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S. Korea’s nuclear submarine project to reshape regional security dynamics: think tank
South Korea’s decision to pursue nuclear-powered submarines under a recent agreement with the United States is emerging as a watershed moment for the alliance, expanding its strategic cooperation into maritime and high-technology domains while potentially reshaping Northeast Asia’s security landscape, a think tank said Tuesday. In a report released Tuesday, the Sejong Institute said that Seoul’s nuclear submarine program “marks not merely a step in defense capability, but a historic turning poin
Nov. 11, 2025 -
China’s envoy calls for deeper Seoul-Beijing ties with long-term vision
Seoul and Beijing should strengthen their relations with a long-term vision to sustain the momentum from the first summit between the two countries' leaders, rather than viewing ties through a short-term lens, China’s ambassador to South Korea said Tuesday. Ambassador Dai Bing highlighted the significance of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to South Korea — his first since 2014 — on the occasion of the APEC summit from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, as well as his first in-person summit with South
Nov. 11, 2025 -
FM Cho, Cambodian PM discuss cooperation to combat scam crimes
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to discuss ways to cooperate in combating scam crimes in the Southeast Asian country, the foreign ministry said Monday, amid growing concerns over online scam operations targeting South Korean nationals. The death of a South Korean university student, who was allegedly lured to Cambodia by a criminal ring, has sparked public outrage in South Korea, prompting the government to dispatch a delegation to the country to address cri
Nov. 10, 2025 -
Marine chief to discuss military exchanges, cooperation in Australia this week
Marine Corps Commandant Ju Il-suk will visit Australia this week to discuss ways to expand military exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, his office said Monday. During the six-day visit, Ju will hold talks with Lt. Gen. Simon Stuart, chief of the Australian Army, to sign an agreement on advancing ties between their landing forces, according to the Marine Corps. He will also meet other senior officials to discuss ways to expand combined training and attend a bilateral security dia
Nov. 10, 2025 -
Nuclear sub being built in Korea has been discussed: official
South Korea’s presidential office said Friday that it discussed with Washington plans for nuclear-powered submarines to be built domestically — including the hull and the reactor — while enriched uranium would be procured from the US. This follows reports suggesting the vessels could be constructed in US shipyards. An Oct. 29 social media post by US President Donald Trump said he had given South Korea approval to build a nuclear-powered submarine at a Philadelphia shipyard run by South Korea's H
Nov. 7, 2025 -
US expert warns China could take actions against Seoul's push for nuclear-powered submarines
A US expert on Thursday raised the possibility that China could take actions, such as economic coercion, in response to South Korea's push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines with US support. Victor Cha, president of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Korea chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, commented on Seoul's pursuit of the submarines during a CSIS podcast, noting that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's administration has shown a "strategic tilt"
Nov. 7, 2025 -
Air Force team's participation in Dubai airshow thwarted over Japan's refusal to refuel: sources
An Air Force aerobatic team's plan to participate in an airshow in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this month has effectively been thwarted after Japan refused an intermediate refueling request over a diplomatic issue, sources said Thursday. Seoul and Tokyo had been discussing allowing the Black Eagles to refuel in Japan's Okinawa as part of the flight display team's plan to participate in the Dubai Airshow 2025, set for later this month, according to diplomatic sources, Japan, however, recently
Nov. 6, 2025 -
Foreign minister holds phone talks with Finnish counterpart on bilateral ties, global issues
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held phone talks Wednesday with his Finnish counterpart, Elina Valtonen, to discuss bilateral relations and global issues, Seoul's foreign ministry said. During the talks, Cho assessed that South Korea and Finland have been strengthening substantive cooperation in areas such as the defense industry and critical minerals, expressing hope to further deepen cooperation through active high-level exchanges. Valtonen said there is great potential for collaboration between the
Nov. 5, 2025 -
US tightens sanctions on N. Korea after Trump-Kim summit snub
The Trump administration has announced new sanctions on North Korea, tightening pressure after US President Donald Trump’s trip to South Korea ended without a long-sought meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The US Treasury Department on Tuesday announced sanctions on two North Korean financial institutions and eight individuals for helping the regime launder funds obtained through illicit schemes, including cybercrime and overseas IT worker fraud. “North Korean state-sponsored hackers
Nov. 5, 2025 -
S. Korea, African countries agree to hold foreign ministers’ meeting in June
South Korea and African countries have agreed to convene a foreign ministers’ meeting in Seoul in June 2026 to build on the momentum of cooperation established at their inaugural summit, according to the Foreign Ministry. The agreement was reached during the Korea-Africa Senior Officials’ Meeting on Tuesday, co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Chung Eui-hae and Angolan Ambassador to Korea Sianga Kivuila Samuel Abilio, who serves as this year's chair of the African Union.
Nov. 5, 2025 -
US sanctions 8 N. Korean individuals, 2 entities over cybercrime money laundering
The United States said Tuesday it has imposed sanctions on eight North Korean individuals and two entities for their involvement in laundering money they stole through illicit cyberactivities. The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control made the announcement, the latest in the US imposition of its own sanctions aimed at blocking various cybercrimes used to generate revenue for the North's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. Among the sanctioned indiv
Nov. 5, 2025 -
Lee-Trump summit in Gyeongju redefines nature of alliance: report
The Gyeongju summit has fundamentally redefined the South Korea-US alliance, transforming it into a transaction-driven framework that links US security guarantees to South Korea’s economic contributions, according to a new research report. The meeting between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump on Oct. 29 “clearly illustrates how the bilateral relationship is being redefined” under Trump’s "America First" paradigm and Lee’s pragmatic diplomacy, the state-funded Ins
Nov. 4, 2025 -
S. Korea issues special travel advisory for most parts of Tanzania
South Korea on Sunday issued a special travel advisory for most parts of Tanzania amid violent protests following last week's general elections, the foreign ministry said. The ministry said the special advisory will take effect starting 6 p.m. this day in all regions of Tanzania except Mtwara Region, which is already under a Level 3 travel advisory. The special travel advisory corresponds to Level 2.5 on South Korea's four-level travel alert system. It is issued by the government in cases of urg
Nov. 2, 2025 -
Diplomacy of gifts: Inside Lee Jae Myung’s symbolic summit strategy
Most people won’t turn down a gift. A well-chosen present has the quiet power to warm a room, soften a tone and open a heart. In diplomacy, where every gesture can tilt the balance of trust, gifts do more than mark an occasion — they carry meaning, signal intention, and at times, attempt persuasion. At this year’s APEC Summit, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung turned his attention to that power. From a model of a thousand-year-old royal crown to a handcrafted mother-of-pearl tray, Lee’s “gift
Nov. 2, 2025 -
APEC 2025 highlights S. Korea as global connector
The 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit closed Saturday in the historic southeastern city of Gyeongju, marking a defining moment for South Korea’s global leadership two decades after it last chaired the forum in Busan. With the adoption of the landmark “Gyeongju Declaration” and unprecedented agreements on artificial intelligence, trade and regional cooperation, the summit highlighted Seoul’s growing diplomatic stature as a bridge among major powers navigating an increasingly fragmente
Nov. 2, 2025