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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's Kim congratulates Vietnamese leader on reelection: KCNA

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has congratulated Vietnam's leader To Lam on his reelection as head of the ruling party, expressing confidence that bilateral cooperation will develop in all fields, the North's state media reported Monday. Kim delivered the message Friday, the same day the 68-year-old Lam was reelected as head of state for a five-year term at the ruling party's central committee, extending his top leadership position, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "Your re-assumption of the important duty of the general secretary is an expression of deep trust of all your party members and the Vietnamese people in you," Kim was quoted as telling Lam. Kim also referred to an agreement reached with Lam last year, expressing "belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between our two parties and two countries with a long history and tradition will expand and develop substantially in all fields." Lam was among several state leaders who visited North Korea in October last year to attend a military parade marking the 80th founding anniversary of its ruling party. L

Jan 26, 2026By Yonhap
N. Korea's Kim congratulates Vietnamese leader on reelection: KCNA
North Korea

N. Korea's Kim inspects sculptures, artwork honoring soldiers killed in Ukraine war

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected sculptures and artwork being created for a memorial museum commemorating the country's soldiers killed in Russia's war against Ukraine, saying they will convey the soldiers' "legendary feats and glorious life." Kim visited the Mansudae Art Studio in Pyongyang the previous day and inspected a number of sculptures and artwork that will be erected at the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations, including a tower and decorative engravings for an outer wall, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. In October, North Korea launched the construction of the museum honoring the country's young soldiers who were killed while fighting on Russia's side in the war with Ukraine, marking the first memorial in the North to commemorate soldiers killed in overseas action. Earlier this month, Kim visited its construction site in Pyongyang and dug the first shovelful of earth for the museum's tree planting. North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops and conventional weapons to support Russia's war efforts, with thousands believed

Jan 26, 2026By Yonhap
N. Korea's Kim inspects sculptures, artwork honoring soldiers killed in Ukraine war
Foreign Affairs

Kim, Vance establish hotline to prevent misunderstandings over Coupang issue

In a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok emphasized that the Korean government is not treating U.S.-based e-commerce giant Coupang unfairly in its investigation into the company’s massive data breach and other labor-related allegations. To prevent misunderstanding over the Coupang matter and other diplomatic issues, the two exchanged direct contact numbers to establish a hotline, according to the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday. Speaking to Korean correspondents in Washington Friday (local time), Kim said, “Vice President Vance raised several issues of interest, including questions about Coupang ... He asked specifically what problems the U.S. company was facing.” Their discussion took place a day after two major U.S. investors in Coupang said they petitioned the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to investigate the Korean government for what they call “discriminatory” treatment of the company. They also filed arbitration claims against the Korean government, saying the probe caused billions of dollars in losses. They also claimed Presiden

Jan 25, 2026By Anna J. Park
Kim, Vance establish hotline to prevent misunderstandings over Coupang issue
Foreign Affairs

Pentagon announces Colby's trip to S. Korea, Japan following NDS release

The Pentagon announced Saturday that Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby will embark on a trip to South Korea and Japan this weekend as part of an effort to advance U.S. President Donald Trump's "peace through strength" agenda. Colby's trip to the core Asian allies follows the Pentagon's release on Friday of the new National Defense Strategy (NDS), which signals a potential adjustment to U.S. force posture on the Korean Peninsula and stresses allies' "burden sharing" as the Trump administration seeks to focus on deterring Chinese threats. "This visit underscores the critical importance of the Indo-Pacific region and our alliances with the Republic of Korea and Japan," the Pentagon said in a press release, referring to South Korea by its official name. Earlier, informed sources in Seoul said that Colby is expected to make a three-day visit to South Korea through Tuesday. In Seoul, Colby is expected to meet senior Korean defense and security officials for talks on a range of alliance issues, such as Seoul's push to build nuclear-powered submarines and retake wartime operationa

Jan 25, 2026By Yonhap
Pentagon announces Colby's trip to S. Korea, Japan following NDS release
Foreign Affairs

PM proposes idea of US sending special envoy to N. Korea in talks with Vance

WASHINGTON — South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Friday that he proposed the idea of the United States sending a special envoy to North Korea as a way to improve relations between Washington and Pyongyang during his talks with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. Kim presented the idea during the 50-minute meeting at the White House as Vance requested his advice on diplomacy with the recalcitrant regime, he said, amid speculation that U.S. President Donald Trump could seek a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un when he visits China in April. The two sides also discussed South Korea's ongoing probe into Coupang, a U.S.-listed firm, over a massive customer data leak, amid concerns that it could escalate into a trade issue. Vance requested that Seoul ensure the issue would not cause "misunderstandings" between the two governments, according to Kim. "First, (I told Vance) that in reality, only Trump has the will and capability to improve relations (with North Korea)," he said. "Secondly, I said that sending a special envoy to North Korea, whoever that may be, can be an approach

Jan 24, 2026By Yonhap
PM proposes idea of US sending special envoy to N. Korea in talks with Vance
Foreign Affairs

