South Korea - The Korea Times

'Communication channels between the Koreas still alive'

In this June 30 file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump, left, meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the North Korean side of the border at the village of Panmunjeom in the Demilitarized Zone. AP-YonhapBy Kim Yoo-chulCommunication channels between the Koreas are “still alive” despite North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's order to destroy all South Korean-built facilities at a tourist site in North Korea, a presidential aide said Thursday.“We don't think communication channels between the Koreas have been severed… some said communication between the Koreas had been closed off. Simply, this is untrue,” the aide told reporters in a briefing at Cheong Wa Dae.“I want to add a couple of things. Since the very beginning of denuclearization talks with the North, we didn't expect things to go smoothly and in line with our favored metrics. President Moon Jae-in shared these views many times, which were also frequently shared and reaffirmed by the presidential spokesman.”A day after Kim's open criticism of the buildings at the resort, which he desc

Oct 24, 2019By Kim Yoo-chul

'Communication channels between the Koreas still alive'

'Act wisely': North Korea warns US of tough talks as year-end deadline nears

FM says 'US asks too much in defense cost-sharing'

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha speaks during a press conference at the headquarters of the ministry in Seoul, Thursday. YonhapBy Lee Min-hyungThe United States is making “far more excessive” demands in the ongoing defense cost-sharing talks with South Korea, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said Thursday.“It is true that the U.S. is making a much higher level of demands than before, so preparing a pan-governmental strategy is crucial for the allies to narrow their differences on the issue,” she told reporters in a regular press conference at the ministry's headquarters in downtown Seoul.This is the first time a high-level government official has confirmed that Washington was asking South Korea to sharply increase its share of the costs for housing 28,500 U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) troops here. Some South Korean anti-American students broke into the residential compound of the U.S. ambassador to South Korea in Seoul last week to protest Washington's demands.For two days from Thursday (KST), delegations from Seoul and Washington held their second round of talks on

Oct 24, 2019By Lee Min-hyung

FM says 'US asks too much in defense cost-sharing'

PM Lee expects 'certain outcome' with Abe today

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon listens as Japanese students of Japan's Keio University speaks during their meeting at the university, Tokyo, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukBy Park Ji-wonTOKYO -- Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said Wednesday that his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today should produce some developments regarding the diplomatic and trade standoff between South Korea and Japan.“There will be certain outcomes at tomorrow's meeting with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,” Lee said during an unscheduled press briefing in Tokyo, the same day.Earlier, during talks with Japanese students at Keio University, he stressed that Seoul would continue to respect the 1965 treaty with Japan that normalized diplomatic relations between the two countries. While noting that there have been different interpretations of the agreement recently, he said, “Whenever the two have different views, we have resolved our problems through dialogue.” When asked about the move in Korea to boycott Japanese goods, which has negatively influenced the local ec

Oct 23, 2019By Park Ji-won

PM Lee expects 'certain outcome' with Abe today

US Indo-Pacific strategy places Seoul at disadvantage in defense cost-sharing talks

Jeong Eun-bo, head of South Korea's delegation for defense cost-sharing negotiations with the U.S., leaves for Hawaii at Incheon International Airport, Tuesday, for the second round of talks with his U.S. counterpart, James DeHart. YonhapBy Lee Min-hyungThe Washington-led Indo-Pacific strategy is emerging as another major burden in South Korea's ongoing defense cost-sharing negotiations with the United States.So far, the key focus of the defense cost negotiations has been on the upkeep of 28,500 U.S. Forces Korea personnel stationed here. But Washington is moving to step up pressure on Seoul, urging the latter to pay more for not just the maintenance of the USFK, but also regional security under the Indo-Pacific initiative. The strategy is centered on enhancing the trilateral security partnership among South Korea, Japan and the U.S. against the quasi-alliance among China, Russia and North Korea.The existence of the USFK is mainly due to security threats from Pyongyang, as the two Koreas are still technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice.But Russia and Ch

Oct 23, 2019By Lee Min-hyung

US Indo-Pacific strategy places Seoul at disadvantage in defense cost-sharing talks

South Korea ready to discuss Mt. Geumgang facilities with North Korea

In this undated photo provided Oct. 23 by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, visits the Diamond Mountain resort in Geumgang, North Korea. KCNA-YonhapBy Lee Min-hyung, Kim Yoo-chulSouth Korea is ready to discuss the issue of the Mount Geumgang tourism project after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un abruptly ordered the complete demolition of “unpleasant-looking” South Korean facilities at the resort, Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday.“We have to analyze North Korea's position on the Mount Geumgang tourism projects and how its next Geumgang business plan unfolds. Before responding to the North Korean leader's comments on the Geumgang project, again, we have to think about what the North plans to do. If necessary, we will talk to the North Korean government on the matter,” a senior presidential aide told reporters in a briefing.Kim called for South Korean facilities at the resort to be redesigned and replaced with “modern” structures built by North Korean laborers. The Mount Geumgang project is a rare symbol of inter-Korean p

