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Alliance modernzation aims at wider Indo-Pacific deterrence, says US envoy
The modernization of the South Korea–US alliance is aimed at strengthening deterrence not only on the Korean Peninsula but across the broader Indo-Pacific region, Acting US Ambassador to South Korea Kevin Kim said Friday. Kim said the alliance’s role on the security front has evolved beyond the Peninsula, noting that regional challenges require the two countries to evaluate threats jointly and respond with a wider deterrence posture. "First and foremost, addressing the common challenges on the K
Nov. 28, 2025 -
S. Korea, Japan hold 1st science, tech cooperation meeting in 16 years
South Korea and Japan held their first senior-level meeting on science and technology cooperation in 16 years Thursday, the foreign ministry said, as the two countries renewed their commitment to deepen ties in advanced technologies. The 14th meeting of the S. Korea-Japan Science and Technology Cooperation Committee held in Tokyo earlier in the day, after the two sides agreed to resume the intergovernmental forum for the first time since 2009 during their summit talks in September. The South Kor
Nov. 27, 2025 -
S. Korea imposes largest-ever sanctions on Cambodia scam rings
The South Korean government on Thursday imposed its largest-ever unilateral sanctions on 132 organizations and 15 individuals tied to Cambodia-based transnational criminal networks that targeted South Korean citizens. The measure came as part of a whole-of-government effort to address a rapid surge in the number of South Koreans lured to Cambodia by fraudulent high-paying job offers and subjected to associated violent crimes, including kidnappings and forced confinement in criminal compounds. “T
Nov. 27, 2025 -
Chinese envoy hails new momentum in China-Korea ties at Global Biz Forum
Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing said Wednesday that recent momentum in China-Korea relations provides a “new driving force” for deeper cooperation, during a speech at the eighth edition of the Global Biz Forum hosted by The Korea Herald and Herald Business in Seoul. Dai highlighted the significance of the recent APEC summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit “opened a new path for China-Korea relations.” Quoting Xi, the ambas
Nov. 27, 2025 -
Seoul confirms death of Korean volunteer fighter in Ukraine
The South Korean government on Thursday confirmed the death of a national who had volunteered to fight in Ukraine, days after a military farewell ceremony was held in Kyiv for foreign fighters killed in the war. This marks Seoul’s first official confirmation of the death of a South Korean national in the war in Ukraine, which broke out in February 2022. "A funeral for our national who died while participating as a volunteer fighter in Ukraine was held in Kyiv on Nov. 25," a Foreign Ministry offi
Nov. 27, 2025 -
Hong Kong high-rise fire kills at least 44, still burning
The death toll from a high-rise fire in Hong Kong has risen to at least 44, officials said Thursday as the blaze still smoldered and police said three suspects were arrested. Hundreds more remained unaccounted for in the city's worst blaze in decades. The fire which started on Wednesday afternoon in an eight-building complex with 2,000 apartment units shocked the Chinese financial hub, which has some of the world's most densely populated and tallest residential blocks. The fire department raised
Nov. 27, 2025 -
South Korea to transfer submarine to Poland for free
South Korea plans to provide its first-generation Jang Bogo-class submarine to Poland at no cost, as Seoul seeks to support a domestic bid for Warsaw’s next-generation submarine program, the Ministry of National Defense said Wednesday. The submarine completed its final operational deployment on Nov. 19 and is scheduled to be officially retired at the end of the year. After decommissioning, it will be transferred to Poland “for effective use in defense exports and cooperation,” the ministry said.
Nov. 26, 2025 -
Ruling party submits US investment bill, locking in retroactive auto tariff cut
South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party of Korea on Wednesday introduced a special bill to implement its $350 billion US investment pledge, with the goal of expeditiously locking in tariff cuts for automobiles that would apply retroactively to Nov. 1. The legislation — a central follow-up to the joint fact sheet — paves the way for Washington to reduce levies on Korean automobiles and parts to 15 percent from 25 percent. The bill, titled “Special Act on Managing Korea-US Strategic Investments,” wa
Nov. 26, 2025 -
Lee pays tribute at Korean War Memorial in Ankara
President Lee Jae Myung paid tribute at the Korean War Memorial in Ankara on Tuesday and met with Turkish veterans who fought in the 1950–53 conflict, honoring their service and sacrifice. Lee laid a wreath of red and blue flowers -- the colors of the South Korean national flag -- at the memorial and observed a moment of silence, accompanied by first lady Kim Hea Kyung. Four surviving Turkish veterans and 13 family members of fallen service members attended the ceremony. Turkey dispatched more t
Nov. 25, 2025 -
Govt. delegation travels to Vietnam to seek urban rail cooperation, project opportunities
A government delegation traveled to Vietnam on Tuesday to explore cooperation opportunities for South Korean firms in the Southeast Asian nation's urban railway sector, the transport ministry said. The delegation from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will hold meetings with senior transport officials and industry representatives in the country, including Nguyen Tuong Van, Vietnam's vice minister of construction, during its four-day trip. On Thursday, the delegation will host th
Nov. 25, 2025 -
S. Korean, Lao vice FMs discuss cooperation in online scam response, critical minerals
Vice foreign ministers of South Korea and Laos held talks Monday in Seoul to discuss the strengthening of cooperation in tackling online scams and in other future-oriented areas, according to officials. During his talks with his Lao counterpart, Phongsamouth Anlavan, First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo emphasized the need for closer regional law-enforcement cooperation, calling for active collaboration with Laos in strengthening investigative assistance involving online scams. Anlavan said
Nov. 24, 2025 -
Thai PM pledges support for Korean investment, urging deeper ties
Korea Herald correspondent BANGKOK — Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to supporting South Korean companies expanding their investment and operations in the country, highlighting that the two economies can deepen cooperation by leveraging Korea’s technological strengths and Thailand’s industrial base and skilled workforce. Speaking to a South Korean economic delegation consisting of more than 30 business and political leaders, Anutin said, “Korea is one of
Nov. 23, 2025 -
S. Korea-Japan cooperation committees discuss bilateral ties in Jeju meeting
South Korean and Japanese committees involved in public-private cooperation between the two countries held a joint annual meeting on Jeju Island on Saturday, bringing together public and private sector representatives to discuss the deepening of bilateral cooperation. The 58th joint meeting of the Korea-Japan Cooperation Committee and the Japan-Korea Cooperation Committee was attended by Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and head of the Japanese committee; Japan
Nov. 22, 2025 -
Lee attends G20 summit to discuss inclusive growth, climate change
President Lee Jae Myung attended the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday, where he is expected to pledge South Korea's active role in addressing key global issues, including inclusive growth and climate change. This year's G20 runs through Sunday and brings together leaders of major economies -- with the exception of U.S. President Donald Trump -- under the theme, "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability." Lee will participate in three sessions to outline South Korea
Nov. 22, 2025 -
S. Korea pledges US$100 mln contribution to Global Fund for 2026-2028
South Korea has pledged to contribute US$100 million to the Global Fund for three years, beginning in 2026, reaffirming its commitment to international efforts to combat major infectious diseases, according to the foreign ministry Saturday. Kweon Ki-hwan, deputy minister for multilateral global affairs at the ministry, announced the pledge during the Global Fund's eighth replenishment summit held Friday in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Global Fund, established in 2002, is the world's largest i
Nov. 22, 2025