Rutte voices hope for 'NATO-wide' defense cooperation with S. Korea: Seoul

The chief of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has expressed his strong interest in expanding defense cooperation with South Korea, not just on an individual country basis, but also at a "NATO-wide" level, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made the call during his meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul who is in Brussels this week to attend the foreign ministers' gathering of NATO member states. South Korea was invited as a guest nation of NATO's I

April 3, 2025

US Embassy advises citizens in S. Korea to avoid large gatherings ahead of Yoon's impeachment verdict

The US Embassy in Seoul advised American citizens in South Korea on Wednesday to avoid large crowds or demonstrations ahead of the Constitutional Court's verdict on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. The notice came as the top court is set to rule on Yoon's impeachment over his brief imposition of martial law on Dec. 3. "In connection with the Constitutional Court's verdict on the impeachment of President Yoon, US citizens should anticipate large-scale demonstrations and an increased police

April 2, 2025

Trump to roll out 'reciprocal' tariffs Wednesday amid concerns over their global impact

US President Donald Trump is set to announce "reciprocal" tariffs this week to match what other countries levy on American exports, as South Korea and other US trading partners are striving to minimize the potential repercussions of the new duties. Trump is expected to unveil reciprocal tariffs at a White House event at 4 p.m. on Wednesday (Washington time), the day that he has dubbed as "Liberation Day" -- a culmination of his drive to reduce America's trade deficits and boost domestic manufact

April 2, 2025

Trade chiefs of S. Korea, China, Japan discuss advancing trade cooperation at three-way meeting

The top trade officials of South Korea, China and Japan on Sunday discussed bolstering trade cooperation among the three countries in their first trilateral ministerial meeting in six years. The 13th Trilateral Economic and Trade Ministers' Meeting among the Republic of Korea, Japan and the People's Republic of China took place in Seoul, involving South Korean Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Japanese Trade Minister Yoji Muto. It marked the first time sin

March 30, 2025

Forum urges stronger India-Korea engagement in Indo-Pacific

The Korea-India Economic Partnership Forum on Thursday highlighted collaboration between India and Korea in the Indo-Pacific region as a win-win in strategic goals and regional stability. Panelists cited the Indo-Pacific region as a place of both competition and cooperation, proposing collaboration in defense, the digital realm, green industries and maritime projects like Sagar Mala. The discussions highlighted India's strategic autonomy in balancing ties with the US and Russia and the role of m

March 28, 2025

US offers condolences to S. Korea over wildfires, pledges support needed

The United States expressed condolences to South Korea on Friday for the loss of life and destruction caused by devastating wildfires in the southern region, pledging to provide support needed. "The United States offers our sincere condolences to the people of the Republic of Korea for the tragic loss of life and the extensive damage caused by ongoing wildfires in the southeastern region," Tammy Bruce, spokesperson of the US State Department, said in a press statement, referring to South Korea b

March 28, 2025

Embassies express grief over devastating wildfires in South Korea

Foreign embassies in South Korea have expressed sorrow over the devastating wildfires ravaging the country's southeastern regions. The disaster, one of the worst wildfire incidents in South Korea’s history, had claimed 26 lives and injured 30 as of Thursday morning. Strong winds exacerbated the situation, forcing approximately 27,000 residents to evacuate. "My heartfelt condolences go out to the victims and their families, and I extend my sympathies to those who have lost their homes and livelih

March 27, 2025

[Photo News] Hansik Diplomacy

First row from left: Hong Tae-sun, architect and CEO of YKH Associates; Didier Beltoise, president of Cs; Eva Valle Lagares, European Commission, DG Trade, Head of Far East unit; Chung Hee-sun, forensic science professor at Sungkyunkwan University; Maria Castillo Fernandez, EU ambassador; Choi Jung-hwa, president of Corea Image Communication Institute; Han Yoon-ju, CEO of Congdu; Helen Kim, president of Estrella Int'l and second row from left: Ignacio Montojo Salazar, spouse of EU ambassador; Ch

March 27, 2025

Trump announces 25% auto tariffs to take effect April 2

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday his administration will start imposing 25 percent tariffs on all imported cars early next month, a new levy likely to affect South Korea's automotive industry. Trump signed a proclamation to impose the new tariffs on foreign-made cars, light trucks and key parts, such as engines, transmissions, power train parts and electrical components. They will go into effect April 2, with the government set to start collecting them the following day. He invoked Secti

March 27, 2025

NK leader has 'no intention' of negotiating away nukes, seeks 'tacit' nuclear power recognition: US assessment

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has no intention of negotiating away his regime's nuclear and other "strategic" weapons programs, a US threat report said Tuesday, as a top intelligence official viewed Pyongyang as seeking at least "tacit" recognition as a nuclear power. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence released the Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community, as DNI Tulsi Gabbard said North Korea may be ready to carry out another nuclear test "on short notice" an

March 26, 2025

Vice FM, deputy UN chief discuss cooperation on N. Korean issues in New York

Second Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun has met with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and discussed cooperation on North Korean issues, among other topics, the foreign ministry said Tuesday. The meeting took place on Monday in New York as part of Kang's four-day trip, which also included a high-level open debate on UN peace operations as well as a briefing on the situation in Syria. During the meeting, Kang requested that the United Nations continue issuing strong messages denouncing

March 25, 2025

Columbia Univ. student from S. Korea faces deportation: NYT

A Columbia University student from South Korea is facing deportation as she has participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, The New York Times reported Monday. US immigration officials have tried to arrest and deport the 21-year-old student, surnamed Chung, as US President Donald Trump's administration argues her presence in the United States hinders the administration's foreign policy agenda of halting the spread of antisemitism, according to the newspaper. Chung sued Trump and other high-r

March 25, 2025

Trump says tariffs on cars will be announced 'over the next few days'

US President Donald Trump said Monday his administration will announce tariffs on cars "over the next few days," raising speculation that new levies on automobiles could come before it rolls out "reciprocal" tariffs early next month. Trump made the remarks as he and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung announced the South Korean conglomerate's comprehensive plan to invest $21 billion in the United States through 2028. "We'll be announcing some additional tariffs over the next few day

March 25, 2025

Embassies advise avoiding protest hubs ahead of ruling

Foreign embassies in Seoul have advised avoiding protest hubs as South Korea’s Constitutional Court prepares to rule on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The Constitutional Court delivered its verdict on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s impeachment on Monday -- 87 days after the National Assembly passed the impeachment bill and 33 days after the final arguments in his trial. The court’s ruling on President Yoon’s impeachment is expected after Han’s but has been delayed multiple times, fue

March 24, 2025

S. Korea, Indonesia reaffirm cooperation for joint fighter jet project

South Korean and Indonesian defense officials have reaffirmed their cooperation for a joint project to develop the KF-21 fighter jet, the South's arms procurement agency said Monday. Seok Jong-gun, minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and Donny Ermawan Taufanto, Indonesia's deputy minister of defense, discussed the joint development project, as well as other arms cooperation agenda items, during their meeting in Jakarta on Friday, DAPA said. South Korea's defense authoriti

March 24, 2025