Foreign ministry reviews ways to protect Koreans in Middle East over Israel's strike on IranThe foreign ministry said Friday it reviewed ways to protect Korean nationals in the Middle East and will take necessary steps to secure their safety amid growing tensions following a preemptive strike by Israel on Iran. The message came at a meeting, presided over by Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina, about the security situation in the Middle East, also attended via online links by some chiefs of the country's overseas missions in the Middle East, including Seoul's top envoys to Israel, Iran and Iraq, according to the ministry. Kim said the ministry will closely monitor the possibility of a sudden change in the security situation in the Middle East. "The ministry will do its best to maintain constant communication channels between the headquarters and overseas diplomatic missions so as to secure the safety of Korean nationals overseas," Kim said. The foreign ministry said there has been no injury to Korean nationals related to Israel's attack on Iran. About 100 Koreans are currently in Iran.Jun 13, 2025By Yonhap
Seasoned trade chief to navigate US tariff challengesAs the July 8 deadline for the “July package” tariff deal with the United States approaches, Korea’s new administration is gearing up for high-stakes negotiations by appointing a veteran trade expert to lead the charge. On Tuesday, President Lee Jae-myung named Yeo Han-koo as the new trade minister— a role he previously held from 2021 to 2022 under the Moon Jae-in administration. The appointment is widely viewed as a strong signal of Lee’s commitment to tackling the complex trade challenges ahead. Yeo brings extensive experience in both bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations, having served as chief negotiator for free trade agreements (FTAs) with the United Kingdom and Central America. He also played a key role in the renegotiation of the Korea-U.S. FTA and in steel tariff negotiations during the first Trump administration. In that context, experts have voiced strong confidence in Yeo’s appointment. “From our perspective, the government has made an excellent choice by selecting the most capable and suitable person for this critical role,” said Jang Sang-sik, head oJun 12, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
Koreans voice caution as unrest grows in LALOS ANGELES — Emma Kim, who owns a bubble tea shop near Koreatown in Los Angeles, has been getting dozens of messages and calls from friends and family in and outside of California in the past two days. With tensions escalating and news of immigration protests in Los Angeles headlining national and global news, many are expressing concerns that the current unrest could lead to something similar to the LA riots in 1992. “Koreans here have trauma from that moment in history,” said Kim, 54, “but fortunately, what we’re seeing now isn’t anywhere close to that, at least not at this point.” U.S. President Donald Trump mobilized an additional 2,000 National Guard troops Monday to respond to protests in LA on top of the 2,000 Guard members and 700 active-duty Marines that were already deployed soon after demonstrations against immigration raids began Friday. Federal agents launched a major crackdown in the city’s garment district for undocumented workers, which prompted people to take to the streets in downtown LA in opposition to the separation and detention of immigrant familieJun 11, 2025By Jane Han
Korea views White House comments about Chinese interference unrelated to election: officialKorea considers the White House's recent comments about China's interference in democracies, made after the presidential election, as a separate issue unrelated to the election itself, a Seoul official said Thursday. Following Korea's presidential election Tuesday, a White House official said that while "Korea had a free and fair election, the United States remains concerned and opposed to Chinese interference and influence in democracies around the world." The comments came in response to a query by Yonhap News Agency asking for comments after Tuesday's election. "The emphasis was on the fact that a free and fair election was held in Korea," a foreign ministry official in Seoul told reporters. "We consider the mention of China in the comments as a separate issue unrelated to the Korean presidential election." The White House's comments left Seoul puzzled, as it is considered unusual to reference a third country in a message concerning bilateral relations. Some observers in Seoul have interpreted the remarks as the U.S. expressing doubt about the new government of President Lee Jae-myungJun 5, 2025By Yonhap
S. Korea pitches submarines, howitzers, trainer jets at Canadian defense exhibitionA senior arms agency official visited a Canadian defense exhibition last week for talks on possible exports of Korean submarines, trainer jets and self-propelled howitzers, the state arms procurement agency said Monday. During his three-day visit to Ottawa from Tuesday, Kang Hwan-seug, vice minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), met Judith Bennett, Canada's associate assistant deputy defense minister of materiel, on the sidelines of the CANSEC defense exhibition to brief her on the advantages of Korea's submarines. Canada is seeking to acquire new conventionally powered submarines to replace its aging vessels, with Korean shipbuilders competing for the project reportedly worth around $20 billion. Kang also met other officials at the event and pitched the K-9 self-propelled howitzer for the Canadian Army's modernization plan and the T-50 trainer jet for the Royal Canadian Air Force's pilot training program, according to DAPA.Jun 2, 2025By Yonhap
