my timesThe Korea Times

Foreign Affairs

North KoreaOthers
  • 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

    Lee says depending on US for defense no longer valid, will boost economic ties

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Lee says depending on US for defense no longer valid, will boost economic ties
  • 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
Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
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.

Read more

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
North Korea

N. Korea calls for full resource mobilization for rice planting amid unfavorable weather

North Korea on Thursday urged the mobilization of the nationwide workforce and all available resources for rice planting, citing precarious weather conditions during the ongoing spring farming season. "With a vow to repay comrade general secretary (Kim Jong-un's) immense favors with rice, sweat and passion should be made with industrious dedication," the Rodong Sinmun, the country's main newspaper, said in an editorial as the peak spring rice farming season approaches. "Whether professionally involved in farming or not ... every citizen should make substantive contributions toward achieving this year's grain production goal and advancing agricultural output not through words, but through action," it said. The article noted this year marks both the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea and the final year of the party's five-year national economic development plan, adding the country should strive toward a higher goal by securing a good harvest this year. North Korea typically begins rice planting in early May, mobilizing students, general workers and soldiers eac

May 8, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea calls for full resource mobilization for rice planting amid unfavorable weather
North Korea

N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles in possible test for arms exports to Russia

North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Thursday, South Korea's military said, in what could be a performance test aimed at exporting arms to Russia. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch, involving various types of multiple short-range ballistic missiles, from the North's eastern coastal city of Wonsan between 8:10 a.m. and 9:20 a.m. The North's missile flew up to 800 kilometers before splashing into the East Sea, it said. The latest test is also believed to have involved the North's KN-25 super-large 600-millimeter multiple rocket launcher and the KN-23, which is similar to Russia's Iskander short-range ballistic missiles. South Korea's military raised the possibility of the North conducting the latest launch for a performance test in conjunction with potential arms exports to Russia. "It could be a test to inspect performance or flight stability for possible exports," JCS spokesperson Col. Lee Sung-jun told a regular press briefing when asked about the North's intention. The South's military condemned the launch as a "blata

May 8, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles in possible test for arms exports to Russia
Others

Will Hegseth's order to reduce generals affect USFK?

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's push for a reduction of four-star military officers is raising a consequential question for the South Korea-U.S. alliance: Will it also affect the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK)? On Monday, Hegseth issued a memo that ordered a minimum 20 percent reduction of four-star active-duty positions and of general officers in the National Guard, as well as an additional minimum 10 percent reduction in general and flag officers — with an aim to "optimize" and "streamline" the U.S. military leadership. The memo has given rise to speculation that the Pentagon could consider a potential change in the USFK leadership as it seeks to focus primarily on countering evolving threats from China while hoping that regional allies will step up to cope with other challenges, including from North Korea. Reuters has reported that the USFK commander post and the head of the U.S. Army Pacific might be among the four-star positions that Hegseth might look at. Asked if the secretary's order for the reduction would affect the USFK, a U.S. defense official said the Pentagon has no announceme

May 8, 2025By Yonhap
Will Hegseth's order to reduce generals affect USFK?
North Korea

N. Korea holds economic talks with Belarus, hopes for 'vibrant' cooperation: KCNA

North Korea and Belarus have held economic talks in Pyongyang as the North has expected "vibrant" bilateral cooperation and exchanges, state media reported Thursday. A government delegation from Belarus, led by Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko, arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday to attend the third meeting of the intergovernmental joint committee for trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. North Korea and Belarus held sectoral economic talks Wednesday to discuss ways to promote cooperation in various fields to prepare for a bilateral protocol, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). At a banquet Wednesday, North Korea's Vice Premier Jong Myong-su said the delegation's visit will contribute to further developing friendly ties between the two nations. "He expressed the belief that bilateral cooperation and exchanges will vibrantly take place," Jong was quoted as saying by the KCNA. Shuleiko also vowed further cooperation and contacts between the two nations to promote the welfare of their peoples, the report said. It marked the first time in 19 years that the No

May 8, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea holds economic talks with Belarus, hopes for 'vibrant' cooperation: KCNA
Foreign Affairs

INTERVIEW Slovenia eyes closer ties with Korea across economic, political, cultural fronts

