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  • Foreign Affairs

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

    Korea has attracted a combined $165 million in foreign direct investment from four European companies and signed a digital trade agreement with the European Union (EU), deepening economic cooperation with the major economic bloc, Seoul officials said Thursday. The European companies — Germany's Orafol, France's Quandela, the Netherlands' Prodrive Technologies and Sweden's Mycronic — unveiled their investment plans in Korea in the semiconductor, quantum computing and other key industries during the investment announcement ceremony co-hosted by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, according to the officials at the industry ministry. The ceremony was held Wednesday (local time) marking Korean President Lee Jae Myung's visit to Belgium for a meeting with EU leaders. Korea held a separate roundtable event with European business leaders to discuss ways to expand cooperation between the two economies amid heightened geopolitical risks, the global rise of trade protectionism and rapid technological advancements. The ministry said Korea an

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

    PM offers condolences over death of ex-Japanese politician Kono

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    PM offers condolences over death of ex-Japanese politician Kono
  • North Korea

    Was Xi's stance on China-North Korea military ties also a message for US, Russia?

    5 MIN READBy SCMP
    Was Xi's stance on China-North Korea military ties also a message for US, Russia?
  • North Korea

    Lee's peace policy can improve N. Korea's human rights conditions: unification ministry

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Lee's peace policy can improve N. Korea's human rights conditions: unification ministry
  • 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
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North Korea

Russian envoy touts NK troop deployment as demonstration of bilateral partnership: KCNA

Russia's top envoy to North Korea has touted Pyongyang's troop deployment as a demonstration of the two countries' partnership during a reception marking the 80th anniversary of Moscow's World War II victory over Nazi Germany, the North's state media said Friday. Russian Ambassador Alexandr Matsegora made the remarks during a reception marking the 80th anniversary of Russia's Victory Day, held the previous day at a hotel in Pyongyang, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. "The operations for liberating the Kursk area proved that the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are a comprehensive strategic partnership and allies," the KCNA quoted Matsegora as saying in his speech at the event. Recalling Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent message thanking North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for the troop deployment, the ambassador also noted that cities, villages and squares reclaimed by Russia will be named after "North Korean heroes" and monuments honoring them will be erected. Last month, both Russia and North Korea officially confirmed the deployment of No

May 9, 2025By Yonhap
Russian envoy touts NK troop deployment as demonstration of bilateral partnership: KCNA
Foreign Affairs

Nordic embassies in Korea to host Innovation Days 2025 fostering resilient societies

The embassies of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden in Korea will co-host Nordic+Korea Innovation Days 2025, a weeklong series of events set to run from Tuesday to May 18 in Seoul. Centered around the theme "Nordic+Korea Innovation for Resilient Societies," the program aims to deepen dialogue and cooperation on key areas including health, security, equality, prosperity and happiness. The initiative kicks off on Tuesday with a plenary session at the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies (KFAS) in Gangnam, featuring representatives from all four Nordic embassies, the Nordic Council of Ministers and academic institutions including the Stockholm Resilience Centre and Seoul National University. The session will introduce the Nordic Vision 2030 strategy, emphasizing global solidarity and resilience through innovation. Throughout the week, themed seminars — co-organized with the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies, KFAS and Korea University’s Jean Monnet EU Centre of Excellence — will bring together policymakers, researchers, private sector leaders and civil society actors to share bes

May 9, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin
Nordic embassies in Korea to host Innovation Days 2025 fostering resilient societies
North Korea

N. Korea, Belarus discuss cooperation in agriculture, machinery: KCNA

North Korea and Belarus have discussed ways to bolster cooperation in various fields, including agriculture and machinery, during a meeting of their intergovernmental joint committee for trade and economic cooperation, the North's state media reported Friday. The meeting took place in Pyongyang the previous day, represented by North Korea's Vice Premier Jong Myong-su and Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. "Issues of practical mutual cooperation in various sectors, including agriculture, machinery, public health, trade and education, were discussed in detail during the meeting," the KCNA noted. The two sides also signed a protocol following the third session of the joint trade committee, the KCNA said, without disclosing its details. A government delegation from Belarus, led by Shuleiko, arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday to attend the meeting, the first session of the joint cooperation committee since the second session held in June 2006. Belarus is one of the few countries that North Korea is turning to for economic cooperation amid t

May 9, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea, Belarus discuss cooperation in agriculture, machinery: KCNA
North Korea

N. Korea's Kim oversees missile test, emphasizes combat readiness of nuclear forces

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen a joint strike drill involving long-range artillery and a short-range tactical ballistic missile while emphasizing the combat readiness of its nuclear forces, state media reported Friday, a day after the country launched multiple ballistic missiles. The drill was aimed at familiarizing military units with the weapons' operations, and the test-fire verified the reliability of the command and mobilization system to quickly react during a nuclear crisis, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The drill involved a 600-millimeter multilayer rocket system and the Hwasongpho-11-Ka tactical ballistic missile, according to the KCNA. "Stressing the need to steadily enhance the pivotal role of the nuclear force in all aspects of the strategy to deter war and the strategy to fight war," Kim said, according to the KCNA report. "It is very important to steadily perfect the normal combat readiness of the nuclear force." Between 8:10 a.m. and 9:20 a.m. on Thursday, South Korea's military detected the launch of multiple short-range ballistic missiles of v

May 9, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea's Kim oversees missile test, emphasizes combat readiness of nuclear forces
Foreign Affairs

