South Korea, Poland agree to bolster security-related cooperation SEOUL, February 3 (AJP) - South Korea and Poland have agreed to deepen security-related cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here said on Tuesday. The inaugural dialogue between the two countries was held in Warsaw on Monday, as senior foreign ministry official Jeong Yeon-doo met with Robert Kupiecki, undersecretary of state at the Polish foreign ministry. According to the ministry, the two exchanged views on both bilateral matters and global security issues, while agreeing to share strategies and policies to expand their areas of cooperation. Jeong explained to Kupiecki South Korea's efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea. Kupiecki responded that he would support South Korea's pursuit of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula through a Polish mission in Pyongyang. They also agreed to hold follow-up talks in Seoul. 2026-02-03 09:42:46

Korean political leaders pay final respects to former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan SEOUL, January 31 (AJP) - A funeral service for former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan was held on Saturday morning at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building in Seoul, drawing senior political figures from across the political spectrum. President Lee Jae-myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung attended the service alongside National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Lee’s family. Leaders and lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party as well as opposition parties were also present to pay their respects. During the service, presidential political affairs secretary Cho Jung-sik, who served as chief executive of the funeral committee, read Lee’s biography, describing him as a lifelong public servant who carried out his duties with sincerity and responsibility. Prime Minister Kim delivered a eulogy, saying South Korea’s democracy “owes a debt” to Lee for his role in defending democratic values despite imprisonment and political persecution. Speaker Woo recalled Lee’s commitment to democracy during their time in prison in the early 1980s, quoting Lee as saying that “you can imprison the body, but you cannot imprison democracy.” Tributes were also delivered by Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae, Seoul National University professor emeritus Baek Nak-chung and former Prime Minister Han Myung-sook. The ceremony concluded with a memorial video and a flower offering. Earlier in the day, a departure ceremony was held at Seoul National University Hospital’s funeral hall, followed by separate rites at the Democratic Party headquarters and the National Unification Advisory Council office. Lee will be cremated at the Seoul Memorial Park and laid to rest at the Milky Way Park in Sejong City. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-31 16:14:00

South Korea's ambassador to China wealthiest among senior officials SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - Ambassador to China Roh Jae-heon declared assets worth 53 billion won (US$38 million), making him the wealthiest among high-ranking officials, according to figures released by the Government Ethics Committee on Friday. Most of the assets held by the eldest son of former President Roh Tae-woo are in real estate, including land, buildings and residential properties registered under his or his spouse's name, along with savings and other holdings. His mother, the widow of the late president, owns a building valued at some 13 billion won. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun reported 2.19 billion won in assets, including his home in Seoul's tony district of Yongsan valued at 698 million won. Ambassador to the United Nations Hwang Joon-kook declared assets worth 5.22 billion won, consisting of an apartment in Yongsan and holdings in stocks and bonds. Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha disclosed 5.58 billion won in assets including a building worth roughly 3 billion won. About 23 secretaries at Cheong Wa Dae own an average of 2.7 billion won in assets. In South Korea, public officials and ambassadors are required to disclose their assets as part of transparency and anti-corruption measures. 2026-01-30 09:13:44

South Korea, U.S. Hold Third Visa Working Group Talks; B-1 Adds 'Specialized Trainers' Category South Korean and U.S. government delegations held a third round of consultations under the “South Korea-U.S. Business Travel and Visa Working Group.” South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the meeting was held in Seoul on Jan. 28. The South Korean delegation was led by Kim Seon Young, director general for bilateral economic diplomacy, and the U.S. side included Jonathan Fritz, senior deputy assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific affairs. The U.S. side said a “Specialized Trainers” item has been added to the State Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual for B-1 (temporary business visitor) visas. It also said the U.S. Embassy in Seoul updated a new Korean- and English-language fact sheet on its website to clarify what activities B-1 visa and ESTA holders may conduct in the United States, reflecting the manual revision. The ministry said the specialized-trainer purpose includes providing training to U.S. workers and transferring specialized or proprietary techniques, skills or know-how. Requirements include having unique and scarce expertise not widely available in the United States; supporting a specific project related to industrial equipment, machinery or processes obtained or procured by a company outside the United States; and not receiving compensation in the United States. The two sides also reviewed the results of the working group and the operation of the KIT Desk, a dedicated channel at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul for companies investing in the United States. They discussed ways to create an opportunity in the first half of this year to explain visa-related issues to South Korean companies. They exchanged views on ensuring South Korean investment in the United States proceeds smoothly in strategic industries such as shipbuilding and held in-depth talks on mid- to long-term improvements. South Korea and the United States agreed to continue consultations at the next meeting to improve visa issues affecting personnel at South Korean companies investing in the United States and to keep monitoring progress, the ministry said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:27:19

