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    N. Korea calls denuclearization an '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 an 'irreversibly finalized' matter
  • 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
  • Others

    Korea, Italy sign MOUs to enhance advanced science cooperation, explore joint projects in Africa

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Korea, Italy sign MOUs to enhance advanced science cooperation, explore joint projects in Africa
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Foreign Affairs

Modern Uzbekistan emerges as new tourist center of Central Asia

In recent years, Uzbekistan has rapidly transformed into one of the most dynamic tourist centers in Central Asia. Its rich cultural heritage, unique history as part of the Silk Road and progressive state tourism policies are shaping a new image of the country — open, convenient and safe for visitors from all over the world. Ongoing transformations in infrastructure, the hospitality sector and transportation are making travel to Uzbekistan more comfortable than ever before. A major driving force behind the growing attractiveness of Uzbekistan as a tourist destination is the large-scale modernization of infrastructure. Cities are actively developing modern tourism environments: Pedestrian zones are being improved, historic districts are being restored, and new cultural spaces and theme parks are being created. Significant progress has been made in the development of the historical centers of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, where modern services have been carefully integrated into ancient architecture. Sightseeing routes, interactive museums and tourism services available through mobile a

Jan 30, 2026
Modern Uzbekistan emerges as new tourist center of Central Asia
Foreign Affairs

Korea, US discuss joint fact sheet, visa cooperation

Senior diplomats of Korea and the United States discussed Thursday implementing their joint summit agreements and strengthening cooperation on U.S. visa matters for Korean workers, the foreign ministry said. The talks took place between Park Jong-han, deputy foreign minister for economic affairs, and Jonathan Fritz, U.S. principal deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, the ministry said in a release. Fritz was visiting Seoul this week for follow-up talks on U.S. visa reform to better support Korean workers entering the U.S. under a working group established after the arrest and detention of more than 300 Korean workers in a U.S. immigration crackdown in Georgia last year. Thursday's meeting also came as Seoul is seeking to reassure Washington of its commitment to the $350 billion investment in the U.S. after U.S. President Donald Trump warned of a tariff hike for South Korea, citing little legislative progress at the National Assembly. "Deputy Minister Park reaffirmed the government's will to faithfully implement the follow-up steps from the Korea-U.S. su

Jan 29, 2026By Yonhap
Korea, US discuss joint fact sheet, visa cooperation
Foreign Affairs

Experts urge swift response to Trump’s tariff threat on Korean goods

Korean trade experts warn that a legislative stalemate in the National Assembly is fueling American protectionism, as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to raise tariffs on Korean goods to 25 percent. Analysts say delays in passing promised legislation on U.S. investments have tested Washington’s patience — a view echoed by the presidential office earlier this week. With a landmark $350 billion investment framework now hanging in the balance, observers caution that continued political deadlock could turn a procedural holdup into a costly trade conflict, unraveling the fragile economic truce between the two allies. Kang In-soo, a trade expert and economics professor at Sookmyung Women’s University, noted that while Trump publicly referred to a 25 percent tariff rate, the U.S. Federal Register still lists the rate at 15 percent, leaving room for further negotiation. Although Kang acknowledged that Trump’s tariff hike remarks may have been shaped by domestic political considerations, he stressed that Korea has limited leverage to push back and should instead focus on removing an

Jan 29, 2026By Anna J. Park
Experts urge swift response to Trump’s tariff threat on Korean goods
  • Seoul cites legislative process, FX concerns in delayed rollout of US investment plan
Foreign Affairs

FM Cho to attend US-led meeting on critical minerals supply chain next week

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will travel to the United States next week to attend a multilateral ministerial meeting on ensuring stable critical mineral supply chains, the foreign ministry said Thursday. The meeting, set for Wednesday, comes as the U.S. calls on its allies and partners to step up efforts to secure stable supply chains of the raw materials vital to advanced technologies amid China's dominance in the mining and refining of rare earths. It will mark the first such meeting hosted by Washington. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to lead the upcoming meeting. "Minister Cho will discuss cooperation efforts to stabilize and diversify critical mineral supply chains with many partners, including the Group of Seven nations and mineral-rich countries, as well as the United States," ministry spokesperson Park Il said in a press briefing. Taking the opportunity of the meeting, Cho may hold bilateral talks with Rubio and other counterparts from the participating countries. Cho's trip comes at a time when Seoul is seeking to reassure Washington of its commitment to a $350 bill

Jan 29, 2026By Yonhap
FM Cho to attend US-led meeting on critical minerals supply chain next week
Foreign Affairs

Defense chief departs for talks with Japanese defense minister in Yokosuka

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back departed Thursday for Japan to hold talks with his Japanese counterpart, Shinjiro Koizumi, to discuss regional security issues and defense cooperation, the defense ministry said. Ahn departed via Incheon International Airport for the Japanese port city of Yokosuka, where the U.S. 7th Fleet is based, to attend the bilateral defense ministerial talks set for Friday. "(The defense chiefs) are expected to discuss the security situation in the region and bilateral defense cooperation," ministry spokesperson Chung Binna said in a regular press briefing. Chung said the two countries plan to continue strengthening defense cooperation, including exchanges or information sharing for humanitarian purposes, referring to the refueling of the Korean Air Force's aerobatic flight team at Japan's Naha air base the previous day. On Wednesday, the Black Eagles team made a layover in Okinawa after departing from a base in Wonju, some 140 kilometers east of Seoul, to refuel and hold an exchange event with Japan's aerobatic flight team. It marked the first time Japan's air self-de

