South Korea - The Korea Times

Abe jeopardizes S. Korea-US-Japan security cooperation

Seen above is a United Nations Security Council report in 2016 that shows Japan's illegal export of radars to North Korea. The photo, released by the North's propaganda Rodong Sinmun on Feb. 7, 2015, shows a North Korean warship.By Lee Min-hyungThe Japanese government is threatening the cornerstone of security in Northeast Asia ― the United States-initiated trilateral system on which both South Korea and Japan rely ― as Tokyo is suspected of selling sensitive materials and dual-use technology.Earlier, Tokyo said Seoul had “illegally exported some sensitive components to Pyongyang” without providing evidence. South Korea proposed a plan to launch a United Nations-led body to probe Japan's assertion by saying Japan “should present clear clues and evidence” to back up its claim. The unproven assertion by Japan is raising concerns that it is creating a security gap between South Korea and the United States at a time when Washington wants solid cooperation between its two key East Asian partners in response to the rise of China and North Korea's nuclear program. Po

Jul 15, 2019By Lee Min-hyung

Abe jeopardizes S. Korea-US-Japan security cooperation

Reporter's notebook Presidential secretary in hot seat for posting gov't documents on Facebook

By Nam Hyun-wooCho Kuk, senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, fiddles his smartphone during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on Jan. 22. YonhapCho Kuk, senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, has come under criticism for his frequent activities on SNS, which ended up with him leaking an official document on Facebook before the government released it. Though politicians commonly use SNS as a tool for communication, criticism has been raised on the controversial SNS activities of Cho, whose duty is maintaining government discipline. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy issued a press release stating the WTO would discuss Japan's restrictions on exports to Korea to reporters covering the ministry at 5:27 p.m., Sunday. The document was for immediate release.However, the news became public before the ministry officially released the document, because Cho posted it on Facebook at 5:13 p.m., the same day.This means the government's stance that Japan's export curbs were unfair and contained problems in their grounding was disseminated through Cho's personal SNS, b

Jul 15, 2019By Nam Hyun-woo

[Reporter's notebook] Presidential secretary in hot seat for posting gov't documents on Facebook

LKP, BMP submit motion to dismiss defense minister over NK boat crossing

Reps. Baek Seung-joo, left, of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party and Yu Eui-dong, second from left, of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party submit a motion to the office of the National Assembly calling for the dismissal of Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo for what they claim are a series of security lapses, Monday. YonhapBy Park Ji-wonThe main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) joined forces with the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party (BMP) to file a request for the sacking of Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo, claiming the minister is responsible for a North Korean boat's undetected crossing into South Korean territory.The motion, which the two parties filed at the National Assembly, must be processed within 72 hours.The defense ministry faced criticism for its failure in June to detect a boat carrying four North Koreans that entered South Korean waters and docked at Samcheok Port on the country's east coast. They are suspected of trying to cover up the incident. The Navy was also said to have forced a Navy sailor to give false testimony during an investigation into the

Jul 15, 2019By Park Ji-won

LKP, BMP submit motion to dismiss defense minister over NK boat crossing

Moon to Abe: 'Korea will overcome export restrictions with united power'

President Moon Jae-in speaks about Japan's export restriction to South Korea at Cheong Wa Dae on Monday. He issued a strong warning message to Japan on Monday for its continued economic pressure on South Korea, while reaffirming a priority on a diplomatic resolution to the latest stand-off between the neighbors. YonhapPresident Moon Jae-in issued a strong warning message to Japan on Monday for its continued economic pressure on South Korea, while reaffirming a priority on a diplomatic resolution to the latest stand-off between the neighbors.He pointed out that Tokyo's tougher export restrictions, which target firms here, are tantamount to seeking to block the growth of South Korea's economy at a time when it's seeking to leap forward "by a notch.""If it's what Japan intends to be, it will never succeed," Moon said during a weekly meeting with his senior Cheong Wa Dae aides.The president bristled at Japan's accusation that some dual-use materials may be smuggled out of South Korea, calling the claim a "grave challenge" to the South Korean government that's making all-out efforts for i

Jul 15, 2019

Moon to Abe: 'Korea will overcome export restrictions with united power'

Parliamentary move to improve relations with Japan faces bumpy road

National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang, second from left, and floor leaders pose before holding a meeting at his office in the National Assembly, Monday. From left are, Reps. Lee In-young of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), Moon, Na Kyung-won of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party and Oh Shin-hwan of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party. YonhapBy Park Ji-won A bipartisan push to improve frayed relations between South Korea and Japan following Tokyo's export restrictions targeting companies here will likely face a bumpy road ahead as Korea's political parties are finding it difficult to narrow their political differences. This is in contrast to the united front being shown by their Japanese counterparts.Floor leaders of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) and the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party (BMP) had agreed Monday to adopt a resolution during the current National Assembly session calling on Japan to reverse the export controls, and to send a delegation of lawmakers to Japan to discuss the issue.The cooperat

