Unification Ministry undergoes organizational revamp to restore inter-Korean relations SEOUL, November 4 (AJP) - In its latest organizational overhaul, the Ministry of Unification revived its office handling inter-Korean dialogue while abolishing the one responsible for addressing North Korea's human rights violations and related issues. The ministry said on Tuesday the newly streamlined structure for its affiliated agencies took effect at midnight, after going through relevant legislative procedures. The office, abolished two years ago under disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's hardline stance against North Korea, was reinstated along with its subcommittees and relevant agencies including those overseeing the inter-Korean industrial complex in Kaesong. In line with the revamp, which appears to reflect President Lee Jae Myung's engagement policy toward North Korea and his series of conciliatory gestures since taking office earlier this year, the ministry's staff will increase from 533 to 600, with senior positions rising from 18 to 20, while the number of departments and teams will expand from 52 to 58. A ministry official explained that the reorganization, which involved renaming or merging some agencies, aims to normalize the ministry's functions and restore inter-Korean relations. Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young, marking his 100th day in his post late last month, stressed that the reorganization reflects the Lee administration's commitment to pursuing peace on the Korean Peninsula. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-04 17:44:28

Unification minister sends condolences to former North Korean figurehead SEOUL, November 4 (AJP) - Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young on Tuesday expressed condolences over the death of North Korea's former perennial nominal head of state Kim Yong-nam. In a statement, Jeong said, "We express our condolences over Kim's death and extend our deepest sympathies to his family on behalf of the government," adding that Kim had led the North Korean delegation to the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, contributing to inter-Korean dialogue. Jeong also recalled meeting him in Pyongyang in June 2005 and September 2018, during which they discussed ways to improve inter-Korean relations and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. With inter-Korean communication channels currently severed, the ministry opted to release a public statement rather than send a condolence message, according to a ministry official. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-04 14:34:31

South Korea to complete military satellite network with final launch on Sunday SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - South Korea is set to complete its first military reconnaissance satellite network this weekend with the launch of a rocket carrying its fifth and final satellite under its “425 Project." The Ministry of National Defense said Friday that the rocket will lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 2 p.m. (KST) on Nov. 2. Once operational, the five-satellite constellation will allow South Korea to monitor North Korean military movements with far greater speed and precision, enhancing the country’s “kill chain” — a preemptive strike capability that forms a core pillar of its defense system. The 425 Project is named for the Korean pronunciations of one electro-optical, infrared satellite and four synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites. The first satellite was launched in December 2023 and became operational the following August. Subsequent SAR satellites were launched in April and December 2024 and in April 2025, with three of them now fully operational. The project is part of South Korea’s broader effort to reduce reliance on U.S. intelligence assets and to build independent reconnaissance capacity. Unlike optical sensors, SAR technology can capture high-resolution images regardless of weather or lighting conditions, enabling round-the-clock surveillance. Once the network is complete, the system will be capable of revisiting specific sites in North Korea every two hours, according to the ministry. Jeong Kyu-heon, who heads the Defense Acquisition Program Administration’s Future Power Project Division, said the launch represents a turning point in South Korea’s space defense capabilities. “After securing the military reconnaissance satellite system, we will continue advancing micro-satellite development and establishing the infrastructure needed for space operations, including launch facilities and technology,” he said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-31 11:06:35

FM urges regional cooperation against online scams at forum in Malaysia SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun called for closer cooperation to tackle online scams and other crimes while discussing regional issues with participating countries at the annual East Asia Summit (EAS) in Kuala Lumpur, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday. According to the ministry, Cho emphasized the need to "work closely with EAS member countries and the broader international community" to combat the growing threat of transnational cybercrime and online scams increasingly targeting citizens across the region including South Koreans. His comments came after the recent revelation of a series of online job scams and phishing schemes targeting South Korean citizens, often involving kidnappings, detentions, and brutal torture by sprawling criminal rings in Cambodia. Cho also urged support for efforts toward North Korea's denuclearization to ensure peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. The EAS, an annual pan-Asian forum, was held following the biannual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit attended by President Lee Jae Myung. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-28 13:31:04

Countdown begins as global leaders set to converge in Gyeongju for APEC summit SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - The countdown to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit has begun, with leaders from 21 member economies set to converge in South Korea's historic city of Gyeongju this week. According to diplomatic sources, participants from Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, and the U.S. will gather ahead of the summit's opening on Friday. Among them were U.S. President Donald Trump, making his first visit since beginning his second, non-consecutive term earlier this year, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose visit is his first in about 11 years. Also attending is Japan's newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office last week, along with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Chilean President Gabriel Boric will be the only Latin American leader at the multilateral gathering. Chile was the first Latin American country to sign a free trade agreement with South Korea. Leaders from Hong Kong, Russia, and Taiwan will skip the summit, with representatives attending on their behalf. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-28 10:24:58

