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

Sierra Leonean citizen dies in Ansan, needs urgent funeral support

A Sierra Leonean citizen named Obai Kamara died in Ansan on Wednesday without the resources to provide for a funeral, according to the Embassy of Sierra Leone. Kamara, who came to South Korea in 2022, had been battling serious health challenges. According to his close friends in Ansan, his condition worsened following a recent trip to Sierra Leone, and he returned to South Korea critically ill. Despite receiving medical treatment, Kamara succumbed to complications arising from kidney issues and

Dec. 13, 2024

Trump calls NK role in Russia's war 'complicating' factor, says he gets along 'very well' with Kim

US President-elect Donald Trump has said that Pyongyang's involvement in Russia's war in Ukraine is a "very complicating" factor, while boasting about his personal ties with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump made the remarks in an interview with US magazine TIME published Thursday as he commented on issues related to Russia's war in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East. "When North Korea gets involved, that's another element that's a very compli

Dec. 13, 2024

Beijing objects to Yoon’s talks of ‘Chinese spies’

China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday criticized President Yoon Suk Yeol's public address, in which he defended his martial law decree and denounced main opposition party policies by citing allegations of Chinese nationals spying in South Korea and expressing concerns over China's growing green industry. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said China is "deeply surprised and dissatisfied" with President Yoon’s remarks, adding that Beijing has taken note o

Dec. 12, 2024

Speaker seeks US support for Korea amid growing uncertainties

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik met with Philip Goldberg, the United States ambassador to South Korea, to discuss the stability of the alliance following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Dec. 3 martial law declaration. The speaker’s office said the meeting took place upon Woo's invitation at his National Assembly office in Yeouido, Seoul, on Thursday. During the meeting, Woo asked for continued US support for Korea amid the political turmoil that followed the controversial marti

Dec. 12, 2024

[Contribution] Kazakh-Korean partnership builds on mutual growth, traditional friendship

By Nurgali Arystanov Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Korea In 2024, Kazakhstan and South Korea strengthened their strategic partnership, achieving new milestones through key diplomatic events. These developments not only reflect the growing ties between the two countries but also highlight the potential for deeper cooperation across various sectors. Strong political dialogue Political dialogue between Kazakhstan and Korea has been strengthened thanks to the close enga

Dec. 11, 2024

Foreign minister admits not taking US ambassador's call on martial law night

South Korea’s Foreign Minister admitted to not taking calls from the US Ambassador to Korea, on the night when President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. “I didn’t answer the calls because the situation was too urgent. I didn’t want to mislead the US with an incorrect assessment,” the minister stated during an emergency parliamentary hearing on Wednesday afternoon, in response to a question from Rep. Cho Kuk of the Rebuilding Korea Party. The minister added that

Dec. 11, 2024

Embassies deny report it will boycott 2025 APEC Summit

The British, U.S., and Australian embassies in Seoul on Wednesday denied claims by a lawmaker, reported by local media, that ambassadors from the Five Eyes countries would boycott the 2025 APEC summit if President Yoon Suk Yeol remains in office. The Five Eyes is an intelligence alliance consisting of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. Kim Joon-hyung, a first-term lawmaker from the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, claimed during a National Assembly

Dec. 11, 2024

Ishiba mentions martial law aftermath in S. Korea; Austin appreciates PM's 'steady hand'

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Tuesday no one could have ever imagined South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law imposition last week, while US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin took note of Ishiba's "steady hand." Ishiba met with Austin at his residence in Tokyo as Seoul is reeling from the aftermath of the reversed martial law declaration. "The world changes very quickly on a weekly basis. No one could have ever imagined what has happened

Dec. 10, 2024

Austin reaffirms 'ironclad' commitment to S. Korea, Japan, says US 'clear-eyed' about N.K., China threats

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed America's "ironclad" deterrence commitment to South Korea and Japan on Tuesday, stressing that Washington remains "clear-eyed" about security challenges from North Korea, China and Russia. During his talks with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in Tokyo, Austin also underscored the United States' commitment to advancing what he called "historic" trilateral cooperation with South Korea in the face of shared

