Seoul dispatches assessment team to UAE, says deployment decision still pending

Seoul continues to weigh options for how it might help resolve the situation in the Strait of Hormuz but has yet to reach a concrete decision, the presidential office stressed Tuesday. Cheong Wa Dae's emphasis on the open decision follows revelations that the Ministry of National Defense has dispatched an on-site assessment team to the United Arab Emirates. The move fanned speculations that the government may be nearing a decision on possible troop deployment. The UAE, which hosts South Korea's

2026-09-09 14:50:47:00

[Key Points] Embattled Cabinet picks head to hearings as scrutiny mounts

Hearings to proceed: Cheong Wa Dae said justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won and gender equality minister nominee Yong Hye-in should face National Assembly confirmation hearings despite mounting controversy. Vetting under fire: The presidential office acknowledged concerns over how the nominees were screened and pledged to strengthen its personnel vetting system to meet public expectations. Yong seat dispute: Yong faces criticism for planning to retain her proportional-representation Assembly

2026-09-08 16:59:44:00

Hearings should proceed for embattled minister nominees: Cheong Wa Dae

Cheong Wa Dae said the two embattled Cabinet nominees should undergo confirmation hearings at the National Assembly as scheduled, despite mounting criticism of their suitability. The nominees are Rep. Kim Seung-won, a two-term lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and former judge tapped for justice minister, and Rep. Yong Hye-in, a two-term lawmaker of the minor progressive Basic Income Party nominated for gender equality and family minister. The presidential office’s position came a

2026-09-08 15:04:26:00

Parties across continents launch dialogue in Seoul as politics fracture, challenges converge

Political parties divided by geography and ideology came together in Seoul on Monday around a shared premise: Even as politics grows more fragmented and polarized, the challenges confronting societies are becoming increasingly interconnected and harder for any country to tackle alone. Their answer was to launch the Inter-Continental Dialogue among Political Parties a new forum linking party networks across Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe in an effort to sustain cooperation across ideologic

2026-09-08 14:55:03:00

Lee, Macron launch global film, audiovisual investment initiative

President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday committed 500 million euros ($581 million) each to support the two countries' film and audiovisual industries as the sector navigates sweeping technological and structural changes. The two leaders unveiled the Global Film and Audiovisual Industry Investment Cooperation Initiative, dubbed the Lumiere Partnership, while co-chairing the inaugural Lumiere Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, southern France. Set to begin in 2027, the p

2026-09-07 18:27:34:00

[Key Points] Lee balances strategic autonomy, alliances and North Korea diplomacy

Pragmatic autonomy push: Lee Jae Myung backs open, values-based cooperation among middle powers while preserving existing alliances and the rules-based order. Alliance recalibration: Lee says South Korea will take greater defense responsibility while evolving the US alliance into a broader strategic partnership. Macron summit agenda: Lee and Emmanuel Macron are set to discuss security, artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, economic cooperation and cultural ties in Paris. Hormuz options weighe

2026-09-07 15:20:07:00

Lee stresses ‘pragmatic, open cooperation’ in response to Macron’s autonomy call

President Lee Jae Myung underlined South Korea’s pursuit of pragmatic and open cooperation among countries that share common values and work together across sectors to complement and advance the existing rules-based global order. Lee laid out the approach in an interview with French newspaper Le Monde published Sunday, responding to French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal for a “coalition of independents” during his state visit to Seoul in April. Macron has advocated bringing together middle

2026-09-07 14:49:43:00

Across continents and divides, parties to launch dialogue in Seoul on global challenges

Political parties from four continents and across ideological divides will gather in Seoul on Sunday to launch a new dialogue on pressing shared challenges, from geopolitical tensions to the accelerating pace of AI-driven change. The meeting will mark the formal launch of the Inter-Continental Dialogue among Political Parties, bringing together political party organizations and networks from Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe. The inaugural gathering, organized by the International Conference

2026-09-04 16:07:43:00

Lee, Macron to broaden security and high-tech partnership at Paris summit

President Lee Jae Myung will meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris next week, seeking broader cooperation on security and frontier technologies, including artificial intelligence and nuclear energy, Cheong Wa Dae said Friday. Lee will visit Nice and Paris from Sunday through Wednesday at Macron’s invitation. Macron proposed the state visit and invited Lee to co-chair the Lumiere Summit in Nice during his trip to Seoul in April. On Monday, Lee will co-chair the inaugural Lumiere Summit,

2026-09-04 15:09:11:00

Seoul reviews Hormuz troop deployment among options, no decision yet

South Korea is reviewing the possible deployment of military personnel to the Strait of Hormuz as one of several options to help ensure safe passage through the waterway, Cheong Wa Dae said Friday. A senior presidential official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said any deployment would be assessed based on two key considerations: defense readiness posture on the Korean Peninsula and domestic legal requirements. The official stressed that no decision has been made. The remarks came after loc

2026-09-04 12:55:36:00