Though the US maintains an edge in global military force, it continues to face threats from not only member states of the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons, like China and Russi, but also non-members such as North Korea which is developing its own arsenal. In its latest index of US military strength, the Heritage Foundation assessed threats to US interests.While Russia and China remain “most worrisome” given their ongoing modernization of their respective arsenals and defiant beh

The Choi Soon-sil scandal is increasingly putting foreign and security policymakers in the spotlight, amid a growing trail of allegations she may have meddled in key diplomatic initiatives, the selection of high-level posts and major defense procurement projects. Evidence has been found that Choi, President Park Geun-hye’s longtime friend, was given classified records, such as a preview of Park’s 2014 speech in Dresden, Germany, and chose clothes and accessories to be worn by her during her over

In Denmark, people pursue happiness in everyday activities that land the Scandinavian society at the top of international happiness rankings year after year. Whether chumming around the fireplace, reading by the candlelight or cooking for loved ones, Danes have mastered the art of “hygge”: the pursuit of well-being through down-to-earth endeavors, which reportedly contributes to overall health and wealth.While the Nordic nation has championed its societal peace of mind, Korea has struggled, rank

Marking the 60th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight, the Hungarian Embassy and the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History have organized a photo exhibition that runs until Jan. 22. Organized in collaboration with the House of Terror Museum in Budapest, the exhibition showcases some 50 pictures and infographics at the museum in Seoul.The exhibition includes representative images of the time, such as students marching on the streets and the Hungarian flag with a

Throughout the late 1980s and ’90s, the Visegrad Group of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia transformed from Soviet satellite states to sovereign European democracies. On Feb. 15, 1991, Polish President Lech Walesa, Czechoslovakian President Vaclav Havel and Hungarian Prime Minister Jozsef Antall met in the small castle town of Visegrad, Hungary, and established the informal alliance of Central European nations. The waves of transition that followed rippled from Warsaw, Prague and

In line with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ Economic Community Blueprint 2025, the regional bloc of 10 countries aims to enhance their physical, institutional and societal connectivity over the next 10 years to navigate the volatile world economy. Bolstered by the launch of the ASEAN Community last year, which comprises of security, economic and socio-cultural dimensions, the association envisions a “more comprehensively and seamlessly connected” Southeast Asia through state-of-the-

South Korea plans to tentatively sign an accord to share intelligence on North Korea with Japan as early as next week, Seoul’s Defense Ministry said Friday, amid lingering political and public resistance toward military cooperation. After two rounds of working-level negotiations, the two countries are expected to hold a wrap-up session in Tokyo followed by the preliminary signing of the General Security of Military Information Agreement, ministry spokesperson Moon Sang-gyun said. “As the sides r

In the wake of Donald Trump’s election victory, Seoul officials are setting out to build a communication channel with the president-elect to promote policy understanding and coordination. The Foreign Ministry has since last June been running a task force under Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Kim Hyoung-zhin, with two teams responsible for monitoring and making contact with the campaigns of Trump and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. The election results pose new challenges for the team

Jay Kim, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California, said Wednesday South Korea's alliance with the United States will not be affected in the long run, amid concerns that Donald Trump will upset close bilateral ties that have withstood the test of time."There's no reason for the Seoul-Washington ties to be damaged," Kim said during an interview with Yonhap News Agency.Trump has made numerous radical comments about the military alliances between two countries, claiming S

The surprise victory of Donald Trump has many officials in Seoul looking up what exactly he has said about South Korea on his campaign trail, in interviews and debates. Here are some of the things the US Republican real estate mogul turned politician publicly said about Korea -- both South and North. -- Ed. On North Korean leader Kim Jong-un“If you look at North Korea -- this guy (Kim Jong-un), he’s like a maniac, OK? And you have to give him credit. How many young guys -- he was like 26 or 25 w

Donald Trump’s win in the US presidential election casts uncertainties over Washington’s Asia policy and its joint defense posture with Seoul, as he has hinted at a sweeping departure from the Democratic administration’s approach. The billionaire real estate mogul has yet to offer a clear foreign and security policy vision, other than an isolationist concept with the “America First” motto. Throughout the campaign trail, however, he was adamant that South Korea should pay greater defense costs, l

 A Korean-born French deputy minister said Tuesday he hopes Hillary Clinton wins the United States presidential election, casting Donald Trump as a dangerous politician in terms of national security."At least for the sake of global development and stability, I think Clinton should win," French Deputy Minister for Government Reform and Simplification Jean-Vincent Place said in a press conference in Seoul.He is in South Korea for a four-day visit to attend a government forum on digital administrat