Pragmatism drives Lee’s diplomacy amid complex regional ties: experts

WASHINGTON — U.S. experts underlined pragmatism Friday as a key driver of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's diplomacy to navigate complex relations involving the United States, China and Japan, as he has sought to foster rapport with their leaders and deepen practical cooperation with them. Pragmatism has been a central tenet of Lee's foreign policy, as he seeks to strengthen the decadeslong alliance with Washington and ensure stable ties with Beijing amid a deepening Sino-U.S. rivalry, while pursuing enhanced cooperation with Tokyo despite lingering historical grievances. During a podcast hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), experts highlighted that Lee's pragmatic approach was at work during his visits to Beijing and Tokyo this month for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. "I think President Lee's proven to be the ultimate pragmatist," Randall Schriver, former assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, said. "It's hard to really define a lean one way or the other as he's makin

Jan 24, 2026By Yonhap
Pragmatism drives Lee’s diplomacy amid complex regional ties: experts
Foreign Affairs

As Korea weighs joining Trump's 'Board of Peace,' experts see more gains than risks

Korea faces a diplomatic dilemma after receiving U.S. President Donald Trump’s invitation to join the “Board of Peace,” a Washington-led initiative initially framed around the Gaza conflict but expected to evolve into a broader global forum. Foreign policy experts, meanwhile, contend that Seoul has little choice but to secure a seat at the table. As of Sunday, the Korean government has not announced whether it would accept or reject the invitation, which it confirmed receiving earlier that week. Cheong Wa Dae said it was reviewing participation and would take into account the board’s contributions to peace and stability and Korea’s potential role in the forum. Several traditional U.S. allies in Europe, including France and the United Kingdom, have either declined to join or expressed reluctance. Russia has reportedly discussed participation on the condition of unfreezing Russian assets held in the U.S. in exchange for a $1 billion contribution. Amid the differing reactions from the invited states, analysts view Korea as likely to eventually accept the offer, as there is little

Jan 23, 2026By Lee Hyo-jin
As Korea weighs joining Trump's 'Board of Peace,' experts see more gains than risks
Foreign Affairs

Top diplomats of Korea, EU discuss security, trade cooperation at strategic talks

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has met with his counterpart of the European Union (EU) and discussed efforts to enhance cooperation in areas including security, defense, the economy and trade, the foreign ministry said Friday. The talks with Kaja Kallas, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, took place during their second strategic dialogue in Brussels on Thursday (local time). The two sides "agreed to continue high-level exchanges, including summit talks, and held in-depth discussions on ways to enhance substantive cooperation across a wide range of areas, including in security and defense as well as economic and trade affairs," the ministry said. They also exchanged assessments on the situations regarding the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, as well as the war in Ukraine and the Middle East conflict. Korea and the EU elevated ties to a "strategic partnership" in 2010 to deepen cooperation from security, defense and the economy to trade, and science and technologies. The two sides launched the strategic dialogue in late 2024.

Jan 23, 2026By Yonhap
Top diplomats of Korea, EU discuss security, trade cooperation at strategic talks
North Korea

N. Korea completes building another tourist area on east coast

North Korea has held a completion ceremony for a new tourist zone on the east coast, state media reported Friday, after it opened the Kalma beach resort last year in an effort to foster the tourism industry. The ceremony of inaugurating the Yombunjin Coastal Park Area in North Hamgyong Province took place Wednesday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). In July 2011, North Korea launched the building of a hotel in the Yombunjin coastal areas under the instruction of then leader Kim Jong-il, but the construction had lagged for a long time. Incumbent leader Kim Jong-un inspected the site in 2018, ordering a reconsideration of the hotel's design and the construction of a modern coastal park. The KCNA said Yombunjin Haeyang Hostel and the beach area were splendidly built, with facilities ranging from movie theaters and shops to video arcades. "(The tourist park) will provide good rest and satisfactory convenience to not only the people in the province but also people who stop by for business trips," Pak Myong-ho, chairman of the North Hamgyong Provincial People's Committee, said

Jan 23, 2026By Yonhap
N. Korea completes building another tourist area on east coast
Foreign Affairs

PM arrives in Washington for talks with US officials, potentially including Vance

WASHINGTON — South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok kicked off his visit to the United States on Thursday for talks with Washington officials, possibly including Vice President JD Vance, as Seoul seeks to address a range of trade issues, including anticipated U.S. semiconductor tariffs. Kim arrived at Dulles International Airport near the U.S. capital in the morning, marking his first overseas trip as prime minister and the first standalone trip to the U.S. by a South Korean premier since the Asian country's democratization in the late 1980s. During his five-day visit, which includes a trip to New York, Kim plans to meet with government officials, lawmakers and Korean residents. Talks have been under way to arrange a meeting with Vance. His trip came after U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warned recently that memory chipmakers could be subject to new tariffs if they do not increase their manufacturing capacity in the U.S -- remarks that have put pressure on South Korean companies. A U.S. official has also told Yonhap News Agency that the Trump administration would seek "separat

Jan 23, 2026By Yonhap
PM arrives in Washington for talks with US officials, potentially including Vance
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