China's top envoy optimistic that bilateral public sentiment will improveChinese Ambassador Dai Bing expressed confidence Tuesday that recent strains in public sentiment between Korea and China, particularly among the younger generations, will ease over time, stressing that friendship and cooperation will define the future of bilateral relations. Dai made the remarks during an embassy event promoting youth exchanges, as he addressed the recent rise in anti-China sentiment in Korea, fueled by some far-right conservatives, amid the political turmoil following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law imposition in December. "Some say that friendly sentiment between the peoples of the two countries, especially among the youth, is not very strong. I understand that the causes are complex and that it will take time to resolve, but I remain optimistic and confident about this," Dai said through an interpreter in his opening remarks. He also pointed to an increase in tourist visits between the two countries among the younger generations since Beijing introduced a temporary visa waiver program for short-term Korean travelers in November. "I encourage everyJul 22, 2025By Yonhap
To open or not: US beef, agriculture imports remain flashpoint in trade talksAs Korea and the United States accelerate tariff negotiations before their planned implementation on Aug. 1, the U.S. demand that Korea expand imports of American agricultural products has once again emerged as a critical negotiation flashpoint. Even in Korea, opinions are split over the reduction of import restrictions in the agricultural sector, which the U.S. regards as nontariff barriers. The issue surfaced here after Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, Korea's top trade negotiator, indicated the government is weighing options to accept the U.S. demand for Korea to increase beef and agricultural imports, following his Washington trip earlier this month. Washington has been pressing Seoul to allow the import of beef from cattle aged 30 months or older, increase purchases of rice and ease quarantine restrictions on apples and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), especially potatoes. The age restriction on U.S. beef was put in place in 2008 amid fears over mad cow disease. Yeo hinted at the possibility of accepting the demand by saying, “In these sectors, we need to make strategic decisionsJul 20, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
S. Korea calls for unified efforts toward resolving NK nuclear issueKUALA LUMPUR — South Korea called for unified efforts toward resolving North Korea's nuclear issues, Friday, vowing to make progress to achieve lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula under the new government of President Lee Jae Myung. First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo made the remarks during the foreign ministers' meeting of the East Asia Summit (EAS), hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Malaysia. Park was attending a series of ASEAN-related meetings this week in place of the foreign minister nominee Cho Hyun, whose appointment process is still under way pending parliamentary confirmation. The vice minister said the government will "continue efforts to achieve lasting peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, and make tangible progress in resolving North Korea's nuclear issues," the foreign ministry said in a release. "He also underscored the importance of support from EAS member states for these efforts and the need for sending a unified message to North Korea," it said. Besides South Korea, the EAS member states include the 10 ASEAN members, JapJul 11, 2025By Yonhap
InterviewTrump's silence on Korea-US summit: What does it signal?U.S. President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement earlier this week of a 25 percent tariff on all products imported from South Korea has thrown the country into turmoil. It was, as a Korean saying goes, “a thunderbolt from a clear sky.” Korea’s economy is heavily dependent on exports, which accounted for 44 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023. The U.S. is its second-largest trading partner. Last year alone, Korea exported goods worth $128 billion to the U.S., leaving Korean exporters deeply alarmed over the potentially devastating impact across-the-board tariffs could have on their businesses. If the new levies take effect on Aug. 1 — separate from existing sector-specific tariffs, as Trump stated — the Korean economy could sink into a recession. Already showing signs of contraction, the country’s GDP shrank in the first quarter on a quarter-on-quarter basis. In May, the Bank of Korea slashed its 2025 growth forecast to 0.8 percent, down from its February projection of 1.5 percent. For Korea, the next three weeks are critical. Trump indicated the U.S. govJul 10, 2025By Kang Hyun-kyung
Top security aide says Korea faces US pressure to hike defense spendingNational Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Thursday that Korea is facing calls from the United States to align with the global trend of increasing defense spending, following a decision by the NATO to raise its defense budget target. Speaking to reporters after returning from the NATO summit held earlier this week in The Hague, Wi noted that NATO member states had agreed to increase their defense spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product by 2035, a move he said carries implications for Korea as well. "That is a broader trend, and similar demands have been made to us," Wi said. Wi said there have been discussions at the working-level in regard to Washington's request that its allies raise their defense spending goal, noting "We need to determine how we will respond." He added that the issue is expected to come up during upcoming security consultations, emphasizing the need to find common ground as part of preparations for a potential summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump. On the sidelines of the NATO summit, Wi met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco RJun 26, 2025By Yonhap
