South Korea and the United States outlined their respective visions for a new bilateral defense cost-sharing deal during their first round of negotiations in Honolulu this week, the top US negotiator said Friday. Linda Specht, senior advisor and US lead negotiator for security agreements at the State Department, made the remarks after the initial round of talks over the deal, named the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) took place from Tuesday through Thursday. The talks are aimed at determining

South Korea and Japan could consider adopting a simplified entry procedure for people traveling between the two countries, as an effort to keep the momentum going in the dramatic improvement in bilateral relations, a Seoul official said Friday. The official made the suggestion as one of the possibilities that the two neighbors could explore, likening the idea to the Schengen Agreement in Europe that allows nationals of the signatory countries and eligible members to travel freely without borde

'Strategies needed to differentiate S. Korea from Japan, US, China for Africa business entries'

Cho Hyun-dong, South Korea's ambassador to the United States, said on Thursday that the current trajectory of the South Korea-US alliance, which has grown increasingly institutionalized, will not be swayed by US presidential election results. "One thing I can say for certain is that the axis of the Korea-US alliance is stronger than ever before, unparalleled by any previous period," Cho said during a press briefing held in Seoul. Cho underscored that the alliance "has already

The Korea Coast Guard announced that it will transfer a 3,000-ton patrol vessel to Ecuador after signing a memorandum of understanding with its defense minister on Thursday. According to the Coast Guard, Ecuadorian Defense Minister Giancarlo Loffredo signed the memorandum with the KCG to transfer the decommissioned patrol vessel -- the KCG3001 -- and visited the vessel mounted in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, to review the handover process. The KCG3001 was the first 3,000-ton patrol vessel used

The United States will take steps "in time" to have three-way engagements on nuclear deterrence with South Korea and Japan, a senior US diplomat said Wednesday, reiterating America's "firm" security commitment to the Asian allies. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell made the remarks, noting ongoing efforts to ensure the credibility of the US' "extended deterrence" commitment through bilateral platforms with the allies in the face of shared challenges,

Country plans to open new embassy in Pyongyang

Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo has met Wamkele Mene, the secretary general of the African Continental Free Trade Area, in Seoul and they discussed ways to expand economic ties, officials said. The AfCFTA, the largest trade bloc in Africa, officially came into force in January 2021. During the meeting, Cheong said the launch of the AfCFTA is significant considering the growing protectionism around the globe, Seoul's trade ministry said. The upcoming summit between South Korea and African natio

South Korea's top diplomat is set to meet with Hao Peng, the party secretary of Liaoning province in China, which shares a border with North Korea, on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Hao will "discuss ways to enhance substantive cooperation" between South Korea and Liaoning province, as well as other topics of mutual interest on the occasion of luncheon, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said during a televis

The South Korean government on Tuesday expressed regret over the visit of a Japanese minister and more than 90 lawmakers to pay respect at the Yasukuni Shrine, which commemorates those who died in service to Japan over several wars, including war criminals from the World War II period. "The government urges responsible leaders of Japan to squarely face history, and demonstrate through action their humble reflection and sincere remorse for Japan's past," Foreign Ministry spokespers

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul spoke by phone with his Jordanian counterpart Monday and discussed the situation in the Middle East, including the clash between Israel and Iran and the prolonged conflict in the Gaza Strip, his office said. In the phone talks with Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Hussein Al Safadi, Cho highlighted the need for all parties involved to exercise "restraint" so that the conflict in the Middle East will not escalate any further. Cho stressed that South Kore

South Korea and the United States are set to embark on the first round of negotiations for the next defense cost-sharing agreement from Tuesday to Thursday in Honolulu, Hawaii, the Foreign Ministry in Seoul announced Monday. The negotiations will commence nearly 20 months before the current agreement expires in 2025. The upcoming US presidential election in November where President Joe Biden faces a rematch with former President Donald Trump appears to have pushed the two parties toward initiati

The annual conference of chiefs of overseas diplomatic missions commenced Monday, with a focus on navigating diplomatic strategy amidst an era of heightened geopolitical uncertainties, exacerbated by escalating tensions in the Middle East, according to South Korea's Foreign Ministry. A total of 181 ambassadors, consul generals and other dignitaries attended the opening ceremony of the five-day gathering entitled, "Our Diplomatic Strategy during the Era of Geopolitical Transition."

Sejong University ranked 43rd in the top international university list for its hotel management education. Measured by Quacquarelli Symonds, a United Kingdom-based analytics firm that compiles college and university rankings, Sejong University placed 43rd in QS World University Rankings by Subject in the Hospitality & Leisure Management category. The hospitality and tourism management major at Sejong University ranked 48th in the same category in 2022 and 46th last year. It has grabbed the f

Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo held a meeting with a Canadian business delegation led by his counterpart, Mary Ng, in Seoul and they discussed ways to expand bilateral trade and industry cooperation, officials said Monday. The visit by the Canadian business delegation marked the largest of its kind since Seoul and Ottawa forged the so-called comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022. During the meeting, Cheong expressed hope to broaden the bilateral cooperation beyond its current focus on natura