Korea asks Azerbaijan to support Korean firms' participation in development projectsKorea has asked Azerbaijan to support greater participation by Korean companies in infrastructure and development projects in the Caucasus nation, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday. Vice Foreign Minister Chung Eui-hae made the request during the fifth Korea-Azerbaijan policy consultation meeting, held the previous day in Baku and attended by Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov, according to the ministry. Wednesday's meeting marked the first of its kind in four years. During the talks, Chung highlighted the significant potential for expanding bilateral trade and investment and called for the Azerbaijani government's active support to facilitate the participation of Korean companies in various projects under way in the country. Mammadov expressed hope for increased investment by Korean firms in Azerbaijan, citing their advanced technological capabilities, according to the ministry. The two sides also exchanged views on developments on the Korean Peninsula, in the Caucasus region and the Middle East, and agreed to maintain close communication on various regional issues. ChJun 18, 2026By Yonhap
Korea, UAE discuss energy supply ties amid supply chain uncertaintiesKorea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) discussed strategic cooperation in the energy sector, including joint oil reserves and nuclear power plants, the industry ministry said Tuesday. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan met with Musabbeh Al Kaabi, chief executive officer (CEO) of upstream at Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, to discuss the stable supply of crude oil, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. During the meeting, Korea was briefed that imports of the 24 million barrels of crude oil secured from the Gulf nation under an agreement reached in March were proceeding smoothly. The two sides also discussed a wide range of issues related to bilateral energy cooperation, including establishing a new supply route bypassing the Strait of Hormuz through large-scale infrastructure projects. Kim additionally asked for the UAE's support and attention for competitive Korean firms seeking to participate in energy projects in the Middle Eastern nation. The industry minister also met with Sharif Salim Al Olama, undersecretary for energy affairs at the UAE's energy ministry, to dJun 16, 2026By Yonhap
Korea, Italy sign MOUs to enhance advanced science cooperation, explore joint projects in AfricaROME, June 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Italy signed four agreements Friday to enhance bilateral cooperation and exchanges, including in advanced science and technology, and explore joint projects in Africa, the presidential office said. The memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed during President Lee Jae Myung's ongoing state visit to Italy as part of his broader trip to Europe, aimed at expanding South Korea's outreach in the region. During Lee's summit with Italian President Sergio Mattarella a day earlier, the two leaders agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership and explore ways to expand cooperation into semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) and other strategic areas. Under an MOU on technology, both sides pledged to promote cooperation in advanced and science technology, including AI, quantum technology, bioscience, space technology and other strategic sectors. The two sides agreed to monitor the process of the pledged cooperation through a joint science and technology committee, which the presidential office said was aimed at making theJun 12, 2026By Yonhap
Korea, Britain sign revised nuclear cooperation protocol, discuss partnershipKorea and Britain signed a revised nuclear cooperation protocol Friday and discussed ways to deepen their global strategic partnership, Seoul's foreign ministry said. First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo met with British Indo-Pacific Minister Seema Malhotra in Seoul, where they exchanged views on bilateral ties and regional issues. The two sides signed the revised protocol amending a bilateral agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy that entered into force in 1991. The ministry said the revisions update provisions on nuclear safeguards and physical protection to reflect current international standards. They also reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation under the two countries' global strategic partnership across trade, investment, security, defense and cultural exchanges. Park also conveyed Seoul's concerns over Britain's planned new steel safeguard measures, stressing the need to minimize negative impacts on Korean companies and the global trading system.Jun 12, 2026By Yonhap
Lee, Mattarella agree to elevate Korea-Italy ties into special strategic partnershipROME — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Italian President Sergio Mattarella agreed Thursday to elevate their countries' ties into a special strategic partnership, while exploring ways to expand cooperation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) and other strategic sectors. The two presidents reached the agreement during summit talks at the presidential Quirinal Palace in Rome, the second stop on Lee's first visit to Europe since taking office a year earlier. "Today, the president (Mattarella) and I agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a special strategic partnership, reflecting our determination to further develop bilateral ties," Lee said in a joint press announcement at the palace following the talks. The president noted that a South Korea-Italy business roundtable, to be held here Friday involving around 30 companies from the two countries, will explore opportunities for growth. Lee cited semiconductors, AI, defense manufacturing, aerospace, energy and biotechnology as areas in which the two countries could deepen cooperation. "Just like the trust built over 142Jun 11, 2026By Yonhap
