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Kim Hyun-bin

Korea Times Digital Media Reporter

Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.

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Foreign Affairs

Korea, Belgium mark 125 years of ties built on trust, trade, shared values

Belgium and Korea mark the 125th anniversary of diplomatic relations on Monday, celebrating a partnership that has evolved from tentative contact in the late 19th century into broad cooperation spanning politics, trade, technology, security, culture and education. Belgian Ambassador to Korea Bruno Jans described the relationship as one built on trust above all, pointing to shared values, economic complementarity and a long record of support during difficult moments. “If I had to choose one word, it would be trust. Trust has shaped our relationship from the start,” Jans said in an interview with The Korea Times ahead of the diplomatic milestone. Belgium’s interest in Korea dates back to the late 1800s, when Belgian diplomats and newspapers began paying attention to the country, then known in Europe as the Hermit Kingdom. One of the first exchanges took place in Yokohama, Japan, in 1882, where Belgium’s envoy, Charles de Groote, explored the possibility of establishing formal ties. That interest culminated in the 1901 Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, signed in Seoul by Be

Mar 23, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
Korea, Belgium mark 125 years of ties built on trust, trade, shared values
Foreign Affairs

Speculation grows over Trump-Kim talks despite major hurdles

U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in engaging North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has revived speculation that Washington and Pyongyang could reopen dialogue, although analysts say the prospects remain uncertain. This followed a surprise meeting with South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok last week. Kim said he had a roughly 20-minute meeting with Trump at the White House during his visit to Washington Friday (local time), where the two discussed the possibility of reopening dialogue with North Korea. According to Kim, Trump asked whether the North Korean leader might be interested in dialogue with the United States or with him personally. The prime minister said he suggested expanding contact and dialogue to keep open the possibility, however small, of resuming their summit diplomacy. Trump reportedly showed interest in one proposal related to North Korea and instructed his aides to look into possible measures, fueling speculation that Washington could consider sending a letter or special envoy to Pyongyang. Still, analysts say significant political and diplomatic hurdles re

Mar 15, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
Speculation grows over Trump-Kim talks despite major hurdles
Foreign Affairs

Ireland seeks direct flights to Seoul, deeper transport and tech cooperation

Ireland is working with Korea to establish a bilateral aviation agreement that could pave the way for direct flights between Seoul and Ireland, Irish Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports Sean Canney said in an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul Thursday. Canney said officials from Ireland’s Department of Transport and Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport are discussing a passenger licensing framework that would allow airlines to operate direct services between the two countries. There are currently no direct flights between Seoul and Dublin and all routes require at least one layover. “We are working to get an agreement in place between the two governments,” Canney said. “Once the passenger agreement is finalized, airlines can assess the viability of operating a direct service.” More than 22,000 travelers move between Ireland and Korea each year, suggesting sufficient demand for direct connectivity, he said. “There is a market there,” Canney said. “Business people who travel frequently between the two co

Mar 15, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
Ireland seeks direct flights to Seoul, deeper transport and tech cooperation
Foreign Affairs

Korea hosts annual iftar dinner for Muslim community

Korea’s foreign minister called for peace in the Middle East and highlighted centuries-old ties between Korea and the Muslim world as diplomats and members of the Muslim community gathered Tuesday for the government’s 20th annual iftar dinner during the holy month of Ramadan. Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul, the event brought together Arab ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps and leaders of the Muslim community to mark the evening meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said the annual gathering, which began in 2004, reflects the growing friendship between Korea and the Islamic world. “For two decades, the iftar dinner has brought us together through changing times,” Cho said. “It stands as a testament to the friendship and trust built over generations.” Cho noted that ties between Korea and Muslim communities date back more than a millennium, when Muslim merchants traveled to the Korean Peninsula during the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D. 935), with exchanges expanding further during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). The m

Mar 11, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
Korea hosts annual iftar dinner for Muslim community
Society

PHOTO Checking farm machinery on Soil Day

Officials inspect agricultural machinery, including cultivators that had been idle during the winter, at the Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday, marking Soil Day. Yonhap

Mar 11, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
[PHOTO] Checking farm machinery on Soil Day
Foreign Affairs

