US President Joe Biden called Saturday for China to use its clout to prevent an escalation of Russia's war in Ukraine through the dispatch of more North Korean troops, while raising concerns over the possibility of Pyongyang engaging in provocations, a senior US official said Saturday. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan elaborated on the discussions that Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping had during their talks on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima,

Social Affairs Nov. 17, 2024

It was barely two months ago that South Korea were held to a goalless draw by underdogs Palestine to begin the third round of the Asian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Boos rained down from disgruntled fans at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sept. 5, some voicing their displeasure with the controversial hiring of Hong Myung-bo as head coach, and others letting their feelings known about the team's lackluster showing. Defender Kim Min-jae even argued with some fans in the stands after

Soccer Nov. 17, 2024

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday pledged South Korea's commitment to leading efforts to expand use of carbon-free energy and foster inclusive growth among members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. "South Korea will cooperate with APEC members to achieve their carbon neutrality goals in an economically viable manner through the Carbon-Free Energy Initiative," Yoon said, according to a summary provided by his office. Yoon detailed plans to lead technological collaboration

Foreign Affairs Nov. 17, 2024

Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed "strong" concerns over military cooperation between North Korea and Russia and decided to continue "shuttle diplomacy" during their talks in Peru on Saturday, Yoon's office said. Yoon and Ishiba held their second in-person summit in a month on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Lima, amid rising concerns over North Korea's troop deployment to Russia in support of Moscow's protracted war

Foreign Affairs Nov. 17, 2024

Jin of K-pop superband BTS has topped iTunes charts in 70 countries with his latest release, "Running Wild," his agency said Saturday. The lead track of his new album, released Friday, claimed the No. 1 spot on iTunes' Top Songs charts across various nations, such as Australia, Finland and Brazil, as of 9 a.m. the following day, according to BigHit Music. His first solo album, "Happy," landed atop the iTunes "top album" charts in 48 countries, including Japan,

Performance Nov. 16, 2024

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday proposed establishing a forum among Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation members to set standards to promote the integration of artificial intelligence and manufacturing industries. Yoon stressed APEC's significant role in global manufacturing during the APEC CEO summit, a business forum held alongside the APEC summit in Lima, as he noted the world has ushered in an "era of grand AI transition" that affects corporate competitiveness and national secu

Foreign Affairs Nov. 16, 2024

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made an emphatic call for international solidarity against growing military ties between North Korea and Russia and urged the two countries to halt their "reckless" military adventure as he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru on Friday. In a keynote speech, Yoon condemned "illegal" military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow as intelligence reports have confirmed that North Korean forces have been engaged in

Foreign Affairs Nov. 16, 2024

President Yoon Suk Yeol and US President Joe Biden held a farewell summit in Peru on Friday as they looked back on their partnership and reaffirmed efforts for enhancing the bilateral alliance, Yoon's office said. The meeting followed a trilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo told reporters. During the 10-minute meeting, Yoon thanked B

Foreign Affairs Nov. 16, 2024

President Yoon Suk Yeol asked Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday to play a "constructive" role in North Korea's provocations and Pyongyang's deepening military cooperation with Russia in support of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Yoon made the remark at a summit with Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Lima amid heightened concerns over North Korea's repeated ballistic missile tests and troop deployment to Russia, Principal Deputy Natio

Foreign Affairs Nov. 16, 2024

  The leaders of South Korea, the United States and Japan announced the establishment of a secretariat for trilateral cooperation and condemned North Korea and Russia's decision to "dangerously expand" Moscow's war in Ukraine as they met on the margins of a multilateral summit in Peru. President Yoon Suk Yeol, US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba issued a joint statement after they held a trilateral meeting in Lima on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Ec

Foreign Affairs Nov. 16, 2024

President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on Friday (local time) to explore ways to expand bilateral ties across defense industry, infrastructure and digital technologies, Yoon's office said. Their first summit took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in Lima, Peru. Yoon highlighted the bilateral economic ties in crude oil trade and construction projects, expressing hope to expand cooperation to include new areas su

Foreign Affairs Nov. 16, 2024

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has said North Korea and Russia are "colluding" on military cooperation to maintain their leaders' grip on power, according to an interview published Friday. Yoon, who is in Lima to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, made the remark in a written interview with Peruvian newspaper El Comercio, after Seoul's spy agency confirmed North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia's Kursk region on the western frontline have

Politics Nov. 15, 2024

The state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) said Friday it has secured new renewable energy deals in Saudi Arabia and Guam, expected to lead to over 1 trillion won (US$717.1 million) in sales over the next 25 years. A consortium of KEPCO and Masdar, an energy firm from the United Arab Emirates, won a bid for a project led by the Saudi Power Procurement Company, under the Middle Eastern country's national renewable energy program. The project expected to cost 1.5 trillion won is aimed a

Economy Nov. 15, 2024

Samsung Electronics Co. said Friday it will buy back its own shares worth a combined 10 trillion won (US$7.16 billion) over the next year as part of efforts to boost its shareholder value following a recent slide in its stock price. In the buyback plan approved by the board of directors, a combined 3 trillion won of shares will be bought back within three months starting Monday and continuing until Feb. 17, the company said in a statement. For the remaining 7 trillion won, the company will decid

Market Nov. 15, 2024

Seoul shares closed nearly flat Friday as investors' bargain hunting limited declines amid lingering uncertainties, including a possible slowdown in US rate cuts. The local currency gained against the US dollar, trading at the 1,300 won level as of 3:30 p.m. for the first time in four days. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index edged down 2 points, or 0.08 percent, to close at 2,416.86. The main index briefly fell below the psychologically significant 2,400 level at one point. Tra

Market Nov. 15, 2024