-
Top security adviser attends NATO summit on behalf of Lee
SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac met with a slew of heads of state and government officials on the sidelines of the NATO summit which kicked off in the Hague, the Netherlands early this week. Wi, who is attending the two-day summit on behalf of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, held a series of talks with key figures and participants including NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio. According to the presidential office here on T
June 26, 2025
-
Samsung and SK hynix on edge as US considers restricting equipment shipments to China facilities
SEOUL, June 21 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are closely monitoring developments after US officials reportedly notified the South Korean chipmakers this week about potential restrictions on American semiconductor equipment shipments to their China-based facilities, according to a report on Friday. The Wall Street Journal reported that Jeffrey Kessler, assistant secretary for export administration at the US Commerce Department, informed both companies along with Taiwan's TSMC about
June 21, 2025
-
Concerns mount over South Korea's defense cost-sharing as US sets 'new standard'
SEOUL, June 20 (AJP) - Many Pundits here have begun to speculate about a possible renegotiation of South Korea's defense cost-sharing deal with Washington, after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier this week that the U.S. has set a "new standard" for defense spending with its allies around the world including those in Asia. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell also said Thursday that its European allies are setting a "global standard" for alliances, which is
June 20, 2025
-
North Korea launches repaired destroyer after initial failed attempt
SEOUL, June 13 (AJP) - North Korea has launched a large destroyer, after its initial failed attempt last month, state media reported on Friday. The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the 5,000-ton destroyer, named after North Korea’s historical naval hero Kang Kon, was launched at a shipyard in the northeastern port city of Rajin after weeks of repair work. The country's leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the launch along with his daughter, Ju-ae, who was dressed in a white romp
June 13, 2025
-
Finance minister to lead delegation to Washington for critical tariff negotiations
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok, right, and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun/ Yonhap SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - South Korea will dispatch a high-level economic and trade delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, to Washington next week in a bid to avert the impact of sweeping U.S. tariffs. Choi is expected to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the sidelines of the G20 finance ministers
April 16, 2025
-
U.S. sets 10 to 25 percent tariff range for negotiations with South Korea, shipbuilding to be key leverage point
National security multi-purpose vessel (NSMV) Empire State/ Courtesy of Hanwha Philly Shipyard SEOUL, April 11 (AJP) -The United States Trump administration has established guidelines for upcoming 90-day reciprocal tariff negotiations, setting a ceiling at country-specific rates announced on April 2 and a floor at the universal 10 percent basic tariff rate. South Korea, which led the global shipbuilding market in January 2025 with 62 percent of total compensated gross tons (CGTs) for 13 shi
April 11, 2025
-
US may seek renegotiation of USFK upkeep deal
SEOUL, April 9 (AJP) - There are growing speculations that the U.S. may seek to renegotiate its defense cost-sharing deal with South Korea for the upkeep of maintaining U.S. troops here. Shortly after his first telephone conversation with Acting President Han Duck-soo on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform that the two had discussed "payment for the big-time Military Protection provides to South Korea," among other issues. South Korea
April 9, 2025
-
KORUS FTA now a blank sheet as Trump imposes 'reciprocal' tariffs on Korean imports
U.S. President Donald Trump shows an executive order on reciprocal tariffs at the Rose Garden of the White House, April 2, 2025. Xinhua-Yonhap SEOUL, April 3 (AJP) - The United States announced on Thursday that it will impose a 25 percent "reciprocal" tariff on all imports from South Korea, effectively nullifying the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. The sweeping measure marks a dramatic shift in economic relations between the two longtime allies. President Donald Trump signed an
April 3, 2025
-
US intelligence chief raises alarms over North Korea's nuclear weapons ambitions
SEOUL, March 26 (AJP) - North Korea is "probably prepared to conduct another nuclear test on short notice," as the reclusive country has no intention of giving up its nuclear weapons program, a top U.S. intelligence official suggests. The comment came from U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard as she testified before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on Tuesday. "North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is pursuing stronger strategic and conventional capabilities
March 26, 2025
-
Attempted leak of nuclear-related software possible cause behind South Korea's inclusion in 'sensitive country' list
SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - The recent revelation that South Korea has been classified as a "sensitive country" by the U.S. appears to have been triggered by an attempted leak of nuclear reactor design technology. A semiannual report released Monday by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) disclosed that an employee at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) was caught attempting to board a flight to South Korea with software related to nuclear reactors, resulting in the termination of his contract
March 18, 2025
