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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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Defense

S. Korea downplays USFK reduction talk after Trump’s troop cut hint in Germany

U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that American troop levels in Germany could be reduced is fueling speculation the move might extend to the Korean Peninsula. However, defense experts are not convinced the remarks will lead to troop cuts in South Korea, instead pointing to the peninsula’s growing strategic importance — as reflected in the U.S.' latest defense strategy aimed at countering China — and the likelihood of restructuring rather than a reduction. Some 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed across South Korea. On Wednesday (local time), Trump said on Truth Social that the United States is weighing a possible reduction of American troops in Germany, with a decision to be made over "the next short period of time," after he decried European allies over a lack of support for the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Lee Sang-kyu, chief of the nuclear security research division at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, said any meaningful change to U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) would require revisions to operational plans and mission objectives — neither of which appears to be under

Apr 30, 2026By Anna J. Park
S. Korea downplays USFK reduction talk after Trump’s troop cut hint in Germany
  • USFK troop drawdown not under discussion between S. Korea, US: defense ministry
Foreign Affairs

Seoul's ambassador spouses association turns diplomatic life into cultural exchange

Behind Seoul's formal diplomatic circuit, a quieter kind of international engagement is taking shape. The Association of Spouses of Ambassadors in Seoul (ASAS) has grown into a unique platform for cultural exchange, charitable work and cross-cultural friendship, bringing together the partners of ambassadors and heads of mission in Korea. Founded in 2009 and formally established in 2014, the organization has developed into a space where respect, cooperation and human connection take precedence even amid complex global challenges. With around 50 members — roughly half the number of embassies in Korea — ASAS carries out a range of projects and initiatives aimed at promoting intercultural dialogue, friendship and philanthropic collaboration, while strengthening ties with the Korean people. Catalina Bolaños González, spouse of Ecuador’s Ambassador to Korea Patricio Troya Suárez, has been serving as ASAS president since July 2025 for a one-year term, succeeding former president Natalia Federighi de Cuello of the Dominican Republic. "My main inspiration has been to continue the legacy

Apr 29, 2026By Anna J. Park
Seoul's ambassador spouses association turns diplomatic life into cultural exchange
Society

4 in 10 workers in Korea lack paid Labor Day leave

Nearly four out of 10 workers in Korea are not guaranteed paid leave on Labor Day, highlighting persistent blind spots in labor rights, particularly among non-full time workers. According to a poll commissioned by civic group Workplace Gabjil 119 and conducted by Global Research from Feb. 2 to 8, 35.2 percent of 1,000 surveyed employees said they are not ensured paid leave on May 1. The disparity becomes more pronounced across employment types. Among day laborers, who are employed on a daily basis, 60 percent reported not receiving paid leave. The figure was similarly high for freelancers at 59.3 percent, part-time workers at 57 percent and dispatched or outsourced workers at 40 percent. In contrast, only 16.5 percent of employees at large corporations reported the same issue, indicating significantly stronger protections for those in more stable, formal employment. Labor Day was designated as a paid holiday in Korea in 1994. However, due to varying interpretations of the Labor Standards Act, certain groups such as public officials, teachers and delivery workers were classified as "speci

Apr 26, 2026By Anna J. Park
4 in 10 workers in Korea lack paid Labor Day leave
South Korea

Gov't to phase out HWP file format for AI compatibility

Korea is moving to phase out the Hangul Word Processor (HWP) file format across key government document systems, as public institutions seek to modernize workflows and improve compatibility with artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The Presidential Council on National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS), together with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, plans to begin restricting HWP file attachments across key public communication channels starting May. These include the government’s internal document platform as well as official email services. Beginning May 18, the government will expand adoption of HWPX — an open-format version of HWP designed for greater interoperability — across the On-Nara System, the document drafting and distribution platform used by public officials, extending its application to local governments. On-Mail, an internal communication tool for civil servants, will follow suit by October. Both systems are overseen by the interior ministry. The Integrated Government Mail service, which operates under the

Apr 26, 2026By Anna J. Park
Gov't to phase out HWP file format for AI compatibility
Foreign Affairs

Italian astronaut says space is platform for cooperation, not competition

The Embassy of Italy in Korea marked the sixth edition of Italian Space Day, Wednesday, bringing together government officials, industry leaders and academic experts from both countries’ space sectors. Established in 2021, the annual event commemorates the 1964 launch of the San Marco satellite — Italy’s first satellite, which made it the world’s third nation to independently send a satellite into orbit — and aims to promote greater awareness of space activities and Italy’s contributions to the field. Underscoring the growing strategic importance of space as a domain for innovation, partnership and shared global progress, the event opened with remarks by Italian Ambassador to Korea Emilia Gatto, who highlighted recent diplomatic momentum between the two countries. In her remarks, she referred to the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space between the Italian Space Agency and Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT, noting that Italy is committed to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in the space field. “Italy, as a global leader i

Apr 24, 2026By Anna J. Park
Italian astronaut says space is platform for cooperation, not competition
Books

Peruvian Embassy honors Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa with readings, film

