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  • North Korea

    Trump's captionless Kim Jong-un photo sparks talk of renewed North Korea diplomacy

    Hours after declaring an end to the war with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump posted a captionless photo of himself with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un — a move experts say signals openness to renewed summit talks with Pyongyang, even if North Korea is unlikely to become an immediate priority for the administration. Trump uploaded the image to Truth Social on Sunday (local time), showing him walking with Kim through a garden in Singapore on June 12, 2018, during the summit at which the two leaders agreed to pursue denuclearization and improved bilateral ties. The post came roughly an hour after Trump announced the U.S. would sign a deal with Iran Monday, an agreement he said would bar Iran from possessing nuclear weapons and lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. “Barack Hussein Obama’s Deal with Iran, the JCPOA, was an easy, beautiful, smooth road to a Nuclear Weapon, which Iran would have had six years ago, and would have used long before now. My Agreement with Iran is the exact opposite, A WALL TO NO NUCLEAR WEAPON! In fact, they no longer want a Nuclear Weapon, nor

    3 MIN READBy Park Ji-won
    Trump's captionless Kim Jong-un photo sparks talk of renewed North Korea diplomacy
  • North Korea

    Unification ministry vows to press on with peace drive despite Pyongyang's rebuffs

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Unification ministry vows to press on with peace drive despite Pyongyang's rebuffs
  • Foreign Affairs

    Lee meets Pope Leo XIV at Vatican

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Lee meets Pope Leo XIV at Vatican
  • Foreign Affairs

    Korea eyes safe exit for 24 ships in Hormuz, weighs role in securing waterway

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Korea eyes safe exit for 24 ships in Hormuz, weighs role in securing waterway
  • Foreign Affairs

    Korea, Cambodia vow to expand economic ties building on FTA

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Korea, Cambodia vow to expand economic ties building on FTA
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North Korea

Funeral in Seoul seen as chance to revive stalled inter-Korean dialogue

A funeral for former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, a key figure in inter-Korean relations, is drawing attention over whether North Korea will send official condolences — a rare move that, if made, could signal a small opening after years of strained ties. Lee, who was serving as the vice chair of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, died Sunday during a trip to Vietnam. He was 73. His body is scheduled to arrive at Incheon International Airport early Tuesday and will be transferred to Seoul National University Hospital, where funeral services will be held. The funeral will be held over five days as a “social funeral,” jointly organized by the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council — a designation reserved for figures who made significant contributions to the state and society. For Seoul, a condolence message from Pyongyang would serve as a key diplomatic barometer. As one of the chief architects of the Sunshine Policy of rapprochement with the North, Lee was a central figure in inter-Korean relations, and a formal gesture from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would signal a lo

Jan 26, 2026By Lee Hyo-jin
Funeral in Seoul seen as chance to revive stalled inter-Korean dialogue
Foreign Affairs

Unification minister says review under way for special envoy to facilitate US-N. Korea talks

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Monday the government is reviewing sending a special envoy to neighboring countries to help facilitate dialogue between the United States and North Korea. "(The unification ministry) emphasized the need during its policy briefing to the president, and a review is currently under way," Chung told reporters when asked whether the dispatch of a special envoy was being considered. During the briefing to President Lee Jae Myung last month, Chung proposed appointing an envoy for "peace on the Korean Peninsula" to mobilize relevant countries' help in reopening U.S.-North Korea talks, as well as inter-Korean dialogue. Chung remarks came after the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper reported Monday that Chung had been appointed as a Korean Peninsula peace envoy and would travel to China and then the U.S. Chung did not confirm the news report. He instead noted that who should serve as the peace envoy was not an urgent issue, although he added that he is willing to take on the role if entrusted. The government has said the period leading up to U.S. President Donald Trump

Jan 26, 2026By Yonhap
Unification minister says review under way for special envoy to facilitate US-N. Korea talks
North Korea

Police question graduate student claiming responsibility over alleged drone flights to N. Korea

A graduate student who claimed responsibility over alleged recent drone flights to North Korea underwent police questioning over the weekend, officials said Monday. The 30-something suspect, surnamed Oh, appeared before police Saturday after claiming in a media interview earlier this month that he flew the drones himself following North Korea's announcement of the alleged flights. The North's military claimed on Jan. 10 that South Korea infringed on its sovereignty with drone incursions in September and on Jan. 4, prompting South Korean police to launch a joint investigation with the military. Investigators also questioned another suspect, surnamed Jang, accused of building the drones, for the second time on Friday. The suspects face charges of violating the Aviation Safety Act and the Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act. Investigators have widened the probe after the two suspects were found to have co-founded a drone manufacturing company and to have worked at the presidential office under former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Police are reportedly looking into possible motives

Jan 26, 2026By Yonhap
Police question graduate student claiming responsibility over alleged drone flights to N. Korea
Foreign Affairs

Esports diplomacy project links Korea, Japan, Germany

The German embassies in Seoul and Tokyo are launching a new esports initiative aimed at connecting young audiences across borders through competitive gaming, officials said. The project, titled “.DE” (Diplomacy Meets Esports), centers on a League of Legends tournament that will bring together teams from Korea, Japan and Germany. Organizers say the event blends esports competition with cultural diplomacy, reflecting the growing role of gaming in contemporary society. The initiative builds on Germany’s and Korea’s recent experiences hosting major global esports events, including the League of Legends World Championship in 2024 and 2023. Korea remains widely regarded as a global powerhouse in the game, producing star players such as Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok and Heo "ShowMaker" Su, while the competitive scenes in Germany and Japan have expanded rapidly in recent years. The offline final will be held in Tokyo on March 1, featuring two teams qualifying from Japan and Korea, along with a specially invited team from Germany. In addition to high-level gameplay, organizers say the event wil

