Acting defense minister, US defense chief reaffirm alliance regardless of politics in phone talks

Acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed Friday that the alliance between their nations remains "ironclad" regardless of political situations, Seoul's defense ministry said, in the wake of the short-lived Dec. 3 martial law imposition. During their phone talks, they discussed the security situation, their combined defense posture and policy cooperation against North Korean threats while reaffirming the bilateral alliance is a linchpin fo

Dec. 20, 2024

Qatar recalls 50 years with Korea, marks National Day

The Qatar Embassy in Seoul commemorated 50 years of diplomatic relations with South Korea, celebrating the occasion alongside Qatar’s National Day on Monday. Qatar’s National Day, observed Dec. 18, honors the accession of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani in 1878, who unified the peninsula bordered by Saudi Arabia and surrounded by the Persian Gulf. Qatar established diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1974, with the Qatari Embassy in Seoul opening in 1992. According to the K

Dec. 20, 2024

Clear communication with Trump essential for S. Korea: expert

Ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, it is more crucial than ever for South Korea and the United States to engage in clear and strategic communication, says Ted Gover, director of the Tribal Administration Program at Claremont Graduate University and an expert on US diplomacy in Asia. “If I were the South Korean president, I would take a page from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s playbook,” said Gover, referring to the recent meeting at Mar-a-Lago in

Dec. 17, 2024

Doha Forum urges action, innovation imperative for peacebuilding

Korea Herald correspondent DOHA, Qatar -- Heads of state, United Nations officials, diplomats, and global experts urged for peacebuilding through collective action and innovation at the 22nd Doha Forum from Dec. 7-8. “In an era of major transformations, innovation is no longer a choice; it has become an existential necessity for survival and progress,” underscored Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs during his keynote address

Dec. 15, 2024

Celebrating Kenya's Independence Day, Korea-Kenya ties

This year, Kenya celebrated two special milestones: 61 years of independence and 60 years of Kenya-Korea diplomatic relations. Kenya attained its independence on the Dec. 12, 1963, and weeks later, Kenya and the Republic of Korea established diplomatic relations on Feb. 7, 1964. With Korea having opened a resident mission in Nairobi, Kenya opened its embassy in Seoul in May 2007. Since then, Seoul has been host to four Kenyan ambassadors. I am honored to be the fourth ambassador, having presente

Dec. 15, 2024

Thailand reaffirms tourism, economic ties with S. Korea

The Thai Embassy in Seoul reiterated deepening tourism and economic ties with South Korea, marking the country's National Day. Thai Ambassador to Korea Tanee Sangrat, in his remarks at the event, highlighted renewed momentum in Thailand-South Korea relations, citing high-level visits and the first meeting between Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol at the ASEAN Summit. Sangrat underscored the leaders' commitment to closer

Dec. 13, 2024

Sierra Leonean citizen dies in Ansan, needs urgent funeral support

A Sierra Leonean citizen named Obai Kamara died in Ansan on Wednesday without the resources to provide for a funeral, according to the Embassy of Sierra Leone. Kamara, who came to South Korea in 2022, had been battling serious health challenges. According to his close friends in Ansan, his condition worsened following a recent trip to Sierra Leone, and he returned to South Korea critically ill. Despite receiving medical treatment, Kamara succumbed to complications arising from kidney issues and

Dec. 13, 2024

[Contribution] Kazakh-Korean partnership builds on mutual growth, traditional friendship

By Nurgali Arystanov Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Korea In 2024, Kazakhstan and South Korea strengthened their strategic partnership, achieving new milestones through key diplomatic events. These developments not only reflect the growing ties between the two countries but also highlight the potential for deeper cooperation across various sectors. Strong political dialogue Political dialogue between Kazakhstan and Korea has been strengthened thanks to the close enga

Dec. 11, 2024

Embassies deny report it will boycott 2025 APEC Summit

The British, U.S., and Australian embassies in Seoul on Wednesday denied claims by a lawmaker, reported by local media, that ambassadors from the Five Eyes countries would boycott the 2025 APEC summit if President Yoon Suk Yeol remains in office. The Five Eyes is an intelligence alliance consisting of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. Kim Joon-hyung, a first-term lawmaker from the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, claimed during a National Assembly

