China signals end to hallyu ban as K-pop prepares for returnFor nearly a decade, Korea’s entertainment industry has faced a long, dark tunnel when it comes to China. Now, however, a faint light appears to be emerging at the far end. China’s long-standing restrictions on Korean pop culture — commonly referred to as the hallyu or Korean wave, ban— are showing signs of gradually easing. At Chinese music retailers, K-pop albums have returned to store shelves and are once again displayed prominently. On Chinese streaming platforms, a local remake of the Korean drama “My Mister” has been unveiled. The shift in atmosphere is even fueling cautious optimism about the possibility of a government-level K-pop concert backed by the Korean government in China — something that had previously failed to materialize. The Hallyu ban effectively took hold in 2016, following Korea’s deployment of the U.S.-built Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system, which Beijing viewed as a threat to its security interests. Although the Chinese government never formally announced the measure, it functioned as a sweeping, unofficial banJan 15, 2026By Hankookilbo
Lee, Takaichi play drums together after summit in Japan's NaraPresident Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi played drums together and exchanged drumsticks after their summit in Japan on Tuesday, Cheong Wa Dae said. The two leaders shared the lighthearted moment after their talks in Nara, Takaichi's hometown and constituency, marking the first time in 15 years that a Korean president has visited a Japanese city outside Tokyo for a bilateral summit. During the informal talks, the leaders sat at a drum set made by Japanese manufacturer Pearl and performed "Golden" from the Netflix series "KPop Demon Hunters" as well as K-pop group BTS' hit song "Dynamite" together, presidential spokesperson Kim Nam-joon said in a written briefing. After the performance, Lee told Takaichi, "I fulfilled a lifelong dream today. Ever since I was young, I have wanted to play the drums." Takaichi, who is known to have played heavy metal drums in college, guided Lee through the performance, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere, according to Kim. The two leaders wore a blue uniform prepared by the Japanese side, bearing their names in English and theirJan 13, 2026By Yonhap
Foreign ministry examines contingency plans for Korean nationals in IranThe foreign ministry on Tuesday held a meeting to examine contingency plans for Korean nationals in Iran, including those for possible evacuation, amid the growing unrest fueled by protests over economic hardships. Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina called for thoroughly preparing plans in case the South Korean citizens in Iran need to evacuate, relocate or leave the country should the situation worsen, the ministry said in a release. Kim also instructed the Korean Embassy in Iran, which joined the meeting virtually, to focus on ensuring the safety of the Koreans staying in Iran. The ministry said approximately 70 Korean nationals are currently in the country, excluding diplomats and their family members. Seoul's top envoy to Iran, Kim Jun-pyo, said the embassy has been checking their safety every day through online channels and prioritized staying in contact with them since the protests erupted. The protests began with merchants demonstrating against the worsening economy, but have since spread to other regions, with some turning into violent clashes believed to have killed hundreds oJan 13, 2026By Yonhap
AnalysisKorea and China at odds: Lee defends China, calls out Koreans over mutual hostilityPresident Lee Jae Myung said election fraud allegations are fabricated and baseless, accusing those spreading the conspiracy theory of being “out of their minds.” He claimed political extremists are fanning hatred toward China and vowed to hold them accountable for fueling anti-China sentiment. “China is being accused of involvement in election fraud in Korea. Such nonsensical allegations angered Chinese people and drove them to turn their backs on Korea,” Lee said Wednesday in Shanghai during a luncheon with Cheong Wa dae correspondents. “These allegations are baseless and unnecessary. I have addressed the issue multiple times at Cabinet meetings, openly criticized those spreading it, and promised to hold them accountable,” he said. Lee added that Korea is now paying the price, as anti-Korea sentiment in China has led to consumer boycotts of Korean goods and products. He said his recent summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping would serve as a turning point, arguing that mutual hostility between Koreans and Chinese would begin to subside. He emphasized that he and Xi agreedJan 9, 2026By Kang Hyun-kyung
Chinese state media spotlight Lee’s Shanghai visit, seek to drive wedge between Seoul and TokyoAs President Lee Jae Myung wrapped up a four-day state visit to China on Wednesday, Chinese state-run media highlighted shared themes of South Korea-China cooperation and wartime anti-Japanese resistance, a move seen as an attempt to drive a wedge between Korea and Japan and weaken trilateral cooperation among Seoul, Washington and Tokyo. The People’s Daily, the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper, published an editorial that said Lee's visit to the site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai on the final day of his trip sent “a clear signal that historical issues have not yet turned the page.” Since 1992, when President Roh Tae-woo visited the site during its restoration, every Korean president has visited either the Shanghai or Chongqing provisional government site at least once — except former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who did not travel to China during his term. Yet the People's Daily wrote that Lee chose this destination, attaching special significance to the visit. The paper highlighted the shared history of anti-Japanese resistance duriJan 8, 2026By Hankookilbo