Nat'l Assembly adopts resolution honoring ex-US Congressman RangelThe National Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution honoring former U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel for his service during the Korean War and decadeslong efforts to strengthen the alliance between South Korea and the United States. The resolution, backed by 69 lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties, pays tribute to Rangel's legacy of bolstering the alliance and promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula. During his time in Congress, the late Democrat played a key role in legislative efforts to address a range of Korea-related issues, including encouraging peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula, reunions of divided Korean American families and supporting Korean War veterans. He was also an advocate for the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement. Rangel died in New York on May 26.Jun 26, 2025By Yonhap
The SKT hack: the real threat behind stolen dataThe SK Telecom hack, revealed in April, marked a watershed moment for South Korea’s cybersecurity. In its wake, a flurry of proposals has been put forward to prevent similar large-scale data breaches. Yet the discourse, focused narrowly on cybersecurity measures, risks missing the bigger picture. The consequences of stolen personal data — and its potential abuse — are far more dangerous than many can imagine. In today’s digital age, experts warn that cyberattacks of this scale can even pose a direct threat to national sovereignty. Peter G. Kirchschlaeger, a professor of ethics at the University of Lucerne in Switzerland, emphasized the profound potential for misuse of stolen data, highlighting election interference as one of the most serious risks. With illegally harvested data, he explained, hackers can analyze users’ characteristics, interests and preferences to predict their thinking patterns and decisions. “The hackers, or those who possess the stolen data, can manipulate people into buying certain products they’re promoting,” Kirchschlaeger said. He warned that theJun 26, 2025By Kang Hyun-kyung
S. Korea faces 'everything everywhere all at once' moment in geopolitics: foreign minister nomineeSouth Korea’s nominee for foreign minister warned Tuesday that the nation faces a diplomatic landscape as chaotic and overlapping as the film “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” vowing to navigate the turbulence with pragmatism, patience and discretion. In his first public remarks since being tapped for the role by President Lee Jae Myung, Cho Hyun struck a careful, measured tone — declining to offer specific policy plans ahead of his confirmation hearing, but signaling a continued commitment to “pragmatic diplomacy” and a quiet, steady-hand approach in managing relations with major powers including the United States, China and North Korea. "It's like the movie ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once.’ It's hard to prioritize just one thing," Cho told reporters during an impromptu briefing on his way to work. "Given the current instability in the international landscape, I feel a great sense of responsibility as I take on this role at the ministry of foreign affairs," he said. He pledged to carefully assess and navigate the increasingly complex global environment if confirmeJun 24, 2025By Lee Hae-rin and Lee Hyo-jin
Korea issues special travel advisory for all of IranSouth Korea on Tuesday issued a special travel advisory for all of Iran amid escalating military tension between Israel and Iran. The foreign ministry said it has elevated the travel advisory for all regions in Iran to Level 3, which strongly advises South Koreans there to leave the country. The alert took effect at 1 p.m. Tuesday. As of 8 p.m., the ministry had also issued a Level 3 travel advisory for areas in Israel where a special travel advisory had been previously issued. The Level 3 and Level 4 travel advisory for parts of regions in Israel remain in effect, according to the ministry. The ministry said it will closely monitor the situation in the Middle East and take various measures to ensure the safety of South Korean nationals. (Yonhap)Jun 17, 2025By Yonhap
Trump to return home from G7 summit in Canada on Monday amid deadly Israel-Iran conflictU.S. President Donald Trump will return home Monday night from the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada due to the deadly Israel-Iran conflict, a White House spokesperson said, dashing hopes for Korean President Lee Jae-myung to have his first in-person talks with Trump during the gathering. "President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer," Karoline Leavitt wrote on X. "Much was accomplished, but because of what's going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State." Standing next to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during a group photo session, Trump said that he has to be back. Carney said he "fully understands." "You probably see what I see and I have to be back as soon as I can," Trump told reporters, according to the pool report. He also said that he thought the G7 had "got a lot done" "I wish I could stay for tomorrow, but they understand." Trump decided to cut short the trip to Alberta as the escalating clash between Israel and Iran has entered itsJun 17, 2025By Yonhap