South Korea, US discuss visa-related measures to ensure smooth entry of workers SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Another round of working-level meeting between South Korean and U.S. officials was held via Zoom to discuss visa-related issues, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here said on Wednesday. The talks came as the two countries agreed to find ways to ensure the smooth entry of employees and workers for South Korean companies investing in the U.S., following the detention and deportation of more than 300 South Koreans during a sweeping raid in Georgia early last month. Foreign ministry officials along with those from relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups met with U.S. representatives from the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, headed by Jonathan Fritz, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Both sides discussed setting up a dedicated desk at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul to facilitate visa issuance for South Korean businessmen. They also agreed on the importance of devising "practical measures" to ensure the timely entry of eligible visa holders for projects including the construction of factories in the U.S. Wednesday's meeting came less than a month after the first meeting in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 30, which was attended by Kevin Kim, a senior official in the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, reportedly being considered as the successor to Joseph Yun, the outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Seoul. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-22 15:58:55

Two more rescued in Cambodia as about a dozen nabbed in online scams after crackdown SEOUL, October 20 (AJP) - Two more South Koreans were rescued and about a dozen others reportedly involved in online job scams and phishing schemes were arrested in Cambodia, following a crackdown, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told reporters during a press briefing in Seoul on Monday. According to Cho, they are expected to be repatriated this week, following last Saturday's deportation of more than 60 South Korean detainees allegedly involved in similar crimes in the Southeast Asian country. The development comes after recent revelations of a series of kidnappings, detentions and brutal tortures involving South Koreans including the case of a South Korean college student who traveled to the Southeast Asian country after being lured by an online employment scam in August and was later found to have been tortured to death. In response to these crimes, Cho said the government is stepping up efforts to tackle sprawling crime rings targeting South Koreans in Phnom Penh, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs planning to increase consular staff up to 40 and implement proactive measures to identify cases early and prevent incidents before victims report them. Additionally, personnel from nearby Southeast Asian embassies will rotate or be temporarily assigned to Cambodia for one to two months to provide assistance. "Embassy staff will also be prepared to respond around the clock," a ministry official said, adding that the Cambodian government is well aware of the situation and is cooperating with South Korea to prevent damage to its tourism industry. When asked about the possible involvement of Chinese-led criminal organizations, the official said discussions would take place once more evidence and specific details are gathered. The ministry is also currently working with Cambodian authorities to locate the whereabouts of some 80 missing South Korean citizens. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-20 17:26:15

Security alert to be raised ahead of APEC summit SEOUL, October 20 (AJP) - In preparation for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju next week, the government is set to implement a series of anti-terrorism measures while raising the country's alert levels later this week. According to the Prime Minister's Office on Monday, the measures are part of coordinated efforts by relevant agencies to ensure a proactive response to a potential rise in terror threats and other crimes during the multilateral gathering scheduled for Oct. 31 to Nov. 1. Specifically, from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, the alert level will be further raised in the summit venue of Gyeongju, as well as in nearby provincial areas including Busan, Daegu, and Ulsan. Authorities will also boost security and increase patrols at major venues and public facilities, while reinforcing joint response systems to address any incidents promptly. "While increased security measures, such as traffic controls and expanded screenings, may cause inconvenience to citizens and visitors, they are necessary to ensure safety during the summit. We ask for your understanding and cooperation," said an official from the office. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-20 16:01:43

Son of ex-president assumes post as new envoy to China SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Roh Jae-heon, the son of the late former President Roh Tae-woo, is set to assume his post ass South Korea's ambassador to China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday. For his first assignment, Roh, 60, is expected to coordinate Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which is scheduled to be held in the historic city of Gyeongju later this month. Roh's appointment is largely attributed to his father's role in establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1992. Despite not being a career diplomat, Roh junior has engaged in various activities related to China including serving as an adviser to an international council of the Chinese city of Chengdu in 2016 and participating in exchange programs to foster ties with Beijing through his role as director of the East Asia Culture Center in Seoul. In late August, Roh visited China as part of a special delegation led by former National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug, delivering a personal letter from President Lee Jae Myung to President Xi. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-16 08:58:39

Gov't task force heads to Cambodia amid rising crimes targeting South Koreans SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - The government sent a task force to Cambodia on Wednesday to investigate the rising number of crimes targeting South Koreans there. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the team, led by Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-ah, headed to Phnom Penh along with officials from the National Police Agency and other investigators. The dispatch comes after recent revelations of a series of kidnappings, detentions and brutal tortures involving South Koreans, including the case of a South Korean college student who traveled to the Southeast Asian country after being lured by an online employment scam in August and was later found to have been tortured to death. Kim and the task force aim to find and rescue victims and detainees, and also meet with Cambodian officials to seek cooperation for the joint investigation of the student's death. According to the ministry, about 80 South Korean citizens remain unaccounted for, out of some143 reported cases of individuals suspected of being kidnapped or missing. To minimize diplomatic disruptions, former Ambassador to Lebanon Park Il will oversee embassy operations in Cambodia, as the ambassadorial post there remains vacant. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-15 11:13:10