Jan 26, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
Esports diplomacy project links Korea, Japan, Germany
Foreign Affairs

FM Cho highlights Korea's push for nuclear-powered subs to boost deterrence, US alliance

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun highlighted Monday that Korea's push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines will contribute to the alliance with the United States by boosting its deterrence capabilities. Cho made the remark during a breakfast meeting with Elbridge Colby, U.S. under secretary of war for policy, who is visiting Seoul this week, following the Pentagon's release of a new National Defense Strategy that includes its policy direction for the Korean Peninsula and other alliance issues. "Minister Cho, in particular, recalled that nuclear-powered submarine cooperation will contribute to the alliance (with the U.S.) by strengthening Korea's deterrence capabilities, calling for the need for concrete implementation steps through working-level talks," the ministry said in a readout. Colby expressed appreciation for Korea's commitment, as a model ally, to playing a leading role in the defense of the Korean Peninsula by strengthening its own defense capabilities, the ministry said. The Department of War will play an active role in ensuring that key agreements reached at the summit talks are sw

Jan 26, 2026By Yonhap
FM Cho highlights Korea's push for nuclear-powered subs to boost deterrence, US alliance
Foreign Affairs

Canadian Embassy in Seoul highlights strength of bilateral ties

The Embassy of Canada in Seoul held a New Year networking reception Thursday at its Seoul offices, celebrating the strength of Canada-Korea relations, with Ashley Mulroney, head of political, economic and public affairs, praising the trust and shared values underpinning the decades-long partnership. Mulroney opened by saying the evening was to honor the people who help sustain bilateral ties. Welcoming guests to the embassy, she humorously said that Canada was proud to offer “syrup, politeness and, hopefully, a pleasant evening among friends.” She noted that Canada and Korea have been partners for decades and that their bond is built on trust, shared values and a belief that the two countries are stronger when they work together. She pointed to the winter cold, saying temperatures in Seoul and Ottawa were nearly identical that evening, showing the two countries can even compete on the weather and drawing laughter from the audience. Comparing the relationship to a Korean drama, Mulroney described it as “warm, reliable and always improving — but with fewer love triangles.” She th

Jan 26, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
Canadian Embassy in Seoul highlights strength of bilateral ties
Foreign Affairs

Korea, Bangladesh to hold 2nd round of negotiations for free trade deal

Korea and Bangladesh are set to hold their second round of negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) this week, Seoul's industry ministry said Monday, as Seoul seeks to expand its foothold in the Southwest Asian market amid global trade uncertainties. Trade delegations from the two sides will hold talks for four days through Thursday in Dhaka, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. The two countries officially announced the launch of negotiations in November 2024 and held their first round of talks in Seoul in August last year. Bangladesh is the eighth-largest country in the world in terms of population and one of the fastest growing economies in Southwest Asia, according to the ministry. "Signing a CEPA with Bangladesh will greatly help Korean companies enter the Southwest Asian market, as Bangladesh is a key market in Southwest Asia with growth potential," said Son Ho-young, a ministry official in charge of trade agreement negotiations. A CEPA is a type of free trade agreement that emphasizes a broader scope of economic cooperation and e

Jan 26, 2026By Yonhap
Korea, Bangladesh to hold 2nd round of negotiations for free trade deal
Foreign Affairs

Korea to promote cultural cooperation with China following summit talks: finance chief

Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Monday the government will work to enhance cultural cooperation with China, in light of the recent summit talks between the two countries. President Lee Jae Myung visited Beijing in early January for his second summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which, Lee has said, laid the foundation for the full restoration of bilateral relations. "As the summit laid the groundwork for economic cooperation, we will also advance cultural cooperation to reinforce it," Koo said while presiding over a meeting of economy-related ministers. During the meeting, Koo noted that the Korean president's visit to China, the first in nine years, was a milestone in restoring bilateral ties and building a future-oriented foundation for cooperation. "The government plans to gradually restore cultural exchanges across various fields, including arts, sports and tourism, as well as games, music, film and broadcasting, while expanding people-to-people exchanges," he added. Relations between Seoul and Beijing have somewhat deteriorated in recent years, including a ban on Korean cul

Jan 26, 2026By Yonhap
Korea to promote cultural cooperation with China following summit talks: finance chief
Foreign Affairs

Korea delegation heads to Canada to lobby for submarine project

President Lee Jae Myung's chief of staff on Monday departed for Toronto in a bid to support Korea's bid to win Canada's major submarine project, as the country is competing with Germany for the deal estimated at up to 60 trillion won ($40.9 billion). Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, left for Canada, as Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean Co. is vying for Canada's submarine program after being selected as one of the final two contenders, alongside Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). "The (Canadian) submarine project's bidders have now been narrowed down to the Republic of Korea and Germany," Kang told reporters at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, before departure. "Through this visit, we will meet senior Canadian officials to explain the advanced capabilities of Korean submarines and convey the government's commitment to expanding security and industrial cooperation between the two countries," he added. Kang underscored the importance of providing pan-government support for the export bid, noting that South Korea faces tough competition as Germany is a gl

Jan 26, 2026By Yonhap
Korea delegation heads to Canada to lobby for submarine project
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
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