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Foreign Affairs

Putin says hopes to restore S. Korea-Russia relations: report

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that he hopes to restore relations between his country and South Korea, according to a news report. Putin made the remark during a credentials presenting ceremony with new ambassadors to Moscow, including Seoul's top envoy Lee Sok-bae. "Unfortunately, much of the positive capital in our interaction with the Republic of Korea has been squandered," Russia's RIA Novosti quoted him as saying. "Yet, in the past, by adhering to pragmatic approaches, our countries achieved truly good results in trade and business. We hope to restore relations with the republic."

Jan 16, 2026By Yonhap
Putin says hopes to restore S. Korea-Russia relations: report
Foreign Affairs

Korea opposes use of force against peaceful protests in Iran

The Korean government on Thursday voiced opposition to the use of force against peaceful demonstrations in Iran, expressing deep concern over growing instability in the region. "The Korean government is deeply concerned about the recent protests in Iran, which have resulted in numerous casualties and the worsening stability in the region," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement released by its spokesperson, adding that it is closely monitoring developments. "The Korean government opposes any use of force against peaceful demonstrations and hopes for a peaceful resolution of the situation," the statement said. The ministry also said it is closely monitoring the safety of Korean nationals in Iran, and is taking all necessary measures to protect its citizens in case the local situation deteriorates further. The statement came amid reports that violent crackdowns by Iranian authorities on anti-government protesters have led to around 12,000 casualties, according to a human rights group. The protests, sparked by an economic crisis, have escalated into a broader anti-government mo

Jan 15, 2026By Lee Hyo-jin
Korea opposes use of force against peaceful protests in Iran
Foreign Affairs

PHOTO US Embassy thanks Korea

James R. Heller, left, chargé d’affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy, and Park Gwan-cheon, deputy chief of the Presidential Security Service, pose for a photo during a reception at the U.S. ambassador’s residence in Seoul, Jan. 12. The reception was hosted by the U.S. Embassy to express appreciation for security cooperation during U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit to Korea for the Gyeongju APEC Leaders’ Meeting. Courtesy of Presidential Security Service.

Jan 15, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
[PHOTO] US Embassy thanks Korea
Foreign Affairs

Korea, Singapore seek stronger strategic partnership as global risks grow

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik met with Singapore’s ambassador to Korea earlier this week to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation as both countries navigate growing global uncertainty, according to the National Assembly. Woo received Ambassador Wong Kai Jiun at his office at the National Assembly in Seoul, where he highlighted the importance of trust-based strategic cooperation between Korea and Singapore, which marked 50 years of diplomatic relations last year. “Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1975, Korea and Singapore have consistently supported the free trade order,” Woo said. “At a time of increasing uncertainty in the international environment, it is important for the two countries to further strengthen strategic cooperation based on mutual trust.” Woo also referred to his upcoming official visit to Singapore scheduled for next week, saying he looked forward to holding “meaningful and constructive discussions” on expanding cooperation between the two legislatures. He added that the visit would offer an opportunity to closely examine S

Jan 15, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
Korea, Singapore seek stronger strategic partnership as global risks grow
Foreign Affairs

Seoul, Abu Dhabi pledge to expand strategic partnership

Korea and the United Arab Emirates signaled their intention to build a long-term strategic partnership focused on defense and high-tech cooperation, as President Lee Jae Myung met with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Executive Affairs Authority, at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul Thursday. Al Mubarak visited Seoul in his capacity as the United Arab Emirates’ special envoy for Korea, holding the meeting as part of follow-up consultations after Lee’s state visit to the UAE in November. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen defense cooperation and explored opportunities to expand collaboration in the field of advanced technology. In his opening remarks, Lee said that “considerable groundwork has already been laid for cooperation projects between the two countries” and called for close coordination to produce tangible results. He also stressed the enduring scope of the bilateral relationship, expressing hope that “Korea and the UAE will develop a partnership that lasts for the next 100 years.” The president also mentioned the possibility of a state visit to Ko

