Korea's top Catholic leader offers condolences to Colombia quake victimsKorea's top Catholic leader on Thursday expressed condolences to victims of a deadly earthquake in Colombia and said he would pray alongside the faithful of the Korean church for all those affected by the disaster. Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of Seoul said in a statement that he was extending "heartfelt condolences" to Colombians who have lost family and neighbors and were facing threats to their homes and livelihoods. Chung said he would pray alongside all the faithful in the Seoul Archdiocese for the dead and their bereaved families, the injured, and all those affected by the disaster in Colombia. The archdiocese later announced that two of its charity groups would provide a combined $100,000 in emergency relief funds through Caritas Internationalis, with additional fundraising planned until mid-September. A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia earlier this week, leaving more than 200 people dead.3h agoBy Yonhap
Korea, India vow closer ties in customs affairsThe Korean customs agency said Wednesday it has agreed with its Indian counterpart to bolster cooperation in customs affairs and facilitate smoother trade between the two countries. The Korea Customs Service (KCS) said it met with officials from India's Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs in New Delhi on Tuesday (Indian time), asking the Indian government to support smooth customs clearance for Korean businesses. During the meeting, the KCS shared cases of Korean firms based in India facing difficulties with customs-related issues, with the two sides also holding discussions on bilateral cooperation, including training programs. "With India being a major partner in the Asia-Pacific region, the two countries intend to bolster cooperation down the road to address hurdles facing Korean firms seeking to export to India," Han Min, director general for international affairs at the KCS, said in a release.1d agoBy Yonhap
Seoul seeks exemption from UK sanctions on Russian LNG: officialKorea's trade minister on Thursday asked his British counterpart to exempt Korea's imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Britain's upcoming sanctions, citing concerns over Seoul's energy security. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo made the request during a video meeting with Britain's newly appointed Minister for Trade Anas Sarwar to discuss bilateral trade issues, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a press release. "Britain's plan to ban the provision of maritime transport, insurance and related services for Russian LNG starting in January 2027 could undermine Korea's energy security and the stability of its LNG supply," Yeo said. Without an exemption, the measure could disrupt imports of Russian LNG by the state-run Korea Gas Corp. (KOGAS), which has a long-term contract to purchase LNG from the Sakhalin-II oil and gas project off Russia's Pacific coast through March 2028, the ministry said. The ministry also warned that shipments could be disrupted if British insurers suspend reinsurance and other services related to the contract. The European Union, which adopteAug 6, 2026By Yonhap
White House notes its proposal to build 2 combat, 2 noncombat vessels in foreign shipyards in memoWASHINGTON — The White House has highlighted a "priority" legislative proposal that would authorize the U.S. Navy to contract to build two combat ships and two non-combat auxiliary vessels in foreign shipyards, according to a recent document sent to Congress. Its Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pointed out the proposal in a policy statement that it sent to the House of Representatives on July 21 to explain its position on the House version of an annual defense policy bill for fiscal year 2027, called the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In the statement, the OMB made clear its opposition to a section of the House bill that would prohibit the use of defense funds for procuring "battle force" ships to be built in a foreign shipyard. "The prohibition ... is inconsistent with the administration's priority legislative proposal, which would authorize the Navy to contract to construct two surface combatant vessels and two non-combat auxiliary vessels in foreign shipyards for the purpose of driving significant and direct foreign investment into our domestic shipyards," it saidAug 5, 2026By Yonhap
Lee departs for Argentina after summit with Kast in ChileSANTIAGO — President Lee Jae Myung departed for Argentina on Thursday after wrapping up his visit to Chile, where he held a summit with Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast to discuss cooperation in trade and critical minerals. During their summit earlier Thursday, Lee and Kast agreed to reactivate a joint committee to discuss ways to enhance bilateral trade, including by modernizing their free trade agreement. They also agreed to pursue "mutually beneficial and future-oriented" cooperation in critical mineral supply chains, the defense industry, infrastructure and public security. Lee is now en route to Buenos Aires, the final stop in his ongoing three-nation South America tour, which also included a state visit to Brazil. In Buenos Aires, Lee is scheduled to hold a summit with Argentine President Javier Milei and meet with members of the Korean community on Friday.Jul 31, 2026By Yonhap
