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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

Seoul city appoints ex-ambassador as international relations envoy

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, left, and former Ambassador to Kazakhstan Koo Hong-seok pose at Seoul City Hall, Friday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan GovernmentBy Kim Hyun-binThe Seoul Metropolitan Government has appointed Koo Hong-seok, the former ambassador to Kazakhstan, as its chief international relations officer.Koo has 31 years of diplomatic experience and is renowned as an international relations specialist with expertise in the Northeast and Southeast Asian regions. He graduated from Yonsei University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy and joined the foreign ministry in 1993, serving in various roles, including as minister-counselor in Japan and China, director-general for planning, director-general for South Asia and the Pacific, director-general for ASEAN and ambassador to Kazakhstan.Notably, during his tenure as the ambassador to Kazakhstan, he facilitated the repatriation of Korean nationals stranded at Almaty International Airport during a major crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he ensured timely delivery of humanitarian aid, contributing to enhancing nationa

Sep 20, 2023By Kim Hyun-bin
Seoul city appoints ex-ambassador as international relations envoy
Foreign Affairs

Korea, Germany mark 140 years of diplomatic ties

ADeko Chairman Kim Hyo-joon, front row fourth from left, poses with German Ambassador-designate to Korea Georg Schmidt, front row third from right, along with other participants of the Korea-German Youth Exchange Program  during a press event at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul Sept. 18. YonhapBy Kim Hyun-binTo commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Germany, the 140 Years Korean-Germany Partnerships Conference was held to discuss ways to further enhance cooperation between the two countries in Seoul, Monday. The event was jointly organized by six entities within the Korea-Germany community, including the German Embassy in Seoul and ADeKo, a Korean-German alumni network that brought together approximately 300 professionals from industry and academia.Prominent figures in attendance included the Ambassador-designate of Germany to Korea, Georg Schmidt, ADeKo Chairman Kim Hyo-joon, and Martin Henkelmann, head of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI). They convened to reflect upon the accomplishments and current state of the 140-yea

Sep 18, 2023By Kim Hyun-bin
Korea, Germany mark 140 years of diplomatic ties
Defense

Defense minister nominee hints at ditching inter-Korean military pact

Defense Minister nominee Shin Won-sik responds to reporters' questions as he arrives at his temporary office in Seoul, Friday, to prepare for his parliamentary confirmation hearing. Yonhap By Kim Hyun-binDefense Minister nominee Shin Won-sik said, Friday, that it was desirable to scrap the inter-Korean military agreement amid repeated North Korean provocations that violate the pact. South and North Korea signed the pact on Sept. 19, 2018. It calls for halting all hostile acts between the two nations to reduce tensions along the inter-Korean border.“I have always thought that it would be desirable to abolish the Sept. 19 military agreement as it would expose our military vulnerability,” Shin told reporters upon arrival to the temporary office at the defense ministry's compound in Seoul.The three-star general-turned-lawmaker has advocated for the abolition of the inter-Korean military agreement on the grounds that South Korea's military's ability to monitor the front lines of North Korea has been damaged. However, Shin noted that as defense minister he cannot unilaterally m

Sep 15, 2023By Kim Hyun-bin
Defense minister nominee hints at ditching inter-Korean military pact
Defense

NK leader visits Russian fighter jet factory

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un observes the final assembly process of the Su-35 multirole fighter jet at Russia's Yuri Gagarin fighter jet factory in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Khabarovsk Krai, Friday (local time). YonhapBy Kim Hyun-binNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un reportedly visited a Russian fighter jet production facility in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, prompting military experts to speculate that it may be aimed at upgrading North Korea's aging fighter jet fleet.Kim is now in Russia, where he attended a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. He departed Pyongyang for Russia aboard his train on Sunday afternoon.According to Russia's state-run RIA Novosti news agency, Friday, Kim, accompanied by Industry and Russian Trade Minister Denis Manturov, observed the final assembly of Su-35 multi-purpose fighter jets and the new Sukhoi Superjet (SSJ-100) passenger jet at the Yuri Gagarin Aviation Plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur in the Khabarovsk region. He also had the opportunity to witness a test flight of the Su-35 fighter jet. Manturov expressed the potential for cooperation with N

Sep 15, 2023By Kim Hyun-bin
NK leader visits Russian fighter jet factory
  • N. Korea's Kim meets Russian defense minister, inspects nuclear-capable bombers
Foreign Affairs

