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

North Korea's UN envoy defends Russia's airstrikes on Ukraine as 'self-defense' SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - North Korea on Tuesday defended Russia's recent air strike on Ukraine as a "just exercise of the right to self-defense of a sovereign state," amid its deepening military ties with Moscow. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, North Korean Ambassador to the United Nations Kim Song attended an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting in New York following Russia's barrage of missile attacks on Ukraine last week. In a statement, Kim said, "I express serious concern and strongly denounce and reject the shameless acts of Ukraine which covered up its heinous terrorism against Russia and took issue with Russia over its legitimate measures against it." "The terrorist act targeting the absolute sovereignty of a country can never be justified, and retaliation of justice can never be demonized by any assertion," he added. Russia had earlier warned of retaliation, accusing Ukraine of carrying out drone attacks on President Vladimir Putin's residence late last year and on a civilian café and hotel in occupied Kherson early this month. 2026-01-13 17:04:53

Acting US envoy leaves Seoul after brief stint SEOUL, January 7 (AJP) - Acting U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Kevin Kim returned to the U.S. less than three months after assuming the post. According to diplomatic sources on Wednesday, Kim recently notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of his departure. He is believed to have left for the U.S. to spend Christmas and has not returned to Seoul, as he may be assigned a new role there. The Korean American, who handled North Korea-related affairs at the U.S. State Department from 2018 to 2020, Kim arrived in October last year, after being appointed to the interim post. He coordinated a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju. Kim's sudden departure raises concerns here, as the ambassador post has been vacant for almost a year. Former Ambassador Philip Goldberg left the position in January last year, and since then, two acting ambassadors, Kim and Joseph Yun, another Korean-American who previously served as U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, have temporarily filled the role. In a statement on its website, the U.S. Embassy in Seoul said, "James 'Jim' Heller is currently serving as the Chargé d'Affaires ad interim," adding that he "began his assignment in Seoul as the Deputy Chief of Mission" in July last year. The career diplomat, who "most recently served" in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, is a U.S. Army veteran. He holds a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Michigan and is a graduate of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center. 2026-01-07 15:12:19

North Korea 'conducts drill involving hypersonic missiles' SEOUL, January 5 (AJP) - North Korea has tested "hypersonic missiles" with its leader Kim Jong-un in attendance, state media reported on Monday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the hypersonic missiles were fired the previous day from a site near Pyongyang as part of a missile-launching drill and "hit targets" in the East Sea as Kim "oversaw" the drill along with senior military officials. The KCNA said, "Important achievements have been recently made in putting our nuclear forces on a practical basis and preparing them for an actual war." "It is a very important strategic task to maintain and expand a powerful and reliable nuclear deterrent through the sustained verification of key components of war deterrence and the improvement of its performance and the mastering of operational capabilities," it quoted Kim as saying. "To be honest, our such activity is clearly aimed at gradually putting the nuclear war deterrent on a high-developed basis. Why it is necessary is exemplified by the recent geopolitical crisis and complicated international events," it added, apparently referring to the capture of Venezuela's authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro in a lightning military operation by U.S. forces. Specific details of the missiles were not disclosed, but based on their range and trajectories, they are believed to be from the country's Hwasong series of ballistic missiles. 2026-01-05 09:55:11

Seoul assesses fallout after US capture of Venezuelan president SEOUL, January 4 (AJP) - The government is assessing any fallout after the U.S. captured Venezuela's authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro in a lightning military operation the previous day, while monitoring further developments. In a statement on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged, "All relevant parties should exercise maximum restraint to ease tensions in the region" and expressed hope that democracy will be restored as soon as possible through dialogue. The ministry added that it is taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of South Korean nationals in Venezuela. According to the ministry, about 70 South Koreans are currently in Venezuela, most of them in Caracas, with no injuries reported as of Saturday. U.S. military forces raided Maduro's presidential palace in Caracas, captured him along with his wife and son, and airlifted them by helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima amphibious assault ship. At a press conference at his private residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, U.S. President Donald Trump said, "We're going to run until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition" to new leadership. But he added, "We can't take a chance that someone else takes over Venezuela that doesn't have the interests of the Venezuelan people in mind." He also warned the U.S. is ready to launch a "second and much larger attack" if needed. Maduro, who has been accused of involvement in illegal cocaine and narcotics trafficking, arrived in New York earlier in the day and is expected to face drug-related charges. 2026-01-04 12:43:00