Seoul delegation to attend Alaska energy conference to explore LNG projectThe Korean government will participate in an energy conference in the U.S. state of Alaska next week to observe the progress of a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) project there, the industry ministry said Thursday. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, a Korean delegation led by Deputy Minister Lee Ho-hyun will attend the fourth Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference, scheduled for a two-day run starting Monday in Anchorage. Lee is expected to participate in a roundtable hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy, where he will represent Korea and check on the status of Alaska's LNG project firsthand. "We plan to use this conference as an opportunity to review the progress of the Alaska project," Lee said. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy earlier invited government officials from Korea, Japan and Taiwan to attend the international gathering, which will showcase the state's efforts to foster sustainable energy industries, including wind, solar and hydropower, in addition to its large-scale LNG development. The conference will serve as a platform for Alaska to promote its energy strMay 29, 2025By Yonhap
Ex-Japanese diplomat says 'Korea-Japan coordination crucial amid Trump policy moves'Korea and Japan should step up dialogue and coordination on shared security and economic challenges, such as U.S. tariff measures, as such efforts would benefit both countries amid uncertain policy directions in Washington, a former senior Japanese diplomat said Wednesday. Kenichiro Sasae, who served as vice foreign minister from 2008-2010, made the remarks, stressing that both Tokyo and Seoul face a host of similar issues that may call for joint responses when dealing with the second Donald Trump administration. "I do think that it's beneficial for both sides to exchange views and coordinate on how to respond to Trump's deals," Sasae said during a media roundtable on the southern island of Jeju, where he was visiting to attend the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity. "It's in our mutual interest to discuss what issues we're concerned about, and how we might be able to address them ... in terms of security and the economy," he said. Given shared concerns over Trump's tariff hikes and security issues, such as burden-sharing with the United States for the stationing of American troops, SasMay 28, 2025By Yonhap
Korean, Japanese biz leaders agree to boost cooperation in AI, chips, CPTPP entryBusiness leaders of South Korea and Japan on Wednesday agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and other key sectors while supporting Seoul's efforts to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The agreement was part of a joint statement adopted during the 57th South Korea-Japan Business Conference held in Seoul, which brought together some 300 business and economic representatives from the two countries for an annual two-day meeting since Tuesday. "On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties (between Seoul and Tokyo), we reaffirm the trust and friendship built over the years and hope to collaborate for the bright future of South Korea, Japan and the world," the statement read. Specific areas of cooperation include carbon neutrality, hydrogen energy, AI and semiconductor industries, as well as bio and health care sectors. They also agreed to collaborate on addressing social challenges, such as low birthrates and aging populations. On South Korea's bid to joinMay 28, 2025By Yonhap
Korea, US begin 6-week war remains search in MungyeongKorea and the United States on Wednesday began a six-week project to search for the remains and belongings of soldiers killed during the 1950-53 Korean War, Seoul's defense ministry said. The project between the ministry's Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification and the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) kicked off in Mungyeong, about 140 kilometers east of Seoul, where a U.S. F-51D fighter jet crashed during the war. Officials will focus this year's project on recovering components of the fighter jet to help with identification efforts for the aircraft's pilot. They conducted a similar search in the area last year but failed to recover parts with the jet's unique serial number. The two sides have regularly teamed up for joint excavation projects for missing American soldiers of the Korean War. More than 1.7 million U.S. troops served during the conflict, with more than 36,000 killed. Nearly 7,500 Americans still remain unaccounted for from the three-year war, according to the DPAA.May 21, 2025By Yonhap
Korea to send delegation for Pope Leo XIV's coronationKorea will send a delegation to Vatican City to attend Pope Leo XIV's coronation, set for Sunday (local time), the foreign ministry said. The delegation will be led by Culture Minister Yoo In-chon, ill be accompanied by Oh Hyun-joo, South Korean ambassador to the Holy See, the ministry said. Yoo also visited the Vatican last month with a condolence delegation to attend the funeral of late Pope Francis.May 15, 2025By Yonhap
