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US sanctions 2 individuals, 1 entity involved in money laundering network to support N. Korea
The United States on Tuesday sanctioned two individuals and one entity involved in a network that launders illicit funds generated by North Korean IT workers and cybercrime to support Pyongyang, the Treasury Department said. The department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added two Chinese nationals and a UAE-based front company, named Green Alpine Trading, LLC, to its sanctions list. It accused them of facilitating money laundering and cryptocurrency conversion services that funne
Dec. 18, 2024 -
Foreign ministry holds 1st task force meeting on US policy under incoming Trump administration
The foreign ministry said Tuesday it held its first task force meeting on reviewing its US policy ahead of the launch of the second Donald Trump administration. The meeting, presided over by First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-hyun, came as South Korea is crafting its foreign policy approach to address alliance and security issues with the incoming Trump administration as his second term begins next month. Such efforts have become more important as South Korea is reeling from the fallout of t
Dec. 17, 2024 -
Clear communication with Trump essential for S. Korea: expert
Ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, it is more crucial than ever for South Korea and the United States to engage in clear and strategic communication, says Ted Gover, director of the Tribal Administration Program at Claremont Graduate University and an expert on US diplomacy in Asia. “If I were the South Korean president, I would take a page from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s playbook,” said Gover, referring to the recent meeting at Mar-a-Lago in
Dec. 17, 2024 -
US approves possible sale of S. Korea's Navy destroyer improvement program, related elements
The United States has authorized a potential sale to South Korea of a Navy destroyer improvement program and related elements, a government agency said Monday, noting that the proposed sale will help enhance the Asian ally's defense capabilities. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency under the Department of Defense announced that the State Department has made the decision on the potential government-to-government Foreign Military Sale estimated to cost $300 million. South Korea has made a
Dec. 17, 2024 -
US confirms N. Korea suffered 'significant losses' in combat against Ukraine
The United States believes North Korea has suffered some "significant" troop losses during combat alongside Russian forces against Ukraine, a White House official confirmed Monday, noting the troops were seen moving from the second lines on the battlefield to the front lines. National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby made the remarks as Kyiv's intelligence authorities have said that some 200 Russian and North Korean soldiers were estimated to have been killed while fight
Dec. 17, 2024 -
S. Korea-US alliance is not just between presidents, but between governments, people: State Dept.
The South Korea-US alliance is not just between the two countries' presidents, but one between their governments and between their people, a State Department spokesperson said Monday, stressing that there is no "diminution" in the bilateral partnership in the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. Matthew Miller, the spokesperson, made the remarks amid lingering concerns that Yoon's impeachment could affect policy coordination between Seoul and Washington at a ti
Dec. 17, 2024 -
US sanctions NK generals accompanying NK troops dispatched to Russia
The United States on Monday sanctioned two North Korean generals known to be accompanying thousands of North Korean troops dispatched to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, as well as other people and entities linked to Pyongyang's military programs and other activities. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned nine individuals and seven entities that have provided financial and military support to the North, while the State Department sanctioned thr
Dec. 17, 2024 -
Doha Forum urges action, innovation imperative for peacebuilding
Korea Herald correspondent DOHA, Qatar -- Heads of state, United Nations officials, diplomats, and global experts urged for peacebuilding through collective action and innovation at the 22nd Doha Forum from Dec. 7-8. “In an era of major transformations, innovation is no longer a choice; it has become an existential necessity for survival and progress,” underscored Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs during his keynote address
Dec. 15, 2024 -
Seoul’s interim leadership preparing for Trump 2.0: foreign minister
South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul pledged Sunday to facilitate smooth preparations for the incoming Trump administration under Acting President Han Duck-soo’s leadership, emphasizing his readiness to swiftly travel to the US to engage with the Trump team if needed. During a news conference held a day after the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his abrupt martial law declaration, Cho outlined the Foreign Ministry’s priorities and operational
Dec. 15, 2024 -
Acting president, speaker pledge close cooperation
Acting President Han Duck-soo and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik on Sunday pledged close cooperation and communication between the Cabinet and the parliament to achieve stable management of state affairs. In line with the latest vow, Woo called for Han to swiftly form a joint consultative body between the government and the Assembly to run state affairs. "The government will closely communicate with the Assembly ... (we) will make efforts to bridge the gaps in the opinions with a
Dec. 15, 2024 -
Trump picks ex-Ambassador to Germany Grenell as presidential envoy for special missions on N. Korea, other issues
US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday named former Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell as his presidential envoy for special missions that he said covers "some of the hottest spots" around the world, including North Korea. Trump announced Grenell, one of his staunchest supporters, as the presidential envoy, saying that he will fight for "peace through strength" and push for his America First agenda. "I am pleased to announce Richard Allen Grenell as our President
Dec. 15, 2024 -
White House says US appreciates resiliency of democracy and rule of law in S. Korea
The United States appreciates the resiliency of democracy and the rule of law in South Korea and its alliance with the Asian country remains "ironclad," a White House official said Saturday after the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law attempt. South Korea's legislature impeached Yoon, suspending him from his duties until the Constitutional Court decides whether to reinstate him or remove him from office. Prime Minister Han Duck-
Dec. 15, 2024 -
Seoul meets with envoys from US, Japan, China shortly after Yoon's impeachment
South Korea's top senior diplomats held high-level talks with envoys from the United States, Japan and China on Saturday evening, shortly after the National Assembly's passing of a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. The meetings were intended to explain domestic political developments, including the passage of the impeachment motion against Yoon, and highlight Seoul's resolve to sustain diplomatic momentum and strengthen ties with key partners under acting President and Pr
Dec. 14, 2024 -
Dozens of Korean Americans stage rally calling for Yoon's impeachment
Some 50 Korean Americans held a rally in front of the White House in Washington on Friday to call for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law attempt last week as they underscored their support for a resilient democracy in South Korea. A civic group, called the Global Candlelight Action, organized the event in tandem with various other activist groups. Such rallies have taken place or been set to occur in more than a dozen US cities this week, including New York,
Dec. 14, 2024 -
Thailand reaffirms tourism, economic ties with S. Korea
The Thai Embassy in Seoul reiterated deepening tourism and economic ties with South Korea, marking the country's National Day. Thai Ambassador to Korea Tanee Sangrat, in his remarks at the event, highlighted renewed momentum in Thailand-South Korea relations, citing high-level visits and the first meeting between Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol at the ASEAN Summit. Sangrat underscored the leaders' commitment to closer
Dec. 13, 2024