South Korea's Ambassador to Russia Lee Do-hoon on Tuesday attended the swearing-in ceremony of Russian President Vladimir Putin for his fifth term, while the United States and most European Union countries boycotted the ceremony at the Kremlin. Lim Soo-suk, the spokesperson for Seoul's Foreign Ministry said that South Korea's decision was based on "conducting a comprehensive review of all matters" when asked about sending a government representative to the ceremony durin

Foreign Affairs May 7, 2024

Eastern Germany Commissioner Carsten Schneider on Friday emphasized the paramount importance of South Korean leadership steadfastly pursuing the goal of unification and remaining vigilant in monitoring the North Korean situation, in order to capitalize on any unforeseen opportunity for achieving unity on the Korean Peninsula. Schneider said that certain events unfold not by random chance, but rather at unforeseeable moments, reflecting on world history, after being asked about the feasibility of

North Korea May 3, 2024

The South Korean government has raised its terror alert level from the lowest to the third-highest in its four-tier system, specifically targeting five overseas diplomatic missions, in light of intelligence indicating potential terror threats from North Korea. The announcement was made Thursday by the Foreign Ministry and the Office for Government Policy Coordination following a meeting convened under the National Counter Terrorism Center. The purpose of the meeting was to "assess the count

Foreign Affairs May 2, 2024

Former US President Donald Trump has criticized South Korea's contribution to US Forces expenses, claiming they were "free of charge," and scrutinized the Biden administration's defense cost-sharing talks with South Korea. "I want South Korea to treat us properly," Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election in November, said during his interview with Time magazine released Tuesday. Trump reiterated his long-standing personal belief

Foreign Affairs May 1, 2024

High-ranking officials from South Korea and Africa convened Monday to deliberate on a pivotal vision statement, aimed at fostering a better-structured and strengthened partnership between the two sides. The statement is poised to be unveiled as the defining outcome of the first-ever Korea-Africa summit in South Korea. The Senior Officials' Meeting in preparation for the two-day summit on June 4 and 5 took place in Seoul, with resident and nonresident ambassadors and high-level representativ

Foreign Affairs April 29, 2024

Africa's economic potential, driven by a youthful population and a growing awareness of South Korean products, makes the continent a new gateway for the trade expansion of Asia's fourth-largest economy, said South Korean envoys to African countries in Seoul on Thursday, highlighting that the continent also holds significance as a platform for South Korea's diplomatic ambition to become a globally pivotal state. "Africa is not just a choice for us but a must-do," South Ko

Foreign Affairs April 25, 2024

Cho Hyun-dong, South Korea's ambassador to the United States, said on Thursday that the current trajectory of the South Korea-US alliance, which has grown increasingly institutionalized, will not be swayed by US presidential election results. "One thing I can say for certain is that the axis of the Korea-US alliance is stronger than ever before, unparalleled by any previous period," Cho said during a press briefing held in Seoul. Cho underscored that the alliance "has already

Foreign Affairs April 25, 2024

Nicaragua has decided to close its embassy in South Korea, primarily citing financial difficulties as a major reason, the Foreign Ministry in Seoul confirmed Wednesday, after the Central American country announced a plan to establish a new embassy in North Korea last year. "The Nicaraguan government has recently informed our government of its decision to close its embassy in South Korea due to worsening financial conditions," a senior Foreign Ministry official confirmed on condition of

Foreign Affairs April 24, 2024

A North Korean minister has embarked on a rare public visit to Iran, drawing scrutiny over the potential expansion of illicit cooperation between the two countries that have been under comprehensive international sanctions, especially amidst simmering tensions in the Middle East. North Korean state media confirmed Wednesday that Yun Jong-ho, minister of external economic relations, departed Pyongyang the previous day to lead a North Korean government economic delegation to Iran. North Korean sta

North Korea April 24, 2024

South Korea's top diplomat is set to meet with Hao Peng, the party secretary of Liaoning province in China, which shares a border with North Korea, on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Hao will "discuss ways to enhance substantive cooperation" between South Korea and Liaoning province, as well as other topics of mutual interest on the occasion of luncheon, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said during a televis

Foreign Affairs April 23, 2024

The South Korean government on Tuesday expressed regret over the visit of a Japanese minister and more than 90 lawmakers to pay respect at the Yasukuni Shrine, which commemorates those who died in service to Japan over several wars, including war criminals from the World War II period. "The government urges responsible leaders of Japan to squarely face history, and demonstrate through action their humble reflection and sincere remorse for Japan's past," Foreign Ministry spokespers

Foreign Affairs April 23, 2024

South Korea and the United States are set to embark on the first round of negotiations for the next defense cost-sharing agreement from Tuesday to Thursday in Honolulu, Hawaii, the Foreign Ministry in Seoul announced Monday. The negotiations will commence nearly 20 months before the current agreement expires in 2025. The upcoming US presidential election in November where President Joe Biden faces a rematch with former President Donald Trump appears to have pushed the two parties toward initiati

Foreign Affairs April 22, 2024

The annual conference of chiefs of overseas diplomatic missions commenced Monday, with a focus on navigating diplomatic strategy amidst an era of heightened geopolitical uncertainties, exacerbated by escalating tensions in the Middle East, according to South Korea's Foreign Ministry. A total of 181 ambassadors, consul generals and other dignitaries attended the opening ceremony of the five-day gathering entitled, "Our Diplomatic Strategy during the Era of Geopolitical Transition."

Foreign Affairs April 22, 2024

South Korea on Thursday voted in favor of a UN Security Council draft resolution aimed at facilitating full United Nations membership for Palestine, reaffirming its endorsement of the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, South Korea clarified during a meeting of the UN Security Council that its vote did not amount to recognition of Palestine as an independent state. A total of 12 out of 15 Security Council members, including South Korea and Japan, voted for the draft

Foreign Affairs April 19, 2024

The vice foreign ministers of North Korea and Belarus, both key allies to Russia, agreed Thursday to strengthen high-level contacts and cooperation across various sectors, encompassing the economy and cultures, as well as on global affairs, North Korean state media reported on Friday. The bilateral talks in Pyongyang between North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Im Chon-il and his Belarusian counterpart took place amid closer alignment with Russia and their provision of support in its war against U

North Korea April 19, 2024