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Kwon Mee-yoo

Korea Times Politics & City Reporter

Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.

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Foreign Affairs

Chinese envoy calls for trust-based ties with Korea

Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming, right, shakes hands with Korea's National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo during a reception hosted by the embassy to commemorate the 30th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations at a hotel in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Embassy of China in KoreaDignitaries celebrate 30th anniversary of Korea-China relationsBy Kwon Mee-yooSince Korea and China established diplomatic relations in 1992, their bilateral relations have been put to the test occasionally as the two sides were not on the same page, particularly in the area of security. Despite ups and downs, their relations have continued for three decades. Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming highlighted the long-standing friendship between China and Korea as the two countries will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations on Wednesday."In the past 30 years, China-Korea relations have developed in full-scale against all odds and set an example of cooperation between two countries with different systems and ideologies," Xing said during a reception at The Shi

Aug 22, 2022By Kwon Mee-yoo
Chinese envoy calls for trust-based ties with Korea
Foreign Affairs

INTERVIEW Iranian ambassador urges Korea to release frozen funds

Iranian Ambassador to Korea Saeed Badamchi Shabestari speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the Iranian Embassy in Yongsan District, Seoul, Aug. 17. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukShabestari says Korean companies miss opportunities in Iranian marketBy Kwon Mee-yooKorea's relations with Iran have been stuck for many years over Iran's frozen assets in Korea.Iran Ambassador to Korea Saeed Badamchi Shabestari has stepped up diplomatic efforts to bring bilateral ties back to the days when the two nations considered each other good economic partners. He thinks the timing is perfect for a fresh new start as South Korea has a new president, Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office on May 10. "I had chances to visit Korea a few times before my term as Iranian ambassador here. For me, Korea was a friendly and beautiful country with kind people," Shabestari said during an interview with The Korea Times at the Iran Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday.Shabestari, an expert on East Asia who has spent over 26 years of his diplomatic career in East Asia or related departments, said Korea-Iran relatio

Aug 22, 2022By Kwon Mee-yoo
[INTERVIEW] Iranian ambassador urges Korea to release frozen funds
  • Korea rejects Iran's calls to release frozen funds
Politics

Protests within 300 meters of former President Moon's home banned

This photo from Facebook shows a protester being arrested by police on charges of threatening an aide to former President Moon Jae-in in front of Moon's home in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, Aug. 16. YonhapBy Kwon Mee-yooProtests within 300 meters of the fence of former President Moon Jae-in's residence in the southeastern city of Yangsan will be banned from Monday, according to the presidential office on Sunday. The Presidential Security Service (PSS), which operates within the grounds of Moon's residence, announced that the guard zone for the former president has been expanded to protect the former president, as well as residents of the village, from threats and noise from the protestors. The move came after a protester was arrested for threatening Moon's aide with a box cutter last week during a one-person protest in front of Moon's house. Since Moon moved to the area in May, after finishing his presidential term, loud rallies have been held around the premises, which is in the small rural town of Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province. "Dangerous items suc

Aug 21, 2022By Kwon Mee-yoo
Protests within 300 meters of former President Moon's home banned
Foreign Affairs

INTERVIEW Korean-born lawmaker highlights New Zealand Parliament's strong diversity

Melissa Lee, the first and only Korean-born member of the New Zealand Parliament, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukOverseas Korean lawmakers share experiences at Global Korean Politicians Forum, SeoulBy Kwon Mee-yooMelissa Lee, the first and only Korean-born member of the New Zealand Parliament, is a go-to person for Korean nationals living in New Zealand as well as Korean-Kiwis. She even has a Kakao Talk open chat room to communicate with citizens. "There are many cases that people actually bring to me as a member of the Parliament. As a member of the Parliament, you can make certain things right for people who are in difficult situations," Lee said during an interview with The Korea Times at a hotel in Seoul, Thursday. She is visiting Seoul to attend the eighth Global Korean Politicians Forum.First elected in 2008 and now a fifth-term lawmaker, Lee has been fighting racism and promoting the rights of New Zealand's diverse ethnic communities, including Korean-New Zealanders,

Aug 20, 2022By Kwon Mee-yoo
[INTERVIEW] Korean-born lawmaker highlights New Zealand Parliament's strong diversity
Foreign Affairs

Ban Ki-moon visits Ukraine, highlights int'l solidarity

This photo released by the Ukrainian presidential press service shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, with former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, left, and former President of Colombia and 2016 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Juan Manuel Santos in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday. Ban and Santos arrived in Ukraine, representing an independent group of global leaders, The Elders, to meet with top officials and express their support for Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. EPA-Yonhap

Aug 17, 2022By Kwon Mee-yoo
Ban Ki-moon visits Ukraine, highlights int'l solidarity
North Korea

