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  • North Korea

    N. Korea calls denuclearization 'irreversibly finalized' matter

    North Korea on Sunday called denuclearization an "irreversibly finalized" matter as it denounced recent talks between South Korea and the United States that reaffirmed the goal of the North's denuclearization. An unnamed spokesperson of the North's foreign ministry issued the criticism, after South Korea and the United States reaffirmed the shared goal at the bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group meeting on Thursday. "It is an unreasonable talk and fantastic daydream to mention about disarming the other belligerent party's nuclear weapons," the spokesperson said in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "The U.S. and its vassal forces' meaningless rhetoric against the DPRK and cooperation in posing a nuclear threat to it can never affect the irreversible position of the DPRK as a nuclear weapons state," the spokesperson said. "The 'denuclearization' is an irreversibly finalized matter." DPRK stands for the North's official name — the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The spokesperson also took issue with the bilateral Extended Deterrence Dialogue between the U

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    N. Korea calls denuclearization 'irreversibly finalized' matter
  • North Korea

    Presidential office reaffirms NK's denuclearization as int'l community's 'consistent goal'

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Presidential office reaffirms NK's denuclearization as int'l community's 'consistent goal'
  • Foreign Affairs

    S. Korea, US, Japan hold talks on N. Korea

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    S. Korea, US, Japan hold talks on N. Korea
  • 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
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North Korea

Trump administration grants sanctions relief for humanitarian aid to N. Korea

The U.N. Security Council's sanctions committee has approved exemptions for 17 humanitarian aid projects to North Korea, sources said Friday, in a U.S.-backed move amid the Donald Trump administration's push to reengage with Pyongyang. The decision allows the resumption of aid projects that have been suspended since the first half of last year. It is widely viewed as an olive branch from the United States, as speculation grows that Trump may seek a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his visit to China in April. The South Korean government welcomed the decision by the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) Sanctions Committee on North Korea, which oversees sanctions on Pyongyang. "The government has maintained that humanitarian assistance to North Korea should continue regardless of the political situation, and in line with that position, we have made various efforts to ensure that such aid can be delivered smoothly. We hope there will be a positive response this time," a foreign ministry official said on condition of anonymity. The development came hours after a senior South Korea

Feb 6, 2026By Lee Hyo-jin
Trump administration grants sanctions relief for humanitarian aid to N. Korea
North Korea

UN Security Council to grant sanctions exemption for humanitarian aid to N. Korea: source

The U.N. Security Council (UNSC) sanctions committee on North Korea has decided to grant a sanctions exemption for humanitarian aid projects in the reclusive state, a diplomatic source said Friday. The UNSC 1718 Committee, which enforces and oversees the sanctions against Pyongyang, reached the unanimous decision on Thursday (local time) to approve the waiver for 17 humanitarian assistance projects led by South Korea, the United States and international organizations, according to the source. The decision came after a senior South Korean government official hinted at a "new development" in North Korea-related issues "in the next few days," following talks between Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington. The official signaled the breakthrough would be a "good-faith gesture" that could serve as a starting point in reengaging with the North. The procedures regarding sanctions exemptions for humanitarian aid projects in North Korea had been pending for months since the first half of last year, largely due to U.S. opposition. The provision for basic good

Feb 6, 2026By Yonhap
UN Security Council to grant sanctions exemption for humanitarian aid to N. Korea: source
North Korea

UN rapporteur urges protection for N. Korean POWs in Ukraine, but leaves decision with Kyiv

Two North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine while fighting for Russia could, under international law, be transferred to a third country or granted asylum in Kyiv, Elizabeth Salmon, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on North Korea’s human rights, said on Friday. But she added that the decision is ultimately up to Kyiv, and that she would respect whatever course Ukraine chooses. "There are reasonable grounds to believe that in the DPRK, cases of torture and ill-treatment have been very well documented over the years. So I think that Ukraine has some legal obligations concerning the principle of non-refoulement. It means that one state should not repatriate people to a place where there are reasonable grounds to believe they would face torture or ill-treatment," Salmon said during a press conference in Seoul when asked about the North Korean soldiers held in Ukraine. DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name. "So, I think that it is up to Ukraine to respect international law and to make the best decision," she added, noting the possibi

Feb 6, 2026By Lee Hyo-jin
UN rapporteur urges protection for N. Korean POWs in Ukraine, but leaves decision with Kyiv
North Korea

North Korean POW in Ukraine: 'There is nothing I can do if they don’t take me'

“I would be grateful if they take me. If they don’t, there’s nothing I can do.” At first glance, the North Korean prisoner of war captured in Ukraine looked rather calm as he appeared on MBC’s investigative program, “PD Notebook.” But in reality, only one outcome awaits if he fails to make it to South Korea. “I won’t survive,” said the prisoner, describing what would happen to him if he were returned to North Korea. In North Korea, soldiers are taught that being captured is an act of treason and urged to choose death instead. “Everyone else blew themselves up. I failed,” the prisoner said. The two captured soldiers — severely wounded and lamenting that they should have died as well — are just in their 20s. Nevertheless, both expressed an explicit desire to be sent to South Korea, and not repatriated to North. International law is clear on this matter. Geneva Convention requires prisoners of war to be repatriated after hostilities end. However, if there is credible risk of torture or persecution, repatriation against a prisoner’s will is prohibited. Seoul’s s

Feb 6, 2026By Hankookilbo
North Korean POW in Ukraine: 'There is nothing I can do if they don’t take me'
Foreign Affairs

