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  • Foreign Affairs

    Lee arrives in Italy for talks with Italian president, PM

    ROME — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Italy on Wednesday for talks with the country's top leaders on bilateral ties. Italy is the second stop on Lee's 10-day trip to Europe, his first visit to the region since taking office in June last year, which is widely aimed at broadening his diplomatic outreach in the region. As the presidential aircraft carrying him and his entourage entered Italy's airspace, two Italian fighter jets provided an air escort in a show of respect. On Thursday, Lee will attend an official welcome ceremony hosted by President Sergio Mattarella and hold a summit with him before the two leaders make a joint press announcement. The South Korean president will hold separate talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni the following day. On Sunday, he will attend Mass at St. Peter's Basilica and meet with Pope Leo XIV the next day. The president will wrap up his visit to Italy on Tuesday, when he will head to France's Evian for the Group of Seven (G7) summit, to which South Korea has been invited as a partner nation.

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Lee arrives in Italy for talks with Italian president, PM
  • Foreign Affairs

    Korea attracts $165 mil. investment from European firms, signs digital trade agreement with EU

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Korea attracts $165 mil. investment from European firms, signs digital trade agreement with EU
  • Foreign Affairs

    Korea, US host energy business forum to expand bilateral cooperation

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Korea, US host energy business forum to expand bilateral cooperation
  • Foreign Affairs

    Japanese hotel to remove monument to colonial-era Korean independence activist

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Japanese hotel to remove monument to colonial-era Korean independence activist
  • Foreign Affairs

    Seoul denies report of Japan's request for talks on Fukushima seafood import ban

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Seoul denies report of Japan's request for talks on Fukushima seafood import ban
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Foreign Affairs

US-China trade deal gives countries chance to seek deals without being singled out as choosing sides: expert

A trade deal between the United States and China gives other countries a chance to negotiate their own deals without being singled out as taking sides between the two superpowers, an expert said Monday, as Korea and other countries are trying to reach agreements with Washington. Following high-stakes negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, Washington and Beijing announced the deal to temporarily reduce tariffs for 90 days. Under it, U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods will be lowered to 30 percent from the current 145 percent, starting Wednesday, while Chinese tariffs on U.S. exports will be cut to 10 percent from 125 percent. When the changes come into effect, the two countries agreed to establish a mechanism to continue discussions on trade and other economic issues, where Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and He Lifeng, vice premier of the State Council of China, will represent each side, according to the White House. The deal was keenly watched by Korea and other countries that have been in talks with the U.S. in the hopes of avoiding or minimizing th

May 13, 2025By Yonhap
US-China trade deal gives countries chance to seek deals without being singled out as choosing sides: expert
Foreign Affairs

Vice FM to visit Indonesia this week to discuss bilateral cooperation

First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun will travel to Indonesia this week for talks with his Indonesian counterpart on bilateral cooperation, the foreign ministry said Monday. Kim will depart for Jakarta on Tuesday for the two-day trip, during which he plans to address key bilateral cooperation issues through high-level diplomacy, including talks with an Indonesian vice minister, the ministry said. The trip is part of Korea's efforts to strengthen ties with individual member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), following the establishment of a "comprehensive strategic partnership" with the regional bloc late last year. Around 2,000 Korean companies operate business entities in Indonesia, a leading ASEAN member and key economic partner of Seoul.

May 12, 2025By Yonhap
Vice FM to visit Indonesia this week to discuss bilateral cooperation
Foreign Affairs

EU commemorates Europe Day in Seoul, highlighting peace and security

The Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea, together with representatives from the 25 EU Member States present in Korea, hosted a special event recently to commemorate Europe Day, marking the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration — a historic milestone widely recognized as the foundation of European integration. Held under the theme "Partnering for Peace and Security," this year’s event, which took place on Friday, emphasized the European Union’s commitment to global cooperation in maintaining peace, particularly in light of its strengthened partnership with Korea. The event follows the EU and Republic of Korea’s adoption of the Security and Defense Partnership last year, underscoring their shared dedication to addressing global and regional security challenges. In her opening remarks, European Union Ambassador to Korea Maria Castillo Fernandez reflected on the legacy of Europe Day. "On this day 75 years ago, then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman delivered a historic speech that led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community and, even

May 12, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin
EU commemorates Europe Day in Seoul, highlighting peace and security
North Korea

UN to host 1st high-level meeting on N. Korea's human rights violations

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will hold its first high-level meeting next week over human rights abuses and violations by North Korea, diplomatic and civic group sources said Monday. In a circulated letter, UNGA President Philemon Yang announced a plan to convene a high-level plenary meeting on May 20 to address North Korea's human rights violations, in accordance with a relevant UNGA resolution adopted in December last year, the sources said. It marks the first time that a high-level meeting on the North Korean human rights situation will be hosted by the UNGA. A previous high-level meeting on the subject, held in September 2014 during a UNGA session, was hosted by the South Korean and U.S. governments along with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. A foreign ministry official told Yonhap News Agency that the ministry is currently reviewing options to dispatch a senior official from Seoul, the top envoy to the U.N. or another representative to the meeting.