British Embassy in Korea accepts applications for Chevening Scholarships

British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks, back row eighth from left, and embassy staff promote the Chevening Scholarship at the U.K. Embassy in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of U.K Embassy in SeoulBy Kim Hyun-binThe British Embassy in Seoul commenced the application process for the Chevening Scholarships, Tuesday, which offers successful candidates the opportunity to pursue a master's degree in the 2024-25 academic year at leading universities in the United Kingdom.The annual scholarship program, founded in 1983 by the U.K. Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, provides comprehensive funding, encompassing tuition fees and living expenses for a diverse array of master's degree programs offered by over 150 universities in the U.K.To date, the program has awarded 1,200 scholarships to Korean students, who have pursued a wide range of subjects, including gender, peace and security, energy and climate policy and public health for development, at prestigious U.K. institutions such as the London School of Economics and Political Science, the University of Sussex and the London School of H

Sep 14, 2023By Kim Hyun-bin
British Embassy in Korea accepts applications for Chevening Scholarships
Foreign Affairs

Korea-Mexico relations: a strong partnership rooted in history, economic ties

Mexican Ambassador to Korea Carlos Penafiel Soto gives a welcome speech during the “213th Anniversary of the Independence of Mexico” event at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Kim Hyun-binBy Kim Hyun-binMexican Ambassador to Korea Carlos Penafiel Soto commemorated the Anniversary of the Independence of Mexico, Wednesday, marking his first presiding role since assuming office in February this year. The ambassador emphasized the multifaceted relationship between Mexico and Korea, highlighting its profound economic implications during the “213th Anniversary of the Independence of Mexico” event at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul.“Relations between Mexico and the Republic of Korea have grown stronger, clearly reflecting the maturity of our strategic partnership built over the past six decades. Our governments maintain an excellent bilateral political dialogue, which contributes to bolstering our overall relationship and tackling any challenges that might arise,” he said.“But it is our economic ties which are the backbone of our pa

Sep 14, 2023By Kim Hyun-bin
Korea-Mexico relations: a strong partnership rooted in history, economic ties
Foreign Affairs

Romanian wine to debut in Korea

Romanian Ambassador to Korea Cezar Manole Armeanu, eighth from right, poses with officials from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania and the country's wine industry during the Romanian Wine Grand Tasting event at COEX in Seoul, Tuesday, after signing a memorandum of understanding with the Korea International Trade Association to introduce Romanian wine to Korea on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Korea-Romania strategic partnership. Courtesy of Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency

Sep 13, 2023By Kim Hyun-bin
Romanian wine to debut in Korea
Foreign Affairs

Korea-Thailand diplomatic relations blossom at 'Thai Night 2023'

Thai Ambassador to Korea Witchu Vejjajiva gives a speech during the Thai Night 2023 event marking the 65th anniversary of Korea-Thailand diplomatic relations at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Kim Hyun-binBy Kim Hyun-binThe Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul rolled out the red carpet for an evening of cultural celebration and diplomacy, Monday, marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Korea. The event, titled “Thai Night 2023: Where Tradition Meets Modernity," showcased the rich tapestry of Thai culture and highlighted the strong ties between the two nations at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul.In his welcoming speech, Thai Ambassador to Korea Witchu Vejjajiva emphasized the significance of the occasion. "Forged from shared sacrifice and courage during the Korean War, our close and dynamic relations continue to grow from strength to strength and have evolved into a mutually beneficial, multifaceted strategic partnership," he said.The Royal Thai Embassy expressed its commitment to further enhancing this partnership, covering a wide spectru

Sep 12, 2023By Kim Hyun-bin
Korea-Thailand diplomatic relations blossom at 'Thai Night 2023'
Foreign Affairs

Peru's BAP Union docked in Busan

The Peruvian training ship BAP Union docks at the Busan International Cruise Terminal on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Peru, Sunday. The vessel will serve as Peru's mobile embassy by visiting major ports of friendly and cooperating nations for 10 months. Courtesy of Embassy of Peru

Sep 11, 2023By Kim Hyun-bin
Peru's BAP Union docked in Busan
Law & Crime

Chinese father arrested for abandoning 9-year-old son on Jeju Island

Seogwipo Police Station on Jeju Island / YonhapBy Kim Hyun-binA Chinese national in his 30s, who abandoned his 9-year-old son on Jeju Island, has been charged with violating the Child Welfare Act, according to the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office, Friday. The father is accused of leaving his son, who was sleeping, in a park in Seogwipo, southern Jeju Island, on Aug. 25. He also left an English message saying, “I hope that my child will live in a good facility in Korea.”The son woke up and looked for his father, at which point a Seogwipo City official discovered him and alerted the police. After analyzing footage captured on CCTV cameras, the police arrested the father the following day. According to the police, the two stayed in some local accommodation for three days after arriving in Jeju with a tourist visa on Aug. 14. After running out of money, the two had slept outdoors as of Aug. 17. The father confessed to the crime, saying he could not provide proper care for his son without his wife and hoped that his son could grow up in a better environment in Korea. Meanwhi

Sep 8, 2023By Kim Hyun-bin
Chinese father arrested for abandoning 9-year-old son on Jeju Island
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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.