South Korean Lawmakers Clash Over Trump’s Proposed Tariff Hike and Ratification Claims Lawmakers traded blame Wednesday over President Donald Trump’s sudden plan to raise tariffs on South Korea, with the People Power Party arguing the government failed to secure National Assembly approval for follow-up steps in U.S. tariff negotiations after Prime Minister Kim Min Seok’s trip to Washington. The Democratic Party countered that Trump’s approach to diplomacy and trade is unconventional and said a unified political response is needed to strengthen South Korea’s negotiating position. People Power Party lawmaker Song Eon Seok told Foreign Minister Cho Hyun at a full meeting of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee that Kim had promoted his U.S. visit by saying he “promised faithful implementation of follow-up measures” and that communications improved through a “hotline” with Vice President Vance. Song said that “the next day” Trump announced he would raise tariffs to 25%, calling it a betrayal. Song also cited Trump’s materials as using the word “approve” in asking why South Korea’s legislature had not approved what he called a “special law on investment in the U.S.” He argued it could be read as questioning why the National Assembly had not agreed to ratification, and he urged the government to seek parliamentary consent if there were undisclosed elements. People Power Party lawmaker Kim Gi Hyeon echoed the criticism, saying it was not a hotline but a “hotbaji line,” using a Korean term implying weakness. He asked why the government was not submitting a ratification motion despite what he said would be a heavy burden on the public. Party lawmaker Kim Tae Ho also pressed Cho, saying the government was blindsided “before the ink was dry” on self-congratulation over a trade deal and asking what it had done to prevent that outcome. Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Jae Jung said no one denies Trump’s “uniqueness,” but argued the opposition’s continued focus on ratification was effectively holding the government back and reducing agility in South Korea’s diplomatic and economic response. On the “South Korea-U.S. memorandum of understanding on strategic investment” signed in November last year, Lee said South Korea was not the only country to sign an MOU in that format and that no country was pursuing ratification procedures for it. Democratic Party lawmaker Hong Ki Won said Trump was taking steps outside established diplomatic practice and warned against treating each move as if South Korea were at fault. “Trump will do more,” Hong said, adding that it was important to respond calmly. Cho said he believed Trump’s statement about raising tariffs on South Korea was unrelated to the “Coupang situation” or the online platform bill. He said that after the message was issued, the ministry contacted the U.S. State Department and concluded there was no direct link to Coupang or the online platform legislation. Cho added that it was difficult to identify any specific, reasonable cause and said that may be why Trump issued an additional message. 2026-01-28 17:19:59

PM departs for Washington for possible meeting with US vice president SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - Prime Minister Kim Min-seok left for the U.S. on Thursday. According to his office, Kim boarded a flight to Washington, D.C., accompanied by a small group of aides. During his five-day U.S. itinerary, which marks his first overseas trip since assuming his post in July last year, he is scheduled for talks with senior U.S. government officials and may meet with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. He will also meet with South Korean nationals living there He will then travel to New York before returning home early next week. His office expects the trip will contribute to further strengthening the country's relations with its closest ally. 2026-01-22 14:53:39

PM to visit Washington this week for first overseas trip SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is set to visit the U.S. this week, his office said on Wednesday. Kim will travel to Washington, D.C., and New York from Thursday to Monday, marking his first overseas trip since assuming the post in July last year. During his five-day trip, Kim will meet senior U.S. government officials, hold talks with members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and meet with South Korean nationals living there. His office expects the visit will contribute to further strengthening the country's relations with its closest ally. 2026-01-21 09:43:03

FM to visit Turkey, Belgium this week SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will visit Turkey and Belgium later this week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday. "Cho will travel to Turkey on Wednesday for talks with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan," the ministry's deputy spokesperson Lee Moon-bae, said during a press briefing in Seoul. The meeting is part of follow-up steps after President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to Turkey in November last year. Cho is expected to discuss progress on key bilateral projects in nuclear energy, defense, biotechnology, and infrastructure. Cho will then head to Belgium the following day for talks with Kaja Kallas, vice president of the European Commission. The two sides are expected to discuss key regional issues including Greenland, which has drawn international attention following U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated pressure over the Danish territory. Cho is also scheduled to meet with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval. The two are expected to discuss ways to expand cooperation and exchanges to mark the 125th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year. 2026-01-20 16:59:38

US, South Korean officials meet for working-level talks on nuclear energy cooperation SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - South Korean officials visited Washington last week to prepare for working-level talks on nuclear energy cooperation with the U.S., the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday. During his two-day trip last Thursday and Friday, Rim Kap-soo, who leads a task force for the talks, met with senior U.S. officials at the State Department and the Energy Department, including Christopher Yeaw, a State Department assistant secretary, and Matthew Napoli, a deputy administrator at the National Nuclear Security Administration. Rim and other South Korean officials reportedly emphasized cooperation with the U.S. on reprocessing spent nuclear fuel and enriching uranium for commercial and peaceful purposes. According to the ministry, U.S. officials will visit Seoul soon for follow-up talks to implement agreements outlined in a joint fact sheet signed by the leaders of both countries during their summit in Seoul last fall. Rim's visit comes after national security adviser Wi Sung-lac traveled to the U.S. and met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. 2026-01-19 17:52:41

No South Korean casualties reported in high-speed train collision in Spain SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - No South Korean casualties have been reported in a high-speed train collision in Spain, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here said on Monday. The South Korean diplomatic mission in Spain continues to monitor the situation and is verifying whether any South Korean nationals were affected. So far, there have been no reports or confirmed cases of South Korean casualties," an official there said. At least 21 people have been killed after two high-speed trains derailed and collided in southern Spain on Sunday, according to local media. The death toll could rise, with about 100 people injured. 2026-01-19 13:53:09