Chinese ambassador pays tribute to Gwangju uprising victims at nat'l cemetery

GWANGJU — Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing visited a national cemetery in the southwestern city of Gwangju on Friday and paid tribute to honor the victims from a 1980 pro-democracy uprising. Dai laid chrysanthemums and burned incense during his visit to the May 18 National Cemetery, paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for democracy in South Korea. The pro-democracy uprising erupted as citizens gathered to stand up against a military junta, led by then Gen. Chun Doo-hwan, who sent troops to the city to crack down on civilians. Chun ultimately seized power in a military coup. His junta sent paratroopers and ruthlessly cracked down on civilians during the nine-day revolt. Official data put the death toll at over 200, with 1,800 others wounded, while critics argue that as many as 2,000 people were killed. After paying tribute, Dai visited the grave of Moon Jae-hak, a young activist who was among those killed in the uprising and who inspired a central character in "Human Acts," a novel by Nobel Prize–winning South Korean author Han Kang. He wrote a message in Chine

Feb 6, 2026By Yonhap
Chinese ambassador pays tribute to Gwangju uprising victims at nat'l cemetery
Foreign Affairs

FM Cho says Korea is not deliberately delaying legislative process for trade deal

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Thursday he told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Korea is not deliberately delaying a legislative process needed to implement its investment pledge under a bilateral trade deal. Cho made the remarks during a press meeting, pointing out that Rubio noted an unfavorable atmosphere in the United States regarding a lack of progress in the implementation of Seoul's commitments under the trade deal, as he met the secretary on the eve of a U.S-hosted ministerial meeting on critical minerals in Washington. The talks between Cho and Rubio came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened last week to raise "reciprocal" tariffs and auto, lumber and pharmaceutical duties on Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent, citing a delay in the parliamentary process to pass a special investment bill facilitating the implementation of the trade deal. "Secretary Rubio said he would frankly share that while the relationship between Korea and the U.S. is not in a bad situation, the internal climate in the U.S. is not good regarding (Korea's) implementation of trade-related co

Feb 6, 2026By Yonhap
FM Cho says Korea is not deliberately delaying legislative process for trade deal
Foreign Affairs

US taking 'necessary steps' regarding issue of S. Korea being on 'sensitive country list': Seoul official

The U.S. Energy Department (DOE) is taking "necessary steps" regarding the issue of South Korea's inclusion in its "sensitive country" list, a senior Seoul official said Thursday, citing a recent meeting with Energy Secretary Chris Wright over the Asian country's request to remove it from the list. During a meeting with reporters, the official said South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun had talks with Wright this week over the issue, as concerns have lingered that the inclusion in the list could affect the two countries' science and technology cooperation. "We heard that (the DOE) is taking necessary steps," the official said. The DOE confirmed last March that the preceding Biden administration added South Korea to the lowest category of the list last January — a list that includes North Korea, China and Russia. The designated countries are subject to stricter scrutiny when access is requested to DOE research institutions or other facilities for technology cooperation or other purposes.

Feb 6, 2026By Yonhap
US taking 'necessary steps' regarding issue of S. Korea being on 'sensitive country list': Seoul official
North Korea

N. Korea hails economic policy achievements ahead of key party congress

North Korea on Friday touted that "new records" have been achieved for its people's livelihoods, as the country continues to praise the outcomes of its economic policies in the run-up to a meeting of the highest decision-making party congress. "New standards and new records have been set in many units of the national economy, and the January plans for people's livelihood were brilliantly accomplished," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in an article on preparations for the upcoming ninth congress of the Workers' Party of Korea. The news agency said factories, mines and farms in the metal, chemistry, electricity, coal, machinery and extraction sectors have outperformed their targets, underscoring ongoing nationwide preparations for the congress. The party congress, widely expected to convene later in February, is the highest decision-making body in North Korea. The upcoming meeting, the first since the eighth congress in 2021, is expected to outline the country's policies on the economy, external relations and defense for the next five years. The regime has recently published a s

Feb 6, 2026By Yonhap
N. Korea hails economic policy achievements ahead of key party congress
Foreign Affairs

White House spokesperson says she has no timeline for S. Korea tariff increase

WASHINGTON — White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that she does not have a timeline for U.S. President Donald Trump's stated plan to increase "reciprocal" and other tariffs on South Korea. Leavitt made the remarks during a press briefing, responding to a reporter's question about when the Trump administration will increase those levies to 25 percent from 15 percent as Trump said last week. "I don't have a timeline for you on that, but I will make sure that our trade team here at the White House gets you an answer swiftly and promptly," she told reporters. Last Monday, Trump threatened to raise reciprocal tariffs and auto, lumber and pharmaceutical duties on South Korea, citing a delay in the Asian country's legislative process required for the implementation of a bilateral trade deal. Under the deal, South Korea has committed to investing $350 billion in U.S. industries, among other pledges, in return for Washington lowering reciprocal tariffs to 15 percent from 25 percent.

Feb 6, 2026By Yonhap
White House spokesperson says she has no timeline for S. Korea tariff increase
Foreign Affairs

Security adviser expresses concerns over US tariff risk's impact on security consultations

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Thursday the United States' move to raise tariffs on Korea is having a negative effect on follow-up security consultations between the two allies, including talks on nuclear-powered submarines. In an interview with the Kyunghyang Shinmun, Wi expressed concern that security negotiations have slowed after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on Korean goods from 15 percent to 25 percent, reversing an earlier agreement reached in November. "We have built a framework for relations with the U.S., China and Japan to shape the security environment around the Korean Peninsula, but (Trump's) talk of raising tariffs back to 25 percent is shaking one pillar of that framework," Wi said in the interview. Following the release of a joint fact sheet outlining trade and security agreements, Wi visited Washington in December for meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. Wi said earlier the talks covered South Korea's bid to build nuclear-powered submarines, as well as uranium enrichment and the rep

Feb 5, 2026By Yonhap
Security adviser expresses concerns over US tariff risk's impact on security consultations
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