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S. Korea says Trump's mention of N. Korea as 'nuclear power' less different from his past policy
The Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that US President Donald Trump's reference to North Korea as a "nuclear power" aligns with his previous approach on the recalcitrant regime, suggesting that it should not be seen as his administration recognizing it as a nuclear-armed state. In a press availability shortly after the swearing-in ceremony Monday, Trump called the North a "nuclear power" and said that he "got along very well" with its leader Kim Jong-un, apparently referring to their direct engagem
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Trump's trade memorandum sparks questions about Korea-US trade agreement
Following his inauguration on Monday, US President Donald Trump ordered a review of his country's existing trade deals, prompting speculation about a potential revision of the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement, also known as KORUS FTA. Trump signed a trade memorandum instructing federal agencies to identify unfair trade practices and review all trade agreements, including the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement from his first term, for possible improvements. He also directed an investigation into the causes
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Trump calls Kim Jong-un ‘nuclear power,’ touts rapport
People Power Party deems Trump's remarks 'very regrettable,' but says too soonn to discern true intent behind them US President Donald Trump on Monday labeled North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as a “nuclear power,” while boasting of their friendship immediately after his inauguration. In response to a question about threats to country, Trump answered, “I think we have a lot of them right now. Right now I think we have a lot. I think North Korea turned out to be good. I was very friendly with him (
Jan. 21, 2025 -
India's Assam looks for Korean support in semiconductors, green tech
The government of the Indian state of Assam urged Korean companies to take part in its semiconductor and green technology sectors at a roadshow event in Seoul on Monday. “Assam is driving innovation and ensuring a sustainable, low-carbon economy,” the state's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma underlined in his keynote speech discussing Assam's strategic advantages, investment-friendly policies, and vision for sustainable industrial growth. He visited South Korea to attract investors for Advanta
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Senate votes to confirm Trump's pick for secretary of state
The US Senate voted to confirm Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as President Donald Trump's secretary of state Monday, marking its first approval of a Cabinet-level official for the new Trump administration. The upper chamber of Congress approved Rubio as America's chief diplomat, hours after Trump was sworn in as the United States' 47th president under a renewed pledge to "put America first." His confirmation comes as the top diplomat post faces a full plate of foreign policy challenges, including an i
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Trump returns to White House with renewed vow to 'put America first'
Donald Trump took office as the United States' 47th president on Monday, renewing his vow to "put America first" and tariff foreign countries to enrich Americans, while signaling an intent to refrain from military involvement in conflicts overseas. During his swearing-in ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, Trump, 78, underscored his America First credo as his second four-year term is expected to see a major shift in the US' approach to alliances, trade and other key issues. Vice Presi
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Trump takes office as Korean presidency stuck in limbo
US President Donald Trump is set to be sworn into office Monday during an inauguration ceremony at the Capitol, evoking memories of his first term in 2017, when South Korea, a key Asian ally, was led by an acting president following the suspension of then-President Park Geun-hye. But this time, Seoul’s political crisis has reached levels far beyond 2017. President Yoon Suk Yeol became the first sitting leader arrested after his failed martial law declaration on Dec. 3, now awaiting the Constitut
Jan. 20, 2025 -
Who will represent Korea at Trump’s inauguration amid stalled leader diplomacy?
South Korean lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties, business leaders and local government leaders have converged in Washington, DC, for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday. Their goals are to address US concerns over South Korea’s political turbulence, ensure Korea's voice and position are reflected in Trump’s key foreign, security, economic and trade policies, and explore ways to strengthen strategic partnerships across sectors. This multilevel effort -- spanni
Jan. 19, 2025 -
Senior politicians, business leaders head for Trump's inauguration ceremony
Senior politicians and business leaders have departed for the United States to attend Donald Trump's presidential inauguration ceremony, officials said Sunday. With Trump set to return to the White House, questions have been raised over whether South Korea can push for high-level engagement with the incoming US administration in the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law imposition and his subsequent impeachment. Seven lawmakers of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee,
Jan. 19, 2025 -
S. Korea opens embassy in Cuba, 11 months after ties forged
South Korea officially inaugurated its embassy in Havana on Friday, hosting an opening ceremony less than a year after the two nations formalized diplomatic ties on Feb. 14, 2024. The embassy is situated in the Miramar district, renowned for its cluster of embassy compounds, including those of the United States, Canada, China and other countries, serving as a hub for international diplomacy. South Korea's embassy in Cuba becomes the 117th diplomatic mission located in the island nation. Opening
Jan. 18, 2025 -
S. Korea’s top envoy to US to attend Trump inauguration: foreign ministry
South Korean Ambassador to the US Cho Hyun-dong will attend the inauguration of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump next week, the foreign ministry said Thursday. "As per protocol, the ambassador to the U.S. plans to attend Trump's inauguration as the government representative," a ministry official told reporters. Cho's planned attendance is in line with the U.S. diplomatic practice where ambassadors and their spouses stationed in Washington are invited to the event, the official said. No invit
Jan. 16, 2025 -
Seoul eyes revival of US-North Korea, inter-Korean talks under Trump 2.0
US secretary of state nominee signals shifts in N. Korea policy toward stabilization, risk reduction Seoul’s Foreign and Unification ministries on Thursday unveiled their 2025 policy priorities, pledging to “proactively” prepare for the potential revival of US-North Korea nuclear talks under a second Donald Trump administration, while gearing up for the possible resumption of inter-Korean dialogue. South Korea is bracing for a potential seismic shift in the overall Korean Peninsula landscape wit
Jan. 16, 2025 -
Biden, Trump welcome Gaza ceasefire, hostage release deal
US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday welcomed a deal between Israel and the Hamas militant group to halt fighting in Gaza and release Israeli hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners. Following weeks of negotiations brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas reached the deal that raised the prospects of an end to the devastating war that broke out in the wake of Hamas militants' attack on Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023. "There was no other way
Jan. 16, 2025 -
Seoul rejects Pete Hegseth’s ‘nuclear power’ label for North Korea
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Pentagon chief, referred to North Korea as a “nuclear power” in a written statement for Tuesday’s confirmation hearing – shattering a longstanding taboo by granting such a designation to Kim Jong-un’s regime and drawing considerable attention in Seoul. Seoul's Defense, Foreign and Unification ministries immediately dismissed Hegseth’s statement when asked for comment, each emphasizing in their respective statements that North Korea can never
Jan. 15, 2025 -
S. Korea, Japan pledge to mark 60 years of ties, unshaken by political crisis
Foreign ministers hold joint news conference for 1st time in over 13 years The top diplomats of South Korea and Japan on Monday pledged to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalization this year, building on renewed momentum in their relationship despite the ongoing political upheaval and a potential leadership change in South Korea. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya met in Seoul at a critical moment, as South Korea grapples with
Jan. 13, 2025