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Kang Seung-woo

Korea Times Business Reporter

Kang Seung-woo is the Business Desk editor at The Korea Times. Prior to this position, he covered politics, national affairs, finance and sports.

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Foreign Affairs

US seeks to mediate Korea-Japan dispute

By Kang Seung-wooWashington is expected to move to facilitate an improvement in relations between Seoul and Tokyo, amid the mounting importance of trilateral cooperation between South Korea, Japan and the United States in dealing with issues involving North Korea as well as China, according to diplomatic observers. Currently, bilateral ties between South Korea and Japan have slumped to their worst level in years over wartime history issues, leaving little room for the Biden administration to take advantage of the three-way alliance to pursue U.S. security policy in the Indo-Pacific region.“The Biden administration has clearly signaled the importance of trilateral security cooperation between the U.S., Japan and South Korea, as part of its broader security policy in the Indo-Pacific region. They are looking for opportunities to bring the leadership of Japan and South Korea together with the U.S. to focus on shared security interests, most importantly in dealing with North Korea,” said Daniel Sneider, a lecturer of international policy at Stanford University.Leif-Eric Easle

Apr 24, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
US seeks to mediate Korea-Japan dispute
Foreign Affairs

Korea's 'vaccine swap' options may require diplomatic reward

Work to unload 250,000 doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine from a UPS cargo plane is under way at Incheon International Airport, Wednesday. Yonhap 'Vaccine cooperation would take place in context of stronger Korea-U.S. alliance'By Kang Seung-wooAs a “swap” deal with the United States is emerging as a temporary fix to address Korea's shortage of COVID-19 vaccine, Seoul will find itself in the position of looking at how to return Washington's favor diplomatically, according to diplomatic observers, Thursday. With a mere 3.41 percent of the country's 52 million population having received shots since the government began its vaccination campaign Feb. 26, due to the shortage, Korea has turned to its long-time ally for help as the U.S. has enough vaccine for every single American, according to President Joseph Biden.The possibility of such a swap was made public Tuesday when Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong disclosed the ongoing negotiations between the two sides. Under the

Apr 22, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
Korea's 'vaccine swap' options may require diplomatic reward
  • New virus cases in 700s for 2nd day
  • About 2 million, 3.66% of Korea's population, vaccinated
  • Calls grow for faster compensation for COVID-19 vaccine side effects
Health

Inconsistent vaccine policies undermine public trust

Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong speaks during a forum hosted by the Kwankun Club in Seoul, Wednesday. YonhapBy Kang Seung-wooAmid mounting concerns over a shortage of COVID-19 vaccine, the government's ill-advised handling of its already-delayed rollout plan is angering the people who are anxious about recent infection surges. Different government departments and officials are making inconsistent comments about vaccine procurement, making people losing trust in the administration's policies. Since the country began its vaccination campaign, Feb. 26, a mere 3.41 percent of its 52 million population have received shots although the government boasted of having secured enough vaccines to inoculate 79 million peopleIn the wake of the vaccine procurement woes, Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong unexpectedly disclosed Tuesday that Korea was in discussions with the United States about forging a swap deal.“Vaccine cooperation between the two countries is taking place in a multilayered manner through various levels,” Chung told lawmakers during a National Assembly session, adding tha

Apr 21, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
Inconsistent vaccine policies undermine public trust
  • New virus cases back to over 700
  • Assembly speaker seeks European Parliament's help in vaccine supply
Politics

Politicians slammed for violating COVID-19 gathering ban

Arriving passengers are guided by a quarantine official at Incheon International Airport, Tuesday. YonhapBy Kang Seung-wooPoliticians are drawing criticism for violating the government's ban on gatherings of five or more people.Rep. Woo Sang-ho of the Democratic Party of Korea / Korea Times fileThe lawmakers raising eyebrows are all from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).Jung District Office in Seoul said Tuesday that it plans to fine Rep. Woo Sang-ho for violating the government's social distancing rule that bans personal gatherings of five or more people across the nation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Woo, a four-term lawmaker and former DPK floor leader, has been under siege after being found to have had drinks with five acquaintances at a restaurant in the district, April 8, a day after the Seoul and Busan by-elections, in which the ruling party suffered a stunning loss.According to Woo's aides, the lawmaker and his two assistants visited the restaurant and were accompanied by another three who described themselves as his supporters. They also said the lawmaker stayed with

Apr 20, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
Politicians slammed for violating COVID-19 gathering ban
Foreign Affairs

Korea-Japan ties plunge deeper into abyss

Merchants from a fish market in Seoul stage a protest in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Friday, against the Japanese government's recent decision to discharge contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. YonhapBy Kang Seung-wooFollowing Japan's decision to dump contaminated water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, soured relations between Korea and Japan are sinking deeper into the abyss, even raising fears that bilateral ties may not to get back on track until President Moon Jae-in's term ends next year. On Tuesday, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's Cabinet approved the release of contaminated water from the Fukushima plant, while the Moon administration responded with a plan to take the matter to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.Despite Seoul's repeated demands for data related to the planned discharge, Tokyo has failed to provide any and has also failed to seek the understanding of neighboring countries that will be immediately affected by the contaminated water, the Korean foreign minis

