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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

Uncertainty surrounding US monetary policy likely to persist: BOK

Uncertainty over the path of the United States' monetary policy is expected to persist, though markets have remained broadly stable following the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate decision, a senior official of the Korean central bank said Thursday. On Wednesday (U.S. time), the Fed kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at the 3.5-3.75 percent range following three successive cuts since September, a decision that will continue to put the gap between the key rates of Korea and the United States at up to 1.25 percentage points for the time being. "Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference and the timeline for the nomination of his successor and other issues could lead to continued uncertainty over the U.S. monetary policy path," Bank of Korea (BOK) Deputy Gov. Yoo Sang-dai said while presiding over a market assessment meeting. "As uncertainties regarding U.S. tariff policies, concerns over the fiscal health of major economies and geopolitical risks continue to exist, we will remain vigilant and closely monitor market developments," he added. During the press conference, Powell s

Jan 29, 2026By Yonhap
Uncertainty surrounding US monetary policy likely to persist: BOK
North Korea

N. Korea assesses last year's agricultural output as 'proud outcome' ahead of party congress

North Korea has held a Cabinet meeting to assess last year's agricultural output and resolve to meet this year's production target, the North's main newspaper said Thursday, as the country is preparing for a key party congress. The 2025 agriculture assessment meeting was held virtually from Tuesday to Wednesday and overseen by Premier Pak Thae-song, party secretary Jo Yong-won and Vice Premier Ri Chol-man, who also serves as chair of the agricultural committee, according to the Rodong Sinmun. The daily is North Korea's most widely read newspaper and is published by the ruling party. The meeting brought together agricultural officials from the ruling party, the Cabinet, as well as from cities, provinces and counties across the country. The KCNA quoted Ri as reporting to the meeting that the country saw "a step forward" in fulfilling its grain production target last year thanks to the adoption of scientific crop placement, new agricultural methods and other advanced technologies. Ri described the result as a "proud outcome brought about by the efforts and struggle of agricultural workers,"

Jan 29, 2026By Yonhap
N. Korea assesses last year's agricultural output as 'proud outcome' ahead of party congress
North Korea

New Iranian ambassador to N. Korea takes office after presenting credentials

Iran's new ambassador to North Korea has taken office after presenting his letter of credence, the North's state media reported Thursday. Choe Ryong-hae, chairman of the standing committee of North Korea's parliament, received the credentials of new Iranian Ambassador Abbas Talebifar, sent by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the previous day, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. Choe and Talebifar subsequently held talks, with Vice Foreign Minister Pak Sang-gil and members of the Iranian Embassy also in attendance, the KCNA said. North Korea and Iran have traditionally maintained close ties rooted in their shared antagonism toward the United States, and have been suspected of illicit cooperation in ballistic missile and nuclear technology. Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, both countries have supplied weapons to Russia, further cementing their military and economic ties.

Jan 29, 2026By Yonhap
New Iranian ambassador to N. Korea takes office after presenting credentials
Foreign Affairs

Seoul cites legislative process, FX concerns in delayed rollout of US investment plan

Korea will need more time to begin implementing its commitment to invest $200 billion in the United States, a senior official at the presidential office said Wednesday, citing the slowness of the legislative process and concerns about the potential effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on the investment amount. Kim Yong-beom, presidential policy chief, told reporters that U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent announcement to raise tariffs on Korean goods from 15 percent to 25 percent appears to stem largely from frustration over the slowness of the National Assembly’s approval of related legislation. “U.S. dissatisfaction is entirely rooted in legislative delays and that is also how the U.S. side explains it,” Kim said. He said Washington understood that a Korea-U.S. investment fund — a joint vehicle intended to channel Korean capital into U.S. projects — could not be launched until Seoul completes the required legislative steps, including the passage of special laws governing overseas investments. Kim added that the government had repeatedly told U.S. officials throu

Jan 28, 2026By Anna J. Park
Seoul cites legislative process, FX concerns in delayed rollout of US investment plan
Foreign Affairs

India, Korea highlight strategic partnership at Republic Day ceremony

India and Korea highlighted growing economic, defense and cultural ties on Monday as diplomats and guests gathered in Seoul to mark the 77th Republic Day of India. Speaking at a reception hosted by the Indian Embassy, Indian Ambassador to Korea Gourangalal Das said India’s commitment to democracy, enshrined in its constitution adopted more than seven decades ago, continues to guide the country’s political and economic trajectory. “Every passing year renews our faith in the system our forefathers adopted and in the future that we are committed to create for our people,” Das said. Despite global disruption and uncertainty, India maintained its position as the world’s fastest-growing major economy over the past year, he said, citing structural reforms, simplified tax and labor systems, expanded infrastructure investment and advances in digital and artificial intelligence technologies. He also pointed to achievements in semiconductors and space exploration as evidence of India’s growing scientific capabilities. Das said 2025 marked the 10th anniversary of India and Korea’s spec

Jan 28, 2026By Kim Hyun-bin
India, Korea highlight strategic partnership at Republic Day ceremony
Foreign Affairs