Yoon's 'audacious initiative' for NK lacks details: experts

Kaesong Industrial Complex Support Center in Kaesong, North Korea is seen from a guard post in Panmunjom in Paju, Gyeonggi Province in this July file photo. President Yoon Suk-yeol announced his Audacious Initiative for North Korea's denuclearization which mainly consists of economic incentives. Joint Press CorpsBy Kwon Mee-yooPresident Yoon Suk-yeol unveiled what he called the “audacious initiative,” which consists of economic assistance for North Korea in exchange for its denuclearization, in his Liberation Day speech on Monday, but its feasibility has been questioned as it carries no guarantee of security and lacks details.During his speech, Yoon said the initiative will "significantly improve North Korea's economy and its people's livelihoods in stages" if North Korea gives up its nuclear program and accepts his proposal."We will implement a large-scale food program, provide assistance for power generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure and carry out projects to modernize ports and airports for international trade. We will also help enhance North Korea'

Aug 15, 2022By Kwon Mee-yoo
Yoon's 'audacious initiative' for NK lacks details: experts
  • FULL TEXT Address by President Yoon Suk-yeol on Korea's 77th Liberation Day
  • 'Japan is our partner': Yoon vows to improve Seoul-Tokyo ties
  • US supports South Korean initiative to engage North Korea: State Dept.
Foreign Affairs

Life of early 'Koryoin' featured in exhibition

Visitors take a look at photos showing portraits of early 'Koryoin,' or ethnic Koreans deported from the Russian Far East to Kazakhstan in the 1930s, at the “Land of Hope” exhibition at KF Gallery in Seoul. Courtesy of Korea FoundationBy Kwon Mee-yooIn 1937, ethnic Koreans living in the Russian Far East were suddenly deported to Central Asia against their will. After decades of hardships in the new land, those Koreans, now known as “Koryoin” in Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries, successfully adjusted to their conditions and now act as a cultural bridge between Korea and Kazakhstan. The Korea Foundation presents “Land of Hope,” an exhibition shedding light on the lives of displaced Koreans in Kazakhstan at its KF Gallery in central Seoul. The exhibit begins with a worn-out suitcase, which was actually used by Koryoin when they were forcefully relocated to Central Asia and continues with a series of photos showing how they cultivated the land. The Korean title of the exhibition describes crops growing, taken from the lyrics of “Sow t

Aug 15, 2022By Kwon Mee-yoo
Life of early 'Koryoin' featured in exhibition
Foreign Affairs

'Missing Here' song bridges Israel, Korea

By Kwon Mee-yoo“Geomungo” (traditional Korean plucked zither) player Heo Yoon-jeong plucks the Korean instrument in the Judean desert in Israel, accompanied by Israeli musician Daniel Zamir's saxophone.“Pansori” (traditional Korean narrative music) singer Kim Yul-hee sings in Hebrew with Israeli singer Ester Rada, creating a unique harmony in a special music video created to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Israel.The Embassy of Israel in Korea released the music video of "Missing Here," a special joint project of Korean and Israeli musicians, on social media last week.Israeli ambassador to Korea Akiva Tor said the embassy wanted to do something "unusual" on the occasion of the 60th anniversary."It is actually very unusual, embassies don't generally do things like this. We wanted to carry out a project that enables a deep cooperation between Israeli and Korean culture through an authentic artistic creation that would be unique and communicative," Tor told The Korea Times in an email interview.From left, Israeli singer Ester

Aug 15, 2022By Kwon Mee-yoo
'Missing Here' song bridges Israel, Korea
Society

Post-flood clean-up

Merchants and soldiers sort through items damaged due to the record heavy rainfall this week in the Seoul metro region at Namseong Sagye Market in Dongjak District, southern Seoul, Wednesday. The downpours pounded the capital city and the country's central region, submerging and stranding vehicles on roads, flooding homes in low-lying areas and causing hundreds of people to evacuate to local schools and gyms. Korea Times photo by Bae Woo-han

Aug 10, 2022By Kwon Mee-yoo
Post-flood clean-up
Foreign Affairs

Former Romanian Ambassador to Korea considers Korea second home

National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, right, poses with former Romanian Ambassador to Korea Izidor Urian, center, during Kim's visit to Bucharest, Monday. Left is Rim Kap-soo, Korea's ambassador to Romania. Courtesy of the National Assembly Speaker's officeBy Kwon Mee-yooNational Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo met former Romanian Ambassador to South Korea Izidor Urian during his visit to the southeastern European country, Monday (local time). Urian, 88, is an expert on the Korean Peninsula and has served at the Romanian embassies in both Koreas.Urian, who first went to Pyongyang in 1948, studied at Kim Il Sung University and earned a degree in the Korean language there. He worked for the Romanian Embassy in North Korea in the 1960s and 70s. He picked interpreting between former Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu and former North Korean leader Kim Il-sung when Ceausescu visited Pyongyang in 1978 as one of the most memorable events of his time in North Korea. He also contributed to the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Romania and served as the first Romani

Aug 10, 2022By Kwon Mee-yoo
Former Romanian Ambassador to Korea considers Korea second home
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