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  • Foreign Affairs

    Lee to receive Italy's highest decoration for promoting bilateral ties

    ROME — President Lee Jae Myung will receive Italy's highest state decoration from Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday in recognition of his contributions to bilateral ties, a presidential official said. Mattarella was to confer the Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic on Lee during a state banquet in Rome, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a briefing. The honor comes after the two leaders held summit talks earlier in the day at the Quirinal Palace, during which they agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership. Lee is currently on a state visit to Italy, the first such visit by a South Korean president in 26 years. The Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic is Italy's highest decoration bestowed on foreign heads of state. Italy conferred the honor on King Charles III of Britain and the president of the United Arab Emirates last year. The conferral reflects Italy's "highest expression of respect for Lee in appreciation of his contributions to strengthening friends

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Lee to receive Italy's highest decoration for promoting bilateral ties
  • 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

'Civilian' faces probes over drone incursion alleged by North

A joint military-police team said Friday that it is investigating a "civilian" over a recent drone incursion alleged by North Korea. North Korea claimed early this month that South Korea infringed on its sovereignty with drone incursions in September last year and on Jan. 4, with the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong-un demanding Seoul admit and apologize for the incident. South Korea's military has denied such claims, saying the drones in question were not models operated by the military. The police did not reveal the suspect's identity and other details of the investigation. "We have summoned one civilian suspect in connection with the case and are undergoing an investigation," the National Police Agency said in a notice to reporters. President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a "thorough" investigation into the matter, warning that such acts would constitute a "grave crime" threatening peace on the Korean Peninsula, if confirmed. Following the police notice, local broadcaster Channel A aired an interview with a 30-something-year-old man, who purported to have sent the drone to the North. The m

Jan 16, 2026By Yonhap
'Civilian' faces probes over drone incursion alleged by North
Others

Lee urges mutually beneficial ties in meeting with Japan's ex-PM Aso

President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that Seoul and Tokyo have to seek mutually beneficial relations by improving bilateral ties. In a meeting with former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, Lee said South Korea and Japan are neighbors using a front yard together. "It is desirable to find out as many areas as possible where the two countries cooperate, so as to create a mutually beneficial relationship" Lee said. Lee's meeting with the former Japanese prime minister came as he took a trip to Japan earlier this week for talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on ways to broaden and deepen bilateral cooperation amid tensions between Beijing and Tokyo. The president met Takaichi in her hometown of Nara, marking his second visit to Japan and his fifth summit with a Japanese prime minister since taking office in June last year. It was their second summit following their first meeting in South Korea's Gyeongju in late October. During Tuesday's talks, the two leaders agreed to advance "future-oriented cooperation" through reciprocal leader-level visits, dubbed "shuttle diplomacy." Lee said

Jan 16, 2026By Yonhap
Lee urges mutually beneficial ties in meeting with Japan's ex-PM Aso
Others

The curse of sanctioned oil: Why turmoil in Iran and Venezuela hurts China

The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the deadly nationwide protests in Iran are separate events unfolding on different continents. However, political unrest simultaneously battering the two oil-rich nations could converge to become a defining moment with far-reaching consequences for global geopolitics and trade. Following Maduro’s extradition to New York to face criminal charges, including narco-terrorism, U.S. President Donald Trump made clear that Washington intends to take control of Venezuela’s oil industry. On Friday, he said the United States would invest at least $100 billion to rebuild the country’s battered energy sector. “The U.S. said narco-terrorism was the primary reason behind its operation to arrest Maduro. But it is fair to say that the real motive stems from Washington’s plan to control Venezuela’s oil industry,” said Choo Jae-woo, a professor at Kyung Hee University. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, estimated at 303 billion barrels, followed by Saudi Arabia with 267 billion and Iran with 209 billion. In the wa

Jan 16, 2026By Kang Hyun-kyung
The curse of sanctioned oil: Why turmoil in Iran and Venezuela hurts China
North Korea

Unification, foreign ministries launch regular consultative channel on N. Korea policy

The unification and foreign ministries launched their vice ministerial-level consultative channel to coordinate policies on North Korea on Friday, officials said. Vice Unification Minister Kim Nam-jung and Jeong Yeon-doo, vice minister for diplomatic strategy and intelligence at the foreign ministry, held a luncheon meeting earlier in the day in the inaugural session of regular consultations, according to the unification ministry. The consultative channel was launched after a subtle mismatch emerged between the ministries over which should lead consultations with the United States on North Korea policy. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said his ministry would handle consultations with the U.S. on policies related to the Korean Peninsula and inter-Korean relations when the foreign ministry launched a regular consultative body with the U.S. Embassy in Seoul on North Korea policy last month. "(The officials) agreed to meet frequently in the future to share information on North Korea's latest moves, as well as views on North Korea policy," the unification ministry said in a press releas

