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Anna J. Park

Korea Times Politics & City Reporter

Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.

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Foreign Affairs

Japan PM to visit Lee’s hometown in reciprocal trip

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will visit Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, from May 19-20 at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung, Cheong Wa Dae announced Friday, in what marks the first reciprocal hometown visits between the leaders of Korea and Japan. The trip comes four months after Lee visited Nara, Japan — Takaichi’s hometown — in January. Takaichi’s visit to Andong, Lee’s hometown, is being seen as a symbolic gesture reflecting the growing personal rapport between the two leaders and the strengthening of Korea-Japan bilateral ties. During the two-day visit, the two leaders are scheduled to hold both small-group and expanded summit talks on May 19, followed by a joint press announcement and an official dinner. They are also expected to take part in separate friendship and cultural programs together. "At the summit, the two leaders will engage in broad discussions on the future direction of Korea-Japan relations and seek to strengthen practical cooperation in areas directly affecting the livelihoods of the two countries’ citizens, including the economy, so

May 15, 2026By Anna J. Park
Japan PM to visit Lee’s hometown in reciprocal trip
  • Seoul, Tokyo stress S. Korea-US-Japan cooperation on NK denuclearization
  • Lee, Takaichi visit UNESCO World Heritage site in Nara
Foreign Affairs

Polish Embassy celebrates Constitution Day, highlights growing Korea-Poland partnership

The Embassy of Poland in Seoul hosted a reception at Lotte Hotel Seoul on May 12 to commemorate Poland’s Constitution Day and reaffirm the growing partnership between Warsaw and Seoul. Promulgated on May 3, 1791, Poland’s Constitution is regarded as Europe’s first modern constitution and the world’s second after that of the United States. The landmark charter remains a powerful symbol of the Polish people’s commitment to national sovereignty, freedom and democratic values, and Poland commemorates the historic occasion as Constitution Day each year on May 3. Hosted by Polish Ambassador to Korea Bartosz Wiśniewski, the reception brought together hundreds of diplomats, government officials, business leaders and members of the Korean and Polish communities to mark the occasion. The envoy described the constitution as “a bold and innovative attempt” to introduce political and social reforms at a time of profound challenges for the Polish state. Wiśniewski noted that bilateral cooperation now spans defense industries, advanced technologies, agriculture, polar affairs and space

May 14, 2026By Anna J. Park
Polish Embassy celebrates Constitution Day, highlights growing Korea-Poland partnership
Foreign Affairs

Belgium, Korea seek stronger ties through defense forum

The Embassy of Belgium in Korea recently hosted a forum exploring future cooperation in the aerospace and defense sectors between the two countries, bringing together government officials, industry leaders and defense experts. Opening the “Belgium–Korea Defence & Aerospace Forum: Building Partnerships, Creating Opportunities” at the Westin Josun Seoul, May 12, Belgian Ambassador to Korea Bruno Jans highlighted the growing importance of bilateral cooperation amid rapid changes in the global defense landscape, noting that both countries possess highly complementary strengths in technology, industrial capability and innovation. "At a time when the global defense and aerospace sectors are undergoing rapid transformation — driven by technological innovation, evolving security challenges, and shifting industrial landscapes — Belgium and the Republic of Korea are particularly well placed to further strengthen their cooperation," Jans said. The ambassador continued to stress Belgium's cutting edge, export ready technologies as well as the country's highly skilled industrial base and s

May 14, 2026By Anna J. Park
Belgium, Korea seek stronger ties through defense forum
Foreign Affairs

'2026 ASEAN Panorama' brings Southeast Asia to Seoul

The ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) has launched the “2026 ASEAN Panorama,” marking the start of a five-month rotating exhibition showcasing products and industries from ASEAN Member States. Running through Sept. 30, the program brings together 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states in pairs each month, highlighting a diverse range of sectors including food and beverages, halal lifestyle products, fashion, accessories, books and creative industries. Held under the theme “Bigger, Bolder, Broader: The New ASEAN in Every Detail,” the exhibition, launched at the ASEAN Hall in the Korea Press Center in central Seoul on May 7, is an expanded version of AKC’s annual ASEAN Trade Fair series, which has been organized since 2014. In his opening remarks, AKC Secretary General Kim Jae-shin said the exhibition seeks to “connect the dots” at a time when awareness of ASEAN markets remains fragmented across industries and countries, hoping to present diverse elements of the member states into a unified and engaging visual and narrative experience. “‘Bigger’ reflects

May 12, 2026By Anna J. Park
'2026 ASEAN Panorama' brings Southeast Asia to Seoul
Defense

Defense chief faces uphill talks in 1st US visit

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Sunday that Seoul and Washington have made “systematic, stable and consistent” preparations for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), emphasizing that accelerating the transition process would not pose major difficulties. Ahn made the remarks to reporters at Incheon International Airport before departing for the United States for his first official visit since taking office last July. He said the allies had achieved “considerable progress” under a conditions-based agreement reached in 2015. “At that time, the two sides agreed on a conditions-based transfer plan and preparations have since proceeded in a systematic and stable manner,” Ahn said. “In that respect, I do not believe there would be significant issues in speeding up the transfer.” Seoul and Washington adopted the Conditions-based OPCON Transition Plan (COTP) during the 47th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in 2015. Under the framework, the allies have pursued transfer based on three conditions: South Korea's ability to lead combined forces, its c

