Doha Forum 2025 calls on global leaders to deliver ‘Justice in Action’The international community is facing the urgent need to implement concrete steps to ensure fairness, accountability and opportunity for everyone, moving beyond mere commitments. To discuss the critical challenges, policymakers and decision-makers from around the world will gather for the 23rd edition of the Doha Forum, a leading global platform for diplomacy and dialogue, in Qatar on Dec. 6 and 7. The organizer unveiled the theme of the forum earlier this year: “Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress.” Mubarak Ajlan Al-Kuwari, executive director of the Doha Forum, highlighted the forum’s renewed focus on creating real-world impact through its theme. "With ‘Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress,’ we reaffirm our mission to foster meaningful dialogue and drive transformative change," the executive director said in a January press release. Maha Al-Kuwari, general manager of the forum, also stressed the event’s commitment to achieving its vision through broad consultation. "We look forward to advancing this vision by fostering impactful conversations and generatinNov 20, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Lee meets Korean troops stationed in UAEABU DHABI — President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday met with the Korean military contingent in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and commended their service in contributing to peace and security in the Middle Eastern nation. Lee met with about 50 members of the Akh unit during his stay in Abu Dhabi, before concluding his three-day state visit to the UAE. "You are carrying out important duties that protect peace in the world and the Middle East, elevate the dignity of the Republic of Korea and safeguard the lives of our people," Lee said, referring to Korea by its official name. He expressed gratitude for their service and vowed to remember their dedication. "The nation will not forget the sacrifices you are making," said Lee, donning the unit's uniform. The Akh unit has been carrying out various missions in the UAE since its establishment in 2011, including protecting Korean nationals in the region in case of emergencies. Akh means brother in Arabic. During a leader-to-leader summit, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan highlighted the service of the Akh unit and expressed hope for deepenNov 19, 2025By Yonhap
Shutdown leaves Korean families in US scrambling for groceriesAcross the U.S., low-income families are tightening their grocery budgets as the federal government shutdown drags into its sixth week. With food stamp benefits in limbo, many are unsure whether they will get money for groceries this month, and community centers from Los Angeles to New York are fielding anxious calls from families worried about how to put food on the table. The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits to about 42 million Americans, including thousands of Korean American households. But as the shutdown continues without a spending agreement, several states have warned that November deposits could be delayed or reduced. The White House said Monday that it would release limited emergency funds to provide partial food benefits this month, though officials cautioned the money would cover only a fraction of normal payments and could take weeks or even months to reach recipients. For many who rely on food aid from SNAP, the uncertainty has turned into panic. “They say EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) payments in California are delayNov 8, 2025By Jane Han
Korea welcomes Trump with top-level protocolU.S. President Donald Trump arrived at Gimhae International Airport Wednesday morning, marking the start of his highly anticipated state visit during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. His arrival marks Trump’s first visit to Korea in eight years and his second face-to-face summit with President Lee Jae Myung, after their meeting in Washington two months ago. This makes Trump the first foreign leader to be received twice as a state guest in Korea. The Korean government announced "top-level protocol and security" for all heads of state attending the APEC summit, with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun personally greeting Trump upon arrival. The official welcoming ceremony included a 21-gun salute, underscoring Korea’s commitment to honoring the visiting leader. Trump then boarded his presidential helicopter, Marine One, headed to Gyeongju, where his itinerary remains tightly guarded by Korean and U.S. security services. Local police reinforced security perimeters around major sites, including the Hilton Hotel, where Trump will stay durinOct 29, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Presidential office considering gifting ancient crown replica to TrumpGYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — The presidential office said Tuesday it is considering gifting U.S. President Donald Trump a replica of an ancient gold crown when he visits South Korea this week for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) event. Trump is scheduled to arrive in South Korea on Wednesday for a two-day state visit, during which he will hold talks with President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju on the sidelines of the APEC gathering. "(We) are considering a specially manufactured gold-plated model as a gift," a presidential official said. The model is expected to be a replica of an acclaimed gold crown of the Silla kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D. 935), which ruled about two-thirds of the Korean Peninsula at its height, with Gyeongju as its capital. Lee earlier gifted Trump a model of a turtle ship, a type of Korean traditional warship, when they met for talks in Washington in August.Oct 28, 2025By Yonhap
