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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

Assembly speaker, Indonesian envoy discuss bilateral cooperation

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik met with Indonesian Ambassador to Korea Cecep Herawan at the National Assembly on Wednesday to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Woo welcomed the recent progress in Seoul–Jakarta relations, noting that the two leaders held their first bilateral summit since taking office last week in Gyeongju. “I am pleased that both countries agreed to deepen cooperation,” Woo said. “Next week, the MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation will be held in Seoul, and I look forward to welcoming House Speaker Puan Maharani.” He highlighted that more than 2,300 Korean companies are operating in Indonesia, contributing significantly to job creation and export growth. “The cultural and creative industries are priority areas for both governments, and I expect tangible results from these efforts,” Woo said. He also expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s consistent support for peace on the Korean Peninsula, urging Jakarta to continue playing a constructive role in efforts toward peaceful coexistence. Ambassador Herawan congratulated Korea on successfully

Nov 6, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin
Assembly speaker, Indonesian envoy discuss bilateral cooperation
Foreign Affairs

Sudanese envoy condemns mass atrocities in North Darfur, urges stronger int'l response

Sudanese Ambassador to Korea Amira Agarib on Wednesday condemned what she described as “mass atrocities and war crimes” committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s North Darfur region, calling on the international community to take urgent action to protect civilians and enforce United Nations resolutions. Speaking at a press briefing at the Embassy of Sudan in Seoul, Agarib said the situation in Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur, had deteriorated into “a devastating tragedy” following the city’s fall to RSF forces after 18 months under siege. “Thousands of civilians were killed after the fall of Al-Fashir. The RSF attacked hospitals, mosques, markets and homes — turning the city into a bloodbath,” she said. “They killed 2,000 civilians in two days and targeted Al-Fashir Hospital, killing 450 patients and doctors.” She accused the RSF of committing genocide based on ethnicity and said there were verified reports of mass executions, sexual violence and people being burned or buried alive. According to the ambassador, the U.N. Human Rights Office and in

Nov 5, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin
Sudanese envoy condemns mass atrocities in North Darfur, urges stronger int'l response
Foreign Affairs

PHOTO Korea-EU cooperation

Kim Chang-beom, right, vice chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), talks with EU Ambassador to Korea Ugo Astuto about pending issues and ways to strengthen economic cooperation between Korea and the European Union at the FKI Tower in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of FKI

Nov 4, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin
[PHOTO] Korea-EU cooperation
Foreign Affairs

Oceans minister discusses shipping ties with Brazilian delegation in Busan

Oceans and Fisheries Minister Jeon Jae-soo met with a Brazilian parliamentary delegation in Busan on Monday to discuss ways to expand cooperation in the shipping and port sectors, the ministry said. According to the ministry, Jeon hosted a luncheon meeting with Murilo Galdino, chair of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies’ Special Committee on Ports, and 16 other delegation members. During the talks, Jeon introduced the competitiveness of Busan Port — the world’s seventh-largest and second-busiest transshipment port — highlighting its transition toward eco-friendly and automated operations in line with global trends. He expressed Korea’s willingness to strengthen cooperation with Brazil in maritime and port development. The delegation included key figures from Brazil’s port logistics sector, including lawmakers Artur Oliveira Maia and Daniela Cristina Reiner, as well as Anderson Fomini Santos, president of the Port Authority. Brazilian Ambassador to Korea Marcia Donner Abreu also joined the meeting. Following the luncheon, the Brazilian officials visited Busan’s North Port and

Nov 4, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin
Oceans minister discusses shipping ties with Brazilian delegation in Busan
Foreign Affairs

Lee-Xi summit to focus on thawing ties, N. Korea issue

The upcoming summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday will serve as a key test of how Seoul and Beijing navigate a decade of mistrust and a rapidly changing regional order, diplomatic observers said. Xi’s three-day visit to South Korea — his first since 2014 — comes amid lingering tensions over the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system here, Beijing’s unofficial ban on Korean cultural exports and North Korea’s deepening nuclear threat. Observers expect their talks, to be held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting, to focus on normalizing bilateral ties, reviving economic and cultural exchanges and reaffirming dialogue on regional security. Relations between the two neighbors have swung sharply since their so-called “strategic cooperative partnership,” which peaked in the early 2010s. Seoul’s 2016 decision to deploy the THAAD system — aimed at intercepting North Korean missiles — triggered fury from Beijing, which viewed the system’s radar as

Oct 31, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin
Lee-Xi summit to focus on thawing ties, N. Korea issue
Foreign Affairs

