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  • Foreign Affairs

    S. Korea, US, Japan hold talks on N. Korea

    South Korea had a trilateral meeting with officials from the United States and Japan in Tokyo on North Korean affairs this week, the foreign ministry said Saturday. The ministry said the talks took place Friday involving Kim Sang-il, head of the ministry's North Korean Nuclear Affairs Policy Division; David Wilezol, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for Northeast Asia; and Kengo Otsuka, deputy director-general for Asian and Oceanian affairs at the Japanese foreign ministry. The officials shared their views on recent affairs on the Korean Peninsula and in the rest of Northeast Asia, and also reaffirmed their commitment to denuclearize North Korea and to ensure the implementation of U.N. and autonomous sanctions, Seoul's foreign ministry said. "We explained our effort in easing tension and building trust in inter-Korean relations, and also exchanged views on trilateral cooperation in ensuring peace and security on the Korean Peninsula," the ministry added. In a press release issued Friday, the Japanese foreign ministry noted the three officials "expressed their serious concerns over

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    S. Korea, US, Japan hold talks on N. Korea
  • Foreign Affairs

    Lee says S. Korea, Italy are 'optimal partners' for business cooperation

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Lee says S. Korea, Italy are 'optimal partners' for business cooperation
  • Foreign Affairs

    Lee hopes S. Korea, Italy will work together to promote free trade, multilateralism

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Lee hopes S. Korea, Italy will work together to promote free trade, multilateralism
  • Others

    Korea, Italy sign MOUs to enhance advanced science cooperation, explore joint projects in Africa

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Korea, Italy sign MOUs to enhance advanced science cooperation, explore joint projects in Africa
  • Others

    Korea, Britain sign revised nuclear cooperation protocol, discuss partnership

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Korea, Britain sign revised nuclear cooperation protocol, discuss partnership
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North Korea

N. Korea test-fires large-caliber multiple rocket launcher with Kim in attendance

North Korea has test-fired an upgraded large-caliber multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS) to assess its effectiveness, overseen by leader Kim Jong-un, state media said Wednesday. Kim called Tuesday's test of "great significance in improving the effectiveness of our strategic deterrent," saying the weapon system could be used for "specific attacks," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The weapons test came as North Korea is widely expected to convene its first ruling party congress in five years early next month. The upcoming ninth congress "will clarify the next-stage plans for further bolstering up the country's nuclear deterrent," Kim was quoted as saying by the KCNA. The previous day, South Korea's military said it detected multiple short-range ballistic missiles launched from north of Pyongyang toward the East Sea. The KCNA quoted Kim as saying, "All the indexes have been improved to maximize its strike capability, and the mobility, intelligence and hitting accuracy of the rockets, in particular, have remarkably been upgraded." e also described the weapon's "self-steered prec

Jan 28, 2026By Yonhap
N. Korea test-fires large-caliber multiple rocket launcher with Kim in attendance
Foreign Affairs

Trump says US will work 'something' out with Korea on tariffs

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his administration will work "something" out with South Korea after he threatened earlier this week to raise "reciprocal" tariffs and other levies on the Asian ally. His remarks raised hopes for negotiations between Seoul and Washington to address their renewed trade tension as South Korea's Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan is expected to visit the United States for talks with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. "We will work something out with South Korea," he said during a press availability at the White House, responding to a question about whether he would increase tariffs on Korea. On Monday, Trump made the surprise announcement of a plan to increase "reciprocal" tariffs and auto, lumber and pharmaceutical duties on South Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent, taking issue with a delay in Seoul's legislative procedures supporting the implementation of the trade deal. Earlier Tuesday, a White House official told Yonhap News Agency that South Korea has made "no progress" on fulfilling its end of a bilateral trade deal, although

Jan 28, 2026By Yonhap
Trump says US will work 'something' out with Korea on tariffs
Others

China begins relocating some West Sea structures

China said Tuesday that it was relocating maritime structures it had installed in overlapping waters of the West Sea between China and Korea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul welcomed the move as a “meaningful step forward.” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said in a press briefing that “a Chinese company is currently carrying out work related to moving a management platform.” Guo added that the move is “an arrangement autonomously adjusted by the company in line with its own operational and development needs.” China installed the Shenlan 1 and 2 structures in 2018 and 2024, respectively, in the Provisional Measures Zone of the West Sea, where the exclusive economic zones of Korea and China overlap. In 2022, it dispatched an oil drilling ship to manage these facilities. President Lee Jae Myung said on Jan. 7 that the Chinese side had expressed its intention to withdraw some facilities related to the West Sea structures, which have become a source of tension between Korea and China. His comments came two days after his summit with Chinese President Xi

Jan 27, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
China begins relocating some West Sea structures
North Korea

N. Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS

North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Tuesday, South Korea's military said, in Pyongyang's apparent military muscle-flexing ahead of its upcoming key party congress. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the missiles launched from an area north of Pyongyang at around 3:50 p.m. "Our military maintains a firm readiness posture while closely sharing North Korean ballistic missile information with the U.S. and Japan sides amid a heightened surveillance posture against additional launches," the JCS said. North Korea is widely expected to hold the ruling party's first congress in five years early next month where the North will unveil its major policy lines on defense, diplomacy and the economy. The latest launch came as U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby wrapped up his three-day visit to South Korea earlier in the day to leave for Japan, the second leg of his Asia trip. Colby met with key South Korean security officials, including the national security adviser and the defense and foreign ministers, to discuss alliance issues rang

Jan 27, 2026By Yonhap
N. Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS
North Korea

