Israel embassy marks Oct. 7 Hamas attack with memorial ceremony in SeoulThe Israeli Embassy in Korea held a commemorative ceremony on Wednesday in Seoul to honor the victims of the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, and to express solidarity and condolences to the survivors and bereaved families. The ceremony was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, Korean dignitaries, members of the Jewish and Israeli communities in Korea, and guests. It opened with a short film, followed by opening remarks, a candle-lighting ceremony, a moment of silence and Jewish memorial prayers. Video testimonies from victims and survivors were also shown. Yun Young-ki, deputy director-general for African and Middle Eastern affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took part in the candle-lighting ceremony. Hwang Woo-yea, chairman of the Korea-Israel Friendship Association, delivered commemorative remarks. “I knew in my heart that this is the most symbolic and meaningful starting point for me and my team,” said Ambassador-designate Sagi Karni in his closing remarks. Karni said many people were killed or injured, while others were abducted into Gaza in the attack, adding that tOct 8, 2026By Park Ung
Citizen diplomacy brings Korea, Japan closerWhen you are abroad, you will more often than not find yourself becoming a patriot. Older Koreans say people tend to develop a greater sense of unity and solidarity with their community when they live in a foreign country. Their shared sense of identity often brings them closer together and helps them maintain a strong bond. It is common to see Koreans gather to share happiness, guided by the belief that happiness doubles and sorrow is halved when shared with others. Compared with this sense of unity among people of the same ethnic background, it is relatively uncommon to see people from a different culture throw a party solely to celebrate the achievements of a Korean. The chances are even slimmer when the host is Japanese, given the two countries' long and often contentious history. Such a rare event took place in Houston, Texas, in September. Akemi Saitoh, the wife of Yasuhiko Saitoh, president of Japan's largest chemical company Shin-Etsu, invited some 70 guests — most of them people of Korean descent — to their Houston residence on Sept. 20 for a party celebrating Korean balleriOct 5, 2026By Kang Hyun-kyung
Korea, India discuss stalled Biho air defense deal at defense talksKorea has discussed a stalled air defense system export project with India during their regular defense cooperation dialogue, Seoul's arms procurement agency said Tuesday, amid renewed prospects for New Delhi's potential purchase of the anti-aircraft platform. The Biho Hybrid air defense system was among the topics discussed between officials of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and India's defense ministry during their joint commission on defense and logistics in New Delhi on Tuesday, DAPA said in a release. India had previously considered purchasing the Biho Hybrid armored vehicle system in a potential deal estimated at $2.5 billion, but the project did not make headway amid the Indian government's push for domestic defense manufacturing. The Biho Hybrid air defense system, built by Hanwha Aerospace, features twin 30 millimeter rapid-fire cannons for close-range targets with missiles for longer-range threats. It is considered an effective platform to counter drones and low-flying jets. Media reports have said India is taking a fresh look at the Biho Hybrid system agSep 29, 2026By Yonhap
S. Korea stresses 'clear understanding' with Ukraine over non-disclosure of NK POW transferThe foreign ministry said Tuesday that South Korea and Ukraine had reached a "clear understanding" in keeping the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to Seoul confidential, pushing back against Kyiv's denial of such an agreement. South Korea has demanded an official apology and explanation from Ukraine, accusing it of breaching a non-disclosure agreement over the transfer of the two North Korean POWs to Seoul and later denying that such an agreement existed. "We understand that the two sides reached a clear understanding during consultations at various levels to keep the matter confidential, given its implications for the safety of the soldiers and their families," ministry spokesperson Park Doo-soon said at a press briefing. "The two countries had held close consultations on the issue in a manner consistent with the prisoners' free will, international law and humanitarian principles," he added. Citing a senior Ukrainian official, the Financial Times reported Monday there had been no agreement at the presidential level to keep the transfer private, though the issue had bSep 29, 2026By Yonhap
Thailand's 'Festival of Lights' in SeoulThai Ambassador to Korea Tanee Sangrat, sixth from left, poses with participants during the first Loy Krathong Myeongdong with Hana Bank event in Seoul, Saturday. The cultural gathering, celebrating Thailand's traditional festival of lights, was held to promote Thai culture and showcased performances, cuisine, music and tourism. Courtesy of Royal Thai Embassy in SeoulSep 21, 2026By Park Ji-wonphoto