North Korea fires multiple ballistic missile into East Sea SEOUL, January 4 (AJP) - North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the East Sea, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Sunday. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected several projectiles, believed to be ballistic missiles, launched around 7:50 a.m. from a site near Pyongyang, but provided no further details as it analyzes the launch site and missile type. It was North Korea's first ballistic missile launch this year and came about two months after it fired a short-range ballistic missile in November last year. Shortly after the launch, the government here convened an emergency meeting of top security officials from related agencies and urged Pyongyang to stop provocative actions, saying they violate U.N. Security Council resolutions. South Korean authorities are closely monitoring North Korea for any further provocations while heightening military readiness. The North's latest provocation came just hours before President Lee Jae Myung's four-day trip to China for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. It also came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly announced the capture of Venezuela's authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro, along with his wife and son, in a military operation. Maduro, who has been accused of involvement in illegal cocaine and narcotics trafficking, was reportedly flown to New York to face drug-related charges. 2026-01-04 10:04:23

South Korean defense minister conducts New Year's Day command flight SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) -South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back conducted a command flight on New Year’s Day under escort by domestically produced fighter jets in a symbolic move to demonstrate military readiness across the Korean Peninsula, the Ministry of National Defense said Thursday. Ahn boarded an Air Force E-737 Peace Eye airborne early warning and control aircraft before dawn for what the ministry described as an “airborne command post” operation. Six Air Force fighter jets escorted the flight, including the KF-21, FA-50 and TA-50. It marked the first time domestically produced aircraft have been deployed to escort a command flight, the ministry said. During the mission, Ahn held a series of command-line briefings with frontline commanders to assess operational readiness. Those briefed included the captain of the Navy’s Gwanggaeto the Great destroyer operating in the East Sea, an Air Force flight leader responsible for aerial patrol and escort missions, the battalion commander of the Marine Corps’ 6th Brigade defending a front-line contact area, and the Army commander overseeing a guard post in the 22nd Division. Ahn later spoke by secure line with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Jin Young-seung, stressing the importance of maintaining a strong state of readiness and a fully prepared operational posture. During the calls, the defense minister checked for any unusual developments along the front lines and in key operational areas. He thanked service members for their dedication, saying, “Thanks to your commitment, our people can welcome the New Year in peace,” and urged commanders to maintain a gap-free readiness posture throughout the year. Ahn also underscored the importance of self-reliant defense capabilities, saying, “Only when we have the strength to protect ourselves can sustainable peace be possible,” adding that the military must “proactively prepare for the future security environment based on our own defense capabilities.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-01 14:51:15

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok pledges people-driven policies, growth and stability in New Year address SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) - South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok vowed on Thursday to steer national policy based on the will of the people, outlining a government agenda centered on growth, stability and peace in his New Year’s address. Kim said the administration, launched last year “with a heavy heart” amid concerns about a crisis in democracy, is beginning 2026 with renewed confidence in economic recovery. “This year will mark the first step toward a greater leap forward for South Korea,” he said. He emphasized easing public anxiety and stabilizing state affairs, calling for “a complete clearing out of insurrection” and measures to prevent similar events by reinforcing democratic foundations. Kim said South Korea is at a critical moment as global interest in the “K-brand” accelerates, adding that the country must use the momentum to modernize its industrial structure and strengthen competitiveness. The government, he said, will pursue growth through an “ABCDE” strategy encompassing AI, biotech, cultural content, the defense industry and energy — while ensuring that the gains are shared broadly across society. He also pledged stronger safety measures to reduce industrial accidents and suicide, and support for vulnerable groups, including economically struggling youth and neighbors in need. On inter-Korean affairs, Kim said South Korea’s “bigger leap” is possible only on a foundation of peace, adding that the government will “walk steadily on the path toward peace” on the Korean Peninsula. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-01 10:25:55

Romanian envoy named chief negotiator for nuclear talks with Washington SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - South Korea's ambassador to Romania Rim Kap-soo has been named as the country's chief negotiator for nuclear energy-related talks with the U.S. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday that Rim, appointed the previous day, will lead a task force to revise a decades-old agreement with Washington that bans South Korea from reprocessing spent nuclear fuel and enriching uranium. Rim, who worked at the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2016, is considered an expert in the fields of nuclear energy and nonproliferation. After completing his commitments in Romania, he will return to Seoul in early January to assume his new role. 2025-12-23 16:53:16

South Korea, US hold consultative talks to coordinate North Korea policy SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Officials from South Korea and the U.S. on Tuesday held talks to coordinate policies toward North Korea. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the consultative meeting among relevant ministries and agencies, led by Jeong Yeon-doo, head of the ministry's office of diplomatic strategy, was held in Seoul, with acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Kevin Kim in attendance. Defense and security officials from both countries also attended, discussing relevant issues and exchanging opinions. The ministry explained that the meeting was held to bolster close cooperation for the complete denuclearization of North Korea and other issues for the peace of the Korean Peninsula, proposing regular meetings for consistent policies toward the North. But amid discords between ministries, officials from the Ministry of Unification, which handles inter-Korean affairs, did not attend. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 15:33:45