Dec. 10, 2024

[Contribution] Kazakhstan’s emergence as a middle power

By Nurgali Arystanov Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Korea According to the latest report by German think tank The German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Kazakhstan has been characterized as a "middle power," a nation with substantial influence on the global political and economic stage. The report highlights a stark contrast between the present and some 30 years ago, when Kazakhstan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and

Dec. 10, 2024

Senior S. Korean diplomats meet top envoys of China, Japan amid martial law turmoil

First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun met with Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Koichi Mizushima on Monday to discuss the ongoing situation stemming from the failed bid to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, the foreign ministry said. Kim stressed South Korea's "firm determination to overcome the current difficult situation based on its democratic processes and the rule of law" at the meeting, the foreign ministry said in a message to media. Both sides agreed to communicate clo

Dec. 9, 2024

Top nuclear envoys of S. Korea, US, Japan vow coordination against NK threats amid martial law turmoil

The top nuclear envoys of South Korea, the United States and Japan vowed close coordination Monday to manage "future situations stably" in the event of any possible provocations by North Korea, Seoul's foreign ministry said. Cho Koo-rae, vice foreign minister for strategy and intelligence, shared the view with Daniel Kritenbrink, the US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs at the State Department; and Hiroyuki Namazu, director general for Asian and Ocean

Dec. 9, 2024

Seoul’s top diplomat urges restoration of global trust amid political turmoil

South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul on Monday called for diplomatic efforts to restore global trust amid the political turmoil sparked by President Yoon Suk Yeol's Dec. 3 martial law declaration, which has drawn widespread international condemnation as democratic backsliding. "We must also be unremitting in our efforts to restore the trust of our partners and once again measure up to the expectations the international community has of Korea," Cho said during the senior

Dec. 9, 2024

[News Analysis] Vegetative presidency undermines diplomatic efforts, achievements

South Korea's diplomacy stands on shaky ground, as a leadership vacuum and the fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law debacle threaten to derail key foreign policy priorities -- among them, his Global Pivotal State vision and values-driven diplomacy --while risking the undoing of hard-won achievements. The turmoil has also drained the country’s vanishing political capital, further weakening its ability to steer its foreign policy agenda. The Yoon administration was n

Dec. 8, 2024

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

US calls for 'full, proper' functioning of democratic processes in South Korea

The United States called for "full and proper" functioning of democratic processes in South Korea, after the country’s parliament on Saturday failed to vote on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his recent declaration of martial law. Officials from the White House, as cited by Yonhap News Agency, said Washington had closely monitored the Korean National Assembly's opposition-led motion to impeach Yoon, as well as the developments following its failure to get two

Dec. 8, 2024

Ahn Cheol-soo says will back impeachment unless Yoon outlines resignation plan

Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, a three-time presidential candidate and member of the ruling People Power Party, announced his support for a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, breaking from his party's official stance. As the party reportedly leans toward going against the vote set to be held Saturday afternoon, Ahn urged President Yoon and the party to set a timeline for his resignation and propose a plan for forming a neutral national unity cabinet. "Now that President Yoon has entrusted

Dec. 7, 2024

South Korea, US, Japan to hold talks on North Korea nuclear provocation next week

South Korea, the United States and Japan will hold a high-level meeting in Tokyo next week to discuss North Korea's nuclear provocations, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday. Vice Foreign Minister for Strategy and Intelligence Cho Koo-rae will meet US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and Hiroyuki Namazu, Japan's assistant minister for Asian and Oceanian Affairs, on Monday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the m

Dec. 6, 2024

Allies’ top diplomats hold talks as US rebukes Yoon’s martial law decree

The top diplomats of South Korea and the United States held their first discussions on Friday since President Yoon Suk Yeol's sudden and short-lived declaration of martial law, as the Biden administration has openly questioned its legitimacy in light of individual rights and liberties and voiced sharp criticism. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed domestic developments following Yoon's martial law declaration and exchanged views

Dec. 6, 2024