The Korea Times

Next week's Seoul-Tokyo summit to open new chapter in relations: vice minister

First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong speaks during a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club inside the Press Center in central Seoul, Friday. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoA summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, in Tokyo next week will open a new chapter in the two countries' bilateral relationship, First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong said, Friday.Speaking to foreign media journalists in Seoul, Cho called Japan a partner country that shares universal values, saying South Korea's partnership with “the closest neighbor” in the region is more important today than ever before amid geopolitical uncertainties such as North Korea's military threats.His remarks come four days after the Yoon administration announced its solution to the wartime forced labor of Japan's colonial era issue by compensating victims through a fund raised by South Korea's public foundation, rather than seeking payment from Japan. The proposal is widely considered a major concession by Seoul, which gave up its previous stance demanding dire

Mar 10, 2023By Jung Min-ho

Next week's Seoul-Tokyo summit to open new chapter in relations: vice minister

Politics

ANALYSIS Ruling party leadership united behind Yoon for first time

Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon, center, new leader of the ruling People Power Party, walks with members of its Supreme Council toward a meeting room at the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday. NewsisBiggest culprit of president's popularity problem removed: analystsBy Jung Min-hoWith his close aide taking control of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), President Yoon Suk Yeol has secured ― for the first time ― a party leadership that shares much of his political vision, according to analysts, Thursday.Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon, a four-term lawmaker, was elected as the PPP's new chairman the previous day. This means a united and supportive leadership for the president, who has been less popular than most of his predecessors, in part because of a lack of support from his own party.“The most damaging factor in terms of a president's approval rating is criticism from their own party,” Bae Jong-chan, a political analyst who runs Insight K, a consultancy, told The Korea Times. “With the problem now removed, Yoon's popularity is expected to grow.”It may not be accurate to say that the o

Mar 9, 2023By Jung Min-ho

[ANALYSIS] Ruling party leadership united behind Yoon for first time

Defense

South Korea to launch military drone unit in July

A soldier controls a reconnaissance drone during joint drills with the U.S. military in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, in this Jan. 13 file photo. South Korea's military plans to launch a comprehensive drone operations unit in July as part of efforts to bolster counter-unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities following North Korea's drone incursions three months ago. NewsisArmy seeks operational knowhow from Turkey, other partner countriesBy Jung Min-hoSouth Korea's military plans to launch a comprehensive drone operations unit in July as part of its efforts to bolster its counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities following North Korea's drone incursions late last year. According to officials Wednesday, the military is accelerating its efforts to map out its plans, such as the size of the unit, command structure and its location.This comes as a direct order of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who in January called for a multi-mission unit capable not just of effectively fending off UAV threats from North Korea but also of conducting reconnaissance and psychological warfare roles.Gen. Lee Bo-h

Mar 8, 2023By Jung Min-ho

South Korea to launch military drone unit in July

People & Events

INTERVIEW From sculptor to surgeon

This photo shows Shim Hyeon-jeong working on her artwork when she was a student at Seoul National University College of Fine Arts in Seoul. Courtesy of Shim Hyeon-jeongFine art graduate dreams of authoring illustrated textbooks for doctorsBy Jung Min-hoSome people are born with extraordinary talent, but struggle to find a way in life to make the most of it. Shim Hyeon-jeong always had an artistic flair, which eventually led her to Seoul National University College of Fine Arts, a prestigious school where she majored in sculpture. Becoming an artist had appeared to be her natural next choice after graduation until she decided to pursue her new dream of becoming a doctor.“It was my little brother with an intellectual disability who motivated me to open my eyes to other fields of study. Taking a psychology class made me wonder whether there could be an answer to why my brother and other people like him think and act differently. That was the first time I thought that I could do something different other than fine arts,” Shim, 37, said in a recent interview with The Korea Tim

Mar 8, 2023By Jung Min-ho

Health

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK Time for Korea to drop air travel mask mandate

gettyimagesbank By Jung Min-hoA flight attendant starts telling passengers to put on their masks after serving meals on a plane late at night. A passenger sitting next to the window without wearing one continues to sleep as if he did not hear the voice, while some people reluctantly put their masks back on to cover only their mouth while their noses remain exposed. This scene, observed on a Korean Air flight from Incheon to Sydney on Feb. 26, showed that Korea's air travel mask mandate no longer achieves the results it intended: Many don't wear their masks (unless they are told to by flight attendants) and the rule is not being strictly enforced.Korea is one of only a handful of countries that still require people to wear masks on airplanes and other public transportation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But the effectiveness of that policy has increasingly been questioned, especially given the fact that more than 98 percent of the population are estimated to have COVID-

Mar 6, 2023By Jung Min-ho

[REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK] Time for Korea to drop air travel mask mandate

Foreign Affairs

Korea to announce 3rd-party solution to forced labor issue

Activists lay flowers in front of a statue symbolizing the victims of Japan's wartime forced labor, in Seoul, March 1, Independence Movement Day. The Korean government is expected to announce its solution to settle a dispute with Japan over the issue on Monday. YonhapJapan refuses to compensate victims, but agrees to join fund to improve relationsBy Jung Min-hoKorea will announce its solution to settle a dispute over wartime forced labor caused by Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule on Monday as part of a diplomatic deal to restore the two countries' relations after nearly five years of tensions.According to government sources and Japanese media reports, Sunday, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nippon Steel ― the Japanese companies ordered in 2018 by the Supreme Court here to compensate South Korean victims of slave labor ― will not pay damages. Instead, they are expected to contribute to a fund set up to improve relations between the two countries.The Future Youth Fund, which is likely to be co-created by the Federation of Korean Industries, Korea's big-business lobby group, and its counte

