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Presidential office says to advance ties with China based on robust alliance with US
South Korea is seeking to advance its relationship with China based on the staunch alliance with the United States, the presidential office said Tuesday, following the foreign minister's remarks describing Beijing as "somewhat problematic" for its neighbors. In an interview with The Washington Post last week, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun suggested that China's rise and its assertive actions in the region have made neighboring countries "alert," saying there is a "problem of China becoming somewhat
Aug. 5, 2025 -
US unveils program requiring temporary business visa applicants to post bond of up to $15,000
The United States will conduct a 12-month pilot program that requires temporary visitor visa applicants for business or tourism to post a bond of up to $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance, a State Department rule showed Monday. The department posted the rule on the Federal Register, announcing the program for those applying for the B-1 visa for business and the B-2 visa for tourism, as US President Donald Trump's administration has been carrying out a crackdown on illegal immigration. Its im
Aug. 5, 2025 -
Morocco marks Throne Day, touts strategic momentum with Korea
Morocco on Wednesday touted strategic momentum in its bilateral ties with South Korea as it marked Throne Day, commemorating the 26th anniversary of King Mohammed VI succeeding his father, King Hassan II. Speaking at a commemorative event, Moroccan Ambassador to Korea Chafik Rachadi hailed his country’s macroeconomic stability, a 55 percent rise in foreign direct investment in 2024, and the emergence of Morocco as Africa’s largest car producer and a major player in the aerospace industry. “Over
July 31, 2025 -
Lee says S. Korea-US trade deal to help dispel trade uncertainties
President Lee Jae Myung said Thursday a tariff deal reached by South Korea and the United States will help eliminate economic uncertainties for the South's export-reliant economy, voicing relief for clearing a major hurdle in the trade sector. Lee wrote the message on Facebook, shortly after US President Donald Trump said his administration has agreed to impose 15 percent reciprocal tariffs on South Korea, 10 percentage points lower than what was proposed. "We have cleared a major hurdle," Lee s
July 31, 2025 -
S. Korea's finance minister to hold tariff negotiations with Bessent late Thursday, Korean time
South Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol will hold tariff negotiations with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington on late Thursday (Seoul time), his office said Wednesday. The talks are scheduled to take place at 10:45 p.m, according to Seoul's finance ministry. Top officials from Seoul are in the United States in all-out efforts to finalize a trade deal with the US before Friday's deadline, when the 25 percent reciprocal tariffs will take effect. (Yonhap)
July 30, 2025 -
Trump says Aug. 1 tariff negotiation deadline won't be extended
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday this week's deadline for making trade deals with countries will not be extended, as South Korea and other countries are striving to reach a tariff agreement with the United States before the deadline. His remarks in a social media post came as his administration's "reciprocal" tariffs, including 25 percent duties on South Korea, are set to go into force on Friday unless a deal is struck. "THE AUGUST FIRST DEADLINE IS THE AUGUST FIRST DEADLINE — IT STANDS
July 30, 2025 -
N. Korean assembly chief claims US, S. Korea preparing to 'actualize' nuclear war
The head of North Korea's legislative body on Wednesday accused the United States and South Korea of preparing to "actualize" a nuclear war, insisting that its nuclear development is a self-defense measure vital to ensuring its security against such threats. Pak In-chol, chairman of the North's Supreme People's Assembly, made such a claim during a United Nations-led gathering of top legislators around the world in Switzerland, blaming the US and other Western countries for causing "instability a
July 30, 2025 -
Special envoys reaffirm S. Korea's drive for stronger ties with Australia
A presidential delegation to Australia has met with top officials in Canberra and reaffirmed South Korea's efforts to advancing bilateral relations under the Lee Jae Myung government, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday. The special envoys, led by former National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, delivered Lee's message in their meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles earlier in the day and Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday, the ministry said in a release. Ma
July 30, 2025 -
Peru marks Independence Day, highlights defense and APEC ties with Korea
Peruvian Ambassador Paul Duclos highlighted Peru's ties with South Korea in the field of defense and underscored the roles the two countries could play as members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum as officials in Seoul marked the Latin American country's 204th Independence Day on Tuesday. Peru’s Independence Day, which falls on July 28, commemorates the country's declaration of independence from Spain in 1821, after nearly 300 years of colonial rule that began in 1532. Speaking at t
July 29, 2025 -
Malaysia optimistic about ties with Lee Jae Myung administration: envoy
FTA at final stage, says envoy, calling on Korean firms to tap halal market and diversify across ASEAN Malaysia is committed to fulfilling the economic and strategic pledges of Korean companies made during the visit of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to South Korea last year, said Malaysian Ambassador to Korea Dato Mohd Zamruni Khalid in a recent interview with The Korea Herald. Ibrahim stressed the need for the two countries to uphold their commitment to continued cooperation following
July 29, 2025 -
S. Korea's finance chief vows 'mutually beneficial' trade deal with Trump govt.
South Korea's Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol on Tuesday pledged to make every effort to reach what he called a "mutually beneficial" trade agreement with the United States ahead of this week's negotiation deadline. "We will do our utmost to draw up a proposal that centers on national interest and enables a mutually beneficial agreement between South Korea and the US," Koo told reporters at Incheon International Airport before departing for Washington. Koo is scheduled to hold talks with US Treas
July 29, 2025 -
Korean expertise vital for Egypt’s sustainable aviation: minister
Egypt is eyeing closer cooperation with South Korea for the country’s transition to a sustainable and smart aviation system, said Sameh El-Hefny, Egypt’s minister of civil aviation, in an interview with The Korea Herald. El-Hefny visited Incheon to attend the International Conference on Aviation Cooperation (CIAT 2025), Korea’s leading triennial aviation conference for global cooperation and the future of air transport. “South Korea possesses advanced expertise in smart technologies and transpor
July 28, 2025 -
S. Korea proposes major shipbuilding investment in US ahead of tariff negotiation deadline
South Korea has proposed a multibillion-dollar shipbuilding investment package in the United States as part of ongoing negotiations to avert steep US tariffs as the Aug. 1 deadline for such a deal nears, government sources said Monday, noting the proposal appears to have been well received. According to the multiple sources, Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan held talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Friday in New York, during which he presented the proposal, dubbed "Make American Shi
July 28, 2025 -
Lee appoints new chief of special delegation to Vietnam
President Lee Jae Myung has appointed Park Chang-dal, a former three-term lawmaker, as the new head of the special delegation to Vietnam, citing health reasons for the replacement, the presidential office said Monday. Park replaces former lawmaker Lee In-ki, who was originally designated to lead the delegation but withdrew due to health issues, the office said in a press notice. The delegation also includes two lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party, Yoon Hu-duk and Baek Hye-ryun. Park is "e
July 28, 2025 -
Lee Jae Myung holds phone talks with Uzbek, Kazakh leaders
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held phone talks with the presidents of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan this week. The talks signal Seoul’s intent to deepen strategic partnerships with Central Asia. Lee and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed boosting strategic partnership, growing trade, joint ventures, and over $8 billion in Korean investment, while emphasizing continued high-level cooperation, the Uzbek embassy in Seoul told The Korea Herald on Friday. According to the embassy, focus
July 25, 2025