Seoul says no S. Korea-US discussions held over USFK reduction

South Korea's defense ministry said Friday it has not held any discussions with the Pentagon over the possibility of scaling back US Forces Korea troops stationed in South Korea. The remark came in response to a report by The Wall Street Journal that US President Donald Trump's administration is considering withdrawing some 4,500 troops of the 28,500-strong USFK and relocating them to other locations in the Indo-Pacific, including Guam. "As the core strength of the South Korea-US alliance, the U

May 23, 2025

Trump administration blocks Harvard's ability to enroll international students

US President Donald Trump's administration revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students Thursday, in a sharp escalation of tensions with the elite school that has resisted the administration's efforts to promote its policy agenda. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered the termination of the Ivy League school's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification. The termination means Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students, and existing foreign students mu

May 23, 2025

US considers withdrawing thousands of troops from S. Korea: report

US President Donald Trump's administration is considering withdrawing thousands of US troops from South Korea and moving them to other locations in the Indo-Pacific, including Guam, a news report said Thursday. It is weighing the idea of pulling out roughly 4,500 troops -- part of the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed defense officials -- a move that could add to security concerns in South Korea in the midst of persistent North Korean threats. The id

May 23, 2025

[Africa Forum] Bridging Africa, Korea; building shared future

Seizing opportunities through innovative collaboration and targeted initiatives is critical to unlocking Africa’s vast potential as a key engine of global growth and reinforcing Korea’s strategic role in the continent’s transformation. The Africa Day 2025 Korea-Africa Business Forum, held in Seoul under the theme “Building Bridges, Creating Opportunities,” brought together over 800 guests from government, business and civil society. The forum served as a high-level platform to deepen strategic d

May 22, 2025

S. Korea, Japan, Taiwan highlight potential US chip tariff pitfalls, call for rethinking new levies

South Korea, Japan and Taiwan have underscored the potential pitfalls of possible US tariffs on chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, warning that the duties, if imposed, would raise costs for the US chipmaking industry and hinder efforts to reinforce supply chain resiliency. They have submitted to the US Commerce Department their respective comments on US President Donald Trump's administration's national security investigations into imports of semiconductors, SMEs and derivative pro

May 22, 2025

Rubio says appointment process underway to find 'right person' for NK human rights envoy

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that an appointment process is taking place to find the "right" person to fill the State Department post for special envoy for North Korean human rights issues. The secretary made the remarks during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, responding to a question by Rep. Young Kim about whether he has a plan to appoint someone to fill the post that has been vacant since former Special Envoy Julie Turner left in January. "Yes and obviously, that

May 22, 2025

S. Korea, US kick off new round of trade talks in Washington

South Korea and the United States began a new round of working-level talks over US reciprocal tariffs and other economic and trade issues in Washington on Tuesday, as Seoul is seeking to minimize the impact of new levies rolled out by President Donald Trump's administration. Chang Sung-gil, director-general for trade policy at the industry ministry, is leading the South Korean delegation to engage in the second round of "technical discussions" with officials from the Office of the US Trade Repre

May 21, 2025

S. Korea, EU agree on close cooperation in countering N. Korea's crypto theft

South Korea and the European Union (EU) agreed Tuesday on the need to boost cooperation in responding to growing cyberthreats worldwide, including North Korea's cryptocurrency theft, to ensure a safe and open cyberspace order, Seoul's foreign ministry said. The two sides shared the understanding during their bilateral policy dialogue on cybersecurity, held in Seoul earlier in the day to discuss joint efforts to enhance collaboration amid a rapidly changing international cybersecurity environment

May 20, 2025

Minister to visit Costa Rica, Ecuador as envoy to presidential inauguration

Bang Ki-sun, minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, will visit Costa Rica and Ecuador this week to strengthen bilateral ties and attend the inauguration of Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa, his office said Tuesday. Bang will visit Costa Rica on Wednesday and Thursday to meet with the country's foreign minister and discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation across all areas. From Friday to Saturday, he will visit Ecuador to attend the inauguration of reelected President

May 20, 2025

S. Korea, US, Japan hold talks to reaffirm 'unwavering' commitment to trilateral cooperation

Diplomats from South Korea, the United States and Japan convened their trilateral secretariat managing board in Washington on Monday to reaffirm the three countries' "unwavering" commitment to advancing three-way cooperation, the State Department said. Yi Won-woo, deputy director-general for North American affairs at Seoul's foreign ministry; US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia and Taiwan Kevin Kim; and Akihiro Okochi, deputy director-general for Asian and Oc

May 20, 2025

S. Korea, US to hold 2nd round of working-level tariff talks in Washington this week

South Korea and the United States are scheduled to hold a second round of technical discussions in Washington this week regarding the latter's sweeping tariff scheme, as the two sides are working toward forging a "package" deal by early July, officials said Monday. A South Korean government delegation is expected to depart for Washington around Tuesday to engage in the talks, which could begin as early as Tuesday, according to officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The two si

May 19, 2025

APEC trade ministers' meeting kicks off on S. Korea's Jeju Island

A trade ministers' meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member economies kicked off Thursday on South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju to address challenges the global trade is facing amid the rise of protectionist policies. The APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting will be held through Friday at the International Convention Center in southern Jeju, under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper," according the Seoul's Ministry of Trade, Ind

May 15, 2025

USTR Greer arrives in Korea to attend this week's APEC trade ministers' meeting

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer arrived in South Korea on Wednesday to attend a trade ministers' meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member economies and meet with Seoul's trade chief this week. Greer arrived at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, around 6:10 p.m., but left the airport without taking reporters' questions. Greer is set to attend the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, slated for Thursday and Friday at the International Convention Center on

May 14, 2025

Expert notes need for S. Korea to persuade China not to create conflict in Taiwan Strait

A security expert in the United States underscored the need Tuesday for Seoul to make diplomatic efforts to persuade China not to cause conflict in the Taiwan Strait, noting that it would be increasingly difficult for South Korea to avoid getting involved in a potential Taiwan contingency. Ellen Kim, director of academic programs at the Washington-based Korea Economic Institute of America, made the remarks, calling attention to the potential role of the 28,500-strong US Forces Koreain a continge

May 14, 2025

Bessent says S. Korea presented 'very good' proposals in trade talks before election cycle

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that South Korea put forward "very good" proposals in bilateral talks over trade and other related issues before the Asian country's election cycle kicked off, as Seoul is seeking to secure exemptions from new US tariffs. Bessent made the remarks during a Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh as Seoul and Washington have been conducting trade consultations with a focus on tariff- and non-tariff measures, economic security, investment cooperation and

May 14, 2025