“Therefore increasing our strategic and defense cooperation is vital, especially given that we share so many similarities, such as respect for democracy, human rights, the rule of law and the international law, as freely trading nations.”

“Our government conveys a very clear message to the world, urging all actors to respect international laws,” the journalist-turned-official said, adding the issue applies not only to the Korean peninsula but eastern Ukraine near Poland.

South Korea's foreign ministry said Thursday it will dispatch a director general-level official to an international forum on nonproliferation in Moscow this week, in which a key North Korean diplomat will also take part.The diplomats of the two Koreas have no schedule yet for a formal meeting there, but there's a possibility that they will encounter each other."Lee Sang-hwa, director general for North Korean nuclear affairs, will visit Russia to attend the Nonproliferation Conference to be held

A senior South Korean foreign ministry official expressed hope on Wednesday that talks with his US counterpart will build the "foundation" for better bilateral ties going forward.South Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam made the remarks at the start of his meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan in Seoul. "I hope we can talk about a wide variety of the issues of mutual concern so that we can build the foundation" for the better relations between the allies, Lim said.The l

As the third annual installment celebrating thriving ties with Korea, the Indian Embassy in Seoul will organize a string of events from Friday to Nov. 18 across the country in collaboration with the Indian Cultural Centers in Seoul and Busan. The events -- “Sarang: The Festival of India in Korea” -- range from traditional and contemporary Indian art, music and dance to cuisine and films. “My colleagues and I are delighted to present the third edition of ‘Sarang: The Festival of India in Korea’ t

The government and people of Sudan welcome the United States’ decision on Oct. 6 to permanently revoke the decadeslong sanctions placed on the country, which is expected to pave the way for its global engagement with renewed energy, according to the Sudanese Embassy in Seoul. “Sudan welcomes this resolution and considers it an important development in the history of Sudan-America relations and natural outcome of a frank, transparent and constructive dialogue on all issues of mutual concern,” the

By Iraqi Ambassador to Korea Wadee Al Batti The international community has rightfully acknowledged the illegitimacy of the referendum for Iraqi Kurdistan on Sept. 25 and refused its results, while at the same time expressing its due support to the unity of Iraq. The supportive countries and organizations included the United Nations Security Council, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Russia as well as regional count

Owing to the vast geography and historical legacy, Australian states have retained sizeable powers and freedoms from the national government since Australia became a federation of colonies in 1901.In a world economy where cities and regions reign supreme in sustainable development, South Australia is keen to strengthen its relationship with South Korea in trade and investment, science and technology, defense and aerospace as well as food and wine, according to South Australian parliamentarian Ma

The US Embassy in Seoul recently sounded out South Korea's parliament about a possible speech by President Donald Trump at the National Assembly during his visit here next month, a source said Monday.Trump is slated to visit Korea for the first time as president early next month, as part of an Asia trip that would also take him to Japan, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. No exact schedule has been announced yet."Late last week, the US embassy asked the legislature's secretariat if President Tr

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon will visit Greece and Bulgaria next week in his first overseas trip since taking office to attend a torch-lighting ceremony for the PyeongChang Olympics and to discuss ways to bolster cooperation with the two countries, his office said Monday.Lee's trip to Greece will make him the first South Korean prime minister to visit the European country since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1961. The Oct. 22-24 visit includes a meeting with President Prokop

South Korea plans to provide $550,000 worth of humanitarian assistance to four Caribbean countries recently hit by multiple deadly hurricanes, the foreign ministry said Monday. (AFP-Yonhap)The assistance will be given to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Antigua and Barbuda, which suffered hurricanes, including Irma, resulting in significant casualties and property damage, according to the foreign ministry. Of the total, Cuba will get $300,000 worth of help, with the Dominican Republic

Senior foreign ministry officials of South Korea and Guatemala will have a policy coordination meeting this week to discuss cooperation in various areas, including trade, economy and consular affairs, the South Korean foreign ministry said Wednesday.The meeting will be held between Huh Tae-wan, director general of the ministry's bureau for Latin America affairs and his Guatemalan counterpart Georges De la Roche in Seoul on Friday, according to the ministry. They will discuss issues of mutual con

South Korea said Tuesday that it will provide $2 million in humanitarian assistance to regions in the United States recently hit hard by massive hurricanes. "We expect this assistance will help stabilize the lives of people residing in the affected areas as soon as possible and contribute to recovery efforts underway," the foreign ministry said. Waves crash over a seawall at the mouth of the Miami River from Biscayne Bay, Fla., as Hurricane Irma passes by, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Miami. (AP)T

BEIJING  -- South Korea's new ambassador to China said Tuesday that consensus is growing that the ongoing dispute over a US missile defense called THAAD is "not desirable" for their bilateral ties."The feud prompted by the THAAD (deployment) cannot go on this way," Amb. Noh Young-min told reporters upon arriving in Beijing to start his duties. "I believe that the consensus is growing in both countries that it is not desirable to let economic relations (harmed) by the THAAD issue continue this wa