Strong Korea-Japan relationship is a must: Japanese ambassador“Japan and Korea are neighbors living next door, and neither can move away. A strong bilateral relationship is no longer optional, but essential,” said Koichi Mizushima, Japan's ambassador to Korea. The remarks came during a press forum held at the Seoul Press Center on Friday, as Mizushima spoke about the future of Korea-Japan relations. “As neighbors, we have had certain problems rooted in history,” he said. “But it is the responsibility of the current generation to build a firm foundation for a future-oriented relationship.” Mizushima went on to describe the current international political landscape as “highly fluid,” citing North Korea’s nuclear activities, China’s diplomatic and military moves, the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict between the United States and Iran. "Japan and South Korea, as two like-minded nations that share common values, need to cooperate," he said. He also stressed the importance of the United States in that equation, saying the three countries need to demonstrate strategic coordination built on the strong Korea-U.S. alliance and Japan-U.SMar 27, 2026By Hankookilbo
InterviewKorea risks losing Gulf defense deals by doing 'nothing' in Hormuz crisis, expert saysKorea risks undermining its defense export ambitions in the Middle East if it fails to support key Gulf partners during the current conflict, a Middle East expert warned, arguing that trust built in times of crisis, not just technology, determines future arms deals. Jang Ji-hyang, a principal fellow and director of the Center for Regional Studies at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said Seoul has focused too narrowly on its alliance with the United States and its role as a middle power, while overlooking its strategic ties with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. “Many claim Korea should consider the Korea-U.S. alliance and take a responsibility as a middle power country, but what we are missing here is Korea’s relations with the UAE and Saudi Arabia,” Jang said in a phone interview with The Korea Times, Wednesday. Seoul holds a special strategic partnership with the UAE and a future-oriented strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia — yet is doing "nothing" while both countries endure the hardships of war, she said, likening Korea's stance to that of a "thief" towardMar 27, 2026By Park Ji-won
Tehran to prioritize evacuation of Koreans, envoy saysTehran will prioritize helping Korean nationals leave Iran safely if they want, Iran’s Ambassador to Korea Saeed Koozechi said Wednesday. “We consider Korean nationals in Iran to be our guests, so if they want to leave, we will give them the highest priority to move to safe places,” the Iranian ambassador said during a closed-door meeting at the National Assembly, according to Rep. Kim Seok-ki, chair of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee. Kim briefed reporters on the hourlong meeting, which was also attended by Rep. Kim Young-bae of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and Rep. Kim Gunn of the main opposition People Power Party, both executive secretaries of the committee. Koozechi explained that Iran has “taken proactive steps on evacuation from the early stages of the war,” according to Kim. According to the foreign ministry, some 40 Korean nationals, most of whom are believed to have long-established livelihoods in Iran, remain in the country. Another 30 Korean nationals have left Iran through two rounds of evacuation after the United States and Israel began theirMar 25, 2026By Park Ji-won
Korea pressured by Taipei, Beijing over labeling of TaiwanKorea is receiving pressures from two countries over the labeling of Taiwan, with the Taiwanese government requesting it be treated independently from China in official documents. Meanwhile, Beijing is asking Seoul to maintain its “One China” principle, which considers Taiwan as part of China. Taiwan had earlier warned the Korean government that it will change the name of the “Republic of Korea” to “South Korea” in its own electronic arrival card in a reciprocal move unless Korea stops listing Taiwan as “China(Taiwan)” in its electronic arrival card dropdown menus. The Taiwanese government said it had already changed the country name from the “Republic of Korea” to “South Korea” on the foreign resident cards of South Korean nationals living in Taiwan. This comes after the Korean government launched its e-arrival card system on Feb. 24, 2025 to expedite entry into the country. In the electronic system, Taiwanese nationals are forced to select “China(Taiwan)” in the “point of departure” and “next destination” sections. The Taiwanese government has been isMar 22, 2026By Park Ji-won
Korea in talks with US, partners on multiple fronts over its role in Strait of Hormuz: Cheong Wa DaeKorea is in close talks with the United States and other partner countries on "multiple fronts" over its potential contributions to ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a senior presidential official said Friday. The official's remark came as the U.S. has stepped up its call for allies and partner countries, including Korea and Japan, to join efforts to keep open the key waterway where 20 percent of global oil and gas pass through. The shipping channel has effectively been shut down as the war between U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran has intensified. "Regarding the ways for us to contribute in relation to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, we are in close communication with the United States and other key partners and holding consultations with them on multiple fronts," the official said. "We are seeking a range of options that best serve our national interests," the official said. The official noted the possibility of a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, a scenario that could directly impact Korea's energy supply if the shipping disruptions persist in the Strait of Hormuz. AMar 20, 2026By Yonhap
