Top diplomats of S. Korea, Vietnam discuss cooperation on NK threats

The foreign ministers of South Korea and Vietnam discussed how to jointly rein in North Korea's prohibited nuclear tests and missile launches during their talks in Vietnam on Monday.South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, who is doubling as a deputy prime minister, in the Southeast Asian country to celebrate the countries' 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations. South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se (L) is shaking hands with Vietname

March 20, 2017

Top US nuke envoy to visit Seoul amid growing threats from NK

The top US nuclear envoy will visit Seoul this week to discuss cooperation with his South Korean counterparts against North Korea amid the growing nuclear and missile threats from the reclusive state, government officials said Monday.Joseph Yun, special representative for North Korea policy of the State Department, will fly to Seoul late Monday from his stay in Beijing for talks with Chinese officials, according to the officials.Joseph Yun (Yonhap)Details of his itinerary in Seoul have yet to be

March 20, 2017

Tillerson reaffirms 'ironclad' security alliance with Korea

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad" security alliance with South Korea amid growing military threats from a provocative North Korea.The US top diplomat made the remarks during his meeting with South Korea's Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who took over in December after then President Park Geun-hye was impeached by parliament over a massive corruption scandal.South Korea's Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn shakes han

March 17, 2017

China's retaliation over THAAD seen as meddling with internal affairs: official

China's retaliation against South Korea over the ongoing deployment of an advanced US missile defense system could be viewed as meddling with internal affairs, a senior foreign ministry official hinted Thursday.During a meeting with lawmakers, Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam said "Yes" to a question on whether China's bashing of Korea over the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system represents interfering in internal affairs.He went on to say that giving into Beijing's pressure would not b

March 16, 2017

Defector urges S. Korea to be predictable on N. Korea

Thae Yong-ho, a former Pyongyang diplomat who defected to Seoul last year, on Thursday urged South Korea to be "predictable" when it comes to inter-Korean issues."(The conservative and liberal parties) must reach consensus to let North Korea know that it will pay dearly for any provocations against South Korea," Thae said during a meeting with lawmakers."Only then will North Korea not roll out thoughtless policies against the South."Thae Yong-ho, a former Pyongyang diplomat who defected to Seoul

March 16, 2017

Expert calls for suspending THAAD deployment until Beijing stops retaliation

A national security expert on Thursday called on South Korea to consider putting on hold the ongoing deployment of a US missile defense system on its soil until China stops its stepped-up retaliation on Korean goods and businesses.South Korea and the US recently started the process of installing a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system to cope with the North's missile threats. Members from conservative civic organizations calls for China to stop retaliatory steps against South Korea's planne

March 16, 2017

Korea, Japan to discuss cooperation on nuclear power

South Korea and Japan will hold a meeting in Seoul to discuss cooperation for the safe use of nuclear power, the foreign ministry said Thursday.The meeting will be held later in the day between Ham Sang-wook, director-general for nonproliferation and nuclear affairs at Seoul's foreign ministry, and his Japanese counterpart Kazutoshi Aikawa, according to the ministry.They will discuss their own nuclear power-related policies and measures aimed at increasing cooperation in the global stage includi

March 16, 2017

S. Korean, Sri Lankan top diplomats agree to cooperation in pressuring N. Korea

The foreign ministers of South Korea and Sri Lanka have agreed to work together in pressuring North Korea into giving up its nuclear weapons program, the foreign ministry here said Thursday.South Korea's Yun Byung-se and Sri Lanka's Mangala Samaraweera also shared the understanding that North Korea's recent series of ballistic missile launches pose a serious threat to the peace and security of the Asia-Pacific as well as the entire international community during their talks in Colombo a day earl

March 16, 2017

Consent from China, Russia vital to deploying THAAD system: Democratic Party

The floor leader of the Democratic Party said Thursday South Korea should delay the deployment of an advanced US missile defense system in the country until it wins consent from Beijing and Moscow.Rep. Woo Sang-ho also said Seoul should let the new government decide on the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system and ensure that the issue does not damage South Korea's relationship with neighboring countries. Rep. Woo Sang-ho, the floor leader of the Democratic Party (Yonhap)"

March 16, 2017

Top S. Korean, US security officials agree to respond sternly to additional NK provocations

Top security officials of South Korea and the United States agreed Wednesday to respond sternly to any additional provocations by North Korea and work closely together with China to increase pressure on Pyongyang, officials said.South Korean National Security Adviser Kim Kwan-jin reached the agreement when he met with US National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster at the White House, sharing the view that additional North Korean provocations could come at any time, Kim's office said in a statement. 