British agency seeks to hold int'l amateur golf contest in N. Korea

A British tourism agency is seeking to host an international competition for amateur golfers in North Korea this year, a website for the event showed Tuesday, in what would mark the resumption of such a golf contest after a decade should it take place. "The next North Korean Amateur Open is hoped to take place in 2026. The event will be over two days, with one day practice and one day stroke play," according to the website for the event, sponsored by Britain-based Lupine Travel. "The tournament is open to amateur golfers of all nationalities (except South Korean and U.S. citizens)," it showed, adding the event is expected to take place at Pyongyang Golf Complex, located some 25 kilometers away from the North Korean capital. The amateur golf competition took place for six consecutive years from 2011 to 2016 but has since been suspended due to a renovation at the golf course and the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted the North to shut down its border. The website did not provide further details on whether arrangements for the envisioned competition have been made with Pyongyang. North Korea

Jan 27, 2026By Yonhap
British agency seeks to hold int'l amateur golf contest in N. Korea
Foreign Affairs

Israeli, German envoys warn of antisemitism at Holocaust ceremony

The Israeli and German embassies in Korea jointly hosted an International Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony and special exhibition in Seoul on Tuesday, marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day and calling for renewed global commitment to confronting antisemitism, racism and historical distortion. The event, titled “Remembering for the Future,” commemorated the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. International Holocaust Remembrance Day was officially designated by a United Nations General Assembly resolution in 2005 to honor the victims of the Holocaust, combat antisemitism and discrimination, and reaffirm the universal values of human dignity, human rights and democracy. At the ceremony, Israeli Ambassador to Korea Rafael Harpaz said the Holocaust remains “painfully relevant today,” warning that the passage of time risks dulling awareness of its lessons, even as hatred toward Jewish people persists and intensifies. “The Holocaust stands as the most brutal crime in human history,” Harpaz said, noting that six million Jews were systematically murdered by Nazi Germa

Jan 27, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
Israeli, German envoys warn of antisemitism at Holocaust ceremony
Foreign Affairs

Seoul says US tariff agreement already in force without legislative passage

U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to raise tariffs on Korean goods due to the Korean National Assembly's alleged delayed approval of a relevant bill has sparked debate over whether Seoul has failed to honor a bilateral trade agreement. Government officials and lawmakers in Seoul, however, say that according to relevant documents, such as a memorandum of understanding (MOU) reached between the two governments last year over the tariff level and investments, there is no direct link between Korea’s legislative process and tariff policy. Trump said Monday (local time) that tariffs on a wide range of Korean goods, including cars, timber and pharmaceuticals, would be increased from 15 percent to 25 percent, arguing that the National Assembly had not approved what he described as a “historic” agreement reached between the two countries. At the center of the dispute is the MOU signed last November, according to which the U.S. would cut tariffs on Korean imports from 25 percent to 15 percent. Under the MOU, tariff reductions were designed to take effect retroactively from the fi

Jan 27, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji
Seoul says US tariff agreement already in force without legislative passage
Foreign Affairs

Seoul to consult with US on investment bill following tariff hike announcement: ministry

The government will closely communicate with the United States over the ongoing legislative progress on a special bill to support Seoul's investment plans in the U.S., the finance ministry said Tuesday, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement to raise reciprocal tariffs and auto duties for Korea. "We are currently working to gauge the intentions of the U.S. side," the Ministry of Economy and Finance said in a message to reporters. "Going forward, we will engage with the U.S. government to explain developments in discussions over the legislation at the National Assembly." The message came shortly after Trump said in a social media post that he is raising "reciprocal" tariffs and auto tariffs on Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent, claiming that the Korean legislature has not yet completed the domestic process to implement the countries' bilateral trade deal. In November, Seoul's ruling Democratic Party of Korea submitted a special bill to support the country's $350 billion investment pledge to the U.S., which was part of the tariff deal between the two coun

Jan 27, 2026By Yonhap
Seoul to consult with US on investment bill following tariff hike announcement: ministry
Foreign Affairs

Korea, Canada hold industrial cooperation forum amid Seoul's submarine bid

Korea has held a joint industrial cooperation forum with Canada, Seoul's industry ministry said Tuesday, a move apparently aimed at supporting the country's bid to win Canada's major submarine project. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources held the Korea-Canada industrial cooperation forum in Toronto on Monday (local time), promoting bilateral collaboration in future mobility, defense, space, artificial intelligence (AI) and other strategic industries. The automobile industry is known to be a key area where Canada wants offset agreements with foreign partners, such as Korea. An offset agreement refers to a deal where a seller agrees to provide industrial benefits, such as technology transfer, to the buyer's country as part of a broader contract. An offset agreement is reportedly one of the key factors the Canadian government is considering for selecting the winner of its submarine program. Major Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean is vying for the estimated 60 trillion-won ($41.4 billion) project after being selected as one of two final contenders, alongside Germany's Thyssenkrupp Mar

Jan 27, 2026By Yonhap
Korea, Canada hold industrial cooperation forum amid Seoul's submarine bid
Foreign Affairs

Questions arise over Korea’s two-week inaction after US letter

Questions are mounting over Seoul’s two-week silence after the United States sent a formal letter urging Korea to implement follow-up measures to a bilateral trade agreement, a move now seen as a possible warning ahead of President Donald Trump’s decision to raise tariffs on Korean goods. Government officials said Tuesday that the letter urged both countries to honor commitments outlined in a joint fact sheet issued after last year’s Korea-U.S. summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, including a pledge not to subject U.S. tech companies to different treatment from their Korean counterparts. The letter was sent on Jan. 13 by James Heller, the U.S. charge d’affaires in Seoul, to Deputy Prime Minister and Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon, with Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Fair Trade Commission Chairman Ju Biung-ghi listed as reference recipients. An official at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said it had confirmed receipt of the letter but declined to elaborate, saying, “Details of diplomatic correspondence between the two go

Jan 27, 2026By Anna J. Park
Questions arise over Korea’s two-week inaction after US letter
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