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  • South Korea urges North Korea to come forward for talks
    South Korea urges North Korea to come forward for talks SEOUL, November 3 (AJP) - The Ministry of Unification on Monday urged North Korea to break its silence and return to dialogue, stressing that opportunities for peace on the Korean Peninsula including talks with the U.S. remain open. "South Korea will continue to work toward restoring inter-Korean relations," said Ministry spokesperson Koo Byung-sam during a regular briefing, offering another conciliatory gesture to the isolated country. But the ministry refrained from commenting on why North Korea remained unresponsive to U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated proposals for talks during his visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the country's southeastern city of Gyeongju last week. Despite Trump's eagerness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, talks between the two did not materialize, with the North launching a couple of ship-to-surface cruise missiles on the day of his arrival in South Korea, widely interpreted as a signal of rejection. Regarding North Korea's criticism of South Korea's pursuit of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, which came just ahead of President Lee Jae Myung's summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping last Saturday, Koo said denuclearization is a shared goal of the international community and that South Korea remains committed to it in cooperation with key allies and other relevant countries. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-03 15:42:23
  • Kevin Kim appointed acting US envoy to Seoul
    Kevin Kim appointed acting US envoy to Seoul SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Kevin Kim, a senior official in the U.S. State Department, "has been appointed Chargé d'Affaires, ad interim," the U.S. Embassy in Seoul said in press release on Monday. Kim "previously served as senior bureau official for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and deputy assistant secretary for Japan, Korea, and Mongolia," it said, adding that he will work with embassy staff and the South Korean government to enhance "mutual interests and shared values" as well as Washington's "ironclad commitment" to the biliteral alliance. It also shared that the department expressed its "deep gratitude" to outgoing Acting Ambassador Joseph Yoon for his "leadership and dedication in advancing the Unites States' interests." Kim, like his predecessor, is of Korean descent and handled North Korea-related affairs at the department from 2018 to 2020, assisting then-Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun. It seems unusual that another acting ambassador will assume the role, given that the post is meant to be filled temporarily until a formal envoy is appointed, which requires Senate confirmation and takes several months. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-27 14:01:33
  • Seoul voices concerns over Chinese installations in waters near West Sea
    Seoul voices concerns over Chinese installations in waters near West Sea SEOUL, October 23 (AJP) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday vowed to keep monitoring and raise issues over Chinese unilateral installations in maritime buffer zones along the West Sea that overlap with South Korea's. The pledge comes a day after lawmaker Lee Byung-jin of the ruling Democratic Party revealed during a parliamentary audit that Chinese personnel were spotted on such structures in the area. Lee shared photos showing five people on the structures, believed to have been installed last year along with other buoys, and warned that they may have stayed there, raising concerns that Beijing could use them for military purposes. He called for timely action to protect maritime sovereignty. But Beijing denied allegations that the structures are intended for military or territorial purposes, claiming they are solely for salmon farming. Seoul has lodged protests over these installations several times through various diplomatic channels, asking China to remove them from the zone, as they could violate or infringe relevant maritime and fisheries regulations. But so far, these efforts have been to no avail. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-23 16:43:29
  • North Korea says it tested cutting-edge weapon system
    North Korea says it tested 'cutting-edge weapon system' SEOUL, October 23 (AJP) - North Korea has successfully test-fired hypersonic projectiles, state media reported Thursday, calling them a "new weapon system." The state-run activities are evidently aimed to continue to bolster up the war deterrent and their purpose is to strengthen self-defense," Pak said. While details about the projectiles were not disclosed, they are presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). The North's announcement about the launch came a day after the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) here said it detected the missiles around 8:10 a.m., which flew about 350 kilometers after being launched from an area south of Pyongyang. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-23 09:01:03
  • Speculation mounts over Trump–Kim meeting as Panmunjom tours suspended during APEC summit
    Speculation mounts over Trump–Kim meeting as Panmunjom tours suspended during APEC summit SEOUL, October 20 (AJP) - Tours to the truce village of Panmunjom will be suspended from late October to early November, coinciding with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju next week. "There will be no tours to Panmunjom provided by the ministry during that period," said Gu Byung-sam, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification on Monday, adding that any further inquiries should be directed to the United Nations Command (UNC), which governs the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas. In coordination with the UNC, the ministry has offered group tours twice daily of up to 40 people, mostly consisting of government officials and researchers from state-run institutions. The temporary halt is fueling speculation about a possible surprise meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to make a brief visit to the historic city for the summit, which is scheduled to take place from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1. Talks of such a meeting have already surfaced after CNN reported over the weekend that U.S. officials are "quietly discussing" it, "though many are skeptical that it will ultimately happen." In 2019, Trump and Kim had a photo-op at Panmunjom with only about a day's notice, shortly after exchanging messages on X, formerly Twitter, suggesting a similar event could occur again. But the UNC merely said it would not comment on hypothetical situations related to the matter, adding that requests for access to the Joint Security Area (JSA) are handled in accordance with safety and relevant procedures. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-20 14:26:06
