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S. Korea, US customs authorities hold high-level talks to boost cooperation
The Korea Customs Service said Tuesday it held high-level talks with the US Customs and Border Protection last week to enhance bilateral cooperation between the countries' customs authorities. The meeting took place in Washington, DC, on Friday between Park Hun of the KCS, and Ha Sung-h of the CBP and other officials, the KCS said in a press release. The talks were arranged in response to the South Korean government's efforts to address challenges posed by the US tariff policies introduced under
May 13, 2025 -
S. Korea, Malaysia set to hold 9th round of FTA negotiations in Kuala Lumpur
South Korea and Malaysia were set to hold their ninth round of negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement on Tuesday, as the two sides seek to broaden their trade portfolio and enhance cooperation, Seoul's industry ministry said. The latest round of talks for an FTA was scheduled to kick off in Kuala Lumpur for a three-day run, involving some 70 trade officials from the two countries, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The countries are seeking to make progress in ei
May 13, 2025 -
US-China trade deal gives countries chance to seek deals without being singled out as choosing sides: expert
A trade deal between the United States and China gives other countries a chance to negotiate their own deals without being singled out as taking sides between the two superpowers, an expert said Monday, as South Korea and other countries are trying to reach agreements with Washington. Following high-stakes negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, Washington and Beijing announced the deal to temporarily reduce tariffs for 90 days. Under it, US tariffs on Chinese goods will be lowered to 30 percent fr
May 13, 2025 -
Korean faith leaders look to Pope Leo XIV’s message of peace as hope for still-divided peninsula
Following the election of Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, 69, as the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, Korean religious leaders across denominations have extended messages of congratulations and reflection on Friday. Their responses highlight shared hopes for social renewal, interfaith cooperation amid profound global challenges and a lasting peace — both in the world and on the Korean Peninsula. Archbishop Chung Soon-taick, head of the Archdiocese of Seoul, called the new po
May 9, 2025 -
New Pope Leo XIV likely to visit Korea in 2027
Following tradition, it is highly likely that newly elected Pope Leo XIV will visit South Korea with Seoul confirmed as the host city for World Youth Day 2027. The visit may also rekindle hopes for a historic papal trip to North Korea — something that remained unfulfilled under Pope Francis. On May 8, the Vatican’s conclave elected Pope Leo XIV, an American-born prelate with experience in Latin America and a background in missionary work. Born Robert Francis Prevost, he is 69 years old. If Pope
May 9, 2025 -
Lee adviser stresses S. Korea-US alliance, trilateral ties with Japan in talks with White House officials
A top foreign policy adviser to South Korea's Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung said Thursday he stressed Lee's desire to strengthen the Seoul-Washington alliance and trilateral cooperation with Japan if elected, during talks with senior White House officials. Kim Hyun-chong, former trade minister, made the remarks as he met with Trump administration officials in Washington to discuss a wide array of issues, including new US tariffs on South Korea, bilateral trade and se
May 9, 2025 -
US lawmaker submits bill calling for reporting to Congress before new tariffs take effect
A US Republican congresswoman on Thursday introduced a bill requiring the president to notify Congress and provide a report on the economic and security objectives of new tariffs 48 hours before they take effect. Rep. Young Kim, a Korean American lawmaker, submitted the Reviewing Economic and Protection Objectives for the Reciprocal Tariffs Act, as President Donald Trump has made a flurry of tariff announcements amid concerns that new duties could lead to higher prices and slower economic growth
May 9, 2025 -
US unveils plan to install 'fast track' process to encourage investment from allies, partners
The US Treasury Department said Thursday that it will establish a "fast-track" process to encourage greater investment in US businesses from US allies and partners. The move came after President Donald Trump signed the "America First Investment Policy" memorandum in February to create the process and restrict China-affiliated people from investing in America's strategic sectors, including critical infrastructure. "Treasury is committed to maintaining and enhancing the open investment environment
May 9, 2025 -
S. Korean envoy berates N. Korea for 'brazenly' accelerating illicit activities absent U.N. expert panel
South Korea's top envoy to the UN accused North Korea on Wednesday of having "brazenly" accelerated its illegal activities after a UN expert panel monitoring sanctions enforcement on the recalcitrant regime was disbanded a year ago. Ambassador Hwang Joon-kook made the remarks during a UN Security Council meeting that was convened to take stock of what has happened since the UN panel of experts was disbanded in April last year following Russia's veto of a resolution for an annual extension of the
May 8, 2025 -
Trump govt. to revoke Biden-era AI chip export restrictions: report
US President Donald Trump's administration will rescind Biden-era restrictions on advanced artificial intelligence chip exports, a Commerce Department spokesperson was quoted as saying Wednesday, as it seeks to replace them with a much simpler rule. Reuters reported that it plans to revoke the Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion, which was issued by former President Joe Biden's government in January. It is meant to keep advanced computing power in the United States and among its alli
May 8, 2025 -
US experts call for Trump govt. to pursue 'stable coexistence' with N. Korea in policy shift
US experts have proposed that President Donald Trump's administration reorient America's policy toward North Korea to pursue "stable coexistence," as they stressed adherence to a strategy of denuclearization and stronger deterrence has led to a state of "dangerous coexistence." Ankit Panda, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Frank Aum, former senior Pentagon adviser, made the proposal in a report released Tuesday, noting that it is now clear that applying pressu
May 8, 2025 -
US Fed leaves key interest rate unchanged, cites greater economic uncertainty amid Trump's tariffs
The US Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady for the third consecutive time on Wednesday, pointing to heightened economic uncertainty and increased risks of higher inflation in the midst of President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policy. Following the two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting, the central bank announced a decision to keep the key rate at the 4.25-4.50 percent range, as it is taking a wait-and-see stance to monitor and assess the impact of Trump's new tar
May 8, 2025 -
S. Korea, US eye expanding naval shipbuilding, repair cooperation to military aircraft
South Korea and the United States have recently discussed the possibility of expanding their cooperation in the areas of naval shipbuilding and maintenance to military aircraft, the South's defense ministry said Wednesday. The discussion took place when the allies held their Korea-US Integrated Defense Dialogue in Washington last week and agreed to cooperate to strengthen the alliance and achieve shared security goals on the Korean Peninsula and across the Indo-Pacific region, according to the m
May 7, 2025 -
Acting president says S. Korea to communicate closely with Czech Republic to finalize nuclear deal at early date
Acting President Lee Ju-ho said Wednesday the government will communicate closely with the Czech Republic to swiftly finalize a nuclear power plant deal temporarily scuttled by a court injunction this week. Lee made the remark during an economic security strategy meeting, a day after a Czech court blocked the country's main electricity firm, CEZ, from signing the estimated 26 trillion-won ($18.6 billion) contract with a South Korean consortium led by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. until it revi
May 7, 2025 -
FM Cho asks Rubio to conduct tariff talks with 'sufficient time' in view of election in S. Korea
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul called for the United States to carry out bilateral talks over tariffs and other issues "with sufficient time" in consideration of the June 3 presidential election in South Korea during a call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, the foreign ministry said. Cho made the remarks as Seoul has been striving to secure exemptions from the Trump administration's "reciprocal" and sectoral tariffs, with a view to reaching a "July package" agreement over trade, and
May 7, 2025