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S. Korea moves toward formal diplomatic ties with Syria
Seoul eyes economic reengagement and its role in Syria’s reconstruction South Korea is moving toward establishing diplomatic relations with Syria, the only remaining UN member state with which it has no formal ties, as the government launches a full-scale review of the matter, the Foreign Ministry in Seoul announced Tuesday. The announcement followed a visit by a South Korean government delegation, led by Kim Eun-jeong, director-general for African and Middle Eastern Affairs at the Foreign Minis
Feb. 11, 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 -
South Korean lawmakers in US to bolster ties under 2nd Trump administration
South Korea’s National Assembly delegation began its trip to the United States on Monday, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties under the second Trump administration. According to the Office of the National Assembly Speaker, the delegation will visit Washington, DC, and New York from Monday through Saturday, delivering letters from National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik to US President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Vice President JD Vance. The itinerary also includes discussions wit
Feb. 10, 2025 -
Governor calls on Trump to invite North Korean leader to APEC summit
North Gyeongsang Gov. Lee Cheol-woo on Sunday said that US President Donald Trump could win a Nobel Peace Prize if he were to successfully persuade North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which is being held in his province in October. “If President Trump were to attend the APEC summit and invite North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Gyeongju, then he could be eligible for the Nobel Peace Prize,” Lee said in an interview on the talk show “Sunday Diagn
Feb. 10, 2025 -
S. Korea's foreign ministry welcomes Trump, Ishiba's commitment to NK denuclearization
South Korea's Foreign Ministry on Saturday welcomed the United States and Japan's recent summit meeting where the leaders of the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea. On Friday, local time, US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also expressed concerns over the North's advancing weapons programs and underscored the importance of trilateral cooperation with South Korea during their first in-person summit. "The view
Feb. 8, 2025 -
Trump is open to NK engagement, but it 'takes two to tango': senior US official
US President Donald Trump is open to engaging with North Korea, but it "takes two to tango," a senior administration official said Friday, in an apparent call for a recalcitrant Pyongyang to make its own efforts for dialogue. In a telephonic press briefing, the official made the remarks, reaffirming the Trump administration's commitment to the "complete denuclearization of North Korea" and pledging to remain in "lockstep" with South Korea and Japan over diplomacy toward the North. The briefing c
Feb. 8, 2025 -
Trump, Ishiba reaffirm 'resolute' commitment to 'complete denuclearization of North Korea
US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reaffirmed their "resolute" commitment Friday to the "complete denuclearization of North Korea," a joint statement said, as Pyongyang reiterated its nuclear arms are not a bargaining chip. Following their first in-person summit, Trump and Ishiba issued the statement, where the leaders voiced "serious" concerns over the North's advancing weapons programs and underscored the importance of trilateral cooperation with South Korea.
Feb. 8, 2025 -
S. Korea, US, Japan in talks for FMs meeting this month: report
Japanese foreign minister hopes for trilateral talk at annual security conference in Munich South Korea, the US and Japan are in talks to arrange a trilateral meeting of their foreign ministers in Germany later this month, a Japanese news report said Friday. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is considering attending an annual security conference in Munich that runs from Feb. 14-16, with hopes of holding a trilateral talk with his South Korean and US counterparts, according to the report fr
Feb. 7, 2025 -
Trump-era negotiator Kim Hyun-chong joins Lee Jae-myung as adviser
Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party, on Friday appointed Kim Hyun-chong, a veteran trade negotiator and key architect of the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement, as his special adviser on foreign affairs and national security. Kim, a former trade minister and deputy national security adviser under former President Moon Jae-in, served as South Korea’s key negotiator on trade and security during US President Donald Trump’s first term. Kim said he accepted the role to
Feb. 7, 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 -
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 -
South Korean speaker reassures on political stability, urges Xi’s visit
Woo Won-shik, speaker of South Korea’s National Assembly, offered reassurances about South Korea’s political stability during a meeting with a high-ranking Chinese official Thursday, while also expressing hopes for Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Korea this year. The speaker met with Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. During the talks, Woo emphasized that South Korea remains stable, ad
Feb. 6, 2025 -
Foreign, trade ministries block access to DeepSeek
The foreign and trade ministries on Wednesday blocked access to the Chinese artificial intelligence service DeepSeek amid concerns about user data collection. According to multiple ministry sources, access to the service has been restricted on ministry computers connected to external networks. A ministry official told Yonhap News Agency that a message indicating access is restricted appears when attempting to visit the site. (Yonhap)
Feb. 5, 2025 -
Assembly speaker embarks on 5-day official visit to China
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik embarked on a five-day trip to China on Wednesday to meet with Chinese officials and attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, his office said. Woo is scheduled to meet Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and other Chinese officials to discuss ways to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries. During the talks, he also plans to address Seoul's efforts to restore democracy follo
Feb. 5, 2025 -
Korea, Africa hold 1st critical minerals dialogue in Cape Town
South Korea and 11 African nations held their first Critical Minerals Dialogue on Tuesday, as a key follow-up measure to last June’s inaugural Korea-Africa summit in Seoul, according to South Korea’s Foreign Ministry. The inaugural dialogue was held in Cape Town, South Africa, in conjunction with the African Mining Indaba, a premier event that brings together mining professionals, investors, and industry leaders to discuss the potential and capabilities of Africa’s mining sector. In her opening
Feb. 5, 2025