Lee seeks to calm foreign investors as trade tensions with US mount

President Lee Jae Myung urged foreign investors Wednesday to trust the Korean government and the country’s economic fundamentals, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to improving conditions for foreign capital. He made the remarks at a meeting with executives from foreign-invested companies at Cheong Wa Dae, as Korea faces tariff pressure from the United States and fallout from an investigation into a massive personal data breach at Coupang, which is headquartered in the United States. The event was intended to give the president an opportunity to hear directly from foreign investors operating in the country. Foreign-invested companies in Korea are defined under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act as firms in which foreign investors hold shares above a designated threshold. Representatives from seven foreign chambers of commerce in Korea attending the meeting, including James Kim, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, and Philippe Van Hoof, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea, as well as senior executives from 31 foreign-invested companie

Jan 28, 2026By Anna J. Park
Lee seeks to calm foreign investors as trade tensions with US mount
North Korea

S. Korea confirms talks with US, Japan over NK missile launch

South Korea, the United States and Japan discussed North Korea's latest missile launch and coordination efforts in three-way phone talks the previous day, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday. Baek Yong-jin, director general for the Korean Peninsula policy, spoke by phone with Dan Cintron, acting U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state, and Otsuka Kengo, deputy director general of the Japanese foreign ministry's Asia and Oceania bureau, the ministry said. On Tuesday, South Korea's military said the North fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, in yet another military muscle-flexing by Pyongyang ahead of its upcoming key party congress. North Korean state media said Wednesday it has test-fired an upgraded large-caliber multiple rocket launcher system, with leader Kim Jong-un in attendance. Seoul confirmed the phone talks with Washington and Tokyo only after it was first made public in Japan earlier Wednesday, a move seen as rare considering that such trilateral consultations on North Korea's provocations had mostly been released to media promptly. "South Kore

Jan 28, 2026By Yonhap
S. Korea confirms talks with US, Japan over NK missile launch
Others

Korean gov't says Trump's tariff threat not linked to Coupang

The Korean government sees U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to raise tariffs on Korean goods as being unrelated to the controversy over Korean authorities’ investigation into Coupang or proposed online platform regulations. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said in a parliamentary session on Wednesday, “Based on our contacts with the U.S. Department of State following the announcement, we have concluded that it has no direct connection to Coupang or the online platform bill.” His comments follow speculation that Trump’s sudden tariff hike threat announced on social media on Monday (local time) was linked to Korea’s push to penalize Coupang over the U.S.-listed company’s massive customer data leak or its move to regulate online platform companies, which the U.S. says could potentially result in unfair treatment for American firms. The minister also implied the Korean government is still grappling to understand why Trump threatened to raise the tariffs from 15 percent to 25 percent. “It is difficult to pinpoint any specific and reasonably presumed special motive … I think tha

Jan 28, 2026By Lee Gyu-lee
Korean gov't says Trump's tariff threat not linked to Coupang
Foreign Affairs

Cheong Wa Dae welcomes China's removal of steel tower in West Sea as 'meaningful progress'

Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday welcomed China's decision to remove one of the three disputed steel structures from their overlapping waters in the West Sea, calling it "meaningful progress." "Given that the management platform has long been a focus of concern, we welcome the latest move as meaningful progress," the presidential office said. The government will continue efforts to defend Korea's maritime rights and interests in the West Sea and ensure a "peaceful and co-prosperous" region, it added. On Tuesday, China's foreign ministry announced that work was in progress to move one of the three steel structures built in the sea zone where the two countries' exclusive economic zones (EEZs) overlap. China built two semisubmersible buoys in 2018 and 2024 and a fixed steel platform in 2022 in the Provisional Maritime Zone (PMZ). The issue has been a source of tensions in bilateral relations, as Seoul has regarded the installations as Beijing laying the potential groundwork for future territorial claims.

Jan 28, 2026By Yonhap
Cheong Wa Dae welcomes China's removal of steel tower in West Sea as 'meaningful progress'
Foreign Affairs

Korea will 'actively' explain commitment to US on trade deal implementation: finance chief

Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Wednesday that the government will "actively" explain to the United States its commitment to implementing the countries' trade agreement amid renewed concerns over potential tariff hikes. Koo's remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to raise "reciprocal" tariffs and other duties on Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent, citing delays in Seoul's legislative process related to the agreement. "Going forward, we will continue to communicate and cooperate closely with the National Assembly while actively explaining to the U.S. side our commitment to implementing the tariff agreement," Koo said while presiding over a meeting of economy-related ministers. Under the deal struck in late July and finalized months later, Seoul has committed to investing $350 billion in the United States, among other pledges, in return for Washington's lowering of reciprocal tariffs and auto, lumber and pharmaceutical duties to 15 percent from 25 percent. As part of the deal, the Korean government has sought to submit a special bill aimed at promoting investm

Jan 28, 2026By Yonhap
Korea will 'actively' explain commitment to US on trade deal implementation: finance chief
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