The South Korean government needs to be more active and logical in defending its sovereignty over Dokdo against Japan's continued claims to the rocky islets in the East Sea, a Japanese-born scholar said Friday.   Yuji Hosaka, professor of Japanese Studies at Sejong University in Seoul, questioned the effectiveness of Seoul's so-called quiet diplomacy on the Dokdo issue aimed at blocking it from

   A base for South Korea's aid workers and troops in Afghanistan was attacked with rockets earlier this week, an official at Seoul's foreign ministry said Monday.   Two rounds of rocket-propelled grenades landed on a parade ground inside the base in Charika, a city in the northern Afghan province of Parwan, with two other rounds landing outside of the base, the ministry official said, asking not

Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan left for Africa on Saturday on a three-nation trip aimed at boosting partnerships in energy, infrastructure and other areas.The trip comes as South Korea is seeking to tap business opportunities in African countries rich in oil and other mineral resources as a way to strengthen Seoul’s energy diplomacy.The eight-day trip will take Kim to Gabon, the Democratic Republi

Officials from the ruling party and the government plan to hold an emergency meeting Monday to discuss how to tackle Japan’s repeated territorial claims over Korea’s easternmost islets of Dokdo.Japan approved Tuesday new middle school textbooks claiming the islets as its territory, drawing a strong protest from the Seoul government.It repeated its territorial claims over Dokdo in its annual diplom

The United Nations has officially informed the Organizing Committee for Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea of its intended participation at the Expo.With the U.N.’s participation confirmed, the Expo has attained its target for participation by international organizations one year and three months before its opening.The U.N. reportedly selected a coordinating agency to help with its participation with the subsi

Netherlands Ambassador Paul Menkveld will donate more than 7,000 tulips to Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on April 4 to be displayed at Seoul City Hall plaza.The event celebrates the start of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties which began between Holland and South Korea on April 4, 1961. “At the center of the city, this is where Seoul citizens and visitors walk every day, and now

Swiss poster designs started at the beginning of the 20th century and remain a cultural-historical achievement of Switzerland and a recognized contribution to the history of international design. To present Switzerland’s contributions, the embassy and the Design Center Busan are running an exhibition showcasing 47 posters until April 14.The “World Format: Swiss Poster Design” exhibition displays S

The German Embassy announced that a donation box has been set up in which the proceeds will assist Japan in recovering from a devastating 9.0 magnitude earthquake and the subsequent tsunami.The Red Cross has asked for monetary donations to ensure the efficient handling of its relief operations in Japan.The donation box is situated at the German School Seoul in Hannam-dong.For more information abou

The cities of Busan and Bangkok recently signed a Friendship Agreement at Bangkok City Hall.The agreement is aimed at formally establishing friendship ties and mutual understanding in a variety of fields including tourism, economy, society, culture, education, environment and technology. The friendship city agreement between the two cities will help to open up opportunities for local businesses in

Mongolia, a country with a long history in Korea, is marking the platinum anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.An opening ceremony was held recently at the National Theater of Korea to kick off the “Year of Mongolia in Korea,” which included a variety of celebratory performances and activities.The concert included performances by the Korean National Opera, a chamber m

Labor Minister Bahk Jae-wan recently met with ambassadors and representatives of 15 labor-sending countries to discuss issues and concerns among the foreign migrant workforce.During the meeting, Philippines Ambassador Luis T. Cruz mentioned that 1,680 Filipino workers and 308 Korean employers submitted a petition to the Korean government, recommending improvements to the Employment Permit System r

   The number of South Koreans remaining in Libya has been reduced to 60 as three construction workers and a resident left the turmoil-laden country by land to Tunisia, the foreign ministry said Sunday.   The 60 is comprised of 29 in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, 16 in the eastern city of Benghazi and 15 officials at the South Korean Embassy in Tripoli.   South Korea on Tuesday refused to allow 1

  North Korea on Sunday called South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo as "an invariable territory indigenous to the Korean people yesterday, today and even in the future," lambasting Japan for authorizing a dozen new school textbooks renewing territorial claims to the islets last week.   In a commentary, the North's official Web site, Uriminzokkiri, made the remarks, adding that South Korea has