speech at the Russian parliament in Moscow, Moon said if the two Koreas replace the current armistice agreement with a peace treaty, the Northeast Asia region will be able to establish its own “collective security system.” “I have always hoped for permanent peace and co

North Korea June 21, 2018

　South Korean and US defense chiefs will hold talks in Seoul next week to discuss the future of the allies’ joint military drills following the suspension of the scheduled Freedom Guardian exercise, the Defense Ministry said Thursday. 　The meeting between Defense Minister Song Yong-moo and his US counterpart Jim Mattis will take place Thursday during the Pentagon chief’s one-day trip to South Korea, according the ministry. 　Scheduled to visit China ahead of his visit to Seoul, Mattis will meet w

Defense June 21, 2018

 The headquarters of United States Forces Korea will be moved to a sprawling army garrison located south of Seoul next week, marking a new chapter in the US military presence here amid a flurry of speculation over the troop’s future roles. 　According to the Ministry of National Defense and USFK, the opening ceremony of the new USFK headquarters building in Camp Humphreys will be held on June 29. Located in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, some 70 kilometers south of Seoul, Camp Humphreys is the la

Defense June 21, 2018

With South Korea and the US canceling a large-scale joint military drill slated for August, speculation is rising over the prospect of other training drills scheduled to follow the suspended Freedom Guardian exercise. 　In the past years when North Korea conducted nuclear and missile tests, a series of bilateral and trilateral military exercises took place even after the scheduled command-post Freedom Guardian exercises ended. 　While the allies’ militaries have stressed that no decision has been

Defense June 20, 2018

With South Korea and the United States declaring the halt of their joint military exercise scheduled for August, debate has emerged over the decision’s impact on the nuclear negotiation with North Korea.  　The Ministry of National Defense and Pentagon announced Tuesday that they suspended “all planning” for the Freedom Guardian exercise following US President Donald Trump’s pledge to end “expensive and provocative” war games. 　While Trump’s announcement took South Korea by surprise and sparked c

Defense June 19, 2018

South Korea and the United States have agreed to suspend their joint military drill slated for August, Seoul’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday, following US President Donald Trump’s pledge to end “war games” with South Korea after his summit with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un last week. In a text message sent to reporters, the Ministry of National Defense said the allies forces have decided to suspend "all plans" for the upcoming computer-simulated Freedom Guardian exercise. Describing the susp

Defense June 19, 2018

South Korea on Monday kicked off a military exercise designed to defend its easternmost islets of Dokdo, prompting Japan to protest against the maneuver as it continues to claim sovereignty over Dokdo.Taking place in the waters near Dokdo, the two-day exercise involves six naval vessels and seven aircrafts, according to the Navy and the Marine Corps. The exercise includes a landing drill where a marine squad sets foot on the islets.  Dokdo in the East Sea (Herald DB)The military said the exercis

North Korea June 18, 2018

 Chinese leader Xi Jinping had asked North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to demand a halt to South Korea-US joint military exercises, a Japanese newspaper reported Sunday, countering US President Trump’s claim that he had been the first to make such a proposal to North Korea. 　Citing a Chinese diplomatic source, Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun reported that Xi proposed the idea to Kim during their summit in Dalian, China, from May 7-8. It was the second time that the two countries’ leaders had met sinc

North Korea June 17, 2018

　The South Korean government Sunday denied the report that the two Koreas discussed withdrawing North Korea’s long-range artilleries, but speculation persists that the idea would be discussed at future inter-Korean military talks. 　The Ministry of National Defense said that the idea of pulling back the long-range artillery along the border with North Korea was never brought up during the inter-Korean military talks held on Thursday. 　“Neither South Korea nor North Korea proposed the idea of pull

North Korea June 17, 2018

Panmunjeom – North Korea urged South Korea Thursday to suspend its joint military exercise with the United States during rare military talks as US President Donald Trump floated the idea of halting what he described as a “provocative, expensive” war game. According to the Ministry of National Defense, North Korean delegates demanded their South Korean counterpart halt the joint military exercise in the spirit of the Panmunjeom agreement, where the two Koreas leaders pledged to cease cross-border

North Korea June 14, 2018

PANMUNJEOM -- North Korea urged South Korea Thursday to suspend its joint military exercise with the United States during rare military talks as US President Donald Trump floated the idea of halting what he described as a “provocative, expensive” war game. According to the Ministry of National Defense, North Korean delegates demanded their South Korean counterpart halt the joint military exercise in the spirit of the Panmunjeom agreement, where the two Koreas leaders pledged to cease cross-borde

North Korea June 14, 2018