  • USFK lodges protest over raid by prosecutors
    USFK lodges protest over raid by prosecutors SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has lodged a protest over an abrupt raid on its base in Pyeongtaek in July. In a letter sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier this month, Lt. Gen. David Iverson, deputy commander of the USFK, expressed concerns over the July 21 raid of Osan Military Base by independent prosecutors investigating disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle late last year. Washington took issue with the raid, saying it violated procedures under the bilateral Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which stipulates the legal status, rights, and obligations of U.S. military personnel stationed here. Although the raid was conducted in areas under South Korean military control only, those zones still had to be accessed through U.S.-controlled areas, reportedly requiring prior consultation. When asked about the development, the ministry declined to comment, deeming it "inappropriate" due to diplomatic protocol. Meanwhile, Park Ji-young, a spokesperson for the independent prosecutors, reiterated at a briefing that there was no violation of the SOFA. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-16 17:28:20
  • 80 South Korean detainees refuse to return home, Cambodia says
    80 South Korean detainees refuse to return home, Cambodia says SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - Around 80 South Koreans are being held in Phnom Penh but are refusing to return home, Cambodian authorities said on Wednesday. Touch Sokhak, a spokesperson for Cambodia's Ministry of Interior, told China's state-run Xinhua News the previous day that South Korean officials have contacted these individuals, but they refuse to return to Seoul. But he added that he was unsure whether they are the same as the 80 missing people the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said remain unaccounted for. According to the Cambodian ministry, police are tracking down two accomplices and expanding their investigation to locate other suspects, working closely with the South Korean Embassy. But the figures vary, with National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac saying during a press briefing that about 60 South Koreans are currently in custody in Cambodia over alleged online job scams and phishing schemes. "Around 200,000 people from various countries are reportedly involved in numerous crime rings in Cambodia," he said. "Recent crackdowns have led to the arrest of thousands including more than 1,000 Chinese nationals and over 60 South Koreans." He added the government is making efforts to bring them back by this weekend. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-15 16:29:07
  • Xi vows to strengthen ties with North Korea in letter to Kim Jong-un
    Xi vows to strengthen ties with North Korea in letter to Kim Jong-un SEOUL, October 12 (AJP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening strategic communication and cooperation with North Korea in a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, state media reported on Sunday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim received the letter on Oct. 9, which was a reply to his earlier message to Xi on Oct. 1 in celebration of the 76th anniversary of China's National Day. In the letter, Xi stressed the enduring bilateral relationship, describing the two countries as "great neighbors, friends, and comrades who help each other." He also expressed China's willingness to deepen friendly exchanges with North Korea while enhancing strategic cooperation to confront international and regional issues. KCNA also reported that North Korean premier Pak Tae-song met with Li Qiang, China's premier and second-ranking leader, who made a rare visit to the North last week on behalf of Xi to attend a massive military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the country's sole ruling Workers' Party. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-12 14:11:38
  • North Korean leader sends congratulatory message to Xi on Chinas founding anniversary
    North Korean leader sends congratulatory message to Xi on China's founding anniversary SEOUL, October 1 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a congratulatory message to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 76th anniversary of China's founding, reaffirming his commitment to enhancing strategic communication and cooperation between the two countries. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim said Pyongyang remains "steadfast" in its relations with Beijing, seeking to "steadily develop the traditional..... friendship no matter how the international situation may change." Expressing North Korea's willingness to work with China to "further strengthen and develop their friendly and cooperative relations," he proposed joint efforts to "defend peace and stability in the region and the rest of the world through close strategic communication and cooperation." Kim has traditionally sent congratulatory messages to Xi on the occasion of the anniversary, which has been observed since Mao Zedong's proclamation on Oct. 1, 1949. This year's notably lengthy message emphasized strategic cooperation between the two allies on regional security, while mentioning China's efforts to protect its "territorial sovereignty," likely referring to Taiwan. The move appears aimed at strengthening ties, following Kim's recent attendance at China's "Victory Day" parade earlier this month and a summit with Xi. Meanwhile, KCNA reported that Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui returned from Beijing after meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Premier Li Qiang during her visit early this week. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-01 14:10:27
  • South Korea to send special envoy to Egypt to mark 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties
    South Korea to send special envoy to Egypt to mark 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - Park Beom-gye, a lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party, will visit Egypt next week as a special envoy, presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung said in a press release. His visit from Sept. 20 to Oct. 2 comes in celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Seoul and Cairo. Park will meet with key figures and officials in Egypt to further strengthen bilateral relations while explaining South Korea's foreign policies and discussing ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors between the two countries. He will also deliver a personal letter from President Lee Jae Myung to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-26 15:19:04