Jan 15, 2026By Anna J. Park
Seoul, Abu Dhabi pledge to expand strategic partnership
Others

China signals end to hallyu ban as K-pop prepares for return

For 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 ban

Jan 15, 2026By Hankookilbo
China signals end to hallyu ban as K-pop prepares for return
North Korea

Over 100,000 registered S. Koreans with separated families in N. Korea die of old age

More than 100,000 South Koreans who registered as having family members in North Korea separated by the 1950-53 Korean War have died of old age, government data showed Thursday, highlighting the urgency of arranging family reunions. Of the total 134,516 people registered as separated families, 101,148 have died as of the end of 2025, according to the unification ministry data. Two people newly registered last month as having family members separated in the North, while 292 others died, leaving only 34,368 survivors, down 2,573 from the end of 2024. The brutal three-year civil war left many people separated from their families, while ongoing inter-Korean tensions have long halted once-regular family reunion events with relatives in the North. With family reunions remaining halted, around 200 people die each month while waiting to reunite with relatives in the North. Only one South Korean succeeded last year in reaching out to a family member in North Korea and confirmed the relative's whereabouts through privately arranged assistance, in an exceptional case, the ministry said. The person, a

Jan 15, 2026By Yonhap
Over 100,000 registered S. Koreans with separated families in N. Korea die of old age
Foreign Affairs

1 Korean among those killed in train accident in Thailand: Seoul

One Korean national was among those killed when a construction crane collapsed onto a passing train in Thailand and caused it to derail, the foreign ministry said Thursday. The passenger train from Bangkok was passing Nakhon Ratchasima, northeast of the capital, on Wednesday, when a crane at a high-speed rail construction site crashed onto the carriages, instantly derailing the train, according to foreign news reports. At least 32 people have been killed, including the Korean, out of about 170 believed to have been on board. Dozens of others have been injured, the reports said. The foreign ministry said it is providing necessary consular assistance to the bereaved family members.

Jan 15, 2026By Yonhap
1 Korean among those killed in train accident in Thailand: Seoul
Foreign Affairs

Korea to seek 'optimal' response in case of ruling against Trump's 'reciprocal' tariffs: Seoul official

Korea would seek an "optimal" response while watching other countries' moves, should the U.S. Supreme Court rule against President Donald Trump's broad country-specific tariffs, a senior Seoul official said Wednesday, stressing the Asian country is preparing for "all possibilities." Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo made the remarks in a meeting with reporters in Washington as the high court has been deliberating on the legality of Trump's use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose "reciprocal" tariffs on most trading partners, including Korea, the European Union and Japan. Yeo had planned to head back to Korea on the day but delayed his flight to examine potential ramifications from a proclamation that Trump signed on Wednesday to levy a 25 percent tariff on certain semiconductors for artificial intelligence (AI). "While watching how other countries with (trade) agreements with the U.S. would respond, (Korea) would need to explore an optimal judgment depending on how the situation would play out," Yeo told reporters, addressing a question over how Seoul woul

Jan 15, 2026By Yonhap
Korea to seek 'optimal' response in case of ruling against Trump's 'reciprocal' tariffs: Seoul official
Foreign Affairs

Trade minister urges US not to escalate Coupang case into trade dispute

Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo has met with U.S. lawmakers and officials to dispel concerns over Korea's ongoing investigation into a massive data breach at Coupang, warning against the issue evolving into a trade row between the two countries, Yeo's office said Thursday. Yeo traveled to Washington this week to meet with a number of U.S. lawmakers, including Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Dave McCormick (R-PA) and Todd Young (R-IN), as well as Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA). Yeo also held meetings with officials from U.S. think tanks and business associations, including the Coalition of Services Industries, the Computer & Communications Industry Association, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. Yeo's trip to the U.S. came as concerns burst out from Washington over Korea's recent push for digital regulations, including the recently revised network act, and scrutiny into Coupang's data leak incident. Earlier this week, Smith, chair of the trade subcommittee of the U.S. House of Rep

Jan 15, 2026By Yonhap
Trade minister urges US not to escalate Coupang case into trade dispute
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