Seoul urges immediate departure of Korean nationals in Lebanon amid ongoing strikesThe foreign ministry on Thursday urged Korean nationals in Lebanon to leave the country promptly, as airstrikes have continued in the Middle East despite a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Seoul's Ambassador to Lebanon Jeon Gyu-seok said on the embassy's website that Koreans in the Middle Eastern country should "seriously consider departing and moving to a safe location as soon as possible," warning that a "wait-and-see" approach is "becoming increasingly dangerous." Currently, about 90 Korean nationals, around 10 embassy staff and some 180 members of South Korea's peacekeeping contingent Dongmyeong Unit are in Lebanon. While the U.S. and Iran agreed Wednesday to a ceasefire following their monthlong conflict, Israel carried out extensive airstrikes across Lebanon, arguing that the country was not part of the agreement. More than 1,000 casualties have been reported following the strikes. "The embassy will provide all possible support, but if the situation worsens, our ability to assist may become limited," the message said. Though the Dongmyeong Unit's base is located away frApr 9, 2026By Yonhap
ASEAN+3 nations discuss economic responses amid Middle East conflictDeputy finance ministers from Korea, China, Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) shared their assessments of the economic impact and government responses amid uncertainties stemming from the Middle East conflict, Seoul's finance ministry said Thursday. Their talks came during the ASEAN+3 Finance and Central Bank Deputies' Meeting, held virtually Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Korea was represented by Moon Ji-sung, deputy minister for international economic affairs. During the meeting, major economic organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), warned that the global economy faces significant downside risks due to rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. They also emphasized the need for swift, targeted fiscal support to address growing uncertainties and assist vulnerable groups, along with monetary policy responses and efforts to strengthen economic resilience. The participating countries shared such an assessment and exchanged views on the economic impact and their respectApr 9, 2026By Yonhap
'S. Korea didn’t help us': Trump’s growing frustration could affect US-Korea security talksTaking issue with the stance of United States allies in the Iran war, U.S. President Donald Trump once again singled out South Korea, barely a week after he first criticized country. Experts warn that Trump’s growing frustration could impact security talks between the two nations. In a White House press briefing on the war with Iran on Monday (local time), Trump complained that the United States received no help from NATO before singling out South Korea. “You know who else didn’t help us? South Korea didn’t help us,” Trump said. “We have 45,000 people, soldiers in harm’s way and right next to Kim Jong-un with a lot of nuclear weapons.” While the actual size of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) stands at around 28,500, Trump has repeatedly cited the inaccurate figure. He then went on to discuss his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, describing it as “nice” and saying Kim “likes Trump,” before adding that if a certain president had done his job, North Korea would not have nuclear weapons now. A week earlier, Trump voiced similar frustration with U.S. allieApr 8, 2026By Hankookilbo
Seoul takes note of Trump's remarks in Iran war: officialKorea has taken note of remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump that Seoul is not doing enough to support U.S. efforts in its war against Iran, an official at the foreign ministry said Tuesday. Trump has criticized Korea, Japan and European allies for not helping the U.S. reopen the Strait of Hormuz, such as by sending warships to escort commercial ships through the waterway, amid the conflict in the Middle East. "We have been paying close attention to President Trump's repeated remarks," Park Il, foreign ministry spokesperson, said in a press briefing. "The government will carefully review the matter and make a judgment in close coordination with the United States," he said. Seoul has reportedly reached out to Washington seeking to clarify Trump's recent remarks and was told they were not directed specifically at Korea, but rather reflected broader disappointment over U.S. allies not responding to his calls for assistance. Both sides share the view that Trump's comments would have no impact on the bilateral alliance, including efforts to implement trade and security commitments as agreedApr 7, 2026By Yonhap
Seoul cites differing circumstances of ships, countries after Japan-linked vessels transit Strait of HormuzThe foreign ministry said Sunday that the ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and their associated countries face differing circumstances, after two Japan-linked vessels passed through the vital waterway effectively blocked by Iran. The ministry's comments came after two Japan-related gas tankers transited through the shipping lane, where 26 Korean vessels with 173 sailors on board remain stranded since U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran in late February. Iran has said ships can pass through the maritime corridor through bilateral consultations with Tehran, while appearing to push to impose tolls on vessels using the crucial waterway as leverage over global energy supplies. Several ships linked with China, Thailand and France have also passed through the Strait of Hormuz. "Ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz vary widely in terms of nationality, ownership, operators, cargo, destinations and crew, leading to differing circumstances for each vessel and the countries involved," the ministry said in a message to media. "We prioritize the safety of vessels and their crew members as we take intoApr 5, 2026By Yonhap
