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  • Foreign Affairs

    Korean gov't condemns attack on Korean-operated vessel in Strait of Hormuz

    The presidential office on Monday condemned attacks on a bulk carrier operated by the Korean shipping company HMM near the Strait of Hormuz, calling attacks on civilian vessels unacceptable. While the government has not made a conclusion over who attacked the HMM Namu, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said it will join international efforts to guarantee safe passage and operation of ships through the strait. “The government strongly condemns attacks on civilian vessels such as the HMM Namu, as such actions cannot be justified or tolerated,” Wi said during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae. “We intend to identify the perpetrator, the exact type of equipment used and its physical specifications through further investigation. Accordingly, we will also consider necessary response measures.” His remarks came a day after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the initial findings regarding the investigation into the cause of an explosion and fire aboard HMM Namu. The ministry, citing an investigative team dispatched to the scene, said two separate airborne objects struck the shi

    3 MIN READBy Yi Whan-woo
    Korean gov't condemns attack on Korean-operated vessel in Strait of Hormuz
  • Foreign Affairs

    '2026 ASEAN Panorama' brings Southeast Asia to Seoul

    2 MIN READBy Anna J. Park
    '2026 ASEAN Panorama' brings Southeast Asia to Seoul
  • Foreign Affairs

    S. Korea, US defense chiefs meet amid OPCON push, Hormuz issue

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    S. Korea, US defense chiefs meet amid OPCON push, Hormuz issue
  • North Korea

    What happened to denuclearizing North Korea?

    6 MIN READBy NK News
    What happened to denuclearizing North Korea?
  • North Korea

    N. Korea marches in Russia's Victory Day parade in show of military bond: Seoul

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    N. Korea marches in Russia's Victory Day parade in show of military bond: Seoul
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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

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Foreign Affairs

ASEAN-Korea Centre hosts talks, workshop on ESG and AI collaboration

The ASEAN-Korea Centre kicked off the two-day "ASEAN-Korea Sustainable Innovation Talks" and workshop in Seoul, Thursday, bringing together around 100 experts, companies and policymakers from across ASEAN and South Korea to advance cooperation on environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). In his opening remarks, Secretary General Kim Jae-shin welcomed participants and stressed the importance of pairing sustainability with digital innovation. “Amid rapid technological innovation, I am confident that ASEAN and Korea can leverage sustainability and AI as mutually reinforcing forces, driving responsible innovation, fostering inclusive growth and creating long-term value and a prosperous tomorrow,” Kim said. He thanked partners, including Yonsei University’s Digital Trade Research Center and the ASEAN Innovation Business Platform, for supporting the initiative, and emphasized the centre’s ongoing efforts to deepen ESG cooperation. Congratulatory remarks were also delivered by ASEAN Committee in Seoul Chairman and Singapore Am

Sep 18, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin
ASEAN-Korea Centre hosts talks, workshop on ESG and AI collaboration
North Korea

South Korea seeks 'peaceful 2 states' approach in relations with North

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Thursday that South Korea will seek to transform North Korea's "hostile two-state" framework into a “peaceful two-state” arrangement, describing it as a transitional stage on the path toward eventual unification. Speaking at the Global Korea Forum hosted by the ministry in Seoul, Chung said South Korea will continue pursuing rapprochement with Pyongyang despite the North’s frosty response, calling dialogue the most effective means of reducing hostilities. "Even if North Korea continues to uphold the two-state theory, there is no justification for maintaining hostility," he said in an opening speech. "The main focus should first be on ending this hostility. The alternative is to transform the hostile two-state framework into a de facto peaceful two-state framework. This is the core of our policy toward North Korea." While Chung's remarks appear aimed at reviving talks with Pyongyang as the Lee Jae Myung administration seeks to restore engagement, some worry that this approach could spark controversy for aligning too closely with Kim Jong-u

Sep 18, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin
South Korea seeks 'peaceful 2 states' approach in relations with North
North Korea

