Opinion - The Korea Times

ED Tap right people for Cabinet jobs

President Yoon Suk Yeol’s reported plan to replace several members of his Cabinet either later this month or in early July sparks soul searching about Cabinet reshuffles. The start of the 22nd National Assembly is a known reason that has motivated Yoon to contemplate replacing some of his ministers with fresh faces. Among others, six ministers — including Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min who were appointed by President Yoon in his first year in presidency — are expected to be replaced.

Jun 9, 2024

ED Climate crisis is top security threat

The man-made climate crisis is worsening at an exponential rate, threatening the very survival of humanity. Despite the growing number of voices calling for immediate and united global action, the latest string of reports from the scientific and policy community only indicates the opposite. United Nations Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell recently warned that we are headed for about 2.7 degrees Celsius of global heating, well above the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold set by the Paris climate accord. Accordingly, he urged swifter climate action. But unfortunately, nations are falling far short of the goal set at the U.N. climate talks last year to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, according to a recent report by the International Energy Agency.

Jun 6, 2024By Kim Won-soo

[ED] Climate crisis is top security threat

ED Scrapped military agreement

South Korea has suspended the entirety of the 2018 military agreement with North Korea, paving the way for the resumption of military operations in border areas. President Yoon Suk Yeol approved a proposal to terminate the inter-Korean pact during a Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Tuesday, the presidential office said.

Jun 5, 2024

ED Potential energy reserves

President Yoon Suk Yeol took it upon himself to announce that Korea will embark on exploratory drilling later this year, following the identification of potential reserves of up to 14 billion barrels of crude oil and natural gas off the coast of Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province.

Jun 4, 2024

ED Despicable tactics

North Korea announced its decision, Monday, to cease releasing balloons filled with trash into South Korea. Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang-il said the release was a response to South Korea's longstanding practice of sending balloons carrying anti-North Korea propaganda leaflets. However, North Korea cautioned that it would resume launching balloons if South Korean activists persisted in sending leaflets.

Jun 3, 2024

ED Korea and UAE: true partners

Cheong Wa Dae took on a picturesque ambiance on May 28 when President Yoon Suk Yeol hosted a banquet for visiting United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, prior to their summit held a day later.

Jun 2, 2024

ED Dearth of minerals

Korea faces a significant challenge in securing a stable supply of core minerals essential for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. According to an analysis by Standard & Poor's (S&P), Korea owned just 36 key mineral mines in 2022. This number pales in comparison to China and the United States, which have 1,992 and 1,976 mines respectively, and even falls short of Japan's 134 mines.

May 30, 2024

ED Seoul’s Ukraine dilemma

One of the less commented-on aspects of the Russo-Ukrainian war is that the conflict also serves as a proxy struggle between the two Koreas.

May 29, 2024By John Merrill

ED Soldiers' deaths

In the span of two weeks, two Army recruits have tragically lost their lives.

May 28, 2024

ED Crucial trilateral summit

The leaders of South Korea, Japan and China pledged to enhance security and economic cooperation during a landmark summit held in Seoul, Monday. President Yoon Suk Yeol, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang adopted a joint statement emphasizing the importance of trilateral cooperation for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, with a particular focus on addressing North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.

May 27, 2024

Editorial