The US Department of State has cited the adoption of the latest resolution on North Korean human rights at the United Nations Human Rights Council as one of the key outcomes for the United States."At the Council's 34th session in Geneva from Feb. 27-March 24, US leadership proved critical to shaping the international response to urgent human rights situations and issues," the department said in a fact sheet posted on its website Monday. (Yonhap)On the last day of the session, the council unanimo

The United States will repel any kind of North Korean attack, State Department spokeswoman Anna Richey-Allen told a US broadcaster Tuesday, in response to Pyongyang's latest threat of "preemptive attack" on South Korea and the USOn Sunday, the North Korean army warned that it will "mercilessly smash the enemy's (South Korea and the US) moves with its own style of special operation and preemptive attack" in defiance of joint drills by South Korea-US special operations teams in the South. A statem

The United States should impose secondary sanctions on Chinese firms doing business with North Korea, former US human rights envoy Robert King said Monday, calling China a "problem" in dealing with Pyongyang."I think secondary sanctions which would particularly bite Chinese firms are something that we ought to be doing," King said during a discussion at the American Enterprise Institute think tank. When it comes to North Korea, King said China "really is the problem." Former US human rights envo

WASHINGTON -- The United States should consider opening direct talks with North Korea to curb its nuclear and missile development, with the initial goal of freezing the weapons programs in exchange for the relaxing of sanctions, a major US think tank chief said.Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, made the suggestion in an article in the Project Syndicate, saying that time is running out on the issue, and options other than diplomacy, including the use of military force,

Colombia is a world unto itself, says Ambassador Tito Saul Pinilla. From tropical rainforests to timeworn colonial buildings, the country boasts sundry treasures almost surreal to the senses, the top Colombian envoy to Korea extols in an interview. Pinilla first recommends capital Bogota, the political and economic center blending colonial and modern architectures. Next is Cartagena, a city and UNESCO World Heritage Site on the northern coast famous for its fortress, beaches and festivals. He al

Nearly 200 years after the 1821-32 Greek War of Independence, Greece has claimed its current territorial sovereignty, joined multilateral institutions and become a key player in southeastern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. Following our economic crisis, Greece has come to stabilize its public finances and improve its competitiveness through drastic economic reforms, including the recapitalization of our banking system.Greece is currently negotiating with eurozone partners for an evaluation

Nowruz marks life’s rebirth, fertility, vitality and virility after winter, according to the embassy’s cultural affairs division.

"Korean companies now feel very confident in making long-term investments in Pakistan."

A US senator has introduced a resolution calling for an investigation into North Korea's possible involvement in the unexplained disappearance of an American citizen from China more than a decade ago.Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) proposed the bipartisan resolution last week renewing concerns about the 2004 disappearance of David Sneddon, noting that the communist North has a track record of kidnapping foreigners to train spies in languages and culture. (Yonhap)Seven senators co-sponsored the resolution,

A South Korean deputy prime minister will leave for Kazakhstan this week as part of his two-nation trip to Central Asia to celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and the region, and the 80th anniversary of ethnic Koreans' settlement there, the Education Ministry said Sunday.The four-day trip that begins Monday will also take Lee Joon-sik, who also serves as South Korea's education minister, to Uzbekistan.South Korean Deputy Prime Minister Lee Joon-sik (Yonhap)Durin

South Korea on Thursday hailed a US House bill on toughening sanctions against North Korea as an action that would effectively tighten the screws on the communist country and send a strong warning.On Tuesday, US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce introduced fresh legislation significantly tightening sanctions on North Korea, including authorizing sanctions on those providing the North with crude oil and other related products. (Yonhap)"The inclusion of very strong and effective el

A UN council is expected to adopt a resolution condemning the dismal human rights situation in North Korea this week, the foreign ministry here said Thursday.The UN Human Rights Council is to convene a meeting in Geneva to adopt the resolution either on Thursday or Friday (local time), according to foreign ministry spokesman Cho June-hyuck. South Korean foreign ministry spokesman Cho June-hyuck (Yonhap)Cho noted that the UNHRC has adopted a resolution on the North's human rights since 2003 and,

Five South Koreans were injured in what UK authorities called a terrorist attack near the British Parliament in London on Wednesday, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday. The attack left five people dead, including a police officer and the attacker who drove a car into pedestrians on the Westminster Bridge, and another 40 wounded, according to London police.Armed police stand outside the Houses of Parliament in London on Thursday. (Yonhap)Three Korean women and a man, in their 50s and 60s, suf

The United States is working to stop China's economic retaliation over the deployment of a US anti-missile system in South Korea, a politician here quoted an American diplomat as saying Thursday.Joseph Yun, the US special representative for North Korea policy, met with Rep. Park Jie-won, chief of the minor centrist People's Party, during a four-day visit to the Asian ally. Joseph Yun (L), U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, meets with Rep. Park Jie-won (R), chief of the minor cen

South Korea issued a statement Thursday, condemning the terrorist attack in the heart of London a day earlier, which killed at least four people."The government strongly condemns the savage attack on civilians near Britain's Houses of Parliament in London on Wednesday," the statement said.(Yonhap)"The government prays for the victims and expresses deep condolences and consolation for the bereaved families and British people," it said. South Korea regards highly Prime Minister Theresa May's deter