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Lee voices hope to elevate ties with France to strategic partnership during talks with Macron
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed his hope to elevate the bilateral relationship with France to a "strategic partnership" and deepen cooperation in culture, security, technologies and other fields, as he held a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in South Africa on Saturday. Their meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg followed their encounter during the Group of Seven summit in Canada in June, as the two nations prepare to celebrate the 140th an
Nov. 23, 2025 -
Lee urges revitalization of WTO at G20 summit
President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday urged the Group of 20 nations to work to revitalize the World Trade Organization to enhance global growth potential, saying the world must establish a predictable trading and investment environment. Lee made the call during the first session of the G20 summit, as the multilateral trading system is facing turmoil. "We must establish a predictable trading and investment environment to enhance growth potential," he said. "The revitalization of the World Trade Org
Nov. 23, 2025 -
Lee asks Chancellor Merz to share Germany's reunification experience
President Lee Jae Myung asked German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to share the European country's experience with overcoming division and achieving its reunification during their talks on the margins of the Group of 20 summit in South Africa on Saturday. Lee made the remarks as his administration has sought to resume engagement with North Korea and ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula since taking office in June. Pyongyang has remained unresponsive to Seoul's repeated dialogue overtures. "There is
Nov. 23, 2025 -
Assembly speaker requests support for Korean businesses in meeting with Vietnamese leader
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik has met with Vietnam's top leader in Hanoi and asked for the country's support for South Korean companies and the easing of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, according to officials Saturday. During his meeting with To Lam, general secretary of Vietnam's Communist Party, the previous day, Woo requested Vietnam help ease funding requirements for Korean companies participating in energy-related projects in the Southeast Asian country, among other support. He a
Nov. 22, 2025 -
Special counsel raids Roger Vivier over gift given to Kim Keon Hee
The special counsel investigating former first lady Kim Keon Hee receiving a luxury handbag conducted raids Thursday on the Korean headquarters of French brand Roger Vivier and a major Seoul department store, where the item was sold. The raids come after investigators discovered the handbag, along with a handwritten thank-you note, during a search of Kim’s residence on Nov. 6. The note appeared to have been written by the wife of Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon of the ruling People Power Party, dated March 17
Nov. 21, 2025 -
South Korea, Egypt seek stronger defense industry ties
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi received President Lee Jae Myung during his official visit to the Middle Eastern country on Thursday to discuss deeper bilateral ties, with the Korean president stressing the importance of peace in the Middle East and broader defense industry cooperation. At a joint press conference held by the two leaders after the summit in Cairo, Lee described both South Korea and Egypt as "peace promoters" who jointly contribute to international peace, including the K
Nov. 20, 2025 -
Six lawmakers fined in fast-track case, will keep seats
The Seoul court on Thursday handed down fines to all defendants involved in the 2019 “fast-track” National Assembly scuffle, allowing all six incumbent People Power Party lawmakers to keep their seats. The Seoul Southern District Court ruled that the actions taken during the confrontation “do not fall under parliamentary immunity nor any form of justified resistance,” rejecting arguments that the lawmakers’ behavior was protected as part of their legislative duties. The clash erupted in April 20
Nov. 20, 2025 -
Ruling party urges N. Korea to accept S. Korea's offer for military talks
The ruling Democratic Party on Thursday urged North Korea to accept South Korea's proposal for military talks aimed at clarifying the Military Demarcation Line to prevent possible clashes near the inter-Korean border. The proposal came as North Korean soldiers -- including those who were armed -- have repeatedly, albeit temporarily, crossed the MDL while working near the border, such as clearing land or laying mines in the buffer zone. "North Korea should immediately respond to our calls," Rep.
Nov. 20, 2025 -
S. Korea, UAE biz chiefs gather to boost ties
Entrepreneurs from South Korea and the United Arab Emirates gathered Wednesday for a business roundtable held during President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to the UAE, part of his four-nation trip running through Nov. 26. Lee said in his remarks that South Korea will become a "most trusted" partner with the UAE in its steps toward the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies and achieving carbon goals, in addition to their ongoing bilateral economic cooperation in nuclear energy and defen
Nov. 19, 2025 -
Lee hails next 100 years of ties with UAE, heads to Egypt, G20
President Lee Jae Myung continues his trip to the Middle East and Africa, ending his state visit to the United Arab Emirates and departing for Egypt on Wednesday. Lee's official visit to the North African country will mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Egypt. It will be followed by stops in South Africa for the Group of 20 Summit and Turkey for a state visit, before returning to South Korea on Nov. 26. High on Lee's agenda is Seoul’s diplomatic blueprint for the
Nov. 19, 2025 -
Natl. Assembly speaker discusses bilateral ties with Qatari emir
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik has met with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in defense and energy, officials said Wednesday. During the talks held Tuesday in Doha, Woo called on Qatar to take greater interest in South Korea's defense industry, saying it has made significant advancements, especially in missile defense systems. "The two countries have maintained a mutually beneficial relationship in the liquefied natural gas sector ove
Nov. 19, 2025 -
Lee set to attend biz forum in UAE to discuss bilateral economic ties
President Lee Jae Myung is set to meet business leaders from South Korea and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday to discuss bilateral economic cooperation in technology, defense, energy and other sectors, the presidential office said. Lee will attend the business roundtable in Abu Dhabi, following his summit with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday that focused on deepening economic ties between the two nations. During Lee's state visit, the two countries signed seven memorand
Nov. 19, 2025 -
S. Korea, UAE to team up for exports of defense equipment, nuclear reactors to third countries
South Korea and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to work together to export defense equipment and nuclear reactors to third countries, marking a significant expansion beyond their fast-growing bilateral trade in these sectors. President Lee Jae Myung’s aides announced the agreement Tuesday during a briefing in Abu Dhabi, following a summit between the leaders of the two nations. Kang Hoon-sik, presidential chief of staff, told reporters that the two countries will elevate their defense coope
Nov. 18, 2025 -
Seoul wins full annulment in 13-year Lone Star dispute
South Korea has won its 13-year legal battle with US private equity firm Lone Star after an international arbitration panel under the World Bank Group annulled a 2022 ruling that ordered Korea to pay the firm $216.5 million in damages, Seoul officials said Tuesday evening. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, in an emergency briefing, welcomed the decision as “a decisive outcome that protects the public finances and reaffirms Korea’s sovereign authority in financial regulation.” Kim said the annulment c
Nov. 18, 2025 -
Leaders of South Korea, UAE hold talks, committed to deeper ties
South Korea and the United Arab Emirates seek deeper ties across the board, in fields ranging from artificial intelligence and space to health care, with the two sides' leaders discussing related matters during President Lee Jae Myung's state visit. Lee and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a presidential summit Tuesday at the Qasr Al Watan presidential palace in Abu Dhabi. Following the meeting, South Korea and the UAE signed seven memoranda of understanding outlining cooperation i
Nov. 18, 2025