Jan 16, 2026By Yonhap
Unification, foreign ministries launch regular consultative channel on N. Korea policy
North Korea

S. Korea to simplify import procedures for N. Korean processed foods

South Korea will simplify the import procedures for North Korean processed food in an effort to help resume inter-Korean trade at the private level, the unification ministry said Friday. The unification ministry, in consultation with other government agencies, drew up revisions to the enforcement decree related to inter-Korean exchange and other regulations in a bid to help facilitate imports of North Korean processed foods, according to ministry officials. Under the revised measure, importers of North Korean foods will be required to submit import documents at the import approval stage, rather than at the import declaration state, to prevent delays that have often occurred when importers failed to meet import declaration requirements even after obtaining approval. The envisioned laws also allow importers of North Korean foods to use alternative documents when registering production facilities with the food safety agency, rather than the government documents generally required from exporting countries. The revisions reflect the currently suspended state of inter-Korean relations, which m

Jan 16, 2026By Yonhap
S. Korea to simplify import procedures for N. Korean processed foods
Foreign Affairs

Korea, NATO discuss joint efforts to address common security challenges

Korea and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have discussed joint efforts to address common security challenges amid geopolitical uncertainties, the foreign ministry said Friday. The regular policy dialogue took place in Brussels on Thursday (local time) between Youn Jong-kwon, ambassador for international cyber affairs, and Boris Ruge, NATO's assistant secretary general for political affairs and security policy, the ministry said in a readout. The two sides shared understanding that cooperation among values-sharing partner countries is vital amid an uncertain geopolitical situation and a polycrisis prolonged by the U.S.-China rivalry and the ongoing war in Ukraine. As the security situations in Europe and Asia-Pacific are interwoven under the current landscape, they agreed to continue working together to address common security challenges, the ministry said. The two sides also reaffirmed that significant potential for an expanded partnership lies ahead for Korea and NATO, in areas including cybersecurity, the defense industry and space security. They agreed to make efforts fo

Jan 16, 2026By Yonhap
Korea, NATO discuss joint efforts to address common security challenges
North Korea

N. Korea to stage large-scale youth events ahead of party congress

North Korea will stage large-scale events marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of its largest youth organization, state media reported Friday, in what is seen as an effort to drum up youth loyalty ahead of a key party congress. Exemplary youth and army service members from across the country arrived in Pyongyang the previous day to participate in various events marking the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. All students and young people aged between 14-30, except those with party membership, are required to join the organization of the four key labor groups affiliated with the ruling party. The youth league is designed to instill party ideology and loyalty. Its membership is estimated at some 5 million. The participants are expected to take part in government-organized events marking the Jan. 17 founding anniversary of the league. The party department director for labor groups, Kim Jong-sun, and officials of the league welcomed them at Pyongyang Station, the KCNA said. The celebration comes ahead of t

Jan 16, 2026By Yonhap
N. Korea to stage large-scale youth events ahead of party congress
Foreign Affairs

Foreign envoys take part in Hwacheon ice fishing festival

Foreign diplomats stationed in Korea visited the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, experiencing one of the country’s signature winter celebrations blending together ice fishing, regional cuisine and cultural exchanges. According to Hwacheon County, a 32-member diplomatic delegation from 11 countries traveled from Seoul to the northeastern county on Jan. 13. The group included ambassadors from Malaysia, Tajikistan, Kenya and Iraq, as well as diplomats representing the United States, Bangladesh, Laos, Honduras, Argentina, Zambia and Congo. The delegation began its visit with lunch at a local restaurant to sample a variety of dishes made with the mountain trout that gives the festival its name. They then toured a promotional hall for a scholarship program supporting descendants of Ethiopian veterans of the Korean War, and participants tasted coffee prepared in a traditional Ethiopian style by beneficiaries of the initiative. The diplomats later headed to a designated zone for foreigners to try ice fishing, a centerpiece of the festival. Cheers and applause broke out as participants haule

Jan 16, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
Foreign envoys take part in Hwacheon ice fishing festival
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
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