Trump gifts White House gold key to LeeU.S. President Donald Trump has gifted President Lee Jae Myung a specially designed gold key to the White House in return for the presents he received during his visit to Korea in October, Lee's chief of staff said Wednesday. In a Facebook post, Kang Hoon-sik said Trump handed the key to Korea's ambassador to the United States, Kang Kyung-wha, after she formally presented her credentials to him at the White House on Dec. 17. Photos show the key engraved with the phrase "Key to the White House" and displayed in a wooden case featuring an image of the presidential residence. The senior aide said the U.S. president praised his relationship with Lee during the conversation with Seoul's top envoy, quoting Trump as saying, "I really like him." During Trump's visit to the southeastern city of Gyeongju in late October ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Lee presented him with a replica of the Cheonmachong gold crown from the ancient Silla Kingdom and awarded him South Korea's highest state medal. Trump is known to have personally designed the golden key as a ceremonial gift forDec 24, 2025By Yonhap
S. Korea urges peaceful resolution to Cambodia-Thailand clashesSouth Korea on Tuesday urged Cambodia and Thailand to hold talks to resolve escalating border clashes, welcoming efforts by neighboring countries to ease tensions. "We appreciate ASEAN's efforts to de-escalate tensions and seek a peaceful resolution to the situation," foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il said in a commentary. "The South Korean government urges Cambodia and Thailand to resolve the situation peacefully through dialogue at the earliest date possible," he said. Park added that Seoul welcomes the convening of the special foreign ministers' meeting among the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which both Cambodia and Thailand are members, to address the situation. Bangkok and Phnom Penh have engaged in military clashes along their land border for a third week, so far resulting in at least 80 deaths, after truce talks collapsed. The two countries agreed at Monday's meeting of ASEAN's top diplomats to hold talks between their defense officials on resuming the ceasefire. Thailand and Cambodia have clashed over their shared land border, a dispute that remaiDec 23, 2025By Yonhap
Korea, Egypt agree to swiftly launch negotiations for comprehensive economic partnershipKorean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and his Egyptian counterpart agreed Monday to swiftly commence negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) between the two countries to expand bilateral ties, Yeo's office said. Yeo and Hassan El-Khatib, Egypt's trade minister, reached the agreement in their virtual meeting held to discuss follow-up measures to the leaders' summit between the two countries held in November, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. A CEPA is a type of free trade agreement that emphasizes a broader scope of economic cooperation and exchanges in addition to market opening. The ministry said the Korea-Egypt CEPA will help Korea expand its presence in emerging markets, including Africa, amid heightened global trade uncertainties and open new opportunities for Korean companies in the automobile, semiconductor, renewable energy and infrastructure sectors. "Through a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, Korea will be able to not only expand trade and investment with Egypt, but also deepen cooperation across a wide range of aDec 22, 2025By Yonhap
President eyes repatriation of independence fighters' remains in China as possible summit agendaPresident Lee Jae Myung instructed the government Thursday to hold consultations with Beijing on repatriating the remains of Korean independence fighters in China, raising the issue as a possible agenda item for a potential summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Lee made the remarks after Veterans Minister Kwon Oh-eul briefed him on plans to excavate and bring home the remains of Ahn Jung-geun (1879-1910), which Kwon said are believed to be buried near Lushun Prison in the northern Chinese port city of Dalian. "In the case of excavation and repatriation of remains, consultations with China are essential," Lee said during a policy briefing by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs in Seoul. Lee instructed the ministry to push ahead with consultations with Beijing as a potential summit agenda item, saying there is the possibility of a summit with Xi "soon." Kwon said he plans to visit China to help locate Ahn's remains, adding that the ministry is also working to bring back the remains of three independence fighters from the period of Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea. Ahn waDec 18, 2025By Yonhap
FM vows to strengthen cooperation with Pacific Islands in climate change, oceansForeign Minister Cho Hyun said Tuesday that Korea will strengthen cooperation with the Pacific Island countries (PICs) in areas of climate change, and digital and development projects to help tackle regional challenges. Cho made the pledge during the sixth Korea-Pacific Islands foreign ministers' meeting in Seoul, noting that Seoul has doubled its official development assistance this year compared with 2023. "We will continue to advance cooperation tailored to local needs, supporting priorities such as climate resilience, digital capacity and resource management," Cho said in opening remarks. Cho co-hosted this year's meeting with Peter Shannel Agovaka, the top diplomat of Solomon Islands, and the sessions were held under the theme of "Partnership for a Resilient, Peaceful and Prosperous Pacific." This year's gathering brought together 17 member countries and territories of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), including 14 PICs, as well as Australia and New Zealand. The PIF is an intergovernmental body aimed at strengthening cooperation among 18 countries across the Pacific region. During theDec 9, 2025By Yonhap