N. Korea's early disclosure of Hwasong-20 ICBM apparently aimed at putting pressure on US

North Korea appears to have disclosed a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) under development earlier than scheduled in a bid to exert pressure on the United States, Seoul's military officials said Thursday. Earlier this month, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited a research lab that developed a new high-thrust solid-fuel engine, saying it will be used for the next-generation Hwasong-20 ICBM under development. The North also conducted a ground test for the engine, disclosing what appears to be the warhead of the Hwasong-20. A Seoul military official said the North's new ICBM appears to be in the early stage of development. "Pyongyang appears to have disclosed it somewhat hastily in consideration of political factors," the official said, noting that the move could be aimed at putting pressure on the U.S. North Korea seems to be aiming to show off its solidarity with China and Russia and raise tensions in Northeast Asia with a new ICBM as it exceptionally disclosed its warhead and related engine test, according to Rep. Yu Yong-weon of the main opposition People Power Party. Expe

Sep 18, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea's early disclosure of Hwasong-20 ICBM apparently aimed at putting pressure on US
Foreign Affairs

Lee says S. Korea will stand together with US in global order but needs to manage ties with China

President Lee Jae Myung has said South Korea will stand together with the United States, Seoul's longtime ally, in the new global order but voiced the need to manage relations with China. In an interview with the U.S. weekly magazine TIME marking his first 100 days in office, Lee told the magazine, "We will stand together with the U.S. in the new global order, as well as supply chains centered on the U.S., but there is a need for us to manage our relationship with China so as not to antagonize them." If not, there is "a risk that South Korea could become the front line of a battle between two different blocs," Lee was quoted as saying. Lee said South Korea's past strategy of "relying for security on the U.S. and economically on China" is no longer viable amid a radical shift in the geopolitical environment. Instead, Lee told the magazine that South Korea hopes to act as a "bridge" between the U.S. and China to prevent relations from spiraling in the new era of great power competition. While working to strengthen ties with Washington, the alliance has been tested by a recent immigration cr

Sep 18, 2025By Yonhap
Lee says S. Korea will stand together with US in global order but needs to manage ties with China
North Korea

N. Korea intends to participate in 2026 Asian Games in Japan: report

North Korea has expressed its intent to take part in next year's Asian Games set to be staged in Japan, a report claimed Wednesday. Citing the organizing committee of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Kyodo News said North Korea is hoping to send a delegation of about 260 to 270, including some 150 athletes in 17 sports, to the multisport competition. The 20th Asian Games are scheduled to run from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 next year in Aichi Prefecture, with the prefecture's capital, Nagoya, serving as the main host. The Kyodo report said the Japanese government will carefully consider opening its doors to North Korea. Since February 2016, Japan has banned North Korean citizens from entering as part of sanctions against Pyongyang's repeated ballistic missile firings. However, Japan made exceptions in sports, allowing North Korean men's and women's football teams to visit the country early last year to play qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Asiad organizing committee will meet with leaders of each national delegation next week and bring them up to date on its preparations. According to

Sep 17, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea intends to participate in 2026 Asian Games in Japan: report
Foreign Affairs

FM holds talks with China's top diplomat, urges Xi Jinping to visit Korea

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Tuesday, expressing hopes for a visit by President Xi Jinping to Korea later this year and for deeper bilateral cooperation between the two countries. It was Cho's first official visit to China since taking office — a move widely seen as an effort by Seoul to revitalize diplomatic ties amid a shifting regional landscape. During the talks, Cho highlighted the significance of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, at the end of next month. “It is very meaningful that APEC is being hosted in Northeast Asia — Korea this year and will be held in China again next year," he said. "I hope this will serve not only as an opportunity to advance APEC itself but also to deepen Korea–China relations. I look forward to President Xi attending the Gyeongju summit and visiting Korea, which would contribute to the further development of bilateral ties.” In response, Wang underscored the importance of sustained e