March 16, 2017

THAAD row not affecting PyeongChang-Beijing Winter Games

The diplomatic tensions between South Korea and China over the deployment of a US missile defense system hasn't affected Winter Games cooperation between the two sides, a senior Olympic official here said Wednesday.Lee Hee-beom, president of the organizing committee for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games, said the South Korean host city and Beijing, which will stage the 2022 Winter Olympics, have remained cooperative despite the ongoing spat over the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense. Since Sou

March 15, 2017

Expert calls for inter-Korean summit after May election

South Korea should seek summit talks with the North under the next government in order to keep the North's nuclear threats in check through negotiations and dialogue, a North Korea expert here said Wednesday.South Korea will hold an election to choose its new president on May 9 following the country's top court ruling last week to unseat Park Geun-hye from office over a massive corruption scandal."In order to keep the North's nuclear and missile threats in check through negotiations and dialogue

March 15, 2017

Tillerson embarks on first trip to Asia amid tensions over N. Korea, THAAD

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson embarked on his first trip to Asia Tuesday, seeking to come up with better ways to deal with North Korea and defuse tensions with China over the ongoing deployment of the THAAD missile defense system in South Korea.Other key objectives of the trip to Japan, South Korea and China include bolstering alliances with Seoul and Tokyo in the face of North Korean threats, especially at a time when the South is gearing up to elect a new leader after former President Pa

March 15, 2017

Tillerson's visit to S. Korea 'important, timely' for joint approach to NK: Seoul

The top US diplomat's visit to South Korea later this week is "important" and "timely" in that it will help the two allies draw up their detailed joint approach to North Korea and its growing nuclear and missile threats, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday.US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will come to South Korea on Friday as part of his first Asia tour since inauguration that will also take him to Japan and China. He is to have meetings with senior government officials, including talks wit

March 14, 2017

Korean security chief to visit US for talks on N. Korea

South Korea's presidential national security adviser will visit the United States this week for talks with his counterpart on North Korea, the presidential office here said Tuesday.During his two-day visit to Washington, Kim Kwan-jin, chief of the National Security Office, will meet with H.R. McMaster, the US national security adviser, to discuss joint efforts to counter Pyongyang's growing missile and nuclear threats, the office said.National Security Office chief Kim Kwan-jin attends a securit

March 14, 2017

US must ensure no daylight with S. Korea's next leader over N. Korea: US expert

The United States should work hard to make sure there is no daylight with South Korea over how to deal with the North as the Asian ally is expected to elect a liberal leader seeking a softer approach to Pyongyang, a US expert said Monday.Sue Mi Terry, a former senior US intelligence official with expertise on Korea issues, made the point during a Council on Foreign Relations discussion, noting that the top candidates for South Korea's president are liberal politicians, including former president

March 14, 2017

Tillerson's visit to Seoul to provide 'good' chance to share experiences on N. Korea

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's planned visit to South Korea this week will provide a "good" opportunity for Seoul to share its experiences on North Korea and its nuclear threats with the fledgling Donald Trump administration, a government official said Monday.Tillerson will come to South Korea on Friday as part of his first Asia tour since inauguration that will also take him to Japan and China. He is to have meetings with senior government officials during his two-day stay here including

March 14, 2017

Turkey, Korea mark 60 years of diplomacy with culture

Marking the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations this year, the Turkish Embassy in Seoul will organize various cultural events ranging from a photo exhibition to storytelling for children and gastronomy, according to its top envoy to Korea. The anniversary on March 8 marked an important milestone for both peoples, as Turkey also attaches significance to 60 years culturally, said Turkish Ambassador to Korea Arslan Hakan Okcal, in a briefing with reporters at the embassy. “Reaching 6

March 13, 2017

Bulgaria, Korea progress through comprehensive partnership

The Bulgarian Embassy in Seoul marked the country’s Liberation Day last week amid growing ties with Korea.The holiday commemorates the Eastern European nation’s independence in 1878 from the Ottoman Empire, which ruled Bulgaria for over 500 years. Bulgaria regained its sovereignty under the Treaty of San Stefano on March 3, 1878, following the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78.“Following his election last November, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev is committed to further enhancing our Comprehensive an

March 13, 2017

Poland advocate Kim Soon-hyung dies of cancer

Kim Soon-hyung (1969-2017), an assistant to the Polish ambassador who tirelessly promoted Poland in Korea, died Thursday from cancer. Working at the embassy from 2006 until before her death, Kim organized a multitude of assignments ranging from presidential and ministerial visits to cultural events. A master of Polish language, she grasped its subtle nuances through living in Poland for 13 years, according to the embassy. She was also an “energetic press officer, event coordinator and bridge-bui

March 13, 2017