Trump will announce reciprocal tariffs before Indian prime minister's White House visit Thursday: official

US President Donald Trump will announce "reciprocal" tariffs before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the White House this week, a US official said Wednesday, as Trump is pushing for tariffs on US imports to match what other trading partners impose on US exports. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt made the remarks as the Indian leader is set to hold a summit with Trump on Thursday, the last day of his two-day visit to the United States. "I do believe it will come before th

Feb. 13, 2025

Trump's tariffs pose test to broadening economic partnership with S. Korea

From planned levies on steel and aluminum imports to threats of duties on cars and chips, US President Donald Trump's tariff-based policy approach is sending South Korea scrambling to navigate through it and keep the bilateral partnership steady and sturdy. After slapping a 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports, Trump appeared Monday to be shifting his attention to South Korea and other trading partners with plans to reinstate a 25-percent tariff on steel imports and raise the tariff rate on alum

Feb. 12, 2025

Iran, Korea tout revived ties on Islamic Revolution Day

The Iranian Embassy in Seoul and South Korea’s Foreign Ministry touted the revival of bilateral ties at an event commemorating Iran’s Islamic Revolution Day in Seoul on Monday. Iran became an Islamic republic after the Pahlavi dynasty was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran's last ruling royal family reigned for about 53 years from 1925 to 1979. Delivering his remarks at the event, Iranian Ambassador to South Korea, Saeed Koozechi introduced Iran’s foreign policy priorities, ties wit

Feb. 11, 2025

New S. Korean envoy to Cuba vows to expand consular services, seek bilateral cooperation

The newly established South Korean Embassy in Havana, Cuba, has launched its website as it has begun its activities in earnest, pledging to expand consular services and seek bilateral cooperation with the host country. South Korea opened its embassy in Cuba last month, a year after the two countries forged diplomatic relations that took the world by surprise, including Cuba's Cold War-era ally, North Korea. In his greeting uploaded to the website on Tuesday, Ambassador to Cuba Lee Ho-yul said hi

Feb. 11, 2025

Guatemala, Korea Herald agree to boost Korean-Central American contacts

Guatemala's Ambassador to South Korea, Sara Solis Castaneda, and Herald Media Group CEO Choi Jin-young discussed ways to boost Korea-Central America contacts on Thursday. The Korean community in Guatemala expanded over 50 years to become the fourth largest group in Latin America, according to the ambassador. “At its peak, the Korean population in Guatemala exceeded 10,000, but following the 9/11 attacks, some members relocated, and the current community consists of approximately 7,000 to 8,000 i

Feb. 10, 2025

Trump says he will announce 25% steel and aluminum tariffs Monday, and more import duties are coming

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said he will announce on Monday that the United States will impose 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, including from Canada and Mexico , as well as other import duties later in the week. “Any steel coming into the United States is going to have a 25 percent tariff,” he told reporters Sunday on Air Force One as he flew from Florida to New Orleans to attend the Super Bowl. When asked about aluminum, he responded, “aluminum, too” will be s

Feb. 10, 2025

Xi mulls first South Korea visit in 11 years

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday signaled that he may visit South Korea to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit later this year. According to South Korea's Office of the National Assembly Speaker, Xi stated that Chinese authorities are considering his attendance at the APEC summit to be held in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, in October, adding, "It is customary for the Chinese president to attend the APEC summit." Xi made the remark in a meeting with National Assembly

Feb. 7, 2025

USTR nominee warns against S. Korea, others' regulatory moves that would affect US tech firms

President Donald Trump's nominee for US Trade Representative warned South Korea and other countries Thursday against taking regulatory measures that would negatively affect American online technology firms, saying that "it won't be tolerated." USTR nominee Jamieson Greer made the remarks during a Senate confirmation hearing, as Sen. Mike Crapo accused South Korea and the European Union of moving to advance measures targeting US firms with special requirements or taxes while exempting their domes

Feb. 7, 2025

Korea-France cultural exchange expands ahead of 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year

Greater focus on residency programs aimed at collaboration between artists Ahead of the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations in 2026, the French Embassy in South Korea is offering a wide range of cultural events to deepen the two countries' cultural ties. Spanning literature, music, arts and digital entertainment, each month in 2025 will offer unique opportunities for engagement. The focus will be on exchanges among artists and creators from both countries, providing a chance t

Feb. 6, 2025

Belarus envoy 'unaware' of Lukashenko’s plans to visit North Korea

Trump-Kim meeting can ease security tensions on Korean Peninsula, says Belarusian envoy The Belarusian ambassador in Seoul said the embassy has no information about a possible visit of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to North Korea on Wednesday. “At this stage, the embassy has no information about the preparation of the visit of the President of the Republic of Belarus to the DPRK,” Belarusian Ambassador to Korea Andrew Chernetsky clarified in response to a question from The Korea Hera

Feb. 6, 2025

Vice FM discusses critical minerals cooperation with senior African officials

Second Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun has discussed ways to deepen cooperation in the critical minerals sector in talks with senior government officials of Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday. The talks took place Wednesday on the margins of a key mining event in the South African city of Cape Town, where Kang was visiting to attend the inaugural partnership dialogue between South Korea and African nations on ways to boost critical minerals cooperation.

Feb. 6, 2025

Natl. security advisers of S. Korea, US hold 1st phone call since Trump's inauguration

South Korea's National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik spoke by phone with his new US counterpart Mike Waltz for the first time and agreed to meet in Washington at an early date, Seoul's presidential office said Thursday. It marked South Korea's Office of National Security's first high-level contact with a top US security official since the second Trump administration took office last month. The call came as Seoul continues to be in a period of political uncertainty following now-impeached Preside

Feb. 6, 2025

Celebrating 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Permanent Neutrality in 2025: International Year of Peace and Trust

By Embassy of Turkmenistan in Seoul This year, Turkmenistan proudly celebrates the 30th anniversary of its Permanent Neutrality, coinciding with the United Nations’ proclamation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust. These two milestone events reflect Turkmenistan's remarkable commitment to global harmony and its dedication to cooperating with the international community to strengthen stability, security and sustainable development worldwide. Furthermore, the special symbolism of

Jan. 31, 2025

Hegseth reaffirms strong alliance with S. Korea during 1st phone talks with Seoul's defense chief

South Korea's acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho and new US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held their first phone call Friday and reaffirmed the steadfast alliance between the two nations, Seoul's defense ministry said. In the phone conversation, both sides concurred on the need to advance and deepen the level and scope of their bilateral alliance, which has stood as a "linchpin" for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region over the past 70 years, the ministry said. Hegseth

Jan. 31, 2025

India marks 76th Republic Day, highlights milestones with S. Korea

The Indian Embassy in Seoul celebrated India's 76th Republic Day on Friday, highlighting India-Korea bilateral milestones. The day commemorates the adoption of India's constitution in 1949, declaring India a "sovereign socialist secular democratic republic" that upholds the principles of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity for all citizens. In his speech at the event, Indian Ambassador to Korea Amit Kumar reiterated India’s transformation and development in the decades since and its ties w

Jan. 28, 2025