Korea imposes travel ban on parts of Lebanon amid rising Middle East conflictKorea imposed a travel ban on parts of Lebanon amid rising security concerns linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the foreign ministry said Friday. The ban — the highest Level 4 in a four-tier travel warning system — took effect at 8 p.m. in Baalbek-Hermel Governorate, and West Beqaa and Rashaya districts in Beqaa Governorate, according to the ministry. The ministry has already issued the Level 4 alert for areas along the border with Israel, as well as for South Governorate, Nabatieh Governorate and parts of Dahiyeh in Beirut. The rest of the country will remain under Level 3, which advises citizens to leave the area. Under the law, those who travel to or remain in areas under a travel ban without special permission can be punished. The ministry also issued a Level 3 travel alert for the Saudi Arabian city of Yanbu on the Red Sea coast.Mar 20, 2026By Yonhap
Gov't to ensure Korea treated no less favorably than other nations in USTR probe: ministerThe government will respond to a U.S. trade inquiry into trading partners to ensure that Korea is treated no less favorably compared with other major economies, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Wednesday. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has recently launched investigations into 60 economies, including Korea, under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, as the U.S. President Donald Trump administration pushes to roll out new tariffs to replace the reciprocal tariffs that the Supreme Court struck down last month. "While the broad framework of the U.S.-Korea agreement is expected to be maintained, the government will work closely in a joint effort to ensure outcomes are not unfavorable compared with other major competitors," Koo said during a government meeting on economic affairs. The investigation will determine whether the countries have taken sufficient steps to ban the importation of goods produced with forced labor. The countries subject to the investigations include Korea, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Britain, Australia, Canada and Taiwan. Koo said that the goverMar 18, 2026By Yonhap
President Lee thanks Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia for support in evacuating Koreans from Middle EastPresident Lee Jae Myung has sent letters to the leaders of Japan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to express his gratitude for their cooperation in evacuating Korean nationals from the Middle East, Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday, with the U.S.-Israel war with Iran destabilizing the region. In a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi the previous day, Lee expressed his appreciation for Japan's assistance in evacuating 16 Koreans and their family members of other nationalities to Tokyo on Japanese chartered flights last Wednesday and Friday. Lee also praised the close bilateral coordination between the two countries as Japanese nationals were transported from Saudi Arabia to Korea on a Korean military aircraft, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said. "The friendship between the two countries has been further strengthened through this cooperation," Lee was quoted as saying. "I hope this will serve as an opportunity to further deepen the friendship and trust between our people, and we will continue to work closely together to protect the lives and safety of our citizens." In a letter toMar 18, 2026By Yonhap
Iranian Embassy in Seoul displays banner with image of KhameneiThe Iranian Embassy in Seoul has put up a banner bearing the image of the late former leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and accusing "war criminals," sources said Wednesday. The embassy in Seoul's central Yongsan District recently installed the banner on the building's outer wall bearing an image of Khamenei and the English phrase, "When will the world hold war criminals accountable?" diplomatic sources said. It also said "the massacre of women and children is neither forgivable nor forgettable," and carried images of dozens of children and women against the backdrop of Iran's map. The banner appears to reference schoolchildren killed in airstrikes since the outbreak of the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran and to accuse the countries of war crimes. Sources said Seoul's foreign ministry has not requested the removal of the banner.Mar 11, 2026By Yonhap
USKF air defense redeployment raises concerns over South Korea’s high-altitude missile defensePresident Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday that the redeployment of some air defense assets from U.S. Forces Korea “won’t hinder deterrence against North Korea.” But concerns are growing that South Korea’s air defense could be left vulnerable after international media reported that the U.S. may redeploy not only Patriot PAC-3 — a low-altitude air defense system the South Korean military had expected might be moved — but also elements of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. A day earlier, the Washington Post quoted two U.S. officials saying the U.S. military is relocating some components of the THAAD system to the Middle East. The move, according to the officials, is intended as a precaution in case Iranian retaliatory attacks escalate again. Unlike the Patriot system, which South Korea can partially replace with its own air defense assets, THAAD has no comparable domestic alternative. Experts warn that prolonged tensions in the Middle East could deepen security vulnerabilities on the Korean Peninsula. So far, assets within U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) known to have bMar 11, 2026By Hankookilbo
