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No compelling rationale found for Trump's 'reciprocal' tariffs on S. Korea: think tank report
The overwhelming majority of US exports to South Korea are already tariff-free under a bilateral free trade agreement, a think tank report showed Wednesday, stressing that no "compelling" rationale has been found for the Trump administration's "reciprocal" tariffs on the Asian country. The Korea Economic Institute of America released the report, titled "Fairness and Reciprocity? Reconsidering Trump's Liberation Day Tariffs on South Korea," which looked into whether the United States' claims abou
June 26, 2025 -
45 S. Koreans in Israel evacuate to Egypt amid Israel-Iran conflict
Forty-five South Koreans, including one with US nationality, have escaped Israel and safely arrived in neighboring Egypt, amid heightening tensions from the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, Seoul's foreign ministry said Monday. They passed through the border via a land route on Monday afternoon (local time) by a government-chartered bus and were on their way to Cairo, the ministry said in a press release. The latest evacuation follows the escape of nearly 50 South Korean nationals and the
June 23, 2025 -
6 more S. Koreans, 1 Iranian family member evacuate Iran amid escalating conflict with Israel
Six more South Koreans and an Iranian family member have safely crossed the border from Iran into neighboring Turkmenistan amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday. Two South Korean nationals and an Iranian family member arrived in Ashgabat on Friday afternoon (local time), in addition to four other South Koreans who had earlier left Iran and reached the Turkmen capital via the same land route, the ministry said. This brings the total number of S
June 20, 2025 -
4 more S. Koreans evacuate Iran amid escalating conflict with Israel
Four more South Korean nationals have safely crossed the border from Iran into neighboring Turkmenistan amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday. The latest evacuation follows the departure of 30 South Koreans and their Iranian family members, who used the same land route to leave Iran and arrive in the Turkmen capital, Ashgabat, between Wednesday and Thursday (local time). The South Korean government provided transportation and consular assistan
June 20, 2025 -
S. Korea, US to hold 5th NCG meeting in Seoul next month: source
South Korea and the United States plan to hold a new meeting of their key nuclear deterrence body in Seoul next month, a source said Monday, as Seoul is striving to ensure close security cooperation with US President Donald Trump's administration amid growing North Korean threats. The fifth meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group is set to take place next month, though a specific date has yet to be fixed, the source said, as the two countries agreed to hold it in the South Korean capital this
June 17, 2025 -
Trump to return home from G7 summit in Canada on Monday amid deadly Israel-Iran conflict
US President Donald Trump will return home Monday night from the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada due to the deadly Israel-Iran conflict, a White House spokesperson said, dashing hopes for South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to have his first in-person talks with Trump during the gathering. "President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer," Karoline Leavitt wrote on X. "Much was accomplished, but because of w
June 17, 2025 -
National security adviser, Ishiba's special adviser hold meeting in Seoul
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac held a meeting with a special adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Monday and discussed ways to advance bilateral relations, the presidential office said. Wi held a breakfast meeting with Akihisa Nagashima, the special adviser to Ishiba, earlier in the day, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung told reporters. "The two sides discussed ways to advance the bilateral relations and agreed to maintain close communication going forward," Kang said
June 16, 2025 -
Lee accepts resignation of senior aide amid controversy over hidden assets, proxy loan
President Lee Jae-myung on Friday accepted the resignation of a senior aide for civil affairs amid mounting controversy over his wife's undisclosed real estate holdings and a large loan he allegedly took out using a friend's name. Oh Kwang-soo, who was appointed as senior presidential secretary for civil affairs five days ago, tendered his resignation Thursday. His resignation marked the first such case involving a top-level government official since Lee took office June 4. Presidential spokespe
June 13, 2025 -
N. Korea's damaged warship launched 22 days after failed first attempt
North Korea said Friday it has launched a 5,000-ton destroyer that was damaged during its first launch attempt in May, with leader Kim Jong-un attending the launching ceremony and unveiling a plan to build two more such destroyers next year. The launch ceremony was held at the Rajin shipyard the previous day, overseen by Kim, the Korean Central News Agency said, announcing the destroyer is named the Kang Kon. In late May, the 5,000-ton destroyer tipped over and became partially submerged during
June 13, 2025 -
S. Korea to expedite trade negotiations with US: new trade minister
South Korea will expedite the ongoing trade negotiations with the United States with the new government in place, the new trade minister said Thursday, as Seoul has less than a month to make a deal with Washington before the temporary pause of US reciprocal tariffs ends. "As the country now has a new government that has democratic legitimacy and a clear mandate, we will expedite the 'shuttle negotiations' with the US at a trade minister's level," Yeo Han-koo, South Korea's new trade minister, sa
June 12, 2025 -
Trump indicates openness to extend tariff pause, but says it may not be necessary
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signaled his openness to extending a temporary pause on "reciprocal" tariffs, but said an extension might not be necessary, as he touted a "great" trade deal with China. Trump made the remarks after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted that the 90-day pause on "reciprocal" tariffs, set to expire on July 8, could be extended for those engaging in trade negotiations with the United States "in good faith." "I would, but I don't think we're going to have tha
June 12, 2025 -
US confident alliance with S. Korea will 'thrive' under Lee's leadership: State Dept.
The United States is confident that the Seoul-Washington alliance will continue to "thrive" under new South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's leadership, a State Department spokesperson said Tuesday. Tammy Bruce, the spokesperson, made the remarks during a regular press briefing, responding to a question by Yonhap News Agency regarding the Lee administration's pursuit of a "pragmatic" foreign policy that regards the bilateral alliance as its "foundation." "We congratulate the president on his ele
June 11, 2025 -
USFK commander honors Korean War veterans on Memorial Day
US Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson paid tribute to veterans of the 1950-53 Korean War on Friday as South Korea marked Memorial Day. Brunson made the remark as he attended a Memorial Day ceremony at Seoul National Cemetery. "On this solemn occasion when we celebrate not only Republic of Korea Memorial Day, we're also reminded of the 75th anniversary of the UN Command and all the nations brought to bear that Koreans might live with freedom and prosperity," Brunson, who also serves as t
June 6, 2025 -
S. Korea vows closer talks with US on FX policy following monitoring list status
The Ministry of Economy and Finance vowed Friday to enhance communications with the United States to strengthen mutual understanding and trust regarding foreign exchange rate policies. The pledge came after the US Treasury Department kept South Korea on its monitoring list for currency practices. Seoul was reinstated on the list in November 2024 after being removed in November 2023 for the first time since April 2016. "We will continue to expand mutual understanding and trust regarding exchange
June 6, 2025 -
US says NK military deployment, Russia's support in return 'must end'
A State Department spokesperson reiterated Thursday that North Korea's troop deployment to Russia and Moscow's support to the North in return "must end." Tommy Pigott, the department's principal deputy spokesperson, made the remarks, after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to "unconditionally" support Russia over the war against Ukraine during a meeting with Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang earlier this week. "We continue to be concerned about North Korea's dire
June 6, 2025