May 10, 2026By Anna J. Park
Defense chief faces uphill talks in 1st US visit
Global Community

Overseas schools offering Korean language classes surge 54% in 4 years

The number of overseas elementary, middle and high schools offering Korean language classes either as part of the regular curriculum or through after-school programs reached 2,777 at the end of last year, a 54 percent increase over the past four years. The figures come from data submitted by the Ministry of Education to Rep. Kim Moon-soo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, compiled annually by Korean Education Centers and overseas diplomatic missions. The data shows that growth has accelerated steadily since 2021. The number of overseas schools operating Korean language programs rose from 1,806 in 2021 to 1,928 in 2022, 2,154 in 2023, and 2,526 in 2024. Student enrollment in Korean language classes has also continued to rise. The number of students studying Korean increased from 170,563 in 2021 to 236,089 in 2025, marking a 38 percent increase over four years. From 2024 to 2025 alone, enrollment grew by 6.1 percent. The geographic spread of Korean language education also widened, with the number of countries offering such programs expanding from 42 in 2021 to 47 last year. Uzbekista

May 10, 2026By Anna J. Park
Overseas schools offering Korean language classes surge 54% in 4 years
Foreign Affairs

PHOTO New Zealand celebrates Maori heritage in Seoul

Hiwa Crew, a Maori performance group from Wellington, performs at the New Zealand Residence in Seoul, Thursday evening, as part of New Zealand Culture Night festivities hosted by New Zealand Ambassador to Korea Dawn Bennet. Through powerful traditional haka (dance), waiata (music) and kapa haka (group dance) performances, the group showcases Maori values of ancestry, community, resilience and connection to the land of Aotearoa. The event also highlights the cultural similarities between Maori and Korean traditions, including respect for elders, hospitality, and strong ties to family and community. Korea Times photo by Anna J. Park

May 8, 2026By Anna J. Parkphoto
[PHOTO] New Zealand celebrates Maori heritage in Seoul
Foreign Affairs

Indian Embassy to bring ‘Mini India’ to Seoul on May 16

The Embassy of India in Seoul will host the inaugural India Day festival at Yeouido Hangang Park on May 16, marking the first large-scale outdoor cultural festival organized by the embassy. Designed to bring India’s ancient traditions and modern development together in one place, the event aims to offer Korean citizens an opportunity to experience the country’s rich traditional culture, cuisine and regional diversity. Speaking during a press conference held at the embassy in Seoul on Thursday, Indian Ambassador to Korea Gourangalal Das said the initiative was intended to provide the Korean public with a deeper understanding of India amid rapidly expanding strategic ties between the two countries. “We decided to do it because there is a sense that the level of cultural understanding and awareness about India and Korea is not deep enough, strong enough and comprehensive enough,” Das said at the press conference. He emphasized that culture is increasingly viewed as a key pillar of bilateral cooperation. The ambassador noted that the festival reflects agreements reached during Presi

May 8, 2026By Anna J. Park
Indian Embassy to bring ‘Mini India’ to Seoul on May 16
Foreign Affairs

Korea, EU expand research alliance amid tech race, geopolitical shifts

Korea and the European Union are deepening cooperation in innovation, research and advanced technologies, with expanding academic and industrial exchanges emerging as a central pillar of bilateral relations, according to EU Ambassador to Korea Ugo Astuto. In an interview with The Korea Times ahead of Europe Day — which falls on May 9 and marks the anniversary of the 1950 Schuman Declaration, the founding proposal that set the EU's integration in motion — Astuto said research and innovation partnerships are becoming increasingly important to Korea-EU ties as both sides navigate mounting geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain vulnerabilities and intensifying competition over critical and emerging technologies. “We want to advance cooperation on emerging digital technologies to unlock mutual benefits for their economies, strengthening cooperation to boost competitiveness, innovation and resilience,” Astuto said. “The EU and the ROK (Republic of Korea) will continue joint work on research and innovation on emerging technologies, such as semiconductors, 6G, artificial intelligence

May 8, 2026By Anna J. Park
Korea, EU expand research alliance amid tech race, geopolitical shifts
Foreign Affairs

Egypt opens new defense complex in Seoul, deepening military ties with Korea

The Embassy of Egypt in Seoul on Wednesday celebrated the inauguration of its new defense complex building in Seoul's Seongbuk District, marking a new chapter in military and strategic cooperation between Korea and Egypt. Hosted by Commodore Ahmed Elhadidi, Egyptian defense attaché to Korea, the ceremony brought together about 100 guests, including Egyptian and Korean military officials, diplomats, defense attachés from various embassies, government representatives and members of the Egyptian community here. Among the key attendees were Major General Ayman Keshar, deputy head of the Egyptian Military Intelligence Authority, and Rear Admiral Ryu Youn-sang, deputy director general of the International Policy Bureau at Korea’s Ministry of National Defense. Egyptian Ambassador to Korea Hazem Zaki and the Moroccan ambassador to Korea also attended the event alongside executives from Korean defense firms. The ceremony began with the national anthems of Egypt and Korea, followed by welcoming remarks from Elhadidi, a video presentation on bilateral defense cooperation, a ribbon-cutting cere

May 7, 2026By Anna J. Park
Egypt opens new defense complex in Seoul, deepening military ties with Korea
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