Jul 14, 2019By Park Ji-won

Korea faces growing trade uncertainties on Japan's further export curbs

Moon to promote southern coast as tourist hub

President Moon Jae-in speaks during an event at the headquarters of the South Jeolla provincial administration in Muan, Friday. The event was organized to promote the region's "blue economy" strategy for rebuilding the region as a hub of tourism and new industries. YonhapBy Do Je-hae President Moon Jae-in visited some emerging tourism destinations in the nation's southern region Friday to underscore his administration's focus on advancing the tourism industry as a key growth engine, and supporting regional economies.It is part of his core domestic policy to achieve balanced national development. The President first stopped at the headquarters of the South Jeolla provincial administration in Muan to be briefed on the economic strategies being pushed by South Jeolla Governor Kim Yung-rok, a former lawmaker and agricultural minister.During an event, Moon reiterated his backing for Governor Kim's ambitious plan to make the province a maritime tourist hub, emphasizing that South Jeolla's development was pivotal for national growth. The governor briefed the President about his strategy for

Jul 12, 2019By Do Je-hae

Moon to promote southern coast as tourist hub

Lawmaker claims Japan illegally sent strategic materials to NK

Rep. Ha Tae-keung of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party (BMP) speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly, Thursday. By Park Ji-wonRep. Ha Tae-keung of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party (BMP) claimed Thursday that Japan sent sanctioned material to North Korea on 30 occasions over the last two decades, some of which were used in the production of nuclear weapons.Citing data from Japan's Center for Information on Security Trade Control (CISTEC), a nongovernmental organization which deals with security issues regarding Japan's exports, Ha said “Japan is making the preposterous claim that South Korea may have illegally shipped hydrogen fluoride to North Korea which can be used in the production of nuclear weapons. But I found Japanese data showing Japan has illegally exported hydrogen fluoride to North Korea.”The revelation came in an apparent move to counter the allegation raised by Japan that hydrogen fluoride shipped to South Korea from Tokyo w

Jul 11, 2019By Park Ji-won

Lawmaker claims Japan illegally sent strategic materials to NK

Defense ministry says Japanese troops cannot fight in Korea

'Seoul proposes plan to compensate forced wartime laborers

Japan's Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democratic party Shinzo Abe delivers a speech on a street ahead of the Upper House election, in Funabashi, near Tokyo Sunday, July 7. AP-Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul South Korea has adjusted its proposal to settle wartime forced labor compensation claims with Japan in an attempt to normalize the strained diplomatic relations between the two countries. Seoul proposed the use of Korean government money to settle all future claims, in addition to the creation of a joint fund between the countries to pay compensation to the successful plaintiffs of last year's Supreme Court case. The adjusted proposal is aimed at resolving the trade dispute between Korea and Japan, a source at the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Thursday.“In addition to the creation of a joint fund between South Korean and Japanese companies to compensate Korean victims from before and during World War II, Seoul recently suggested the idea of compen

Jul 11, 2019By Kim Yoo-chul

'Seoul proposes plan to compensate forced wartime laborers

Moon's key aide in US for mediation in trade row

Kim Hyun-chong, second deputy chief of the presidential National Security Office (NSO), speaks to reporters after arriving at Dulles International Airport, Washington D.C., Wednesday. YonhapBy Do Je-hae Cheong Wa Dae is pulling out all the stops as it seeks to deal with the escalating trade row with Japan. President Moon Jae-in sent one of the country's most seasoned trade specialists to the United States to seek its support in the dispute with Tokyo. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe triggered the conflict by announcing stricter export regulations on three source materials used by Korean manufacturers of semiconductors and display panels. Kim Hyun-chong, second deputy chief of the presidential National Security Office (NSO), arrived in Washington D.C., Wednesday (local time), drawing much attention amid the worsening dispute between Seoul and Tokyo.Regarding his trip, a top presidential aide said that the specifics could not be confirmed. “It is not possible to disclose the duration of the trip as it is subject to change due to circumstances. Bilateral issues, including the curre

Jul 11, 2019By Do Je-hae

Moon's key aide in US for mediation in trade row

'Seoul proposes plan to compensate forced wartime laborers

National Assembly forum on China's Korean Peninsula policy

Rep. Sul Hoon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), left, delivers an opening speech at a forum on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and China’s policy on the Korean Peninsula, at the National Assembly’s main building cafeteria, Wednesday. Also pictured are Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Qiu Guohong, center, and DPK Rep. Lee In-young. Qui during the forum said China has a high opinion of the third U.S.-North Korea summit at the demilitarized zone on June 30, according to DPK Rep. Kim Han-jung, one of the attendees. The forum was co-hosted by Sul, DPK Rep. Woo Sang-ho and an Assembly research organization on the economy and culture of the Korean Peninsula. Yonhap

Jul 10, 2019

Politics