Sep 17, 2025By Anna J. Park
FM holds talks with China's top diplomat, urges Xi Jinping to visit Korea
Foreign Affairs

S. Korea, US agree on 'ultimate' goal of denuclearization of Korean Peninsula

South Korea and the United States have agreed on the "ultimate" goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and that the goal is irreversible regardless of North Korea's stance, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Wednesday. "Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the ultimate goal" that South Korea and the U.S. have traditionally shared, and the target "remains unchanged whether North Korea likes it or not," Wi told a forum in Seoul. Wi reiterated that South Korea would pursue a three-stage plan for the denuclearization of North Korea, although Pyongyang has snubbed peace overtures by President Lee Jae Myung. "To move toward this goal, it is important to first halt North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. We must approach it in steps — first a freeze, then reduction and finally dismantlement," Wi said. "Although North Korea has not yet shown an immediate response, it is important to resume dialogue first," he said. "Our government has taken a few actions to ease tensions without undermining security or deterrence, and we will continue efforts to build trust." On the

Sep 17, 2025By Yonhap
S. Korea, US agree on 'ultimate' goal of denuclearization of Korean Peninsula
Foreign Affairs

Education leaders, envoys urge Korean universities to expand global reach

University leaders and foreign diplomats underscored the importance of international cooperation in higher education at the 2025 Korea Times Global Conference in Seoul Wednesday, calling it vital for both Korea’s competitiveness and the global exchange of experts. While Korea’s soft power has made its culture an increasingly sought-after commodity, experts at the conference argued that the country’s universities must do more to compete for the best and the brightest around the globe. With a demographic cliff looming and the nation’s economic future hanging in the balance, failure to attract and retain foreign professionals could stifle innovation and threaten Korea’s long-term prosperity. Ewha Womans University President Lee Hyang-sook said the event comes at a time when Korean universities are drawing growing global attention. “I heard that The Korea Times is planning evaluation programs to raise the global standards of domestic universities,” she said. “As Korea becomes more globalized and attracts more inbound and outbound students, I believe this forum will play a ro

Sep 17, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin and Anna J. Park
Education leaders, envoys urge Korean universities to expand global reach
Foreign Affairs

Lee, Trump expected to meet in Gyeongju on sidelines of APEC summit: US envoy

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to travel to Korea next month to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and meet President Lee Jae Myung on the sidelines, the acting U.S. ambassador to Korea said Wednesday. Acting U.S. Ambassador to Korea Joseph Yun made the remarks during a conference on the Seoul-Washington alliance as Korea will host the APEC summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju between late October and early November. Lee invited Trump to the gathering during their bilateral summit talks held in Washington last month. Yun said he believes the two leaders had "successful" talks in August and are expected to meet again in Gyeongju. Earlier in the day, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac told a forum that he expects Trump to visit Korea to attend the APEC though nothing has been confirmed. At the forum, Yun assessed the bilateral alliance as being more powerful than ever but also said the Seoul-Washington alliance needs to change in accordance with new threats and reality. He was apparently referring to the "modernization of the alliance" aimed at expa

Sep 17, 2025By Yonhap
Lee, Trump expected to meet in Gyeongju on sidelines of APEC summit: US envoy
Foreign Affairs

Diplomatic consent completed for ex-FM Kang to become ambassador to US: security adviser

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Wednesday that diplomatic consent from Washington has been completed for former Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha to be formally appointed as Korea's ambassador to the United States. Kang has already received diplomatic consent from Washington over the appointment, known as "agrement," Wi told a forum in Seoul. With the process finalized, she is expected to be officially appointed as the ambassador to the U.S. in the near future. Kang, who served as Korea's top diplomat from 2017 to 2021 under former President Moon Jae-in, will become the Lee Jae Myung administration's first ambassador to Washington.

Sep 17, 2025By Yonhap
Diplomatic consent completed for ex-FM Kang to become ambassador to US: security adviser
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