China's top envoy in Seoul on Thursday voiced hopes for a "reasonable" solution to the dispute over the deployment of a US missile defense system, which he called the biggest problem in bilateral relations between Seoul and Beijing. Choo Mi-ae, the leader of the ruling Democratic Party, speaks with Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Qiu Guohong during their talks at the National Assembly in Seoul on July 6, 2017. (Yonhap)During a meeting with Choo Mi-ae, the leader of South Korea's ruling Democra

A parliamentary panel on Thursday adopted its reports on the outcomes of confirmation hearings for two Supreme Court justice nominees, clearing the way for votes on whether to approve them. This image, provided by Yonhap News TV, shows Supreme Court justice-nominees Park Jeong-hwa (R) and Cho Jae-youn. (Yonhap)The National Assembly's panel issued the reports on Park Jeong-hwa and Cho Jae-youn following their separate hearings Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Their confirmation motions can no

An appeals court on Thursday upheld a lower court's acquittal of four current and former lawmakers of charges of confining an intelligence agent involved in alleged media manipulation operations before the 2012 presidential election.  Ex-Rep. Kang Ki-jung, incumbent Rep. Lee Jong-kul of the Democratic Party, former Reps. Moon Byung-ho and Kim Hyun (from L to R) speak to reporters after they are acquitted by a higher court of charges over the illegal detention of an intelligence agent, in Seoul o

In yet another show of force against North Korea, South Korea's Navy and Air Force conducted joint live-fire drills in the East Sea on Thursday, officials said.The exercise involved the 3,200-ton Yang Manchun destroyer, the 2,500-ton Chungbuk frigate, 13 other warships, the P-3C Orion maritime surveillance aircraft and Lynx multi-role planes, as well as FA-5, F-4E and KF-16 tactical fighter jets. (Yonhap)They launched various types of guided missiles, including the Harpoon, Haeseong-I and AGM-65

South Korea's nuclear power operator is set to hold a board meeting this week to touch on the issue of axing two planned nuclear power plants, officials said Thursday, as Seoul pushes forward a controversial nuclear-free energy policy of the Moon Jae-in administration. This photo, taken on July 2, 2017, shows the site where construction of the Shin-Kori 5 and 6 reactors has been under way in Ulsan, 414 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)The board of the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. is sch

South Korea's President Moon Jae-in has said the North's weapons test this week indicated it is close to mastering intercontinental ballistic missile technology, voicing concerns that its rocket development was "much faster than expected." (Yonhap)During a dinner meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday (Berlin time), Moon also said Pyongyang's escalatory provocations call for stronger sanctions, but pressure must be applied to bring it to the negotiating table, not to undermine

The top nuclear envoys of South Korea and the United States will likely meet at a regional security conference next week to discuss countermeasures against North Korea's recent test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile, a foreign ministry official said Thursday. Kim Hong-kyun (R), special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs at the South Korean foreign ministry, poses with his US and Japanese counterparts -- Joseph Yun (L) and Kenji Kanasugi -- before discuss

WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump on Wednesday questioned the sincerity of China's efforts to pressure North Korea, pointing out a sharp increase in the country's trade with the communist neighbor. (Yonhap)"Trade between China and North Korea grew almost 40% in the first quarter. So much for China working with us -- but we had to give it a try!" Trump said in a Twitter posting.It was Trump's latest expression of frustration after months of fruitless efforts to persuade China to exercise mo

WASHINGTON -- The intercontinental ballistic missile that North Korea test-fired this week is a new type unseen before, a spokesman for the US Defense Department said Wednesday.  (Yonhap)"Not one we have seen before," the spokesman, Capt. Jeff Davis, told reporters.He also said that the missile was fired from a mobile launcher and had a reentry vehicle on top of it.The official also condemned the launch. "It is escalatory, it is destabilizing, it is also dangerous," he said. "This act demonstrat

NEW YORK -- The United States will use military force against North Korea if necessary, the US ambassador to the United Nations said Wednesday, warning the regime's actions, including its test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile, are "quickly closing off" chances of a diplomatic solution.Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the UN (Yonhap)"Make no mistake. North Korea's launch of an ICBM is clear and sharp military escalation. The North Korean regime openly states that its missiles are inte

South Korea's Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon on Wednesday renewed Seoul's call for North Korea to participate in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics despite heightened tensions over the North's new missile test.  Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon (Yonhap)"Though we are now in a situation where it is somewhat awkward to talk about inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation, it is crucial for us to maintain the atmosphere of reconciliation through sports activities," Lee said during a session of a state pa

Top nuclear envoys of South Korea, the United States and Japan have strongly condemned North Korea's latest missile provocation and agreed to pursue stern action at the United Nations, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday.Kim Hong-kyun, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs at the ministry, held emergency phone conversations with his Japanese counterpart Kenji Kanasugi on Tuesday and US envoy Joseph Yun on Wednesday, according to the ministry. (Yonhap)The Nort

A group of university professors and scholars demanded on Wednesday that President Moon Jae-in halt his push to scrap the building of new nuclear power plants and phase out those in operation. Joo Han-kyu and university professors at press conference(Yonhap)"(The government) should immediately halt the push to extinguish the nuclear energy industry that provides cheap electricity to the general public," the group said in a press release.During a ceremony in Busan last month to mark the permanent

Supreme Court justice-nominee Cho Jae-youn pledged during a parliamentary confirmation hearing Wednesday that if appointed he will work to restore public trust in the judiciary by delivering fair, commonsensical rulings and stamping out rampant "special treatment" to judge-turned-lawyers.  Supreme Court justice-nominee Cho Jae-youn (Yonhap)"Through exhaustive self-reflection and self-awareness, I will try to grasp the common perception that is not adulterated by personal values or religious conv

INCHEON -- The members of the Conference of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol will meet for a forum in Seoul later this week about one month ahead of its implementation to protect biological resources, a state-run research organ here said Tuesday.  (Yonhap)"The National Institute of Biological Resources of Korea under the environment ministry will hold the forum titled 'National Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on ABS: Sharing Lessons and Discussing Challenges' at a Seoul hotel on Wednesda