May 12, 2025By Yonhap
UN to host 1st high-level meeting on N. Korea's human rights violations
Others

Korea, US set to embark on advanced trade talks during APEC meeting

Korea and the United States are expected to hold a second round of high-level trade talks this week on the sidelines of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meeting here to fine-tune the details for their possible "July package" deal. The U.S. delegation includes U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer who will visit Korea's southern Jeju Island for two days from Thursday for talks with Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo. There is a possibility that Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun will also fly to Jeju to address Korea's challenges and arrange a schedule for future talks. The APEC ministers' meeting is held to discuss trade-related issues ahead of the APEC summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, this October. Both countries held their first round of trade talks last month under a "two-plus-two consultation" format with finance and trade ministers from both countries. Given Korea's ongoing leadership vacuum — triggered by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol — the government's basic stance is that the next administration, which will be

May 11, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
Korea, US set to embark on advanced trade talks during APEC meeting
North Korea

N. Korea says 20,000 homes to be built in 130 rural areas this year

Around 20,000 housing units will be built across 130 agricultural areas in North Korea this year as part of efforts to close the gap between urban and rural regions, the North's mainstream newspaper reported Sunday. "This year as well, some 20,000 agricultural homes are being built in various and unique styles across 130 cities and counties, showcasing the vitality of the party's rural revolution platform," the Rodong Sinmun daily said in an article. Several regions, including the Rajin and Sonbong districts in the city of Rason, are nearing the completion of new homes, while around 500 architects are currently working in Pyongyang on housing designs, the newspaper also said. The news report appears to highlight ongoing efforts to upgrade infrastructure in North Korea's rural areas, as the country pushes forward with a major construction plan, the Regional Development 20x10 Policy, aimed at annually building modernized factories in 20 cities and counties over a 10-year period. In a separate article Sunday, the Rodong Sinmun acknowledged disparities in living standards between urban and r

May 11, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea says 20,000 homes to be built in 130 rural areas this year
Foreign Affairs

Czech Republic to appeal injunction this week halting nuclear power deal with Korea

The Czech Republic's state-run energy company CEZ plans to appeal a court injunction this week preventing it from signing a major nuclear power plant project with Korea, officials said Sunday. Last week, a Czech regional court issued an injunction temporarily suspending finalizing the estimated 26 trillion-won ($18.6 billion) project, following a legal challenge filed by the French energy company EDF, which lost to the Korean consortium led by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) in the tender process. The Czech authorities have told Korean officials that CEZ and relevant government ministries will file an appeal with its highest administrative court within this week as swiftly as possible. CEZ CEO Daniel Benes told reporters last week that the company expected the court "to make a swift decision given the importance of the case." KHNP had initially planned to finalize the agreement last week with Elektrarna Dukovany II (EDU II), a subsidiary of CEZ in charge of overseeing the project. But the signing was unexpectedly postponed just one day before the scheduled ceremony pending a final

May 11, 2025By Yonhap
Czech Republic to appeal injunction this week halting nuclear power deal with Korea
Foreign Affairs

Korea to decide by August on Google's potential transfer of high-precision map data

The Korean government will decide by August whether to allow Google to transfer the country's high-precision map data overseas amid heated debates over national security, digital sovereignty and other trade issues, officials said Sunday. In February, the U.S. tech giant submitted an application to the state-run National Geographic Information Institute, seeking approval for the transfer of 1:5,000-scale high-precision map data to its data centers abroad. The review panel must notify Google of the result within 60 days of the application date, with the possibility of a 60-day extension. Holidays are excluded from the review period. The initial deadline, accordingly, was mid-May, but the government has decided to extend the review period and make a decision before the second deadline of Aug. 11, as the June 3 presidential election was designated as a temporary holiday. The decision will be made by the map data export review panel, which involves officials from major ministries, including the defense, foreign affairs, industry and science ministries, as well as the National Intelligence Ser

May 11, 2025By Yonhap
Korea to decide by August on Google's potential transfer of high-precision map data
Foreign Affairs

USTR Greer to visit Korea for trade talks next week

U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer plans to visit Korea this week for talks on the U.S. new tariff scheme and other bilateral trade issues, officials said Sunday. Greer is scheduled to arrive in Korea on Thursday for a two-day stay to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers meeting, which will be held on the southern resort island of Jeju, according to government officials. On the sidelines of the meeting, Greer is expected to have high-level talks with Korea's Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun or Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo, as well as other counterparts, as consultations are now under way about U.S. President Donald Trump's administration's new tariff policies. Last month, the United States began imposing reciprocal tariffs on partner nations, including 25 percent duties on Korea, only to place a pause on them shortly afterward to allow for one-on-one negotiations. Seoul and Washington agreed to seek a package agreement on trade and other related issues before July 8, when Trump's 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs ends. Given the situation, the up

May 11, 2025By Yonhap
USTR Greer to visit Korea for trade talks next week
North Korea

Will Pope Leo XIV make a historic visit to North Korea?

Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, is expected to visit South Korea in 2027 for World Youth Day, and hopes are rising within the Korean Catholic community that he may also attempt a historic visit to North Korea. According to the Korean Catholic Church on Friday, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to attend the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul. The global Catholic event, which began in 1984 and is held every two to four years, typically includes a papal visit. During the event, the pope presides over an opening Mass and other major ceremonies, spending about a week in the host country. Pope Francis confirmed Seoul as the next host city at the 2023 World Youth Day in Lisbon. If the trip proceeds, it will mark the fourth papal visit to South Korea. The most recent was Pope Francis’s visit in August 2014, which was also his first trip to Asia following his election. He stayed in Korea for five days. Many in the Korean Catholic community see papal visits as both a moment of spiritual significance and a diplomatic opportunity to elevate Korea’s presence on the world stage. Pope Leo XIV has

May 10, 2025By KTimes
Will Pope Leo XIV make a historic visit to North Korea?
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