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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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Defense

South Korea has few options to calm North Korea over combined drill

U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Robert Abrams, third from left, inspects a joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States in this October 2019 photo. / Korea Times fileBy Kang Seung-wooWhile North Korea is expected to respond strongly to an envisaged combined military drill between South Korea and the United States, including a show of force, Seoul has few options to properly tame Pyongyang's anger which will likely lead to heightening tensions on the Korean Peninsula, according to diplomatic observers, Monday.However, they say it is a silver lining that the North's possible provocation would not be enough to spoil the South Korean government's peace initiative as the totalitarian state also remains cautious about its acts negatively affecting the new U.S. administration's review of policy toward it.The allies are now discussing holding the annual springtime drill, which will be proceeded under the form of computer-simulated command post training, in the second week of March, with them fine-tuning the details such as how to program it, according to military offici

Feb 15, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
South Korea has few options to calm North Korea over combined drill
North Korea

North Korea engaged in fights against YouTube sanctions

Un A, a North Korean presenter of “Echo DPRK,” a YouTube channel believed to be managed by the North Korean regime, introduces goods at a department store in Pyongyang. / Korea Times file By Kang Seung-wooNorth Korea is fighting international sanctions imposed on the country due to its nuclear and missile tests.This fight against punitive actions has reached YouTube, where its channels have been deleted over claims they violate the platform's terms of service, with the country continuously attempting to revive its propaganda channels. “Red Star TV,” a YouTube channel hosted by a North Korean living in Russia, has been in operation again after suffering its seventh shutdown in January by the Google subsidiary. However, while reopening the channel, North Korea is emphasizing that “Red Star TV” is an informational project of the DPRK International Solidarity Group, which disseminates “true information” about the latest events in the world and on the Korean Peninsula. T

Feb 11, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
North Korea engaged in fights against YouTube sanctions
Politics

Moon administration losing fairness, morality

President Moon Jae-in takes off a mask before a virtual Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, Feb. 2. / YonhapBy Kang Seung-wooThe Moon Jae-in administration's emphasis on morality and fairness is being overshadowed by a series of cases featuring former and current senior officials receiving moral rebukes and legal punishment. Former Environment Minister Kim Eun-kyung / YonhapThe opposition is criticizing the government, which took power in May 2017 after former President Park Geun-hye was removed from office due to a string of corruption and influence-peddling scandals, for its two-faced and hypocritical standards.On Tuesday, Kim Eun-kyung, Moon's inaugural environment minister, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison by the Seoul Central District Court on charges of forcing chiefs of ministry-affiliated organizations, appointed by the Park administration, to resign so she could fill the posts with pro-Moon government figures. Right after the ruling, Kim was taken into custody for fear of destroying evidence. This was the first time a former member of the Moon administration's C

Feb 10, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
Moon administration losing fairness, morality
Foreign Affairs

New foreign minister faces diplomatic challenges ahead

New Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong burns incense during his visit to the National Cemetery in Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap 'US, China are both important to South Korea' says Chung By Kang Seung-wooNewly appointed Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, who started his term Tuesday, is tasked with coordinating with the United States on North Korea policy and mending fences with Japan. The replacement of the Moon Jae-in administration's top diplomat comes as Seoul and Washington are now at an important inflection point over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program after the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden in January. In addition, another daunting task for the new minister will be navigating the country's diplomacy amid the escalating Sino-U.S. rivalry. Despite the “good relations” between former U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, championed by President Moon Jae-in who viewed their talks as critical to establishing a durable peace on the Korean Peninsula, there was no progress toward denuclearization and in that sense, Biden is set to pull back from

Feb 9, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
New foreign minister faces diplomatic challenges ahead
Law & Crime

Ex-minister goes to jail

Former Environment Minister Kim Eun-kyung arrives at the Seoul Central District Court, Tuesday, to attend a sentencing hearing over allegations that she abused her authority while in office by forcing chiefs of ministry-affiliated organizations, appointed by the former Park Geun-hye administration, to resign. She was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison and was taken into custody at the courtroom. / Yonhap

Feb 9, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
Ex-minister goes to jail
North Korea

North Korea's human rights issue most divisive for South Korea, US

gettyimagesbank By Kang Seung-wooDuring last week's phone conversation between President Moon Jae-in and President Joe Biden, the two agreed to “comprehensively” work together on North Korea. However, it might not be too long before the new U.S. president could find himself disagreeing with South Korea's policy of championing inter-Korean engagement ahead of pressuring Pyongyang on human rights ― a concerning sign that the different stance on this issue may result in cracks in their cooperation and furthermore, bilateral relations.Former U.S. President Donald Trump neglected North Korea's human rights violations over the past four years for fear of derailing his nuclear negotiations with Kim Jong-un whose regime considers United Nations resolutions on the North's human rights a serious provocation. This neglect served as a de facto green light for the Moon administration to also put the issue on the shelf.But, given that the Biden administration is seeking to carry

