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Trade minister to visit US over weekend for trade talks
South Korea's chief trade negotiator is arranging a visit to Washington this weekend as part of efforts to speed up trade talks with the United States, Seoul's trade ministry said Thursday, as the deadline for resumption of the Donald Trump administration's reciprocal tariffs approaches. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo is pushing to arrange meetings with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and other officials in Washington, according to the Ministry of Trade, Ind
July 3, 2025 -
US strikes on Iran could lead to another Trump-Kim summit at Panmunjom: US expert
The recent US bombings on Iranian nuclear sites could open up the possibility of another meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un like their previous dramatic encounter at the inter-Korean border in 2019, an American expert said Monday. Victor Cha, president of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, raised the view, but said it will be under "a different context," as Kim would now want to negotiate
July 1, 2025 -
July deadline for reciprocal tariffs could be extended: White House
US President Donald Trump's administration could extend its pause on reciprocal tariffs, which is set to expire next month, a White House spokesperson said Thursday, as South Korea and other countries continue talks with Washington to avoid or minimize the impact of the new tariffs. Karoline Leavitt made the remarks as Trump's suspension of reciprocal tariffs, including 25 percent duties on South Korea, is set to end on July 8. Seoul has been trying to reach a deal with the Trump administration
June 27, 2025 -
S. Korean trade minister meets with US Congress officials for talks on trade, cooperation
South Korea's new trade minister has held talks with officials from the US Congress and the White House in Washington to discuss trade issues and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, Seoul's industry ministry said Thursday. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, currently on a weeklong trip to Washington, met with Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO), chair of the US House Committee on Ways and Means; Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), head of the trade subcommittee of the committee; and Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV) on Wednesday,
June 26, 2025 -
No compelling rationale found for Trump's 'reciprocal' tariffs on S. Korea: think tank report
The overwhelming majority of US exports to South Korea are already tariff-free under a bilateral free trade agreement, a think tank report showed Wednesday, stressing that no "compelling" rationale has been found for the Trump administration's "reciprocal" tariffs on the Asian country. The Korea Economic Institute of America released the report, titled "Fairness and Reciprocity? Reconsidering Trump's Liberation Day Tariffs on South Korea," which looked into whether the United States' claims abou
June 26, 2025 -
45 S. Koreans in Israel evacuate to Egypt amid Israel-Iran conflict
Forty-five South Koreans, including one with US nationality, have escaped Israel and safely arrived in neighboring Egypt, amid heightening tensions from the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, Seoul's foreign ministry said Monday. They passed through the border via a land route on Monday afternoon (local time) by a government-chartered bus and were on their way to Cairo, the ministry said in a press release. The latest evacuation follows the escape of nearly 50 South Korean nationals and the
June 23, 2025 -
6 more S. Koreans, 1 Iranian family member evacuate Iran amid escalating conflict with Israel
Six more South Koreans and an Iranian family member have safely crossed the border from Iran into neighboring Turkmenistan amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday. Two South Korean nationals and an Iranian family member arrived in Ashgabat on Friday afternoon (local time), in addition to four other South Koreans who had earlier left Iran and reached the Turkmen capital via the same land route, the ministry said. This brings the total number of S
June 20, 2025 -
4 more S. Koreans evacuate Iran amid escalating conflict with Israel
Four more South Korean nationals have safely crossed the border from Iran into neighboring Turkmenistan amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday. The latest evacuation follows the departure of 30 South Koreans and their Iranian family members, who used the same land route to leave Iran and arrive in the Turkmen capital, Ashgabat, between Wednesday and Thursday (local time). The South Korean government provided transportation and consular assistan
June 20, 2025 -
S. Korea, US to hold 5th NCG meeting in Seoul next month: source
South Korea and the United States plan to hold a new meeting of their key nuclear deterrence body in Seoul next month, a source said Monday, as Seoul is striving to ensure close security cooperation with US President Donald Trump's administration amid growing North Korean threats. The fifth meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group is set to take place next month, though a specific date has yet to be fixed, the source said, as the two countries agreed to hold it in the South Korean capital this
June 17, 2025 -
Trump to return home from G7 summit in Canada on Monday amid deadly Israel-Iran conflict
US President Donald Trump will return home Monday night from the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada due to the deadly Israel-Iran conflict, a White House spokesperson said, dashing hopes for South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to have his first in-person talks with Trump during the gathering. "President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer," Karoline Leavitt wrote on X. "Much was accomplished, but because of w
June 17, 2025 -
National security adviser, Ishiba's special adviser hold meeting in Seoul
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac held a meeting with a special adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Monday and discussed ways to advance bilateral relations, the presidential office said. Wi held a breakfast meeting with Akihisa Nagashima, the special adviser to Ishiba, earlier in the day, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung told reporters. "The two sides discussed ways to advance the bilateral relations and agreed to maintain close communication going forward," Kang said
June 16, 2025 -
Lee accepts resignation of senior aide amid controversy over hidden assets, proxy loan
President Lee Jae-myung on Friday accepted the resignation of a senior aide for civil affairs amid mounting controversy over his wife's undisclosed real estate holdings and a large loan he allegedly took out using a friend's name. Oh Kwang-soo, who was appointed as senior presidential secretary for civil affairs five days ago, tendered his resignation Thursday. His resignation marked the first such case involving a top-level government official since Lee took office June 4. Presidential spokespe
June 13, 2025 -
N. Korea's damaged warship launched 22 days after failed first attempt
North Korea said Friday it has launched a 5,000-ton destroyer that was damaged during its first launch attempt in May, with leader Kim Jong-un attending the launching ceremony and unveiling a plan to build two more such destroyers next year. The launch ceremony was held at the Rajin shipyard the previous day, overseen by Kim, the Korean Central News Agency said, announcing the destroyer is named the Kang Kon. In late May, the 5,000-ton destroyer tipped over and became partially submerged during
June 13, 2025 -
S. Korea to expedite trade negotiations with US: new trade minister
South Korea will expedite the ongoing trade negotiations with the United States with the new government in place, the new trade minister said Thursday, as Seoul has less than a month to make a deal with Washington before the temporary pause of US reciprocal tariffs ends. "As the country now has a new government that has democratic legitimacy and a clear mandate, we will expedite the 'shuttle negotiations' with the US at a trade minister's level," Yeo Han-koo, South Korea's new trade minister, sa
June 12, 2025 -
Trump indicates openness to extend tariff pause, but says it may not be necessary
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signaled his openness to extending a temporary pause on "reciprocal" tariffs, but said an extension might not be necessary, as he touted a "great" trade deal with China. Trump made the remarks after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted that the 90-day pause on "reciprocal" tariffs, set to expire on July 8, could be extended for those engaging in trade negotiations with the United States "in good faith." "I would, but I don't think we're going to have tha
June 12, 2025