Two years after opening its first embassy in Seoul, Slovenia is deepening its strategic, economic and cultural ties with Korea, viewing it as a pivotal and like-minded partner in East Asia. “There are many reasons why we opened an embassy in Korea,” Slovenian Ambassador to Korea Jernej Muller said in an interview with The Korea Times at the Slovenian Embassy in Seoul on April 21. “But one of the most pressing reasons was the need to establish a diplomatic presence in a like-minded Asian country. As a small country, Slovenia has a limited diplomatic footprint in Asia. Before Korea, we only had embassies in Beijing and Tokyo.” When Slovenian officials began deliberating on where to expand, Korea emerged as the top choice. “We already had strong cooperation with Korea, especially from an economic and logistical point of view. There was already a well-established shipping line between Busan and Koper, our main port, and we wanted to expand on that. Korea is also a regional leader, and politically, our values are aligned. We are both U.N. Security Council nonpermanent members, and

May 7, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin
[INTERVIEW] Slovenia eyes closer ties with Korea across economic, political, cultural fronts
Foreign Affairs

Lebanese delegation visits South Korea to boost ties

A delegation from Lebanon, where South Korea's United Nations peacekeeping unit is stationed, has arrived in South Korea on Wednesday for a trip aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, the South's military said. The delegation, comprising government, military officials and civilians, arrived in the country earlier in the day for a five-day itinerary that includes visits to key security landmarks, such as the Dora Observatory and the Third Tunnel in the border town of Paju, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The delegation is set to hold talks with officials from the Saemaeul Movement Center and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to discuss restoration support for Lebanon, which suffered a deadly explosion and armed conflict. South Korea has dispatched the Dongmyeong unit in the southern Tyre region since 2007 as part of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon to help maintain peace in the Middle Eastern country. The military has organized regular visits to South Korea by Lebanese delegations since 2008. The ongoing visit was held for the first time in five years due t

May 7, 2025By Yonhap
Lebanese delegation visits South Korea to boost ties
Foreign Affairs

Seoul requests 'special consideration' as US mulls tariffs on semiconductor imports

Korea has asked the United States to make "special consideration" of its chip exports as the Donald Trump administration is moving to impose tariffs on imported semiconductors, Seoul's industry ministry said Wednesday. The Korean government submitted a written opinion to the U.S. administration regarding Washington's national security investigation into semiconductor imports under the U.S. Trade Expansion Act, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The Trump administration has been looking to impose new tariffs on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, with investigations into such imports currently under way. In its submitted opinion, the Seoul government called for "special consideration" of Korean semiconductor exports to the U.S., saying that semiconductors and manufacturing equipment made in Korea have "very limited" impact on the U.S. security and supply chains. The written statement also said Washington's potential tariffs on chip imports may have a "negative" influence on Korean companies' investment plans in the U.S., including those for artificial intelligence (A

May 7, 2025By Yonhap
Seoul requests 'special consideration' as US mulls tariffs on semiconductor imports
Foreign Affairs

Gov't launches video messaging project for families separated by Korean War

The unification ministry will launch its annual project to film messages from families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War addressed to their relatives in North Korea, officials said Wednesday. This year's filming will begin with around 1,000 applicants and will expand to include others, including separated families residing overseas, lasting until Oct. 31, ministry officials said. Since 2005, the ministry has been filming messages from families separated from their relatives in North Korea due to the Korean War, with the aim of archiving them and potentially delivering them to recipients in the North. As of October 2024, South Korea has 37,425 nationals who have registered their wish to locate separated relatives in North Korea, with many more such applicants in the South having died of old age or other reasons. Many of them remain out of touch with their relatives in the North, with no knowledge of whether they are alive, as the two Koreas are separated by a heavily fortified border. Following a total of 21 rounds of family reunion events between South and North Korea since 2000, along

May 7, 2025By Yonhap
Gov't launches video messaging project for families separated by Korean War
Foreign Affairs

Acting president says Korea to communicate closely with Czech Republic to finalize nuclear deal at early date

Acting President Lee Ju-ho said Wednesday the gov ernment will communicate closely with the Czech Republic to swiftly finalize a nuclear power plant deal temporarily scuttled by a court injunction this week. Lee made the remark during an economic security strategy meeting, a day after a Czech court blocked the country's main electricity firm, CEZ, from signing the estimated 26 trillion-won ($18.6 billion) contract with a Korean consortium led by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power until it reviews a legal complaint filed by France's EDF, a losing bidder in the tender. "Our government will communicate closely with the Czech side to reach a final contract at an early date," he said during the meeting at the government complex in Seoul. "The Czech government's position is that there are no problems as the evaluation process for the tender was conducted transparently and in accordance with the law," he added. Industry Ministry Ahn Duk-geun is in Prague as the court decision came while he was en route to attend a signing ceremony for the deal. Lee spoke with the minister by phone early Wednesday morn

May 7, 2025By Yonhap
Acting president says Korea to communicate closely with Czech Republic to finalize nuclear deal at early date
previous page
301302303304305
next page

Most Read in Foreign Affairs