Rarely in the world have women’s and girls’ rights been challenged in such a concerning way as they have been in Afghanistan. The EU has made it clear that future EU development assistance will depend on the respect for norms on human rights, including women’s and girls’ rights. The EU will continue to support women and girls worldwide, sticking to our values and beliefs. Human rights, freedom, democracy and equality represent core values that make the European Union

The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow fell far short of what is needed for a safe planet, owing mainly to the same lack of trust that has burdened global climate negotiations for almost three decades. Developing countries regard climate change as a crisis caused largely by the rich countries, which they also view as shirking their historical and ongoing responsibility for the crisis. Worried that they will be left paying the bills, many key developing countries, such as India,

MADRID -- In the aftermath of World War II, the victors established a set of institutions that have underpinned the world order ever since. While those institutions have often been contested, they have proved to be highly resilient. But this does not mean they are invulnerable. On the contrary, their effectiveness may be gradually eroded -- especially when they are used as geopolitical pawns. Academic research offers abundant analysis of the factors that boost institutional hardiness, and thos

South Korea plans to increase its stockpile of rare metals and expand the list of such items for strategic reserves, the country's finance minister said Wednesday. The move aimed at ensuring stable supply of such materials came in the wake of a recent supply shortage of aqueous urea solution, a key additive for diesel vehicles. The government plans to swiftly boost the stockpile of rare metals to a maximum of 180 days of use from the current 100 days, according to Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki.

Police on Wednesday disclosed the identity of a man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend with a knife at her studio apartment in central Seoul last week. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency identified the suspect as 35-year-old Kim Byung-chan and disclosed a photo of his face and other personal information following a police committee's decision in the afternoon. Kim was arrested Saturday in the southeastern city of Daegu, a day after the murder. The case sparked public fury, as it was known

South Korea’s economy will grow 3.2 percent next year on consumer spending and strong exports, with pandemic restrictions expected to have eased, a local think tank said Wednesday. The benchmark Kospi will also maintain its growth momentum and hit a record high, it added. “We will see a clear surge in consumer spending early next year as the coronavirus curbs are eased. … Exports will be strong, propped up by a global economic recovery,” said Jang Geun-hyuk, a seni

Minho of SHINee will meet with fans in person at a fan event on Dec. 21. 　 It has been two years and nine months since his previous solo fan meeting, growing anticipation for the event that will also be broadcast live through Naver’s V Live for fans from around the world. 　 The veteran idol will put on a performance and talk to fans as well as play games, quenching the thirst of fans who have been waiting for a chance to see him on stage. 　 In addition to his activities as part of SHINe

Singer-songwriter Lee Seung-yoon, the winner of JTBC competition “Sing Again,” released his first studio album, “Even If Things Fall Apart,” Wednesday, revealing his musical philosophy to fans and new listeners. “I would like to be a musician who delivers two messages -- ‘You’re unique in your own way’ and ‘You mean nothing in this vast world’ -- through my songs. ... And this album could be the pinnacle moment of my career into w

After a year-and-a-half away from music, Hwasa hopped back into the pop scene during one of its most vibrant months with solo release “Guilty Pleasure” on Wednesday evening. The Mamamoo songstress said in an online press conference the same day that the three-song package talks about who she is, what she has gone through, and her thoughts and emotions about different phases in life. “I think I went through a wave of emotions and downs musically since I released my last solo

One of the frequently asked questions of Koreans traveling abroad is: “Are you from the North or the South?” The protagonists of Kim Cheol-min’s independent documentary film, “I Am From Chosun,” would answer the question by saying they are from both, or perhaps neither. Kim’s documentary depicts his journey of learning about the Zainichi people in Japan, who are ethnic Koreans who moved to Japan mostly during the early 1900s before the Korean Peninsula was