FM Cho stresses cooperation on safe passage of Strait of Hormuz in phone talks with Japanese counterpartForeign Minister Cho Hyun held phone talks with his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, on Thursday, and vowed close cooperation and communication on peace in the Middle East. During the phone talks, the top diplomats shared the view that peace in the Middle East and free, safe passage of the Strait of Hormuz are very important to the two countries, and close communication and cooperation between the two nations should continue over the issue, according to Cho's office. The two ministers also agreed that bilateral relations should be future-oriented and stable, while continuing reciprocal visits between the leaders of the two nations.Apr 2, 2026By Yonhap
Lee reaffirms commitment to regain wartime command in meeting with US lawmakersPresident Lee Jae Myung met with a delegation of U.S. lawmakers Thursday and reaffirmed his commitment to regain wartime operational control from Washington as part of a push to take on a greater share of the defense burden on the Korean Peninsula. Lee made the remarks during a meeting with six members of the Congressional Study Group on Korea, where the two sides exchanged views on security and economic issues between Seoul and Washington. "In addition to increasing defense spending, we aim to reduce the burden on the United States by regaining wartime operational control, and to take responsibility for safeguarding peace and stability in Northeast Asia, particularly around the Korean Peninsula," Lee said. "We believe it is only right that the defense of the Korean Peninsula be carried out by our own strength and capabilities," he added. Lee also expressed gratitude for U.S. support for South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, and asked the lawmakers to continue supporting peace and stability on the peninsula. His remarks came after Donald Trump said Wednesday South Korea was "not helpApr 2, 2026By Yonhap
Cheong Wa Dae expresses hope of restoring peace in Middle East following Trump's war speechCheong Wa Dae expressed hope Thursday for the restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East, after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a pullback from involvement in the Strait of Hormuz. The response came after Trump said the United States will hit Iran "extremely hard" over the next two to three weeks in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday (local time), as the U.S.-Israeli war against Tehran has escalated into a wider regional conflict. "We hope the situation in the Middle East will move toward the swift restoration of peace and stability," presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing. "With regard to the Middle East war, the government is closely monitoring the situation and developments in the countries concerned." The government will work closely with the international community to ensure the safety of Korean nationals and businesses in the region, maintain stability in energy supply chains, and restore free maritime shipping routes, she added. In his speech, Trump also renewed his calls for countries that rely on the crucial Strait of HormuzApr 2, 2026By Yonhap
S. Korea calls for swift normalization of maritime shipping network after Trump's war speechThe foreign ministry on Thursday called for a swift normalization of global maritime shipping after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a pullback from involvement in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday (local time) that countries that rely on the vital waterway for energy imports should take the lead in ensuring the safety of the region and that they should take care of the matter. Trump also said the U.S. will hit Iran hard over next two to three weeks, as the U.S.-Israeli war against Tehran has escalated into a wider regional conflict, sending Tehran to effectively block the critical shipping route for global energy supplies. "The safety of international sea lanes and freedom of navigation serve the interests of all nations and are protected under international law," ministry spokesperson Park Il said in a press briefing, when asked to comment on Trump's remarks. "Based on that, we hope the global maritime shipping network will be normalized as soon as possible," he said. South Korea is carefully reviewing its approach to the issue, incluApr 2, 2026By Yonhap
Deputy FM to attend virtual multilateral meeting on Strait of HormuzA senior foreign ministry official will attend a multilateral ministerial meeting late Thursday on efforts to ensure safe passage of the Strait of Hormuz, the ministry said. Chung Eui-hae, deputy foreign minister for political affairs, will join participants from 34 other countries, including Britain and France, to assess the current situation in the vital waterway for global energy supplies amid the escalating U.S.-Iran conflict. The 35 nations have issued a joint statement condemning Iran's effective blockade of the shipping lane, pledging to contribute to ensuring safety and freedom of navigation in the region. The meeting will take place via video links at 8 p.m. (Seoul time). "We expect there will be broad discussions regarding the current situation and the need to secure the safety of vessels and crew stranded in the strait, and freedom of navigation," ministry spokesperson Park Il said in a press briefing.Apr 2, 2026By Yonhap