Thai ambassador backs new civilian runway at Cheongju airport

The Thai ambassador to Korea became the first foreign envoy to support a campaign for the construction of a new civilian runway at Cheongju International Airport, the North Chungcheong Provincial Government announced Tuesday. During a recent meeting, Kim Soo-min, vice governor of North Chungcheong Province, and Thai Ambassador Tanee Sangrat discussed ways to enhance bilateral exchanges and cooperation between the province and Thailand. Kim emphasized the urgent need for a separate civilian runway at the airport, calling it a key infrastructure project critical to the region’s growth and connectivity. The airport currently operates as a dual-use facility, sharing runways with the 17th Fighter Wing of the Republic of Korea Air Force. The shared use has limited commercial flight expansion due to airspace and scheduling constraints. Sangrat voiced his full support. “A lack of direct flights remains a major obstacle to expanding people-to-people exchanges," he said. "The proposed civilian runway at Cheongju airport would serve as a critical driver for deepening cooperation between our tw

May 8, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin
Thai ambassador backs new civilian runway at Cheongju airport
Foreign Affairs

Seoul weighs boycotting Russia’s Victory Day amid North Korean troop development

Although formally invited, South Korea is weighing whether to boycott Russia’s Victory Day military parade, as deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea are seen as crossing a red line and directly threatening South Korea’s security. According to diplomatic sources, the South Korean Embassy in Moscow recently received a formal invitation to the parade, which marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II. Unlike in recent years, when countries labeled “unfriendly” were excluded for supporting sanctions, this year’s invitations were extended to all foreign missions due to the occasion’s symbolic significance. While the South Korean Foreign Ministry said it is “comprehensively reviving all relevant factors,” government sources indicate that Seoul is leaning toward not participating. A major concern is the diplomatic optics of attending the military parade, particularly as Moscow has formally acknowledged North Korea’s troop deployment to Ukraine — an action perceived as overstepping a critical boundary and posing a direct threat

May 8, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji
Seoul weighs boycotting Russia’s Victory Day amid North Korean troop development
North Korea

Seoul, Washington, Tokyo condemn N. Korea's ballistic missile launch

Senior officials from South Korea, the United States and Japan jointly denounced North Korea's short-range ballistic missile launch on Thursday, agreeing to respond firmly to Pyongyang's provocations and threats through close trilateral collaboration. Deputy envoy-level officials on North Korean nuclear issues from the three countries made the joint commitment during a phone call held shortly after North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles earlier in the day, the foreign ministry said. Between 8:10 a.m. and 9:20 a.m., South Korea's military detected the launch of multiple short-range ballistic missiles of various types from the North's eastern coastal city of Wonsan, the fourth ballistic missile test by the country so far this year. The South Korean military speculated that the launch may have been part of a performance test linked to North Korea's arms transactions with Russia. The officials from the three countries shared their assessments of the launch and denounced it as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and a "serious threat" to peace and security on

May 8, 2025By Yonhap
Seoul, Washington, Tokyo condemn N. Korea's ballistic missile launch
North Korea

US decries N. Korea's missile launches, calls on it to refrain from 'unlawful,' 'destabilizing' acts

The United States condemns North Korea's ballistic missile launches and calls on the recalcitrant regime to refrain from further "unlawful" and "destabilizing" acts, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said Wednesday. The command issued a statement shortly after Pyongyang fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea in its first such launch since March. "We are aware of the DPRK's multiple ballistic missile launches and are consulting closely with the Republic of Korea and Japan, as well as other regional allies and partners," the command said. DPRK is short for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "The United States condemns these actions and calls on the DPRK to refrain from further unlawful and destabilizing acts," it added. The command said that it continues to monitor the situation, reiterating that America's commitments to the defense of South Korea and Japan remain "ironclad."

May 8, 2025By Yonhap
US decries N. Korea's missile launches, calls on it to refrain from 'unlawful,' 'destabilizing' acts
Others

Industry minister says delay in Czech nuclear deal will provide chance to strengthen bilateral ties

The unexpected delay in the signing of a deal to build nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic will ultimately serve as an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations with the European country, Korea's Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun has said. Ahn made the remarks Wednesday when a Korean consortium led by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) was originally scheduled to finalize the contract with Elektrarna Dukovany II (EDU II), a subsidiary of Czech's state-run utility firm CEZ. The signing of the estimated 26 trillion-won ($18.6 billion) deal has been postponed due to a court injunction following a legal challenge by the French energy company EDF, which had lost the tender process. "Although the contract signing was delayed due to unexpected circumstances, I believe this will serve as an opportunity to further solidify the trust between our two countries," Ahn said while meeting with reporters in Prague. The Korean minister and other government delegates arrived here Tuesday for the signing ceremony. He stressed that Korea and the Czech Republic are expanding their economic ti

May 8, 2025By Yonhap
Industry minister says delay in Czech nuclear deal will provide chance to strengthen bilateral ties
North Korea

S. Korean envoy berates N. Korea for 'brazenly' accelerating illicit activities

South Korea's top envoy to the U.N. accused North Korea on Wednesday of having "brazenly" accelerated its illegal activities after a U.N. expert panel monitoring sanctions enforcement on the recalcitrant regime was disbanded a year ago. Ambassador Hwang Joon-kook made the remarks during a U.N. Security Council (UNSC) meeting that was convened to take stock of what has happened since the U.N. panel of experts was disbanded in April last year following Russia's veto of a resolution for an annual extension of the panel's mandate. "In the absence of the panel, North Korea has brazenly accelerated its illegal activities to support its nuclear and missile programs," Hwang said. "These include illicit exports of coal and iron, arms transfers, recent cryptocurrency theft totaling $1.5 billion, the overseas dispatch of workers and even the deployment of troops abroad," he added. In a swipe at Russia, Hwang said that Moscow is promoting the "false" narrative that sanctions on the North have been ineffective and should thus be revised. "Yet, sanctions are only effective when fully and faithfully imp

May 8, 2025By Yonhap
S. Korean envoy berates N. Korea for 'brazenly' accelerating illicit activities
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