Feb 8, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
North Korea's human rights issue most divisive for South Korea, US
North Korea

South Korea's view on North Korea nuclear issue may cause friction with US

Foreign Minister nominee Chung Eui-yong speaks during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul, Friday. Chung said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had the intention to give up its nuclear program. / YonhapBy Kang Seung-wooDiffering views between South Korea and the United States on North Korea's nuclear ambitions may cause discord, affecting the allies' cooperation on resolving the problem, according to diplomatic observers, Monday. Should Seoul stick to such an approach toward Pyongyang, it may find itself alienated from Washington in terms of its policies toward the totalitarian state, they say. President Moon Jae-in said in his New Year press conference, Jan. 18, that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had the intention to denuclearize his country. This stance was reiterated by his pick for foreign minister, Chung Eui-yong, who also said in Friday's confirmation hearing that Kim was still sincere about giving up his nuclear program.However, the U.S. State Department's de facto refutation of the South Korean government's stance on the Kim regime's denuclearization ef

Feb 8, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
South Korea's view on North Korea nuclear issue may cause friction with US
Defense

INTERVIEW Ex-US Forces Korea chief says combined drills must continue

By Kang Seung-wooVincent Brooks, a former commanding general of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), believes that South Korea and the United States must continue their joint military exercises this spring to maintain combined readiness, even as the government here is exploring ways to suspend the annual drills or at least keep them as low-key as possible.Vincent Brooks, former USFK commander / Korea Times fileHe also thinks that the allies have some way to go before Seoul takes over wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean troops from Washington, dashing President Moon Jae-in's hopes for the transition before his term ends in May 2022.“Exercises have continued with adjusted scope, scale, timing and communication volume. They must continue to ensure the readiness of the alliance,” Brooks said in a written interview with The Korea Times.He served as commander of the USFK, the United Nations Command (UNC) and South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) from April 2016 to November 2018. Brooks retired from active duty in January 2019. “Military readiness is esse

Feb 3, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
[INTERVIEW] Ex-US Forces Korea chief says combined drills must continue
North Korea

Nuclear plant row may increase US concerns over inter-Korean projects

President Moon Jae-in talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the border truce village of Panmunjeom during their summit on April 27, 2018. / Korea Times file'Seoul, Washington shared info on Moon's economic project proposal for North Korea'By Kang Seung-wooAllegations that the government planned to assist North Korea build a nuclear power plant are expected to raise concerns with the new U.S. administration over inter-Korean projects sought by South Korea, according to diplomatic observers, Tuesday, although they said they do not buy into the claims.President Moon Jae-in faces allegations that he offered to build the plant in North Korea as part of cross-border reconciliation projects during his April 2018 summit with the North's leader Kim Jong-un. The opposition parties are denouncing the alleged offer as an “act benefitting the enemy.”The government flatly denies the claims, with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy unveiling an internal document to reaffirm that it had merely reviewed some ideas for possible inter-Korean economic cooperation projects afte

Feb 2, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
Nuclear plant row may increase US concerns over inter-Korean projects
  • Energy ministry unveils document to calm dispute over North Korea reactor plan
  • North Korea beefs up missile units, special forces over past years: defense ministry
  • KBS seeks to open Pyongyang Bureau: report
Defense

British veteran named war hero of month

William Speakman / Korea Times fileBy Kang Seung-wooWilliam Speakman, a British veteran of the 1950-53 Korean War, has been honored as the war hero of February for his outstanding bravery against Chinese troops and commitment to save his fellow soldiers, according to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Monday.Speakman, then-a 24-year-old native of Altrincham in Greater Manchester, was dispatched to Korea as part of the 1st Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, and participated in a battle on Mount Maryang at the mouth of the Imjin River on Nov. 4, 1951.During the hard-fought combat, the private displayed bravery and courage fighting off waves of advancing Chinese troops by throwing dozens of grenades and engaging in hand-to-hand combat for more than four hours to save fellow soldiers and help British troops withdraw safely ― although he sustained a serious leg injury.Speakman was transferred back to Britain in January 1952, but volunteered to return to Korea three months later and took part in the war until August of that year. His gallantry gained recognition in

Feb 2, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
British veteran named war hero of month
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