Mar 5, 2023By Jung Min-ho

Korea to announce 3rd-party solution to forced labor issue

Defense

Korea 'perfectly placed' to help build collective defense of democracies: scholar

Yang Eun-ho, a member of the Black Eagles, Korea's flight display team, back, observes as Mark Keritz, a pilot of the Royal Australian Air Force's Roulettes aerobatic display team, checks the cockpit of Team Korea's T-50B aircraft at Avalon Airport, near Geelong, Australia, Feb. 27. Courtesy of Republic of Korea Air Force'Washington should support Seoul's effort as war shows it can no longer arm all of its allies'By Jung Min-hoGEELONG, Australia ― The world has seen how quickly Russia's war in Ukraine has been depleting U.S. weapons stockpiles, which shows Washington can no longer arm all of its allies and partners at the required speed. To help fill the shortages and build a stronger collective defense of liberal democracies around the world, Korea should expand its role, according to a defense expert, Thursday.Peter K. Lee, a research fellow at the United States Studies Centre of the University of Sydney, speaks during an interview at Avalon Airport, near Geelong, Australia, March 2. Courtesy of Korea Aerospace Industries“Korea is perfectly placed to support the defense capab

Mar 2, 2023By Jung Min-ho

Defense

KAI to focus on Egypt project after FA-50 export deal with Malaysia

Korea Aerospace Industries CEO Kang Gu-young, fourth from left, smiles as he speaks to members of the Black Eagles, the flight display team of the Korean Air Force, at the exhibition hall of the Avalon Airshow at Avalon Airport, near Geelong, Australia, Wednesday. Courtesy of Republic Of Korea Air Force'Geopolitical climate reshapes global arms procurement market in favor of Korea'By Jung Min-hoGEELONG, Australia ― A recent deal to export 18 FA-50 domestically-developed light attack fighters to Malaysia has paved the way for Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to create other stories of success as it aims to continue to expand its global reach.The next goal of the nation's sole jet maker this year is to win the preferred bidder status for Egypt's project to locally produce jet trainers and lightweight fighters in collaboration with a foreign company, KAI CEO Kang Gu-young told reporters at its promotion booth set up for the Avalon Airshow here Wednesday.KAI will be the company's first foray into Africa's military aircraft market if it inks a contract to export more than 100 T-50 Golden

Mar 1, 2023By Jung Min-ho

KAI to focus on Egypt project after FA-50 export deal with Malaysia

Defense

Korea's Black Eagles open Australian airshow as two countries bolster security ties

Korea's Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Jung Sang-hwa, right, speaks to his Australian counterpart, Robert Chipman, left, during the opening event of the Australian International Airshow, also called the Avalon Airshow, at Avalon Airport, near Geelong, Australia, Tuesday. Courtesy of Air ForceAir Force chiefs vow to bolster relations at event that excluded China and RussiaBy Jung Min-hoGEELONG, Australia ― Korea's Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Jung Sang-hwa was standing right next to his Australian counterpart, Robert Chipman, when the Black Eagles, the aerobatic flight team of Korea, roared through the skies here Tuesday (local time) to open the Avalon Airshow.Throughout their 20-minute performance, the two had a conversation about the meaning of the team's first participation in the biennial event, which was introduced in 1988, and what their countries can and should do for “peace and freedom” in the Indo-Pacific region.Speaking to The Korea Times, Jung acknowledged Australia's support during the 1950-53 Korean War and said he was moved by the T-50B aircraft ― Korea's fir

Feb 28, 2023By Jung Min-ho

Korea's Black Eagles open Australian airshow as two countries bolster security ties

Defense

KAI to export 18 FA-50 fighter jets to Malaysia

KAI CEO Kang Gu-young, right, and Datuk Muez bin Abd Aziz, secretary general of Malaysia's defense ministry, sign the FA-50 aircraft deal in the ministry office in Malaysia, Friday. Courtesy of KAIBy Jung Min-hoKorea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the nation's sole aircraft maker, has won a 1.2 trillion won ($920 million) deal to export 18 FA-50 light attack aircraft to Malaysia, the company announced Friday.KAI signed the contract with Malaysia's defense ministry after beating rival bidders, including India's Tejas, Pakistan's JF-17, Russia's MIG-35 and Turkey's Hurizet. The achievement is the company's latest expansion into the Southeast Asian market after Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.At the request of Malaysia, KAI will modify the model by adding an aerial refueling system and expanding its weapons capacity, a KAI official told The Korea Times. The goal is to start delivering them in 2026.Malaysia is considering procuring an additional 18 FA-50 aircraft, the company noted.KAI attributed the success to the superior quality of its aircraft and the follow-up support, which ha

Feb 24, 2023By Jung Min-ho

Jung Min-ho

Read more

Next week's Seoul-Tokyo summit to open new chapter in relations: vice minister

ANALYSIS Ruling party leadership united behind Yoon for first time

South Korea to launch military drone unit in July

INTERVIEW From sculptor to surgeon

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK Time for Korea to drop air travel mask mandate

Korea to announce 3rd-party solution to forced labor issue

Korea 'perfectly placed' to help build collective defense of democracies: scholar

KAI to focus on Egypt project after FA-50 export deal with Malaysia

Korea's Black Eagles open Australian airshow as two countries bolster security ties

KAI to export 18 FA-50 fighter jets to Malaysia

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