Record crowd marks Norway Day in Busan

Norway Day 2025 set a new attendance record in Busan on Oct. 24, drawing 279 guests from Norwegian firms and Korean partner companies as the Norwegian Embassy highlighted fast-growing cooperation in the maritime industries, energy transition and seafood trade. Hosted annually by the Norwegian ambassador and held in Busan since 2002, the business networking event has become one of the embassy’s biggest fixtures, reflecting the city’s role as a hub for Norwegian companies in Korea. Organizers said collaboration between the two countries has broadened from traditional shipping, shipbuilding and oil and gas into offshore wind, green shipping and decarbonization technologies. Korea is Norway’s second-largest trading partner in Asia and a key market for Norwegian seafood, which featured prominently on the dinner menu for the event. In his remarks to guests, Christian Cramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council, underscored the importance of Korea to Norway’s seafood exports. Guests were served salmon, mackerel and red king crab, along with other Norwegian specialties. The 2025 edition

Oct 30, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin
Record crowd marks Norway Day in Busan
Foreign Affairs

Turkish envoy celebrates shared sacrifice, growing ties at Republic Day reception

Turkish Ambassador to Korea Salih Murat Tamer underscored the historic friendship and deepening partnership between Turkey and Korea at a reception Wednesday marking the 102nd anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Turkey. “It is a great honor and joy to celebrate the 102nd anniversary of the Republic of Turkey together with you tonight,” Ambassador Tamer said during the event in Seoul. “On this meaningful occasion, we proudly remember the enduring legacy of the Republic of Turkey and the deep friendship we share with the people of the Republic of Korea.” Tamer recalled that 102 years ago, under the visionary leadership of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Republic of Turkey declared its determination for independence to the world. “Founded on the principle that ‘Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation,’ the Republic of Turkey was built on the ideals of freedom, justice and progress,” he said. He noted that under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey is advancing with confidence into what it calls the “Century of Turkey,” based

Oct 30, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin
Turkish envoy celebrates shared sacrifice, growing ties at Republic Day reception
Foreign Affairs

Opposition leader urges stronger S. Korea-UK cooperation on N. Korea issues

Opposition leader Rep. Jang Dong-hyuk of the People Power Party met with British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks on Tuesday, calling the United Kingdom a key partner in efforts to denuclearize North Korea and improve human rights conditions in the isolated regime. “Britain is a key, like-minded country that we must cooperate with for the dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear weapons and the advancement of its human rights,” Jang said during a meeting with Crooks at the National Assembly. “I hope to continue close communication and cooperation with the U.K. on North Korea-related issues.” Jang noted that Crooks had previously served as the British ambassador to Pyongyang, describing him as “an expert on North Korean affairs.” He expressed concern over North Korea’s recent provocations, saying, “Ahead of the APEC summit in Gyeongju, North Korea launched several ballistic missiles, in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. I hope the ambassador will join us in strongly condemning these actions.” Jang also criticized North Korea’s reported military support fo

Oct 29, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin
Opposition leader urges stronger S. Korea-UK cooperation on N. Korea issues
Society

15-year-old Korean becomes youngest violinist to win Paganini prize

Fifteen-year-old violinist Kim Hyun-seo of Korea has won third prize at the 58th Premio Paganini International Violin Competition, becoming the youngest laureate in the history of the prestigious event, the Kumho Cultural Foundation said Sunday. Kim earned third place and two special prizes — the audience award and youngest finalist award — at the competition, which concluded Friday in Genoa, Italy. Born in 2010, she was the youngest participant this year and now the youngest prize-winner the event has ever recorded. She received a total of 15,000 euros ($17,400) in prize money, along with future performance engagements across Italy and beyond, including appearances with the Santa Cecilia National Academy Orchestra, Sicilian Symphony Orchestra and Teatro La Fenice, as well as at the Bologna Festival and Paganini Genoa Festival. Named after legendary violin virtuoso Niccolo Paganini, the competition has been held biennially in the musician’s hometown of Genoa since 1954. It is open to violinists aged 15 to 30 and is widely regarded as a launchpad for major international careers. Kim

Oct 29, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin
15-year-old Korean becomes youngest violinist to win Paganini prize
Foreign Affairs

Czech envoy celebrates National Day, 35 years of diplomatic ties with Korea

The Czech Embassy in Seoul hosted a reception Monday celebrating Czech National Day, commemorating the founding of Czechoslovakia in 1918, and the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Czech Republic and Korea. In his welcoming address, Czech Ambassador to Korea Ivan Jancarek highlighted the remarkable progress of bilateral cooperation over the past three and a half decades, describing the Czech-Korean partnership as “one of the most vibrant and dynamic relationships in Central Europe.” “This year, we commemorate two important milestones — the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of our strategic partnership,” Jancarek said. “These anniversaries remind us of how far our two nations have come together and how strong and dynamic our relations have become.” He cited the September meeting between Presidents Petr Pavel and Lee Jae Myung in New York as a “reaffirmation of our shared determination to deepen and broaden the partnership.” The ambassador also highlighted the significance of the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant project, desc

Oct 28, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin
Czech envoy celebrates National Day, 35 years of diplomatic ties with Korea
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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.