The Embassy of Peru in Korea hosted a cultural tribute to late novelist Mario Vargas Llosa, one of the most influential contemporary writers in the Spanish-speaking world and a 2010 Nobel laureate known for his sharp political insight and richly layered storytelling. The event celebrated the 90th anniversary of his birth at the Instituto Cervantes Seoul in central Seoul's Myeong-dong, bringing together diplomats, academics, students and literature enthusiasts. The program featured a screening of a documentary excerpt titled "A Personal Journey Through — I Dedicate My Silence — the Last Novel by Mario Vargas Llosa," reflecting on Vargas Llosa’s final novel and literary legacy. The evening continued with readings and commentary on some of his most influential works, including "The Feast of the Goat," "Pantaleon and the Special Services" and "Harsh Times," presented by ambassadors from several Latin American countries. A highlight of the event was the keynote lecture by professor Son Byeong-sun of the University of Ulsan. A specialist in Latin American literature, he has translated m

Apr 23, 2026By Anna J. Park
Peruvian Embassy honors Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa with readings, film
Foreign Affairs

Turkey pitches itself to Korea as energy hub, supply chain bridge between Asia, Europe

Turkish ambassador to Korea Salih Murat Tamer made a pitch for deeper bilateral ties, arguing that his country's geographic position, energy infrastructure and deliberate neutrality in regional conflicts make it a natural and reliable partner for Seoul amid growing global uncertainty. Speaking at a press conference at the Turkish Embassy in Seoul, April 21, Tamer highlighted Turkey’s strategic position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, noting that the country has accumulated significant experience in “managing crises” over decades and continues to operate with strategic insight shaped by that history. The ambassador went on to stress that this positioning makes Turkey a complementary partner to Korea and called for stronger bilateral cooperation. “Turkey has worked to diversify energy sources and establish a stable, uninterrupted energy network connecting East and West,” Tamer said. “With advanced transportation and logistics infrastructure, Turkey has become a key hub in global trade. In this regard, Turkey serves as a reliable and complementary partner for Korea, which

Apr 23, 2026By Anna J. Park
Turkey pitches itself to Korea as energy hub, supply chain bridge between Asia, Europe
Films

Documentary about Kim Bomsori, forgotten Polish composition wins top prize at film festival

A film featuring Korean violinist Kim Bomsori and capturing her musical journey to revive a long-forgotten composition won a top prize at a French documentary festival. The film, “Bacewicz x Bomsori,” received the Jury Grand Prix for Best Documentary Film at the ONE Country ONE Film Festival earlier this month, according to Kim’s global agency. The France-based festival focuses on documentary cinema and cultural storytelling, highlighting diverse human stories from around the world. The Jury Grand Prix is the festival’s highest honor. Directed by Polish filmmaker Jakub Piatek, the documentary closely follows Kim as she prepares to perform “Polish Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra” by Grazyna Bacewicz (1909-69), a work that remained unpublished and was largely forgotten for many years. The film reflects Kim’s commitment to reviving this overlooked composition, revealing not only her artistic discipline and musical insight, but also her deep engagement with the composer’s life, historical context and creative voice as she brings Bacewicz’s music into the present day. Conv

Apr 22, 2026By Anna J. Park
Documentary about Kim Bomsori, forgotten Polish composition wins top prize at film festival
People & Events

Italian Beauty Days 2026 brings cosmetics companies seeking Korean partners to Seoul

Italian beauty companies are stepping up their push into Asia’s most dynamic cosmetics market at Italian Beauty Days 2026, a two-day event in Seoul that brings together 16 Italian brands with Korean buyers for business-to-business (B2B) meetings, product showcases and technology demonstrations. Organized by the Italian Trade Agency in collaboration with the Cosmetica Italia association, the event — now in its third year — aims to expand Italian companies’ presence in Korea while fostering cross-border partnerships. The event highlights a wide range of products, including skincare, haircare, fragrances and professional beauty solutions, alongside emerging technologies such as AI-powered skin analysis tools. For many participating brands, Korea represents both an opportunity and a challenge. Known for its highly competitive and trend-driven beauty industry, the country is often seen as a testing ground for global expansion. “We are a relatively young brand, founded in 2017, and Asia is already our biggest market,” said Anna Rita Sollazzo, founder of Italian haircare brand Right

Apr 20, 2026By Anna J. Park
Italian Beauty Days 2026 brings cosmetics companies seeking Korean partners to Seoul
North Korea

Seoul denies classified info leak after US protests minister's NK nuclear facility remarks

The United States has reportedly conveyed its intention to partially restrict intelligence sharing on North Korea following remarks by South Korea’s Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, who publicly identified Kusong, North Pyongan Province, as a suspected third nuclear facility in the North during a National Assembly session in March. Despite the Ministry of Unification’s denial of the U.S.’ intentions to restrict information sharing, security experts have raised concerns that the issue could affect trust in intelligence cooperation between the two allies. According to local media reports Friday that cited diplomatic sources from both countries, U.S. officials lodged strong protests through multiple channels following Chung’s remarks, expressing concern that sensitive information may have been publicly disclosed. The reports added Washington was dissatisfied that intelligence shared with South Korea appeared to have been made public and suggested the U.S. may have already taken steps to limit certain aspects of North Korea intelligence cooperation. The ministry pushed back ag

Apr 18, 2026By Anna J. Park and Park Ji-won
Seoul denies classified info leak after US protests minister's NK nuclear facility remarks
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