EU Delegation celebrates Int'l Women’s Day with STEM event

The European Union Delegation in Seoul, together with Sookmyung Women’s University and the Korea Foundation for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (WISET), hosted an International Women’s Day event Friday highlighting the role of women in science and technology. Held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, the event brought together students, professionals and academics to discuss ways to strengthen women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields and to celebrate the achievements of women leaders in those sectors. Women remain underrepresented in STEM globally. In Europe, women account for about one in three STEM graduates and roughly one in five information and communications technology specialists. In Korea, women make up only about 23.9 percent of STEM doctoral graduates, one of the lowest shares among OECD countries. Organizers said narrowing the gender gap in advanced scientific training is essential not only for equality but also for sustaining innovation and economic growth. The program began with a session titled “Stories fro

Mar 10, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
EU Delegation celebrates Int'l Women’s Day with STEM event
Politics

Korea secures 6 mil. barrels of crude from UAE as fuel prices surge amid Iran conflict

Korea will import more than 6 million barrels of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates in an emergency effort to stabilize fuel prices, the presidential office said Friday, as the conflict involving Iran roils global energy markets. Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said the decision was made following consultations directed by President Lee Jae Myung. “I would also like to share the welcome news that we will purchase crude oil from the UAE,” Kang told reporters. “We discussed measures to secure additional oil imports, and as a result, emergency imports totaling more than 6 million barrels of crude have been confirmed.” Kang added that the additional supply is expected to help ease pressure on domestic fuel prices. Korea, the world’s fourth-largest crude oil importer, relies almost entirely on overseas energy supplies due to a lack of domestic petroleum resources. The country imports the vast majority of its crude oil from the Middle East, particularly from major producers such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. The emergency purchase comes as global

Mar 6, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
Korea secures 6 mil. barrels of crude from UAE as fuel prices surge amid Iran conflict
Foreign Affairs

Korean negotiators to visit Washington for talks on nuclear energy pact

Korean negotiators will travel to Washington for follow-up consultations with the United States on security agreements between the two allies, including cooperation related to possible adjustments to their bilateral nuclear energy pact, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Friday. Cho made the remarks during a plenary session of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee when asked about the progress of follow-up discussions on bilateral security cooperation. “The outbreak of war in the Middle East made further delays unavoidable,” Cho said. “After close consultations with the U.S. side, we agreed that our team would go to the United States first.” However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs later clarified that the team currently being coordinated with Washington is not the full negotiating delegation for the broader security package, which includes issues such as nuclear-powered submarines. According to the ministry spokesperson’s office, the delegation expected to visit the United States will instead be a working-level team led by Ambassador Rim Kap-soo. The

Mar 6, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
Korean negotiators to visit Washington for talks on nuclear energy pact
Foreign Affairs

Korea voices concern over rising Middle East tensions

Korea expressed concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East during a meeting with ambassadors from the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday. Officials from the ministry met with ambassadors representing Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain in Seoul to discuss the deteriorating security situation in the region and its broader implications. During the meeting, Chung Kwang-yong, director-general for African and Middle Eastern affairs at the ministry, voiced “serious concern” over the rapidly escalating tensions and the expanding scale of damage in the region. Chung also expressed regret over the increasing number of civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, saying Seoul hopes that such harm will not continue. He praised GCC countries for their diplomatic efforts aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East, stressing the importance of restoring stability as soon as possible. Chung noted that the current situation could have negative repercussions o

Mar 5, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
Korea voices concern over rising Middle East tensions
Foreign Affairs

German diplomat highlights football outreach at Borussia Dortmund event

Football can serve as a powerful bridge between nations, a senior German diplomat said during an event hosted by German football club Borussia Dortmund to foster youth talent in Seoul, highlighting the sport’s role in strengthening ties between Korea and Germany. Addressing the gathering, Joern Beissert, the deputy chief of mission at the German Embassy, praised Borussia Dortmund — commonly known as BVB — for its storied role in German football and its burgeoning appeal among South Korean fans. “Borussia Dortmund is the club that keeps the Bundesliga interesting,” Beissert said, referring to the league BVB plays in. “Without it, it would be much more boring.” Beissert said Dortmund enjoys strong support not only in Germany but also internationally, including in Korea. “I know that they also have a lot of fans here in Korea,” he said. “The fact that so many of you are here tonight shows that the name Borussia Dortmund is also growing in Korea.” Reflecting on football’s broader significance, the deputy ambassador said the sport plays an important role in connecting p

Mar 5, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
German diplomat highlights football outreach at Borussia Dortmund event
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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.