Korea’s martial law declaration a shock for Doha Forum delegates

Korea Herald correspondent DOHA, Qatar -- Political scientists and think tank representatives gathering in Doha for an annual international forum expressed shock at South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration that caused widespread political turmoil in the country. Speaking with The Korea Herald at the Doha forum, many intellectuals shared views on the implications for South Korea’s democracy and stability. With over 4,500 participants from more than 150 countries

Dec. 8, 2024

Foreign residents shocked by martial law declaration

The sudden declaration of martial law by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol late Tuesday night sent shock waves through the country's foreign community. President Yoon has defended the move, citing alleged threats from opposition lawmakers, and saying the National Assembly had "become a den of criminals, paralyzed the country's judicial and administrative systems through legislative dictatorship, and attempted to overthrow the liberal democratic system." Although the order

Dec. 4, 2024

Korea-Africa Foundation names advisory commitee members

The Korea-Africa Foundation announced on Thursday a list of 24 advisory committee members from diplomatic, media, business, academia, culture, and health care communities to enhance the foundation’s programs and operations. Established in June 2018 under Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foundation focuses on long-term research to strengthen Korea-Africa partnerships. "We anticipate actively utilizing the expertise of advisory committee members in implementing our projects

Dec. 2, 2024

[Contribution] Exploring Kazakhstan: Land of tourist wonders

By Nurgali Arystanov Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Korea Kazakhstan, the world's ninth-largest country, is a land of breathtaking natural beauty, deep cultural heritage and unique tourist opportunities. From snow-capped mountains and expansive steppes to futuristic cities and ancient Silk Road sites, Kazakhstan offers a variety of experiences for every traveler. Its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, coupled with a growing network of inter

Dec. 1, 2024

[Herald Interview] Estonian foreign affairs committee chair expresses worries over growing NK-Russia ties

Marko Mihkelson, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Estonian parliament, expressed deep concerns over the growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia during a recent interview with The Korea Herald. During a visit to Seoul last month, Mihkelson highlighted the strong diplomatic and security ties between Estonia and South Korea, noting the upcoming opening of Korea's embassy in Estonia as a milestone that will enhance cooperation and support shared commitment to

Dec. 1, 2024

Sudan expresses gratitude to S. Korea for humanitarian support

The Sudanese embassy in Seoul expressed its gratitude to the South Korean government for offering humanitarian aid at a press briefing held in Seoul. According to the United Nations, Sudan is facing the worst humanitarian crisis in recent history after nearly a year of war amid international inattention and inaction. The situation in Sudan is dire, with over 8.4 million people, including 2 million children under the age of five, forced to flee their homes in the wake of the conflict. South Korea

Dec. 1, 2024

Kazakhstan: Prime investment destination for Korean companies

By Nurgali Arystanov Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Korea Kazakhstan is emerging as a key investment destination in its region, consistently attracting substantial foreign direct investment (FDI) since its independence in 1991. With over $431 billion in FDI to date, driven by investors such as the Netherlands, the US and Switzerland, Kazakhstan is emerging as a promising landscape for foreign companies, including those from South Korea. This robust economic relations

Nov. 27, 2024

Ukraine hopes for its special envoy to visit S. Korea soon for talks on NK troop deployment

Ukraine's top diplomat has voiced hope that its special envoy will visit South Korea in the near future to discuss North Korea's troop dispatch to Russia for use in the war against Kyiv. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha made the remark when he met one-on-one with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul on the margins of the top diplomats' meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) rich countries in Italy, on Monday, Cho's office said. South Korea and Ukraine were among the non-G7 members invited as guest c

Nov. 26, 2024

Japan voices regret over S. Korea's non-attendance of Sado memorial

This July 28, 2024, file photo shows an exit of the Sado mine complex on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. (Yonhap) The Japanese government on Sunday expressed regret over South Korea's decision not to attend a memorial ceremony in Japan honoring forced labor victims, including Koreans, at an old Japanese mine complex. The Japanese Embassy in Seoul made the remarks in response to a question by Yonhap News Agency, a day after South Korea decided not to attend the ceremony on Japan�

Nov. 24, 2024

US has not yet seen N. Korea's atmospheric reentry missile capability: Indo-Pacific Command chief

The commander of US Indo-Pacific Command said Tuesday that the United States has "not yet" seen North Korea's atmospheric reentry capability, a key technology required for the recalcitrant regime to advance its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program. Adm. Samuel Paparo made the remarks during a forum in Washington as Pyongyang has been doubling down on its quest to secure reliable long-range warhead delivery vehicles as seen in the test-launch last month of a new Hwason