Korea, China agree to add 70 flights per week amid growing exchangesKorea and China have agreed to increase the frequency of flights between the two countries amid growing bilateral exchanges, the transport ministry said Thursday. For the first time since 2019, the two countries agreed to expand bilateral traffic rights by 70 weekly flights during the Korea-China aviation talks held in Seoul last month, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Under the agreement, passenger flights will be increased to 664 per week, while cargo flights will be expanded to 68 per week, the ministry added. The number of passengers traveling to China from Korea has rebounded to surpass the level seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 4.4 million using the route in the first quarter of this year, according to ministry data. The transport ministry said it plans to allocate the newly secured international air traffic rights to local airlines as early as the second half of the year.Jun 4, 2026By Yonhap
Debris from attack on Korean ship in Strait of Hormuz arrives in KoreaThe debris from airborne objects that struck an HMM-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz last week arrived in Korea on Friday to undergo analysis, the foreign ministry said. The debris was flown in following consultations with the United Arab Emirates government and will be closely analyzed by specialized agencies, it said in a notice to the press. An on-site inspection conducted last weekend found that the HMM Namu, a Panama-flagged cargo ship operated by Korean shipping firm HMM, was struck by two airborne objects while stranded in the strait on May 4, leading to an explosion and fire on board. The government has yet to identify the objects or who was behind the attack. A senior government official said earlier that the possibility it was launched by an actor other than Iran was "not high," and that a "commensurate diplomatic offensive" would be needed once the perpetrator was identified. The strike was the 33rd attack on a civilian vessel since the war in the Middle East began with the United States and Israel's attack on Iran on Feb. 28, and Seoul was reviewing how other countriesMay 15, 2026By Yonhap
Lee to meet Bessent to discuss tariffs, US-China summitPresident Lee Jae Myung will meet visiting U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week, Lee's office said Tuesday, with the two expected to discuss U.S. tariffs among other issues. Lee will receive a courtesy call from Bessent on Wednesday, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said, just one day before Bessent heads to China for the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled for Thursday and Friday. Diplomatic sources earlier confirmed Bessent's one-day trip to Seoul. Observers say Lee and Bessent are expected to exchange views on U.S. tariff measures and global supply chain stability, issues that will also likely come up at this week's U.S.-China summit. Lee and Bessent are also expected to discuss other pending issues between Seoul and Washington. Before meeting Bessent, Lee will also receive a courtesy call from Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. During the meeting with He, Lee is expected to discuss matters related to the U.S.-China summit as well as ways to maintain peace in the international community and on the Korean Peninsula. Bessent iMay 12, 2026By Yonhap
Japan PM mulls visit to Korea's Andong in May for talks with Lee: sourcesJapanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering a visit to Korea's southeastern city of Andong in mid-May to hold a summit with President Lee Jae Myung as part of their shuttle diplomacy, diplomatic sources said Wednesday. Takaichi is considering a two-day trip to Andong, about 190 kilometers southeast of Seoul, which is Lee's hometown, with May 19-20 seen as the most likely dates, according to sources familiar with the matter. The possible visit comes after Lee visited Takaichi's hometown in Nara in January, where the two leaders discussed ways to deepen bilateral ties. The two leaders first met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju in October, where they pledged to actively pursue shuttle diplomacy. If the visit takes place, the two sides are expected to exchange views and explore ways of cooperation regarding energy security and other challenges stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The potential summit could also provide an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss bilateral ties and broaderMay 6, 2026By Yonhap
Kidnapped Korean man rescued in Malaysia; 3 suspects also KoreansA Korean man who was kidnapped in Malaysia has been rescued by local authorities, according to Seoul's foreign ministry Friday. The man in his 40s residing in Kuala Lumpur was rescued by Malaysian authorities on Tuesday after being abducted on April 17, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the time of the rescue, authorities also detained three suspects, all of whom are believed to be Korean nationals, and an investigation is now under way in Malaysia, it added. Other details, including the condition of the victim, the exact location of the incident and the motive, were not immediately known. It was the first kidnapping case involving a Korean victim in Malaysia. The ministry said it received a report of the incident Sunday through a consular call center and handled the situation in cooperation with the Korean Embassy in the Southeast Asian country and Malaysian authorities.Apr 24, 2026By Yonhap
