A UN committee adopted a North Korean human rights resolution on Wednesday in the US for the 16th consecutive year. For the second consecutive year, South Korea participated in the resolution’s consensus passage but did not co-sponsor the resolution. The resolution, adopted by the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, is expected to be put to the General Assembly next month. The resolution, drafted by the European Union, highlights human rights violations in North Korea, saying

North Korea Nov. 19, 2020

The decision to review plans for a new airport in the country’s southeast is sending ripples through the political arena, with the ruling bloc pushing for a quick conclusion while the opposition appears divided. On Tuesday, the government effectively scrapped plans for expanding Gimhae International Airport in Busan, reigniting hopes for an airport on Gadeokdo, a small island also within Busan, connected by bridge to the mainland. On Wednesday, ruling Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker

Politics Nov. 18, 2020

President Moon Jae-in will participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and Group of 20 summits on Saturday and Sunday, Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday. Both multilateral summits will be held via video link. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit will take place Saturday, when the members will discuss issues concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and adopt a 20-year vision for the group. “At the summit, President Moon will share Korea’s experience in containing COVID-19, and

Foreign Affairs Nov. 17, 2020

The plan to expand Gimhae International Airport requires a “fundamental review,” the government announced Tuesday, reigniting the debate over the location of an air travel hub in the country’s southeast. Tuesday’s decision appears to boost the chances of a new airport being built in another part of Busan, the country’s second-largest city. “The (Gimhae airport expansion) plan needs to be supplemented significantly, and will be insufficient for future chang

Politics Nov. 17, 2020

Seoul and Tokyo have agreed in principle to compensate victims of forced labor, a local news network reported Monday. Citing an unnamed high-level official within the ruling bloc, Yonhap News Television reported that President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga agreed that the victims should be compensated. “The two leaders have agreed on compensating the forced labor victims. The plan is for Cheong Wa Dae and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet with their Japan

Foreign Affairs Nov. 16, 2020

Cheong Wa Dae downplayed speculations Sunday that the US could press South Korea into joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP, as a balancing measure between China and the US. Such speculations are being fanned by the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or RCEP on Sunday. The deal creates one of the world’s largest free trade blocs, with the noticeable absence of the US. RCEP spans the 10 Association of Southeast Asian nations,

Politics Nov. 16, 2020

South Korea and countries along the Mekong River on Friday upgraded relations to that of strategic partners, and adopted a joint statement outlining ways to further increase cooperation at the second Korea-Mekong Summit held via video link. Friday’s summit among the leaders of Korea and Mekong River nations – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam – was the second to be held since Moon proposed the summit in 2018. At Friday’s summit, Moon stressed the need for

Foreign Affairs Nov. 13, 2020

President Moon Jae-in on Thursday announced the “New Southern Policy Plus” initiative to enhance the country’s regional diplomacy at the Korea-ASEAN Summit, held via satellite link. Moon stressed the need for international cooperation in face of the coronavirus pandemic, saying the newly unveiled strategy reflects the changing needs of Korea and the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations bloc, in light of the virus crisis. “I think that it is very

Foreign Affairs Nov. 12, 2020

President Moon Jae-in on Thursday spoke with US President-elect Joe Biden via phone, reaffirming their commitment to the alliance and to cooperating on global issues ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to climate change. “I think that the election result is a reflection of US citizens’ high expectations for President-elect Biden’s long experience in state affairs, outstanding leadership and clear vision,” Moon was quoted as saying by Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kang Min-s

Foreign Affairs Nov. 12, 2020

Michelle Steel’s election victory was confirmed Tuesday, making her the second Korean American woman to be elected into the US Congress. According to the New York Times, Republican Steel, whose Korean name is Park Eun-joo, received 50.9 percent of the votes to be elected to the US House of Representatives in California’s 48th Congressional District, beating her Democrat rival by 1.8 percentage points. Born in Seoul, Steel moved to the US in 1975, and has been involved in politics

Politics Nov. 11, 2020

The South Korean National Intelligence Service chief’s series of meetings with Japanese leaders appear unlikely to spark sudden changes in bilateral relations, with his suggestions reportedly being met with little enthusiasm. On Wednesday, National Intelligence Service Director Park Jie-won returned to Seoul after having met with Japan’s political leaders including Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on the previous day. At the meeting with Suga, Park suggested issuing a Korea-Ja

Foreign Affairs Nov. 11, 2020

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service chief Park Jie-won is in Japan to discuss bilateral issues with top officials, local media reported Monday. According to reports, Park arrived in Japan on Monday to discuss outstanding issues, including the matter of Koreans forced to work for Japanese companies during Japan’s occupation of the country in the first half of the 20th century. After the Korean Supreme Court sided with the victims, ruling that concerned Japanese firms were

Politics Nov. 9, 2020

President Moon Jae-in on Monday pledged to continue working closely with the US, both the current and incoming administrations, to ensure security and to push the Korean Peninsula peace process forward. Speaking at a weekly meeting with his senior aides, Moon said his administration will work closely with the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden on bilateral and international issues. “In particular, there will be no gaps in strengthening the Korea-US alliance, and makin

Politics Nov. 9, 2020

The South Korean government on Thursday reiterated that it is prepared for all possible outcomes of the US presidential election. “The government will continue to cooperate with the US to maintain and further advance the Korea-US alliance regardless of the US presidential election’s outcome,” Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kang Min-seok said Thursday. “The government will cooperate with the new (US) administration to achieve denuclearization and establishment of peace on

Politics Nov. 5, 2020

South Korea on Wednesday was bracing for the result of the US presidential election, uncertain about the impact it will have on the country. On Wednesday, as vote-counting was underway in the US, top South Korean officials voiced the possibility of the US election bringing about changes both long- and short-term for Seoul. “There is high possibility that the result of US presidential election will be the beginning of a new political situation” on the Korean Peninsula, Minister o

Politics Nov. 4, 2020