Apr 16, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
Korea-Japan ties plunge deeper into abyss
Foreign Affairs

Korea urged to work with China, Russia to counter Fukushima water disposal

Protestors from the Korean fisheries industry take part in a rally in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Wednesday, to criticize Tokyo's decision to discharge radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulExperts raise doubt about effectiveness of legal actionBy Kang Seung-wooThe government's plan to pursue legal action to prevent Japan from dumping tons of radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean is being met with skepticism from experts who question the effectiveness of the move and the chances of winning the case. Instead, many advise Seoul to join forces with other countries that will also be immediately affected by the contaminated water, including China, which has reacted strongly to Tokyo's decision, as they believe this would be more effective.In response to the Japanese government's decision to release the contaminated water from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant, President Moon Jae-in instructed officials Wednesday to review taking the matter to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.The bigg

Apr 15, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
Korea urged to work with China, Russia to counter Fukushima water disposal
  • North Korea slams Japan over decision to release contaminated Fukushima water
  • Gov't holds vice-ministerial meeting to discuss Japan's Fukushima water release plan
Foreign Affairs

Korea decides on slogan, key visuals for P4G summit

This image shows a key visual of the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Seoul Summit that is scheduled to take place on May 30 and 31. Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign AffairsBy Kang Seung-wooKorea has chosen the slogan for next month's P4G Seoul Summit, “Green We Go, Change We Make,” according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wednesday.The P4G stands for Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030, which is a network of global leaders and innovators seeking breakthrough solutions for green economic growth and collaborative partnerships. Launched in 2017, it is comprised of 12 countries: Bangladesh, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, Vietnam and Korea.In 2019, Korea was selected as the host for the biennial climate summit that was initially slated for 2020, but the event was postponed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.“The preparatory office has selected 'Green We Go, Change We Make' as the slogan to highlight the importance of action by all people here and abroad to con

Apr 14, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
Korea decides on slogan, key visuals for P4G summit
Foreign Affairs

Korea's diplomatic capacity lacking

President Moon Jae-in greets Japanese Ambassador to Seoul Koichi Aiboshi during a ceremony to receive the latter's credentials at Cheong Wa Dae, Wednesday. YonhapSeoul considers taking radioactive water issue to international tribunal By Kang Seung-wooIn the wake of Japan's decision to release radioactive water from the disabled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, the Korean government is taking flak for its laid-back response, compared with Tokyo's thorough preparation for the planned discharge. Amid growing criticism of the government's poor handling of the issue, President Moon Jae-in expressed his concerns to the new Japanese ambassador to Seoul, Wednesday, about dumping water containing tritium, a radioactive isotope byproduct of nuclear fission, into the Pacific Ocean, according to Cheong Wa Dae. Presidential spokesman Kang Min-seok said, “Moon told Aiboshi that there was great concern over Japan's decision to release radioactive water as the two nations are geographically close to each other and share the sea.”His remark was made during talks following a cer

Apr 14, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
Korea's diplomatic capacity lacking
Foreign Affairs

Korea, China strongly protest Japan's radioactive water release decision

Koo Yoon-cheol, head of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, speaks during a press conference at the Government Complex Seoul, Tuesday, over Japan's decision to release radioactive water into the sea. YonhapWashington defends Tokyo's decision amid controversy By Kang Seung-wooKorea expressed deep regret Tuesday over Japan's decision to dump water contaminated with radioactive material into the Pacific Ocean. The Japanese government announced earlier in the day that it will release the radioactive water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea in 2023 despite protests from Korea and China. The water was contaminated after the nuclear plant was destroyed by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami in 2011.“The administration expresses strong regret over the Japanese government's decision to release contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean,” Koo Yoon-cheol, head of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, said in a press conference after an emergency vice-ministerial meeting at the Government Complex Seoul to discuss the g

Apr 13, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
Korea, China strongly protest Japan's radioactive water release decision
  • Korean civic groups condemn Japan's release of radioactive water
Foreign Affairs

Iran openly expresses discontent over frozen assets in Korea

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, left, holds talks with Iran's First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri in Tehran, Sunday (local time). Courtesy of Prime Minister's SecretariatKorean PM vows cooperation with related nations to resolve issueBy Kang Seung-wooIran has amped up its pressure on Korea to release its money frozen by two Korean banks, with its vice president slamming Seoul in public, Sunday. Diplomatic observers say such acts from Tehran are likely to continue before it renegotiates a nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with the United States which is the root cause for the frozen funds from oil and gas sales. The funds held in the banks have been a hot-button issue between the two countries with Iran lambasting the government here for its years-long failure to release the $7 billion. The Korean administration counter-argues that it cannot accept Iranian demands due to U.S. sanctions re-imposed in 2018. Last July, the Iranian foreign ministry threatened Korea with legal action at the International Court of JusticeThe open criticism occurred during a pres

Apr 12, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
Iran openly expresses discontent over frozen assets in Korea
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