Nov. 20, 2024

Yoon, South African president agree to cooperate on minerals sector

President Yoon Suk Yeol and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a summit in Brazil on Tuesday to discuss cooperation on supply chains for critical minerals and security issues, Yoon's office said. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro to focus on strengthening trade and investment, and the energy sector ties between the two nations. The two leaders agreed to strengthen collaboration in the critical minerals sectors to address instabilit

Nov. 20, 2024

Arms agency chief discusses cooperation with Peru defense minister

The chief of South Korea's arms procurement agency has met Peru's defense minister and discussed ways to expand their arms industry cooperation on the ground, sea and air, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said Monday. The meeting between DAPA Minister Seok Jong-gun and Peru's Defense Minister Walter Astudillo in Lima on Saturday came as President Yoon Suk Yeol visited Peru for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. In a separate summit held with his Peruvian co

Nov. 18, 2024

Top diplomats of S. Korea, Japan hold talks on sidelines of APEC summit in Peru

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and his Japanese counterpart, Takeshi Iwaya, have held talks on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Peru, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday. The top diplomats of the two nations held a meeting in Lima on Thursday to discuss bilateral ties and North Korean issues, according to the ministry. It marked the first in-person meeting between Cho and Iwaya since the top Japanese diplomat took office last month with the launch of the new

Nov. 15, 2024

FM Cho, Blinken hold talks on margins of APEC summit in Peru

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken have discussed bilateral ties and concerns about North Korea's troop dispatch to Russia, vowing close coordination against Pyongyang and Moscow's growing alignment, Cho's office said Friday. Cho and Blinken held talks on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Peru on Thursday, where the top diplomats accompanied their leaders on the APEC summit. In the meeting, both sides expressed c

Nov. 15, 2024

Yoon, Biden, Ishiba to discuss 'coordinated' response to NK troop dispatch to Russia: Sullivan

The upcoming trilateral summit between South Korea, the United States and Japan in Peru will be a chance for the three countries to discuss a "coordinated" response to North Korea's troop dispatch to support Russia's war in Ukraine, a senior US security official said Thursday. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan made the remarks as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba are set to hold a trilateral summit on

Nov. 15, 2024

Trump's transition team seeks to abrogate Biden's EV tax credit: Reuters

US President-elect Donald Trump's transition team is aiming to end a tax credit for electric vehicle (EV) purchases, a key element of President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, as part of broader tax reform legislation, Reuters reported Thursday, citing two unnamed sources. The potential repealing of the $7,500 consumer tax credit is being discussed in meetings by an energy-policy transition team, which is headed by Harold Hamm, founder of Continental Resources, and North Dakota Go

Nov. 15, 2024

Trump picks Florida Rep. Mike Waltz as national security adviser: WSJ

-- US President-elect Donald Trump has picked Florida Rep. Mike Waltz as his national security adviser, according to a news report, as he is in the process of picking key officials for his incoming administration amid multiple policy challenges, including North Korea's nuclear threats and Russia's war in Ukraine. Trump has offered the job to the congressman, a Green Beret veteran who served in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing unna

Nov. 12, 2024

[Contribution] APEC, passing the baton to Korea

On Nov. 16, President Yoon Suk Yeol will participate in the APEC Leaders' Summit in Lima, coinciding with his official visit to Peru. This is a significant occasion as Korea will assume the presidency of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation for 2025, a forum which serves as the primary platform for economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Over the past 35 years, APEC has effectively promoted trade and investment integration in the world's most dynamic economic region, which curren

Nov. 8, 2024

Zambia marks 60th Independence Day

Zambia celebrated its 60th Independence Day in Seoul on Oct. 23. The day commemorates a historic occasion when the country gained independence from British colonial rule on Oct. 24, 1964, and is remembered as the moment when Zambia's first president, Kenneth Kaunda, raised the new Zambian flag and declared the nation’s sovereignty. Delivering remarks at the event, Zambian Ambassador to Korea Andrew Bwezani Banda highlighted the immense potential for increased trade and investment betw

Nov. 4, 2024

Czech Republic applauds South Korean support for Ukraine

The Czech Republic applauded South Korean support for Ukraine, as it celebrated its Independence Day on Oct. 28. Czechoslovak Independence Day commemorates the founding of Czechoslovakia in 1918 and continues to serve as a significant symbol of national identity for Czechs, despite the 1993 division into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In his remarks at the event, Czech Ambassador to Korea Ivan Jancarek used the occasion to praise South Korea’s support for Ukraine and the strengthening Cz

Nov. 4, 2024