The Korea Times

Indian Embassy hosts Korea-India economic forum to boost ties

Indian Ambassador to Korea Amit Kumar underscored the deepening economic and strategic ties between Korea and India at the Korea-India Economic Partnership Forum held in Seoul, Thursday, emphasizing the need for greater collaboration in trade, technology and regional security. He noted that the global economy has faced multiple stresses over the past few years, highlighting over-concentrated manufacturing, excessive state subsidies and the fragility of supply chains exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. "The Ukraine conflict led to additional concerns, particularly with regard to food, fuel and fertilizers, the cascading effect of which eventually spread across all sectors and geographies," he said. He also pointed to disruptions in maritime shipping resulting from Middle East tensions, which have affected Asia-Europe trade routes. "The special strategic partnership between India and the Republic of Korea, established a decade ago, assumes greater salience bilaterally as well as in addressing regional and global challenges, including in the Indo-Pacific," he said. Trade between India and Kor

Mar 27, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Indian Embassy hosts Korea-India economic forum to boost ties

Foreign Affairs

Incheon mayor, acting U.S. ambassador discuss educational exchange

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok met with acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Joseph Yun at the Incheon Global Campus Foundation, the Incheon Metropolitan Government said Wednesday. Yun, who took office in January, has previously served as the U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, U.S. ambassador to Malaysia and principal deputy assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the State Department. The mayor welcomed Yun’s appointment, expressing optimism that his deep ties with South Korea would further strengthen U.S.-South Korea relations. Introducing the Incheon Global Campus, Yoo highlighted its role in attracting top international universities and offering diverse educational opportunities to domestic students. He noted that prestigious U.S. institutions, including Stony Brook University, the Fashion Institute of Technology, George Mason University and the University of Utah, are already operating at the campus. Yoo added that Incheon aims to attract more leading universities and research institutes to nurture global and local talent, expand educational and re

Mar 27, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Incheon mayor, acting U.S. ambassador discuss educational exchange

Foreign Affairs

Kyrgyz envoy promotes tourism, cultural ties with Korea via book launch

Kyrgyz Ambassador to Korea Aida Ismailova emphasized the importance of strengthening cultural and tourism exchanges between Korea and Kyrgyzstan during a recent event celebrating the launch of the book "Why Kyrgyzstan?" “Kyrgyzstan is a country renowned for its majestic mountains, clear lakes, rich culture and warm hospitality,” Ismailova said. “While it is not yet widely known among Koreans, those who have visited even once would have been deeply impressed by its beauty and uniqueness.” The new book, written by Cho Yong-pil, serves as more than just a travel guide, the ambassador said. “This book is the result of longstanding interest, numerous journeys and deep respect for our shared history and culture. It is not merely a travel guidebook — it serves as a bridge of friendship connecting our two nations. It is a valuable work that introduces Kyrgyzstan to Korean readers, showcases its soul and traditions and presents opportunities for tourism, cooperation and cultural exchange,” she said. Kyrgyzstan's strategic geographical location as a gateway to Central Asia, coupled w

Mar 26, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Kyrgyz envoy promotes tourism, cultural ties with Korea via book launch

Foreign Affairs

Massive wildfires in Korea leave 4 dead, over 1,500 evacuated

Nearly 30 wildfires took place across the nation during the weekend, killing at least four and forcing more than 1,500 residents to evacuate, mostly in southeastern regions of the country, officials at firefighting authorities said Sunday. The fires led the government to declare a state of national disaster on Saturday. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, Sunday, at least 28 wildfires were reported as of Sunday afternoon amid dry weather. The first and most serious one broke in Sancheong in South Gyeongsang Province on Friday evening. Fire authorities suspect sparks from a brush cutter at a farm there started the fire. Firefighters there initially said they put out 70 percent of the fire on Saturday morning, but strong winds helped spread the flames to nearby regions. During the firefighting operation in Sancheong, four wildfire responders and public servants were killed while five others suffered serious injuries and one person sustained minor injuries. Ulju in Ulsan and Uiseong in North Gyeongsang Province also had large-scale wildfires, which spre

Mar 23, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Massive wildfires in Korea leave 4 dead, over 1,500 evacuated

Foreign Affairs

INTERVIEW Germany rules out reopening Pyongyang embassy amid N. Korea-Russia military ties

Germany has no plans to reopen its embassy in Pyongyang, citing North Korea’s military involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine, a senior German official said during his visit to Seoul in mid-March. Frank Hartmann, the director general for Asia and the Pacific at the German Federal Foreign Office, recently traveled to South Korea to launch the annual bilateral Indo-Pacific consultations with his South Korean counterparts. The discussions come at a time of heightened global tensions and are seen as a crucial step in strengthening strategic ties between Berlin and Seoul. One key issue addressed during Hartmann’s visit was Germany’s stance on its diplomatic mission in North Korea. “Due to the North Korean military engagement in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, we do not envision a reopening of our embassy in Pyongyang under these circumstances,” Hartmann said in a written interview with The Korea Times. Germany, along with other European nations, shut down its diplomatic operations in North Korea following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. While some countr

Mar 21, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

[INTERVIEW] Germany rules out reopening Pyongyang embassy amid N. Korea-Russia military ties

Foreign Affairs

UAE envoy highlights tolerance, coexistence at iftar event in Korea

The United Arab Emirates' ambassador to Korea, Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, underscored his country's commitment to tolerance and coexistence during an iftar gathering the embassy hosted, with dignitaries and representatives from various religious communities in attendance.

Mar 19, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

UAE envoy highlights tolerance, coexistence at iftar event in Korea

Society

Korea Coast Guard appoints 3rd woman senior superintendent in 72 years

After 72 years since its founding, the Korea Coast Guard (KCG) has appointed its third woman senior superintendent.

Mar 18, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Korea Coast Guard appoints 3rd woman senior superintendent in 72 years

North Korea

UN declares N. Korea's detention of S. Korean missionaries arbitrary, calls for release

The United Nations has classified North Korea's prolonged detention of South Korean missionaries as "arbitrary" and called for their immediate release.

Mar 14, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

UN declares N. Korea's detention of S. Korean missionaries arbitrary, calls for release

Society

Korea tightens security ahead of presidential impeachment ruling

Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok vowed Friday to hold those who challenge public authority accountable under a zero-tolerance policy as the nation braces for potential unrest ahead of the Constitutional Court's ruling in President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial.

Mar 14, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Korea tightens security ahead of presidential impeachment ruling

Foreign Affairs

Seoul hosts Iftar dinner to strengthen ties with Islamic world

As the sun set on Tuesday, Muslims in Seoul gathered in mosques, community centers and homes to share Iftar, the evening meal that marks the end of a day of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

Mar 13, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Kim Hyun-bin

Read more

Indian Embassy hosts Korea-India economic forum to boost ties

Incheon mayor, acting U.S. ambassador discuss educational exchange

Kyrgyz envoy promotes tourism, cultural ties with Korea via book launch

Massive wildfires in Korea leave 4 dead, over 1,500 evacuated

INTERVIEW Germany rules out reopening Pyongyang embassy amid N. Korea-Russia military ties

UAE envoy highlights tolerance, coexistence at iftar event in Korea

Korea Coast Guard appoints 3rd woman senior superintendent in 72 years

UN declares N. Korea's detention of S. Korean missionaries arbitrary, calls for release

Korea tightens security ahead of presidential impeachment ruling

Seoul hosts Iftar dinner to strengthen ties with Islamic world

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