Korea holds ceremony marking return of lion statues to ChinaA ceremony marking the return of a pair of Qing Dynasty stone lion statues from a Seoul museum to the Chinese government took place Thursday, officials said. The event took place some six months after the two countries signed a document during a summit meeting in January, pledging the return of the statues purchased by the Kansong Art and Culture Foundation in the 1930s. At the ceremony held at Kansong Art Museum, the museum and the National Museum of Korea (NMK) signed a document on transferring the ownership of the statues and the statues themselves to Chinese cultural authorities. Attending Thursday's event were NMK Director You Hong-june, Kansong Art Museum Director Chun In-keon, Rao Quan, chief of China's National Cultural Heritage Administration, and Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing. The statues, each standing 1.9 meters tall and weighing 1.25 tons, were purchased at an auction market in Japan and had been a symbolic fixture welcoming visitors at the museum in Seoul. Korean art collector "Kansong" Jeon Hyeong-pil, who died in 1962, is believed to have said the statues shouJul 23, 2026By Yonhap
Korea discusses economic security, energy cooperation with Canada, Australia, New ZealandMANILA — Korea held separate foreign ministers' talks with Canada, Australia and New Zealand in Manila on Wednesday, discussing ways to expand cooperation in economic security, energy, defense and other strategic sectors amid geopolitical uncertainties, Seoul's foreign ministry said. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters on the sidelines of a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-related ministerial meetings in the Philippine capital, according to the ministry. Cho and Anand discussed ways to advance the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership and to expand practical cooperation in a range of fields, including defense, the arms industry, energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence (AI). The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation on energy security and critical mineral supply chains, including imports of Canadian crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), while also exploring ways to expand collaboration in AI research and inJul 22, 2026By Yonhap
Gov't advises short-term visitors to leave Middle East amid rising tensionsThe foreign ministry has advised short-term visitors to leave the Middle East promptly amid rising tensions stemming from the renewed conflict between the United States and Iran. The ministry issued the warning after holding a meeting with representatives from 17 diplomatic missions, including embassies in Iran and Israel, on Sunday to review safety measures for Korean nationals and vessels in the region. Tensions were escalating in the Middle East as armed clashes between the U.S. and Iran had continued for more than a week after last month's preliminary peace deal meant to permanently end their monthslong war has crumbled and the Strait of Hormuz has largely been blocked. "Given that most Middle Eastern countries have been under a Level 3 Travel Advisory, which recommends that travelers leave unless necessary, since March, short-term visitors are advised to depart promptly unless they have compelling reasons to remain," Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina said during a meeting. Kim also called for heightened vigilance to ensure the safety of Korean vessels operating in the Red Sea amJul 20, 2026By Yonhap
Lee sends condolence message over death of former Qatari rulerPresident Lee Jae Myung sent a message of condolence over the death of former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and decided to dispatch his chief of staff as a special envoy, his office said Tuesday. Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik will depart for Qatar later in the day to attend the funeral of the former emir and extend Lee's condolences, according to Cheong Wa Dae. Kang is scheduled to return home Thursday. Kang's visit was arranged at the request of the Qatari side. His upcoming trip draws attention over whether he will hold high-level talks on bilateral ties, including energy cooperation, as Kang has previously visited the Middle East several times as Lee's special envoy for strategic economic cooperation. Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013 before handing power to his son, the current emir. He died Saturday (local time) at the age of 74.Jul 14, 2026By Yonhap
Korea, Int'l Red Cross discuss ways to expand cooperation on humanitarian aidSecond Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina has met with the chief of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and discussed cooperation on humanitarian assistance and disaster response, the foreign ministry said Wednesday. During the talks held in Seoul on Tuesday, Kim and IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain exchanged views on Seoul's humanitarian assistance policy and measures to strengthen cooperation with the organization, according to the ministry. Kim highlighted the IFRC's role in responding to natural disasters and helping enhance the international community's capacity in the health sector amid a growing number of humanitarian crises worldwide. The vice minister also outlined Korea's efforts to play a greater role in humanitarian aid and called for continued cooperation with the organization, based on the IFRC's expertise and global network. Chapagain expressed appreciation for Seoul's support, saying it has made a tangible contribution to the agency's operations. He also requested Seoul's attention to areas facing growing humanitarian needs, incluJul 1, 2026By Yonhap
