Articles by Jo He-rim
Jo He-rim
herim@heraldcorp.com-
US tests THAAD interception of missiles amid N. Korea’s launches
The United States successfully tested the capability of its anti-missile system, called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, to intercept medium-range ballistic missiles in an apparent move to keep North Korea in check. The test was carried out from the US Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands on Friday, according to the US Missile Defense Agency. “Preliminary indications are that planned flight test objectives were achieved and the target was successfully i
Defense Sept. 3, 2019
-
‘N. Korea won’t give up nukes, efforts should be made in normalizing ties’
North Korea will not give up its nuclear weapons, and it would be more effective to seek normalization of relations with the regime, an expert at US-based think tank said Tuesday.John Mueller, a senior fellow at Cato Institute and a political scientist at Ohio State University, also criticized the United States as the cause of friction on the Korea Peninsula due to its “atomic obsession.” “It doesn’t matter whether North has nuclear weapons or not. There is a good c
North Korea Aug. 30, 2019
-
North Korea holds parliamentary session for second time this year
As North Korea was to hold the second meeting of its rubber-stamp parliament Thursday, eyes are on what message or policy changes the regime may announce at the event.North Korea’s state-run media outlets reported that Pyongyang was to hold a plenary meeting of the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly, the second such meeting this year, following the first held in April. According to the North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency, SPA members paid their respects at statues of
North Korea Aug. 29, 2019
-
[Newsmaker] Defense Ministry says Korea-US alliance remains strong
Seoul’s Defense Ministry maintained Thursday that it was closely working with the United States, following the remarks by US defense leaders expressing disappointment over South Korea’s decision to withdraw from an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan.The United States has been vocally critical of South Korea’s decision to terminate the General Security of Military Information Agreement with Japan. “As we have told you before, defense minister and the US Secretary of
Defense Aug. 29, 2019
-
[Diplomatic circuit] Polish, UK envoys encourage students to reach for their dreams
The Korea Herald Young Diplomats Academy and the Young Opinion Leaders’ Knowledge Forum -- youth camps tailored for interaction with foreign diplomats, business leaders and renowned scholars -- have inspired future generations of leaders. The event at Yonsei International Campus in Songdo, Incheon, from Aug. 2 to 4 attracted over 200 elementary, middle and high school students, providing a platform for differentiated learning, discussion and communication in English. For the annual event,
Diplomatic Circuit Aug. 27, 2019
-
[Feature] S. Korea faces prospect Trump may be seeking 'alliance fee'
South Korea already faces a turbulent security situation, with North Korea firing off missiles and relations with Japan at its lowest point. Now, the South’s closest ally is pressuring the government to pay more money for its troops stationed here. Ever since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a cease-fire, the United States has maintained troops in South Korea to defend its ally and to keep China and Russia in check.With negotiations on cost-sharing for US troops here set to begin next month
Defense Aug. 27, 2019
-
North Korea boasts test-firing of newly developed ‘super-large multiple rocket launcher’
North Korea on Sunday boasted the successful test-firing of what it called a “newly developed super-large multiple rocket launcher,” a day after it fired two projectiles into the East Sea. Releasing pictures of the new weapon system, the state-run daily Rodong Sinmun said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un highly praised the new system after overseeing the test-firing.“The test-fire proved that all the tactical and technological specifications of the system correctly reached the p
North Korea Aug. 25, 2019
-
South Korea pulls out of intel-sharing pact amid spat with Japan
South Korea decided to withdraw from the bilateral military intelligence-sharing pact with Japan on Thursday, amid escalating friction over trade and historical issues.In a televised announcement, Cheong Wa Dae said it has made the decision to abolish General Security of Military Information Agreement and will notify Japan via diplomatic channels by midnight on Saturday, the deadline for a decision on whether to renew the agreement.“The government deemed that Japan caused grave change
Foreign Affairs Aug. 22, 2019
-
