Korea reviews safety measures for nationals in Middle East after Israeli strike on IranKorea's foreign ministry held a virtual meeting Sunday with its officials and heads of diplomatic missions in the Middle East to discuss response measures following Israel's strike on Iran. The video conference, presided over by Yoon Chu-sok, director general for overseas Koreans and consular affairs, focused on reviewing ways to ensure the safety of South Korean nationals in the region, the foreign ministry said. During the meeting, Yoon reiterated the importance of advising Korean citizens to cancel or postpone travel to both Israel and Iran. He also emphasized the need to urge Korean nationals residing in those countries to remain in safe areas in accordance with guidance from local embassies. The foreign ministry confirmed that no damage or harm to Korean nationals has been reported in relation to the Israeli strike. Approximately 100 Koreans are currently staying in Iran. On Friday, the government raised the travel advisories for Israel and parts of Iran from Level 2 to Level 2.5, citing heightened security concerns.Jun 15, 2025By Yonhap
Japanese Embassy in Seoul to host reception to mark 60 years of diplomatic tiesThe Japanese Embassy in Seoul will host a reception this week to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, diplomatic sources said Sunday. The event, scheduled to take place at a hotel in Seoul on Monday, is expected to be attended by Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina and Akihisa Nakashima, a close aide to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, according to the sources. President Lee Jae-myung is unlikely to attend the ceremony in person due to a scheduling conflict, as he is set to travel to Canada for the Group of Seven (G7) summit. "(Lee) is reviewing the possibility of sending a congratulatory message," a presidential official said on condition of anonymity. "The message will be positive, highlighting the significance of the 60th anniversary and presenting a vision for future cooperation between South Korea and Japan." A similar event is also scheduled to be held by the South Korean Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday, with Ishiba "highly likely" to attend, other sources earlier said. The Tokyo reception will take place shortly after a planned bilJun 15, 2025By Yonhap
Korea-Japan cultural exchanges flourish 60 years after normalizing tiesDiplomatic ties between Korea and Japan have weathered numerous storms over the past six decades, but their cultural exchanges have steadily grown, driven in large part by the sustained popularity of Korean pop culture in Japan. Japan, once a "forward base" for the Korean Wave, or "hallyu," is now seeing a two-way cultural flow, with artists from both countries increasingly active in each other's entertainment markets. The Korean TV drama "Winter Sonata," which aired on a channel affiliated with NHK in 2003 and later on the national broadcaster the following year, is widely credited with launching the first wave of hallyu in Japan. The series became a nationwide hit and turned its lead actor Bae Yong-joon — nicknamed "Yonsama" by middle-aged and older Japanese women — into a household name. Earlier, Korean exports such as the film "Shiri" and K-pop diva BoA had gained some traction, but it was "Winter Sonata" that sparked a cultural phenomenon. Following its success, many Korean dramas, including "Dae Jang Geum," "You're Beautiful," "Descendants of the Sun" and "My Love from the Star,Jun 15, 2025By Yonhap
'So close, yet so far': S. Korea-Japan ties at pivotal moment 60 years after normalizationBound by proximity, yet estranged by the past, relations between South Korea and Japan have undergone times of turbulence since normalizing diplomatic ties six decades ago, following Japan's colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula. The two neighboring countries in the present day share much in common: They are both rules-based democracies, key Asian security allies of the United States and major economic powers. Yet unresolved disputes over wartime history have remained a constant source of friction, keeping them at odds. As South Korea and Japan mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties on June 22, they find themselves at another pivotal moment in their relationship, with the launch of a new South Korean government and growing economic and security challenges in a shifting geopolitical landscape. The 1965 treaty that normalized Seoul-Tokyo relations arguably patched up a long-standing feud rooted in Japan's colonial rule over Korea from 1910-45 and the atrocities committed by Tokyo during that period. After 14 years of unsuccessful negotiations by previous leaderJun 15, 2025By Yonhap
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