COVER STORY Korea-US $200 bil. investment talks hit last-stage hurdles over 'commercial viability'Korea’s negotiations with the United States over a $200 billion investment package have run into last-stage hurdles, with the two sides disagreeing over nuclear reactors, energy projects and funding terms. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources postponed a parliamentary briefing initially scheduled for Thursday, which had been expected to clear the way for signing of a memorandum of understanding for the first project as early as Friday. The briefing is now expected to take place Monday or Tuesday, although the timing will depend on progress in the negotiations. President Lee Jae Myung acknowledged that some provisions remained difficult to accept despite the negotiations being close to an agreement. “After reviewing the details, there are parts that are not easy to agree to,” Lee said during a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Friday. “We are discussing them again.” Lee said the investment negotiations had broad, complex implications for Korea-U.S. relations and that disagreements emerged as the talks moved into specific projects. “There were several points oSep 20, 2026By Lee Gyu-lee
US ambassador says Korea-US alliance 'linchpin' of peace on Korean PeninsulaU.S. Ambassador to Korea Michelle Steel on Friday highlighted the Korea-U.S. alliance as the "linchpin" of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific. Steel made the remarks at a forum in Seoul, noting the bilateral alliance was forged over 70 years ago with blood and sacrifices made in the 1950-53 Korean War. "For more than 70 years, the U.S.-ROK alliance has been the linchpin of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the Indo-Pacific," Steel said in her opening address, referring to Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea. "Our mutual defense treaty is an unbreakable bond," she added. "But our alliance is more than an agreement between governments. It is also a human story. It is our story." Steel stressed that Seoul and Washington share "one story" forged in war and secured by American and Korean soldiers who stood "shoulder to shoulder" to defend freedom during the Korean War. Highlighting that Korea has now become a "global leader" in a number of areas, including technology, culture, manufacturing and democracy, Steel said such anSep 18, 2026By Yonhap
Korea, Indonesia agree to expand partnerships in halal certificationKorea and Indonesia have agreed to expand partnerships in halal certification and support Korean companies' entry into the Southeast Asian country, Seoul's drug ministry said Friday. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency, also known as a BPJPH, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the sidelines of the Halal Summit 20, which kicked off in the Indonesian city of Depok the same day. Halal certification is an official verification process that confirms products, ingredients and manufacturing processes comply with Islamic law. Indonesia is considered one of the biggest halal markets in the world and has been gradually expanding items subject to mandatory halal certification, including foods and cosmetics that will be required to go under such certification starting next month. The deal reached Friday (local time) comes after Korea and Indonesia agreed to elevate their bilateral relation into a "special comprehensive strategic partnership" during President Lee Jae Myung's official visit to the Southeast Asian country in March, tSep 18, 2026By Yonhap
Foreign ministry says Hormuz talks focus on navigation, energy security over US tiesDiscussions over Korea's potential role in securing the Strait of Hormuz are focused on safe navigation, energy security and the safety of nationals, rather than its relations with the United States, a senior foreign ministry official said Thursday. The Seoul government has been weighing whether to deploy military assets to the crucial waterway amid pressure from the Donald Trump administration for Seoul to make a contribution. "The government is looking at the issue basically not from the perspective of Korea-U.S. relations, but in terms of ensuring safe navigation, the security of energy supply routes and the safety of our people," First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo told the National Assembly's foreign affairs and unification committee. Addressing the widespread use of the term "deployment" in Korea, Park said the government has been in close talks with the international community on how to make a "contribution" to restoring stability in the region. Media reports have said assets under consideration for possible deployment included maritime patrol aircraft, explosive ordnance diSep 17, 2026By Yonhap
Korea's 2nd Nepal relief team to return; efforts to locate 9 missing Koreans to continueKorea will maintain a joint government response team in Nepal to continue efforts to locate nine Korean nationals who have remained missing since massive floods hit the country last month, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday. The move comes as the second contingent of the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) is set to wrap up its seven-day mission later in the day and return home, in line with a decision made by a joint public-private emergency relief council last week, according to the ministry. Nine Koreans — six employees of Doosan Enerbility and three of Korea South-East Power — went missing Aug. 26 after massive floods and landslides struck Rasuwa District near the Nepal-Tibet border while they were working at a hydropower plant construction site. The government response team, which was dispatched earlier for search-and-rescue operations separately from the KDRT, will remain in Nepal and work closely with Nepalese authorities, while also supporting the families of the missing, the ministry said. The team will consist of eight members — three from the ministry, two from the NatSep 17, 2026By Yonhap
