my timesThe Korea Times

Foreign Affairs

North KoreaOthers
  • North Korea

    North Korea denuclearization missing from US readout as Trump pushes for Kim talks

    The United States conspicuously omitted any reference to "the denuclearization of North Korea" from its readout of a phone call between the top diplomats of South Korea and the U.S., raising speculation that Washington is creating diplomatic room for renewed engagement with Pyongyang. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone Monday to discuss a range of bilateral issues, with both sides stressing the need for close coordination between the allies. The two governments, however, differed notably in how they described discussions on North Korea. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cho and Rubio "agreed to preserve the strong South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture while maintaining close communication and coordination for peace on the Korean Peninsula and to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue." Cho also told Rubio that Seoul "would work to ensure that U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent messages toward Pyongyang could lead to the resumption of U.S.-North Korea dialogue and contribute to peace on the Korean

    4 MIN READBy Park Ji-won
    North Korea denuclearization missing from US readout as Trump pushes for Kim talks
  • Foreign Affairs

    Korea, Kuwait discuss cooperation on energy, infrastructure

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Korea, Kuwait discuss cooperation on energy, infrastructure
  • Foreign Affairs

    US Amb. Steel meets Japanese envoy, stresses continued trilateral cooperation

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    US Amb. Steel meets Japanese envoy, stresses continued trilateral cooperation
  • North Korea

    N. Korea, Belarus near visa-waiver agreement for ordinary citizens: report

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    N. Korea, Belarus near visa-waiver agreement for ordinary citizens: report
  • Foreign Affairs

    Korean, Mexican FMs discuss cooperation in AI, middle-power solidarity

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Korean, Mexican FMs discuss cooperation in AI, middle-power solidarity
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

Foreign Affairs

Russia's deputy FM warns of 'retaliatory measures' in event of Seoul arms aid to Kiev

Russia's deputy foreign minister has said Moscow will have to resort to "retaliatory measures" in the event South Korea provides lethal weapons to Ukraine, a Russian media report said Saturday. Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko made the remarks in an interview with Russia's Tass news agency, as he mentioned an initiative to supply Ukraine with U.S. weapons, known as the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). "We have consistently conveyed to the South Korean side through various channels Russia's principled position on the inadmissibility of the participation of South Korea in the direct and indirect supplies of lethal weapons to the Kiev regime, including as part of the PURL initiative," Rudenko was quoted as saying. "Otherwise, the bilateral relations between Russia and South Korea may be seriously affected, and we will be forced to resort to retaliatory measures. I hope that we won't be forced to resort to such steps," he said. The Russian diplomat's remarks came about a month after its foreign ministry spokesperson also warned of retaliation against South Korea in the eve

Mar 28, 2026By Yonhap
Russia's deputy FM warns of 'retaliatory measures' in event of Seoul arms aid to Kiev
North Korea

S. Korea, Ukraine FMs agree to handle issue of N. Korean POWs in line with humanitarian principles

The foreign ministers of South Korea and Ukraine have agreed to make efforts to resolve the issue of two North Korean soldiers captured during the Russia-Ukraine war in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles, Seoul's foreign ministry said Saturday. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, discussed the issue of North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) and other matters during their talks in France, Friday (local time), on the sidelines of a meeting of Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers, the ministry said. Two North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in January last year while fighting alongside Russia. The Korean government has voiced a willingness to receive them through consultations with Ukraine, as the POWs have reportedly expressed their wish to come to South Korea instead of returning home. On March 6, Cho told a National Assembly session in Seoul that Ukraine has assured that the two North Korean soldiers will not be repatriated to Russia amid concerns that they could be transferred to the North against their wil

Mar 28, 2026By Yonhap
S. Korea, Ukraine FMs agree to handle issue of N. Korean POWs in line with humanitarian principles
North Korea

N. Korea's Kim says ties with China put on 'new high stage' in message to Xi

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has assessed relations between North Korea and China as being put on a "new high stage" in his message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Pyongyang's state media reported Saturday. Kim made the remarks in a reply sent to Xi the previous day, expressing his "deep" thanks to the Chinese leader for congratulating him on his recent reelection as president of the state affairs commission at a key parliamentary meeting, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "I am pleased to note that the traditional DPRK-China relations are being put on a new high stage in keeping with the aspiration and desire of the two parties and the peoples of the two countries," Kim said in the message. DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name. The North's leader pledged to "continue to develop in depth the DPRK-China relations of friendship and cooperation with socialism as the core," the message read. On Thursday, Xi sent a message congratulating Kim on his reelection as president of the North's top policy guidance body for a third c

Mar 28, 2026By Yonhap
N. Korea's Kim says ties with China put on 'new high stage' in message to Xi
Foreign Affairs

Korea, EU discuss expanding supply chain cooperation

Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina met with Belen Martinez Carbonell, secretary general of the European External Action Service, on Friday and discussed ways to bolster supply chain cooperation and other issues, the foreign ministry said. Kim noted the growing importance of security cooperation between Seoul and the European Union (EU), voicing hope for tangible outcomes during the upcoming security and defense dialogue between South Korea and the EU scheduled for May. Carbonell underscored expanding bilateral cooperation in economic security, including efforts to stabilize supply chains and secure critical minerals, noting the need for regular dialogue to further broaden cooperation. The two sides also exchanged views on regional situations, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine, and agreed to maintain close communication at various levels, according to the ministry.

