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White House says S. Korea-US alliance is 'ironclad,' after NK missile launches
The White House said Tuesday the South Korea-US alliance is "ironclad," as tensions flared anew following North Korea's first ballistic missile test this week since the Trump administration took office in January. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made the remarks after Pyongyang fired multiple ballistic missiles into the Yellow Sea on Monday apparently in protest over the start of the annual South Korea-US Freedom Shield military exercise this week. "The US-Republic of Korea alliance is ironclad
March 12, 2025 -
Trump taps ex-ambassador to Thailand as assistant secretary of state for East Asia
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will nominate a former ambassador to Thailand as the next assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific, a post that deals with a broad range of regional issues, including those on the Korean Peninsula. In a social media post, Trump made the announcement on his decision to nominate Michael DeSombre for the State Department post, voicing confidence that DeSombre will "work incredibly hard" for the United States. "I am pleased to announce that
March 12, 2025 -
EU spotlights women's roles in security, defense
In an event commemorating International Women's Day Saturday, the European Union delegation to Korea highlighted women's roles in security and defense. Hosting an event under the theme “Towards More Resilient and Secure Democracies: Women in Security and Defense,” experts from South Korea and the EU highlighted the role of gender-responsive policies in strengthening democratic stability and resilience. Moderated by Estonian Ambassador to Korea Sten Schwede, the event referenced EU-ROK Security a
March 11, 2025 -
S. Korea, EU hold inaugural meeting of space security dialogue
South Korea and the European Union have held the inaugural talks of their newly launched space security consultative body to jointly respond to space threats, the foreign ministry here said Tuesday. Youn Jong-kwon, the ministry's director-general for international security, held the inaugural meeting of the Space Security Dialogue with Marjolijn Van Deelen, the EU's special envoy for space, in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday, according to the ministry. The launch of the dialogue was agreed upon in
March 11, 2025 -
S. Korean man shot fatally in robbery incident in Philippines
A South Korean man has been shot and killed by robbers in the Philippines' capital of Manila, according to a local media outlet and the Korean embassy in the country Monday. According to GMA News of the Philippines and embassy officials, the incident occurred at around 7:45 p.m. on Friday in Malate, a commercial and tourist district in Manila. The South Korean national, whose identity was withheld, was shot by a pair of assailants while resisting an attempted robbery. He was taken to a hospital
March 10, 2025 -
Ethiopia is key for Korea’s broader African vision
Ethiopia holds strategic importance for Korea’s broader African vision, particularly in trade and investment, said Ethiopian Ambassador to Korea Dessie Dalkie Dukamo in a written interview with The Korea Herald. Citing Ethiopia's geopolitical location, infrastructure, population, economic potential and stability as major factors, Dukamo positioned his country as a key economic and diplomatic partner for Korea’s engagement with Africa. "Ethiopia is situated in the Horn of Africa, serving as a gat
March 10, 2025 -
Photo exhibition showcases Uzbek and Korean heritage
The Uzbek Embassy in Seoul showcased Uzbek and Korean cultural heritage at a photo exhibition in Seoul on Wednesday. The exhibition was held as part of the celebrations of 2025 as the "Year of Mutual Exchange" between Uzbekistan and South Korea, featuring cultural heritage to promote mutual respect and friendship among Uzbeks and Koreans. Uzbekistan and South Korea have agreed to declare 2025 the “Year of Mutual Exchange" to deepen economic and cultural connections through joint events. Underlin
March 9, 2025 -
Trump delays tariffs on USMCA-compliant goods from Mexico, Canada until April 2
US President Donald Trump signed executive actions Thursday to delay tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods, covered under a trade agreement among the three countries, until early next month, a reprieve that followed negotiations with the two neighboring countries. The White House said that tariff exemptions for goods under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement will remain valid until April 2. The reprieve came after 25 percent tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods -- with a carve-out for Canadian energ
March 7, 2025 -
Top diplomats of S. Korea, Poland reaffirm steadfast commitment to advancing defense cooperation
The top diplomats of South Korea and Poland have agreed to continue working together to advance defense cooperation, including providing full support for swift progress in key arms exports, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski reached the understanding during their talks in Warsaw on Wednesday, as they shared the view that their partnership in the defense industry has become "a key pillar" in bilateral relations, the m
March 6, 2025 -
Trump says S. Korea, Japan, others want to be partners in natural gas pipeline project in Alaska: address excerpt
US President Donald Trump is set to say Tuesday that South Korea, Japan and other countries want to be partners as his administration is working on a natural gas pipeline in Alaska, according to excerpts of his planned address to a joint session of Congress. The White House released the excerpts before Trump's first address to the joint session since his second presidential term began in January. "My administration is also working on a gigantic natural gas pipeline in Alaska, among the largest i
March 5, 2025 -
US deputy secretary of state nominee underlines cooperation with allies to counter China's rise
US President Donald Trump's pick for deputy secretary of state highlighted the need Tuesday to work with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific to counter the rise of China, which he cast as the United States' "foremost" strategic competitor. Christopher Landau, the nominee for the State Department's No. 2 post, made the remarks during a Senate confirmation hearing, pointing to regional allies as well as the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Quad consisting of the US, Ind
March 5, 2025 -
Pentagon reaffirms 'clear' commitment to S. Korea, Japan after NK decries USS Carl Vinson arrival
A Pentagon spokesperson on Tuesday reaffirmed the United States' security commitment to South Korea and Japan, after the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un decried the recent arrival of a US aircraft carrier in Korea. John Supple, the spokesperson, made the remarks after Kim Yo-jong, the reclusive leader's younger sister, criticized the arrival of USS Carl Vinson, a nuclear-powered Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, in the southern port city of Busan on Sunday. "We will not commen
March 5, 2025 -
Pentagon nominee voices support for bolstering S. Korea's role in alliance over OPCON transfer question
US President Donald Trump's nominee for a top Pentagon post threw his support Tuesday behind efforts to bolster South Korea's role in the alliance with the United States as he addressed a question over the ongoing efforts for the transfer of wartime operational control to Seoul. In his written statement for a Senate confirmation hearing, Elbridge Colby, the nominee to be under secretary of defense for policy, made the remarks, stressing the "critical" Seoul-Washington alliance should continue to
March 5, 2025 -
Experts call for deeper engagement with India, Global South
Experts and diplomats urged South Korea to deepen engagements with India and the Global South for a strategic shift in Seoul’s foreign policy approach on Feb. 27. The "Global South" refers to countries often characterized as "developing," "less developed" or "underdeveloped." While not exclusive to the Southern Hemisphere, many of these nations are located there, predominantly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The discussion was held at a conference co-organized by the Indian Embassy in Seoul
March 4, 2025 -
Denmark seeks connection with Korea through design
The Danish Embassy in Korea has opened the Denmark Pavilion at the 2025 Seoul Living Design Fair highlighting the cultural connection between Danish and Korean design. At the fair, which ran through March 2, the pavilion showcased clean lines, organic materials and a natural green color, promoting minimalism, functionality and eco-friendliness. In an interview with The Korea Herald, representative of the Confederation of Danish Industry Lise Thomsen explained the role of sustainability and indiv
March 4, 2025