Oct 23, 2019By Lee Min-hyung

South Korea ready to discuss Mt. Geumgang facilities with North Korea

Kim Jong-un's wife appears in state media after 4-month absence

Seoul-Madrid agree to boost ties in renewable energy

President Moon Jae-in, shakes hands with Spain's King Felipe VI at the start of their summit at Cheong Wa Dae, Wednesday. YonhapBy Kim Yoo-chulSouth Korea and Spain have agreed to boost bilateral ties in the areas of digital economy, renewable energy and infrastructure, Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday.In a statement, the presidential office said President Moon Jae-in held his summit with Spain's King Felipe VI at Cheong Wa Dae and the two agreed to level up the Seoul-Madrid partnership specifically in areas of digital economy, renewable energy and infrastructure.At the request of President Moon, the Spanish king arrived here with his wife, becoming the first Spanish king to visit South Korea in 23 years. Cheong Wa Dae said the leaders also discussed President Moon's drive for peace on the Korean Peninsula and explored ways to level up mutual relations on global issues. In 2020, South Korea and Spain will mark the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties. Several non-binding memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed.After the summit, President Moon attended the “South K

Oct 23, 2019By Kim Yoo-chul

Seoul-Madrid agree to boost ties in renewable energy

Moon focuses on fairness, reform in Assembly address

President Moon Jae-in gives a speech at the National Assembly, Tuesday. YonhapBy Do Je-hae President Moo Jae-in said Tuesday that he will focus strongly on promoting fairness in Korean society and other reform initiatives in key sectors during the remainder of his presidency, which marks its halfway point Nov. 10.In a speech to the National Assembly, Moon also mentioned keywords such as “innovation,” “tolerance” and “peace,” although his core message centered on increasing fairness in society as he asked lawmakers for their cooperation in passing various reforms. This was his first public speech since the Cho Kuk scandal, and Moon used the word “fairness” 27 times, reflecting his determination to address the mounting calls for social justice in the wake of the corruption scandal involving his former aide and justice minister. “Fairness is the foundation that enables innovation, tolerance and peace. We need to establish fairness in a new way, not just in the economy, but also in society, education and culture in general,” Moo

Oct 22, 2019By Do Je-hae

Moon focuses on fairness, reform in Assembly address

Businesspeople in Tokyo want Prime Minister to offer clues

People walks down the street at Korea Town in Shinokubo, Tokyo, Tuesday. Despite bad weather, the street was packed with visitors. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukBy Park Ji-wonTOKYO ― South Korean businesspeople in Tokyo's Korea Town remained hopeful Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon's visit to Japan to attend the coronation of new Japanese emperor will help to improve Seoul-Tokyo relations.However, Japanese businesspeople contacted by The Korea Times, here, still remained doubtful that there will be any visible progress in the short term.Despite the continued political tension between the two countries, Korea Town located in Shinokubo, Tokyo, remained vibrant with Japanese visitors enjoying Korean culture and food on the holiday despite heavy rain. South Korea and Japan are currently locked in a bitter trade and diplomatic row stemming from historical disputes, and South Korean consumers have mounted boycotts of Japanese products. Shinokubo, however, appeared to be bustling with people who are passionate about Korean culture. They formed long lines to buy Korean street food or waited for

Oct 22, 2019By Park Ji-won

Businesspeople in Tokyo want Prime Minister to offer clues

'I will try to advance Seoul-Tokyo ties'

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, right, shakes hands with Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Yasumasa Nagamine at Seoul Air Base, Oct. 22, before departing for Japan for a three-day trip. YonhapBy Kim Yoo-chul, Park Ji-wonSEOUL/TOKYO ― Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said Tuesday he will use his visit to Tokyo as an opportunity to advance Seoul-Tokyo relations, as he is keen to serve as a “messenger and facilitator” between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.“I don't expect all outstanding issues to be addressed just because of my one-time special visit to Tokyo, but I hope my visit signals South Korea and Japan to go one step further,” Prime Minister Lee told Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Yasumasa Nagamine at Seoul Air Base before departing for Tokyo for a three-day trip to attend the coronation of the new Japanese emperor, according to press pool reports.Lee arrived at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo using the presidential plane. He was accompanied by more than 30 South Korean media outlets and 50 reporters.“Duri

Oct 22, 2019By Kim Yoo-chul

'I will try to advance Seoul-Tokyo ties'

President Moon vows strong education, prosecution reform to promote fairness

President Moon Jae-in delivers a budget speech at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapPresident Moon Jae-in pledged a strong push Tuesday for the far-reaching systemic reform of South Korea's public sectors, including education and the prosecution.In his budget speech at the National Assembly, Moon stressed the importance of promoting fairness to achieve the key policy goals of innovative, inclusive and peace-based growth."'Fairness' should be established anew in not just the economy but also social, educational and cultural fields," he said. "Once again, I realized the public aspiration for 'fairness' and 'reform.'"He was apparently referring to months of social rifts over his pick of Cho Kuk as justice minister. Cho, one of the closest aides to Moon, was given a mandate to spearhead the reform of the state prosecutors office accused of having too much power and authority.Cho, however, has faced harsh public criticism over reported privileges and alleged irregularities involving his family. His daughter might have gained unfair advantage in her schooling, especia

Oct 22, 2019

Politics