Mar 27, 2026By Yonhap
Korea, EU discuss expanding supply chain cooperation
North Korea

North Korea resumes border fortification work after winter hiatus: JCS

North Korea has resumed efforts to reinforce the northern side of the heavily fortified inter-Korean border earlier this month, after a brief winter hiatus, South Korea's military said Friday. Pyongyang has been strengthening border controls by installing fences and laying land mines along the Military Demarcation Line ever since North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared inter-Korean relations as between "two hostile countries" in late 2023. The North had temporarily halted its border fortification measures since December before resuming operations earlier this month, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. "Our military is firmly maintaining its readiness posture while managing the military situation in a stable manner," the JCS said. The South's military issues warning broadcasts and fires warning shots if a North Korean soldier crosses into the South, it added.

Mar 27, 2026By Yonhap
North Korea resumes border fortification work after winter hiatus: JCS
North Korea

PPP slams unification minister's opposition to UN resolution on NK human rights violations

The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) criticized Unification Minister Chung Dong-young as he opposed joining a United Nations resolution denouncing human rights violations in North Korea, in order not to provoke Pyongyang. Rep. Song Eon-seog, floor leader of the PPP, called for Chung's resignation Friday. “Should we prioritize North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s emotions over the human rights of North Koreans?” he wrote on his Facebook page. Rep. Na Kyung-won of the PPP also said on Facebook, “Chung Dong-young is ... effectively acting as a mouthpiece for North Korea.” She urged President Lee Jae Myung to dismiss Chung. Rep. Park Choong-kwon of the PPP said Chung failed to uphold the Constitution and urged him to apologize to the public. “The unification minister should seek unification, and Chung’s remarks show he is not qualified for the post," he said. The criticism came after Chung told reporters on Thursday that “South Korea sees no reason to co-sponsor this year’s resolution for the U.N. Human Rights Council,” adding that “North Korea considers it a major

Mar 27, 2026By Park Ji-won
PPP slams unification minister's opposition to UN resolution on NK human rights violations
Others

Strong Korea-Japan relationship is a must: Japanese ambassador

“Japan and Korea are neighbors living next door, and neither can move away. A strong bilateral relationship is no longer optional, but essential,” said Koichi Mizushima, Japan's ambassador to Korea. The remarks came during a press forum held at the Seoul Press Center on Friday, as Mizushima spoke about the future of Korea-Japan relations. “As neighbors, we have had certain problems rooted in history,” he said. “But it is the responsibility of the current generation to build a firm foundation for a future-oriented relationship.” Mizushima went on to describe the current international political landscape as “highly fluid,” citing North Korea’s nuclear activities, China’s diplomatic and military moves, the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict between the United States and Iran. "Japan and South Korea, as two like-minded nations that share common values, need to cooperate," he said. He also stressed the importance of the United States in that equation, saying the three countries need to demonstrate strategic coordination built on the strong Korea-U.S. alliance and Japan-U.S

Mar 27, 2026By Hankookilbo
Strong Korea-Japan relationship is a must: Japanese ambassador
Foreign Affairs

Korean ships' ties to US companies keep outlook bleak for Hormuz passage

The outlook for Korean ships' passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains bleak, as Iran’s envoy to Seoul said Korean vessels may pass only if they are not associated with the United States, while many domestic refiners are closely tied to U.S. companies, security and international trade analysts said Friday. As one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, the strait handles about 70 percent of Korea’s imported crude. According to the shipping industry, a total of 26 Korean‑flagged vessels, most of them oil and petroleum product carriers, are tied up in the Persian Gulf as Iran effectively controls the strait amid a widening conflict with the U.S. and Israel. The outlook followed Thursday's press conference in Seoul, where Iranian Ambassador Saeed Koozechi identified Korea as “non‑hostile,” in line with Tehran’s earlier announcement that coordinated ships from the country may transit the strait. But the envoy said passage would be conditional, noting that it is “only possible through prior agreement” and that “any activities serving the interests of the U

Mar 27, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Korean ships' ties to US companies keep outlook bleak for Hormuz passage
Foreign Affairs

Shifting global landscape makes closer cooperation with S. Korea essential: top Japan envoy

The volatile international landscape, compounded by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, is bringing South Korea and Japan closer together, making their bilateral cooperation increasingly essential, Japan's top envoy to Seoul said Friday. Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Koichi Mizushima made the remarks at a forum hosted by a senior journalists' club, pointing to shifts in the global environment, including Russia's war in Ukraine and its deepening ties with North Korea, as a key factor affecting the Seoul-Tokyo relations. "The landscape has become increasingly volatile," Mizushima told a forum through an interpreter. "In that context, I believe it's fair to say that the international environment is evolving in ways that make cooperation between Japan and South Korea necessary as two like-minded countries." Mizushima, who previously served as ambassador to Israel, noted the need for coordination between the United States and other major countries to quickly defuse tension in the Middle East. "This is extremely important for the international community, as well as for Japan and Kore

Mar 27, 2026By Yonhap
Shifting global landscape makes closer cooperation with S. Korea essential: top Japan envoy
Foreign Affairs

Trade minister leads WTO reform talks, discusses trade issues with member states at MC-14

Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo led discussions on the World Trade Organization's (WTO) needed reform amid growing uncertainties in the global trade environment during the ongoing WTO ministerial conference in Cameroon, his office said Friday. Yeo chaired four sessions on WTO reform measures related to the organization's decision-making process, creation of a fair competition environment and others as the minister facilitator in discussions on WTO reform during the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC-14), according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. The conference, the WTO's highest decision-making body, kicked off Thursday (local time) for a four-day run in Yaounde, Cameroon, with the attendance of representatives from more than 160 member countries. The Korean delegation, led by Yeo, also facilitated discussions on WTO's adoption of the investment facilitation for development agreement (IFDA) as a co-chair of IFDA negotiations, seeking to change the stance of those who have been opposed to the agreement, such as India and Turkey, the ministry said. In his opening remar

Mar 27, 2026By Yonhap
Trade minister leads WTO reform talks, discusses trade issues with member states at MC-14
previous page
9596979899
next page

Most Read in Foreign Affairs