China blocks S. Korean survey ship near West Sea structures in 2nd standoff this year: reportChinese coast guard vessels blocked a South Korean ship last month in an overlapping sea zone of the Yellow Sea while it was inspecting Chinese-built structures, causing a standoff, a U.S. think tank has said. The incident was revealed in a report titled "Korea-China Standoff in the Provisional Measure Zone (PMZ)," published on Monday (U.S. time) by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Citing data from maritime analytics firm Starboard Maritime Intelligence, CSIS said the South Korean research vessel Onnuri entered the Provisional Maritime Zone (PMZ), an overlapping sea zone between the two countries, in the Yellow Sea on Sept. 24 to inspect steel structures installed by China. About six hours later, a Chinese coast guard vessel approached the Onnuri, followed by two additional ships from a port in Qingdao. In response, a South Korean coast guard vessel moved to the area to provide support. The following day, the Onnuri and the South Korean coast guard ship approached two Chinese aquaculture structures, identified as Shenlan No. 1 and Shenlan No. 2,Oct 28, 2025By Yonhap
POLL APEC summit expected to elevate diplomacy, culture, but public awareness lowKorea’s role as host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit has stirred a range of public expectations, reflecting both optimism on national prestige and concerns over awareness. A recent survey commissioned by The Korea Times shows that citizens see the international gathering as a prime opportunity to bolster the nation’s global standing, especially in diplomacy and culture, although people differ in how they interpret its significance by political affiliation. However, despite the summit’s high profile, many Koreans remain only vaguely familiar with its purpose and significance, highlighting a gap between public optimism and awareness. Anticipating diplomatic, cultural gains The survey, conducted Thursday and Friday via phone with 1,004 randomly selected participants aged 18 and older nationwide, found that the most common expectation was a significant boost to Korea’s diplomatic profile on the global stage, accounting for 25 percent of responses. With APEC meetings bringing together political and business leaders from major economies across the Asia Pacific regOct 27, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
Trade minister calls for Georgia governor's support to address visa issuesTrade Minister Yeo Han-koo called on visiting Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday to support Korean firms based there and drum up support to address visa issues for them and workers. In a meeting with Kemp earlier in the day, Yeo asked the Georgia governor to make efforts to prevent further incidents similar to the September immigration raid. Kemp also said his state will support Korean firms' stable operations and their investment. Last month, more than 300 Korean workers were arrested and detained in a U.S. immigration raid in Georgia in early September. The workers were released after a week following negotiations between Seoul and Washington. In response, the two sides agreed to set up a working group dialogue and install a visa desk at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul solely for Korean businesses.Oct 23, 2025By Yonhap
Chinese personnel spotted on structure in disputed waters near Korean PeninsulaEscalating a long-simmering maritime dispute, Chinese personnel have for the first time been identified on a contentious offshore structure built by Beijing in the West Sea’s Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ) — an overlapping area of the two nations’ exclusive economic zones. The revelation, disclosed Wednesday by a Korean lawmaker, swiftly prompted calls in Seoul for the government to take countervailing measures against what was described as an increasingly assertive move by China. Rep. Yi Byeong-jin of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) disclosed recent photographs of the Chinese installation ahead of a parliamentary audit of the Coast Guard. According to Yi, the photos show five individuals on the structure known as Sunlan No. 2, installed last year. Two people are visible on the upper deck, two are on the mid-left section, and one wearing a diving suit appears to be maintaining oxygen tanks near the waterline, he said. Tensions in the Provisional Measures Zone have mounted as China intensifies its “gray zone” tactics in the area, including the construction of new strOct 22, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Southeast Asia's scam industry threatens stability of Indo-Pacific regionThe remains of a Korean university student, identified only by his surname Park for privacy reasons, were returned to Korea on Tuesday, more than two months after he was found dead near a criminal compound in the Bokor Mountain area of Cambodia. Local police said Park had been brutally tortured which ultimately led to cardiac arrest. Korean forensic experts who traveled to Cambodia on Monday conducted an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Witnesses reported that Park’s body showed extensive bruising, indicating severe physical abuse prior to his death. He was cremated following the autopsy. Park had left Korea on July 17, telling his parents he would attend an exhibition in Cambodia. Shortly after his arrival, his family lost contact with him. News of his death surfaced nearly a month after his departure, sending shockwaves through Korea. Park’s death has sparked widespread outrage. Survivors of similar experiences at criminal compounds in Cambodia have been sharing harrowing testimonies online, exposing the systemic abuse occurring in these locations. Their stories gainOct 22, 2025By Kang Hyun-kyung