Jan 29, 2026By Yonhap
Defense chief departs for talks with Japanese defense minister in Yokosuka
Foreign Affairs

Trump's 'Board of Peace' cannot replace UN, says foreign minister

The “Board of Peace” initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, supposedly aimed at addressing the Gaza conflict, cannot replace the United Nations, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said on Thursday. The top diplomat's remarks came as Korea weighs a decision on whether to accept an invitation to join the Washington-led international group, an offer the government confirmed it received last week. “Even if the United Nations becomes paralyzed, it cannot be replaced (by the Board of Peace). The U.N. will continue to be as it is. When the time comes, it will carry out the role entrusted to it,” Cho said at a forum hosted by the Kwanhun Club, an association of senior journalists. Cho said no decision had yet been made on whether Seoul would join the initiative, adding that the invitation had arrived “rather abruptly” and was now under review. The top diplomat voiced support for Trump's broader peace objectives. “Even if we do not immediately sign on to join, we support the U.S.' efforts to promote international peace,” he said. Trump officially launched the Board of Peace last week at

Jan 29, 2026By Lee Hyo-jin
Trump's 'Board of Peace' cannot replace UN, says foreign minister
Foreign Affairs

Trump's tariff hike warning for S. Korea not a breakdown of trade deal: FM Cho

U.S. President Trump's warning of a tariff hike for South Korea should not be seen as a breakdown of the trade deal reached between the allies but as part of the process to implement it, Seoul's top diplomat said Thursday. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun made the remarks during a panel discussion with local press, as Trump's social media post threatening to raise the reciprocal tariff on South Korean goods to 25 percent from 15 percent has rattled Seoul. Trump cited the slow progress in South Korea's legislative procedures required to carry out its investment package in the United States. He said later his administration will "work something out" with Seoul, indicating the potential hike was not imminent. "It's difficult to see this as a breakdown of the deal, and I believe it will work out if we take measures and fully explain it to the U.S. side," Cho said at the session hosted by Kwanhun Club, a senior journalists' association. He was responding to a question about whether a tariff hike would amount to a breakdown of the trade deal with Washington should Trump go on to raise the duties. "It

Jan 29, 2026By Yonhap
Trump's tariff hike warning for S. Korea not a breakdown of trade deal: FM Cho
Foreign Affairs

Industry minister arrives in US for talks on Trump's tariff threat

Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan has arrived in Washington, D.C., to meet U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and discuss bilateral trade issues following President Donald Trump's announcement of plans to raise import tariffs on Korea, officials said Thursday. The visit comes as Trump announced earlier this week that he will raise "reciprocal" tariffs and auto duties on Korea back to 25 percent, citing Seoul's lack of progress in the legislative process in ratifying a tariff deal between the two countries, which was finalized in October. Kim told reporters upon arriving in the U.S. capital that he will meet with Lutnick on Thursday (U.S. time) to call for a "favorable" resolution to the ongoing situation and explain Korea's past efforts to uphold the trade deal. "As far as I understand, (the Trump administration) appears to be dissatisfied with how the domestic legislative process has been progressing," he said. "President Trump made remarks to that effect," added Kim, stressing that Secretary Lutnick, too, appeared to hold such a view when they spoke recently. The minister will also ho

Jan 29, 2026By Yonhap
Industry minister arrives in US for talks on Trump's tariff threat
North Korea

Unification ministry says DMZ access bills do not conflict with armistice

The unification ministry said Thursday pending bills granting the South Korean government control of non-military access to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) do not conflict with the armistice as the bills require advance consultation with the United Nations Command (UNC). The ministry's stance came a day after the UNC voiced strong opposition to the bills, calling them "completely at odds" with the armistice agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. "The ongoing parliamentary discussion on DMZ-related bills requires advance consultations with the UNC for approval of DMZ access, and therefore does not conflict with the armistice at all," the unification ministry said in a notice to the press. The ministry said it will continue to cooperate on the DMZ access bills, in respect of the National Assembly's legislative rights. The ministry has thrown its support behind the bills, proposed by ruling party lawmakers, aiming to give the government the authority to regulate non-military access to the DMZ, as part of efforts to promote the peaceful use of the military buffer zone separating the two K

Jan 29, 2026By Yonhap
Unification ministry says DMZ access bills do not conflict with armistice
Foreign Affairs

Lee's aide delivers president's letter to Canadian PM to support submarine bid

President Lee Jae Myung's top aide said Thursday he has delivered Lee's personal letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during his visit to Canada as part of his efforts to support Korea's bid to win a major submarine project. Kang Hoon-sik, who is visiting Canada as a special envoy for strategic economic cooperation, said in a Facebook post that he met with Carney and other senior Canadian officials to discuss the submarine project as well as ways to expand security and defense industry cooperation. His visit came as a Korean consortium, led by Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, was shortlisted as a final contender to win the Canadian submarine program, estimated at around 60 trillion won ($41.4 billion), alongside Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. Kang said he briefed Canadian officials on Korea's advanced submarine technology and highlighted the Korean government's commitment to support broader security and defense industry cooperation between the two nations. Canada's Minister of State for Defense Procurement Stephen Fuhr plans to visit Korea next week and pers

Jan 29, 2026By Yonhap
Lee's aide delivers president's letter to Canadian PM to support submarine bid
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