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Trump says NATO member states should spend 5% of GDP on defense
US President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday North Atlantic Treaty Organization member states should spend five percent of gross domestic product on defense -- much higher than the current 2 percent guideline of the alliance. Trump made the remarks during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida amid expectations that he could also call on South Korea and other allies to increase their defense spending and take greater responsibilities for their security. "Well, I think NATO should h
Jan. 8, 2025 -
Cuba’s first ambassador to S. Korea begins duties
The inaugural Cuban Ambassador to South Korea, Claudio Monzon Baeza, has officially begun his duties in Seoul. Monzon was one of nine new resident ambassadors to South Korea who presented their credentials to acting President Choi Sang-mok on Tuesday afternoon at the government complex in Seoul. Monzon’s swearing-in comes approximately 11 months after Seoul and Havana established diplomatic relations in February last year. South Korea and Cuba initially set the goal of establishing and opening e
Jan. 7, 2025 -
Joseph Yun to serve as interim acting ambassador to Korea
Joseph Yun, a former special envoy on North Korea and veteran diplomat, will assume the role of interim acting US ambassador to South Korea following Ambassador Philip Goldberg's departure from Seoul on Tuesday. “Yes, that’s our intention. He will become charge d’affaires in a few days,” Goldberg said during a farewell press briefing at Incheon Airport when asked if Yun would serve as the acting US ambassador to South Korea. Goldberg concluded his 36-year diplomatic career in the US Foreign Serv
Jan. 7, 2025 -
US expressed serious concerns over Yoon's actions: Blinken
US secretary of state warns of Russia sharing space, satellite technology with North Korea During his farewell trip to Seoul, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday voiced a dual message to politically turbulent South Korea: "tremendous confidence" in its democratic resilience and "serious concerns" over suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Dec. 3 martial law declaration and related actions. Blinken’s final trip as secretary of state including a visit to South Korea came at a pivotal mome
Jan. 6, 2025 -
Top diplomats of S. Korea, US to discuss alliance, N. Korea amid impeachment uncertainty
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken were set to hold talks in Seoul on Monday, focusing on their countries' bilateral alliance, efforts to deter North Korean threats and other key issues, officials said. The talks come as South Korea seeks to ensure its alliance with the United States remains strong despite political uncertainties following President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment over his failed martial law attempt. Blinken's visit marks the first trip by a top US
Jan. 6, 2025 -
Top diplomats of S. Korea, US to meet in Seoul next week
The top diplomats of South Korea and the United States will hold talks in Seoul Monday to discuss the countries' bilateral alliance and North Korea issues amid the ongoing political turmoil stemming from President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, Seoul's Foreign Ministry said Friday. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's two-day visit to South Korea, which starts Sunday, would mark the first visit by a high-ranking US official since Yoon's botched martial law imposition on Dec. 3. It would also be
Jan. 3, 2025 -
Korean Peninsula in top 10 conflicts to watch in 2025: Crisis Group
The entire Korean Peninsula has emerged as one of the top 10 global conflicts to watch this year, driven not only by North Korea's belligerence but also by political upheaval in South Korea, according to the International Crisis Group's annual forecast. Crisis Group cautioned that tensions and uncertainties on the peninsula could intensify, driven by severed inter-Korean ties in the absence of communication channels, deepening military cooperation and exchanges between Russia and North Korea, an
Jan. 2, 2025 -
Shattered dreams of Thai victims of Jeju Air crash
The two Thai nationals who tragically lost their lives in a tragic plane crash on Sunday were a promising college student and a proud mother of two. The victims, identified as Sirinthorn Ja-ue, a 22-year-old from Chiang Rai's Mae Suai district, and Boonchuay Duangmanee, a 45-year-old from Udon Thani province, were among the 181 passengers aboard the ill-fated flight. Ja-ue was traveling to South Korea to celebrate the New Year with her mother, who had married a Korean man. It was to be her secon
Jan. 1, 2025 -
Vice FM asks new Chinese ambassador for his part in building better ties
First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun asked Chinese Ambassador-designate to South Korea Dai Bing on Monday to make efforts to help improve bilateral relations, Seoul's foreign ministry said. Kim made the call during his first in-person meeting with Dai, days after Dai arrived in Seoul to assume his new post that had been left vacant since his predecessor, Xing Haiming, departed in July. Kim expressed hope that the two countries would continue exchanges and cooperation in various fields, incl
Dec. 30, 2024 -
Seoul expresses deepest condolences, honoring Carter’s legacy
The South Korean government on Monday expressed its "deepest condolences" over the passing of former US President Jimmy Carter on Sunday, stating it did so "together with the Korean people." In a statement of condolences issued by the Foreign Ministry in Seoul, the Korean government underscored Carter's lifelong dedication to advancing universal values of humanity, such as international peace, democracy and human rights, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. "He actively engaged in pro
Dec. 30, 2024 -
World leaders mourn tragic plane crash
World leaders have expressed profound sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences following a devastating plane crash in Korea that claimed 179 lives, including two Thai nationals. “Jill and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life that occurred as a result of the Jeju Airlines accident in Muan, Republic of Korea,” US President Joe Biden said in a statement released Sunday, referring to South Korea by its official name. “As close allies, the American people share deep bonds of friendship
Dec. 30, 2024 -
Embassies express grief over Muan plane crash
A passenger plane is engulfed in flames after crashing at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province on Sunday, resulting in at least 179 fatalities as of now. (Yonhap)
Dec. 29, 2024 -
S. Korea, Japan seek foreign ministers' meeting early next year despite political turmoil
South Korea and Japan are seeking to hold a meeting of their foreign ministers early next year, diplomatic sources said Saturday, amid concerns about the impact on diplomacy amid political turmoil triggered by President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law bid. Separately, Japan is also said to pursue a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers with South Korea and China in early February as part of its preparation for a three-way summit of their leaders. South Korea and Japan are in talks to hold
Dec. 28, 2024 -
US is ready to work with acting President Choi, strongly supports 'ironclad' alliance: State Dept.
The United States is ready to work with South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok and "strongly" supports the "ironclad" alliance with the Asian country, a State Department spokesperson said Friday, after the National Assembly voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo. The spokesperson made the remarks after Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi took over following Han's impeachment less than two weeks after Han took over for President Yoon Suk Yeol who was impeached for his bo
Dec. 28, 2024 -
APEC 2025 unaffected by political landscape: official
South Korea will work towards hosting an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit scheduled to take place in the southeastern city of Gyeongju next year, and ensure it will not be affected by the political turmoil stemming from President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, a Seoul official said Thursday. "The APEC meeting is an international meeting of the highest-level to be hosted by our country -- not by an individual, such as the president or a minister," a Foreign Ministry official, who declined t
Dec. 26, 2024