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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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North Korea

North Korean leader seeks to build party-centered regime

By Kang Seung-wooThe election of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as general secretary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea means that he will lead with a party-centered state system that Pyongyang believes will be helpful in cementing his authority, according to experts, Monday. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been elected as general secretary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. / YonhapThey also said the exclusion of Kim Yo-jong, the dictator's younger sister and the de facto No. 2 in the regime, from the list of alternate members of the party's political bureau is a matter of no great importance, adding she can come to the forefront at any time. According to the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Monday, the sixth-day session of the party's eighth congress, held on Sunday, unanimously adopted a decision on electing Kim as the party's general secretary, the same title used by his father Kim Jong-il and his grandfather, national founder Kim Il-sung. In the previous party congress in 2016, Kim, who took power in 2011, was endorsed as party chairman from the party's fir

Jan 11, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
North Korean leader seeks to build party-centered regime
  • Moon underlines last-minute diplomacy with North Korea in New Year speech
  • Xi congratulates Kim Jong-un on election as 'general secretary,' calls for stronger ties
North Korea

No breakthrough ahead for nuclear talks

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the ruling party congress in Pyongyang, Saturday. / AP-YonhapDeadlock in inter-Korean ties expected to continueBy Kang Seung-wooNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un's long-awaited Workers' Party Congress message clarifying his “steadfast will” to develop his regime's nuclear program is throwing cold water on any gleam of hope for progress in the U.S.-North denuclearization talks ― even after the leadership change in Washington ― and possible developments in inter-Korean relations, according to Pyongyang watchers, Sunday.Negotiations on North Korea's denuclearization have been stalled since the collapse of the Hanoi summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim in February 2019, and as a result, inter-Korean relations have also seen little progress as well. On Saturday, Kim delivered his message, through the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), regarding his country's respective bilateral ties with the United States and the South. In particular, his comments on the U.S. carried extra weight as they were the first from Kim to

Jan 10, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
No breakthrough ahead for nuclear talks
  • 'Pyongyang developing nuclear-powered submarine poses threat to US territories'
  • North Korea crowns leader Kim Jong-un as party's general secretary
North Korea

South Korea in dilemma over joint military drill

By Kang Seung-wooWith the need to achieve both an advancement in inter-Korean ties and recovery of wartime operational control (OPCON) of its military forces, the government here is in a quandary over how to program its springtime combined exercise with the United States.As part of efforts toward inter-Korean reconciliation, South Korea is advised to consider suspending or scaling down the annual joint exercise that North Korea denounces as a rehearsal for an invasion, but considering its plan to regain OPCON from the U.S., Seoul is also required to carry out a set of large-scale drills to verify its preparedness. On the one hand, the OPCON transfer, seen as the nation's restoration of military sovereignty, is one of the Moon Jae-in administration's major projects and it wants to take it over before the end of its term in May 2022. But on the other hand, the President also prioritizes engaging Pyongyang in his “peace efforts.” According to the Ministry of National Defense, the allies are in talks over how to

Jan 9, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
South Korea in dilemma over joint military drill
  • Kim calls US 'biggest enemy,' vows to continue nuclear development
  • Pyongyang revises party rules to highlight importance of powerful defense capabilities
Foreign Affairs

Tanker seizure case may be prolonged

Koh Kyung-sok, center, director-general of Africa and Middle Eastern Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport before departing for Iran, Thursday. / YonhapBy Kang Seung-wooDespite the government's efforts to get an early release of a Korean-flagged oil tanker and its crewmembers seized by Iran, including sending senior officials for negotiations, it remains to be seen if the move will pay dividends as Tehran is negative about the diplomatic visit, insisting the seizure was a technical matter related to marine pollution.In addition, the case is believed to be related to a feud stemming from U.S. sanctions on Iran, leaving little room for Seoul to maneuver on its own and raising speculation that the release may have to await until the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, who is open to talks with the Middle Eastern nation. On Monday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps seized the MT Hankuk Chemi, with a crew of 20, including five Koreans, which was carrying 7,200 tons of ethanol, in the Strait of Hormuz for causing &ld

Jan 7, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
Tanker seizure case may be prolonged
Defense

KF-16 pilot honored as Air Force's Top Gun

Air Force Maj. Han Jae-seok / Courtesy of ROK Air ForceBy Kang Seung-wooMaj. Han Jae-seok, a KF-16 fighter pilot has been named the Air Force's “Top Gun” for 2020 after exhibiting a stellar performance in an annual live-firing contest. According to the Air Force, Wednesday, Han who serves in the 123rd Fighter Squadron of the 20th Fighter Wing earned a score of 965 out of a possible 1,000 from the three sections of the Boramae Aerial Shooting Contest to take the title.The three are an air-to-air strike, an air alert-interdiction and an air-to-ground strike. The 32-year-old received a perfect score in the first two missions. “Top Gun” is one of the most coveted titles in the country's Air Force and a mark of excellence.Since 2013 when Han finished his flight training, the pilot has continued his military career with the current squadron. He has flown more than 1,040 hours, including 820 hours in the KF-16. While assuming duty as safety commander working to prevent accidents in his squadron, Han is also committed to nurturing junior pilots. “I give my colle

Jan 7, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
KF-16 pilot honored as Air Force's Top Gun
Foreign Affairs

