China appears to be facing a tough strategic decision over how to handle North Korea, amid growing U.S. pressure to tame its wayward ally that has hinted at the possibilities of a long-range rocket launch and another nuclear test.In response to the continuing calls from Washington to play the role of a “responsible stakeholder” in regional security, Beijing has been agonizing over ways to curb Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions and provocative acts.But solutions to the issues remain elusive, as the N

Uganda’s interior minister died suddenly on his return trip from South Korea early this month, its government has said, prompting Seoul’s probe into the rare case. Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, who was 56, died in-flight on Saturday while heading to Dubai for a transfer following a visit to Seoul upon the invitation of the Korea Foundation. After a postmortem examination, the cause of death was found to be acute heart failure, a news report suggested. KF officials reportedly said that he complained of

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said Sunday that South Korea and Japan should ramp up efforts to make this year a new era for their ties based on a correct understanding of their shared history.Yun made the remarks at an annual joint culture event with Japan in Seoul to mark the 50th anniversary of normalization of Seoul-Tokyo relations. Korea was under Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule."The relations between South Korea and Japan are still being affected by a bitter legacy stemming from modern histor

South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn left for Paris on Wednesday to mark the 130th anniversary of the country's diplomatic ties with France, which falls next year.The five-day trip is Hwang's first official overseas trip since taking office in June.Hwang will meet with his French counterpart, Manuel Valls, and attend the opening ceremony of the Museum of Decorative Arts upon arrival, according to the Prime Minister's Office.Hwang's itinerary also includes a meeting with French President Fra

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan has announced it will give Vietnam used boats and other equipment worth 200 million yen ($1.7 million) to improve its maritime security capabilities as China asserts its territorial claims in regional seas.Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced the grant Tuesday after holding talks with Vietnamese Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong in Tokyo. The two leaders said they share serious concerns over attempts by China to change the status quo in the South China Sea by ass

South Korea, China and Japan are expected to open their first group summit talks in three years at the end of next month, a diplomatic source said Tuesday."Given a possible timeframe for now, the trilateral summit will likely be held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1," the source said, asking not to be named.The three countries are in the final stage of their consultations on the schedule, agenda items and other relevant issues, added the source.They plan to hold a meeting of deputy director general-level

South Korea's alliance with the United States is the basis for the country's relations with China, Seoul's top diplomat in Washington said Monday.Amb. Ahn Ho-young made the remark during a parliamentary audit of his embassy as lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties voiced concern that Seoul's strengthening ties with Beijing may have negative effects on the alliance with Washington."Amid changes in international situations, the Korea-U.S. relations have steadily strengthened, and are in