Defense minister dismisses N. Korea’s taunts, highlights strong defense posture
Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo said it was not worth listening to North Korea’s criticism of South Korea’s joint military exercises with the United States, and vowed that defense posture would remain strong. At a parliamentary defense committee meeting, Jeong also spoke of the usefulness of the controversial military intel-sharing agreement with Japan. “(The North) is using vulgar words (to criticize us), but I do not feel it is worth responding to its words one by one,&rdqu
Defense Aug. 21, 2019
-
[Feature] Seoul takes time mulling renewal of military intel-sharing pact with Japan
Nearly six decades have passed since South Korea and Japan signed a treaty to normalize diplomatic ties in 1965, but their relationship has been fraught since then with continued bitterness over the history of Korea’s colonization. Now, as the relationship of the “frenemies” hits a new low with a budding trade war, Seoul has hinted at scrapping a military intel-sharing pact with Tokyo. But while South Koreans are unified in denouncing Japan’s increased controls on ex
Defense Aug. 20, 2019
-
Little progress in coming up with alternative service for conscientious objectors
Over a year has passed since the Constitutional Court addressed the need to come up with an alternative form of service for conscientious objectors, but little progress has been made at the National Assembly.According to the Military Manpower Administration on Sunday, as of late July 498 people had submitted applications to defer enlistment, citing religious beliefs. Previously, the authorities had uniformly charged conscientious objectors under the Military Service Act. But since the Constituti
Defense Aug. 18, 2019
-
US official to visit Seoul for defense cost-sharing deal before official negotiations begin
Timothy Betts, acting deputy assistant secretary and senior adviser for security negotiations and agreements, will visit Seoul this week to discuss the defense cost-sharing pact, sources said Sunday.Betts, who led the US negotiation team for the 10th defense cost-sharing agreement, will meet with Chang Won-sam, his South Korean counterpart, on Tuesday. Details on the venue and time of the closed-door meeting have not been revealed, but it may be held at a location other than the Foreign Ministry
Defense Aug. 18, 2019
-
Seoul, Tokyo cancel vice foreign ministers meeting
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday denied reports that the vice foreign ministers of Seoul and Tokyo would meet this week to discuss the trade row. Ministries from both sides appear to have canceled the plan after it was reported by the media. Citing diplomatic sources, news outlets in the two countries reported that South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Cho Sei-young and his Japanese counterpart, Takeo Akiba, would meet Friday or Saturday to discuss ways to resolve the ongoing trade
Foreign Affairs Aug. 14, 2019
-
Cheonghae Unit sets sail for mission amid speculation of serving in Hormuz Strait
Korea’s anti-piracy Cheonghae Unit on Tuesday embarked on its mission in the Gulf of Aden amid speculation that its final destination may be the Strait of Hormuz.As Washington has been calling for its allies to take part in the “international maritime security mission” in the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tension with Iran, Seoul has been weighing its options. The naval Cheonghae Unit, one of Korea’s military troops deployed overseas, was seen as the most likely t
Defense Aug. 13, 2019
-
Pyongyang taunts Seoul as ‘fool,’ lambasts over military exercise with US
North Korea has slammed South Korea for the latter’s combined military exercise with the United States, which kicked off Sunday, saying it will not interact with the South until there is a plausible explanation for the “war exercise.”In a Foreign Ministry statement, released a day after it launched what are believed to be short-range ballistic missiles, Pyongyang said its recent launches are just part of the regular process of developing conventional weapons. “Given that
North Korea Aug. 11, 2019
Most Popular
-
1
Blinken calls on China to press N. Korea to end its 'dangerous' behavior
-
2
Tensions heighten ahead of first president-opposition chief meeting
-
3
Seoul to provide housing subsidy to married couples with newborns
-
4
New celebrity-endorsed therapy for face contouring requires only a pair of rubber bands
-
5
Rapper jailed after public street fight with another rapper
-
6
[KH Explains] No more 'Michael' at Kakao Games
-
7
Nominee for chief of anti-corruption body pledges 'independence, effectiveness'
-
8
Med schools expect 1,500+ new admission slots next year
-
9
Woman gets suspended term for injuring boyfriend with knife
-
10
[Weekender] How DDP emerged as an icon of Seoul