Gov't seeks reason behind Iran's tanker seizure

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, center, arrives at the ministry in Seoul, Tuesday, one day after a Korea-flagged tanker was seized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in the Gulf waters. / YonhapBy Kang Seung-wooThe government is searching for clues as to why Iran seized a Korean oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, Monday, and is seeking ways to promptly bring back the 20 crewmembers, including five Koreans, who have been arrested. The incident is regarded as unusual given that ahead of the seizure Tehran and Seoul had been talking about a visit by the Korean deputy foreign minister to the country to discuss pending bilateral issues, including Iranian assets frozen here due to U.S. sanctions. Thus it is raising questions as to whether Iran has ulterior motives for the action.According to the foreign ministry, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps seized the MT Hankuk Chemi that was carrying 7,200 tons of ethanol in Gulf waters for causing “environmental pollution.” DM Shipping, the operator of the ship, denied the allegation. Despite the seizure, the foreign mi

Jan 5, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
Gov't seeks reason behind Iran's tanker seizure
  • US urges 'immediate release' of Korean tanker from Iran
  • Iran's oil tanker seizure appears aimed at pressuring Korea to unlock frozen assets: experts
  • Iran tensions alarm IBK, Woori Bank
Foreign Affairs

'Biden should build on Trump's North Korea policy'

Experts advise Moon to adopt 'strategic patience' toward PyongyangBy Kang Seung-wooWith former Vice President Joe Biden scheduled to be sworn in as the 46th U.S. president this month, his administration is highly expected to go down the road of “Anything but Trump” in his domestic and foreign policies. However, diplomatic experts advised the upcoming president to honor at least some of what President Donald Trump has done with North Korea over the last four years, and not to move away from his policy toward Pyongyang. “Many believe that Biden should try to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue based on what has been accomplished by Trump,” said Kim Joon-hyung, the chancellor of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA).The chancellor said Trump raised the priority of the North Korean nuclear issue that had been regarded as “critical but not urgent” in the U.S.' foreign policy and lowered the bar for a summit with the North, making it no longer a historic event. He also praised Trump for adopting an ideal approach in dealing with the reclusive

Jan 4, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
'Biden should build on Trump's North Korea policy'
  • South Korea needs to take actions to keep North Korea issue high on US agenda
Foreign Affairs

South Korea needs to take actions to keep North Korea issue high on US agenda

Korea National Diplomatic Academy Chancellor Kim Joon-hyung speaks during an interview with The Korea Times in his office in Seoul, Dec. 15. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukThe Korea Times conducted interviews with six Korean and foreign experts on how the North Korean nuclear issue and inter-Korean relations will develop on the occasion of the inauguration of the Joe Biden administration. They were Korea National Diplomatic Academy Chancellor Kim Joon-hyung, former Deputy Foreign Minister Shin Kak-soo, Wilson Center's Asia Program fellow Cheong Seong-chang, former six-party talks U.S. special envoy Joseph DeTrani, former U.S. nuclear negotiator Robert Gallucci and Center for the National Interest Senior Director of Korean Studies Harry Kazianis. ― ED.Q: What do you think of the idea of President-elect Biden picking up some of President Donald Trump's approaches toward North Korea? Do you agree with the face-to-face diplomacy that Trump used with Pyongyang?DeTrani: I would recommend that the Biden administration embrace and build on the June 18 Declaration between President Donald

Jan 4, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
South Korea needs to take actions to keep North Korea issue high on US agenda
  • 'Biden should build on Trump's North Korea policy'
North Korea

North Korea may offer olive branch to US

By Kang Seung-wooNorth Korea wants to forge a good relationship with the United States, according to a Wall Street Journal report, Thursday (local time), raising speculation that Pyongyang may return to nuclear talks with Washington.North Korean leader Kim Jong-un / YonhapThe media outlet said the reclusive state first reached out to a European Parliament Committee days ahead of the U.S. presidential election, Nov. 3, and Lukas Mandl, head of the European Parliament delegation, had a one-hour virtual meeting with the North Korean ambassador to Berlin in December. The report also said that the diplomat repeatedly stressed the North wanted to have good relations with the U.S. should the U.S. abandon its hostile policy against his country, but the North's stance was not negative, given that the North did not represent a darkening in its position on the incoming Joe Biden administration. Kim Jong-un has remained quiet on Biden's election. The denuclearization negotiations between them have been deadlocked since February 2019 when a summit between President Donald Trump and Kim ended wit

Jan 2, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
North Korea may offer olive branch to US
North Korea

North Korea ushers in New Year with public performance, fireworks

North Korean people watch fireworks during the country's New Year's celebration at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, Friday. / AP-YonhapBy Kang Seung-wooNorth Korea, plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic, damage from typhoons and floods, as well as international sanctions throughout last year, began the New Year with a large-scale, crowded congratulatory event, Friday, despite its tough coronavirus restrictions. Pyongyang watchers believe the authoritarian country intended to show its regime was still holding up against the “triple whammy” and could control COVID-19 unlike other countries succumbing to the pandemic.The 50-minute show, broadcast live on state television, featured singing, dancing and fireworks, with crowds gathering at Kim Il Sung Square in the capital city. In addition, it also held a flag-hoisting ceremony at midnight when a bell rang to signal the start of the New Year. Although the North has celebrated the start of each year with such events since 2013, two years after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un took power, the latest edition carried extra weight as the

Jan 1, 2021By Kang Seung-woo
North Korea ushers in New Year with public performance, fireworks
  • PHOTOS Pyongyang celebrates New Year amid pandemic
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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.