KYIV, Ukraine (AP) _ President Vladimir Putin dramatically escalated East-West tensions by ordering Russian nuclear forces put on high alert Sunday, while Ukraine's embattled leader agreed to talks with Moscow as Putin's troops and tanks drove deeper into the country, closing in around the capital. Citing "aggressive statements" by NATO and tough financial sanctions, Putin issued a directive to increase the readiness of Russia's nuclear weapons, raising fears that the invasion of Ukrai

The top diplomats of South Korea and the United States on Saturday "strongly condemned" Russia's invasion of Ukraine and reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, the foreign ministry here said. In their phone talks, Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated their "steadfast support" for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, and urged Moscow to cease its military actions on Ukraine immediately, the ministry said

South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong on Friday stressed that the alliance between Seoul and Washington is steadfast, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine renewed concerns here over the credibility of the US security commitment to its allies.  “The South Korea-US alliance, by nature, is steadfast and firm for the security of the Korean Peninsula, so there’s no need to compare with the situation in Ukraine,” Chung told lawmakers during an emergency meeting of the

Korea-US Vice Ministers talk over Ukraine crisis by phone; strongly condemn Russian invasion

The South Korean Embassy in Ukraine on Friday urged its nationals still remaining in the country to be “fully prepared” for potential chaos as Russia began its invasion of Ukraine the previous day.  In a notice posted on its website, the embassy said it believes there is possibility of various chaotic situations breaking out in the capital Kiev and other major cities, such as disruption of electricity and related networks, arson and explosions, whose actors may be hard to

Senior diplomats of South Korea and the United States highlighted their shared will for a "unified" response over Russia's invasion of Ukraine during their phone talks Friday, the foreign ministry here said. First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun and his US counterpart, Wendy Sherman, condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine and reaffirmed their "unwavering support" for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the ministry said in a press release. Choi said that Seoul,

‘Trade with Russia should be considered’

South Korea's top envoy in Geneva has been elected the head of the World Trade Organization's committee monitoring regional trade agreements, the foreign ministry said Friday. Ambassador Lee Tae-ho was elected by consensus to lead the Committee on Regional Trade Agreement for one year at the WTO's General Council session in Geneva on Thursday, according to the ministry. The committee is a key body promoting the transparent management of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements signed by count

Financial guru warns the next recession is ‘worst in my lifetime’

WASHINGTON (AP) -- As the Biden administration prepares its response to Russia's attack on Ukraine, the Treasury Department is tasked with finding ways to choke off parts of Russia's economic development. One key question for the administration is how to measure the success. With inflation already at record highs, a global pandemic that keeps businesses struggling to reopen and an energy shortage throughout Europe, the mathematics on punishing one of the world's biggest economies can be complex

MOSCOW (AP) -- Russia launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine on Thursday, hitting cities and bases with airstrikes or shelling, as civilians piled into trains and cars to flee. Ukraine's government said Russian tanks and troops rolled across the border and accused Moscow of unleashing a "full-scale war" that could rewrite the geopolitical order and whose fallout already reverberated around the globe.    In announcing a major military operation, Russian President Vladimir

Korean embassy in Ukraine urges residents to move to safe areas

WASHINGTON -- The United States' commitment to defend South Korea remains unchanged despite escalating tensions in Ukraine over a possible Russian invasion, a Pentagon spokesperson said Wednesday. John Kirby also hailed Seoul's support for Ukraine, saying it was noticed by the "whole international community." "Nothing's changed, obviously, about our commitment to our South Korean allies," he said when asked what impact a possible armed conflict in Ukraine may have on the Kore

South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong expressed deep concerns over Japan's move to have a mine linked to the forced labor of Koreans listed as a world heritage site in a meeting with UNESCO chief in Paris on Tuesday (local time), the foreign ministry said. Chung held a 40-minute meeting with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay in Paris, where he is visiting for the Indo Pacific Ministerial Forum 2022. Tokyo announced its bid to have the Sado mine listed as a UNESCO world heritage site

South Korea said Wednesday the Ukraine crisis has had limited impacts on the domestic economy, but it will remain vigilant against the possibility that a deterioration of the situation could disrupt energy supplies and increase market volatility. Tensions over Ukraine have been escalating as Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered the deployment of troops to two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine. US and European leaders announced sanctions against Russian banks and officials, viewi