Dec. 11, 2024

[Contribution] Kazakhstan’s emergence as a middle power

By Nurgali Arystanov Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Korea According to the latest report by German think tank The German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Kazakhstan has been characterized as a "middle power," a nation with substantial influence on the global political and economic stage. The report highlights a stark contrast between the present and some 30 years ago, when Kazakhstan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and

Dec. 10, 2024

Korea’s martial law declaration a shock for Doha Forum delegates

Korea Herald correspondent DOHA, Qatar -- Political scientists and think tank representatives gathering in Doha for an annual international forum expressed shock at South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration that caused widespread political turmoil in the country. Speaking with The Korea Herald at the Doha forum, many intellectuals shared views on the implications for South Korea’s democracy and stability. With over 4,500 participants from more than 150 countries

Dec. 8, 2024

Foreign residents shocked by martial law declaration

The sudden declaration of martial law by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol late Tuesday night sent shock waves through the country's foreign community. President Yoon has defended the move, citing alleged threats from opposition lawmakers, and saying the National Assembly had "become a den of criminals, paralyzed the country's judicial and administrative systems through legislative dictatorship, and attempted to overthrow the liberal democratic system." Although the order

Dec. 4, 2024

Korea-Africa Foundation names advisory commitee members

The Korea-Africa Foundation announced on Thursday a list of 24 advisory committee members from diplomatic, media, business, academia, culture, and health care communities to enhance the foundation’s programs and operations. Established in June 2018 under Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foundation focuses on long-term research to strengthen Korea-Africa partnerships. "We anticipate actively utilizing the expertise of advisory committee members in implementing our projects

Dec. 2, 2024

[Contribution] Exploring Kazakhstan: Land of tourist wonders

By Nurgali Arystanov Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Korea Kazakhstan, the world's ninth-largest country, is a land of breathtaking natural beauty, deep cultural heritage and unique tourist opportunities. From snow-capped mountains and expansive steppes to futuristic cities and ancient Silk Road sites, Kazakhstan offers a variety of experiences for every traveler. Its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, coupled with a growing network of inter

Dec. 1, 2024

[Herald Interview] Estonian foreign affairs committee chair expresses worries over growing NK-Russia ties

Marko Mihkelson, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Estonian parliament, expressed deep concerns over the growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia during a recent interview with The Korea Herald. During a visit to Seoul last month, Mihkelson highlighted the strong diplomatic and security ties between Estonia and South Korea, noting the upcoming opening of Korea's embassy in Estonia as a milestone that will enhance cooperation and support shared commitment to

Dec. 1, 2024

Sudan expresses gratitude to S. Korea for humanitarian support

The Sudanese embassy in Seoul expressed its gratitude to the South Korean government for offering humanitarian aid at a press briefing held in Seoul. According to the United Nations, Sudan is facing the worst humanitarian crisis in recent history after nearly a year of war amid international inattention and inaction. The situation in Sudan is dire, with over 8.4 million people, including 2 million children under the age of five, forced to flee their homes in the wake of the conflict. South Korea

Dec. 1, 2024

Kazakhstan: Prime investment destination for Korean companies

By Nurgali Arystanov Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Korea Kazakhstan is emerging as a key investment destination in its region, consistently attracting substantial foreign direct investment (FDI) since its independence in 1991. With over $431 billion in FDI to date, driven by investors such as the Netherlands, the US and Switzerland, Kazakhstan is emerging as a promising landscape for foreign companies, including those from South Korea. This robust economic relations

Nov. 27, 2024

Ukraine hopes for its special envoy to visit S. Korea soon for talks on NK troop deployment

Ukraine's top diplomat has voiced hope that its special envoy will visit South Korea in the near future to discuss North Korea's troop dispatch to Russia for use in the war against Kyiv. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha made the remark when he met one-on-one with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul on the margins of the top diplomats' meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) rich countries in Italy, on Monday, Cho's office said. South Korea and Ukraine were among the non-G7 members invited as guest c

Nov. 26, 2024

Japan voices regret over S. Korea's non-attendance of Sado memorial

This July 28, 2024, file photo shows an exit of the Sado mine complex on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. (Yonhap) The Japanese government on Sunday expressed regret over South Korea's decision not to attend a memorial ceremony in Japan honoring forced labor victims, including Koreans, at an old Japanese mine complex. The Japanese Embassy in Seoul made the remarks in response to a question by Yonhap News Agency, a day after South Korea decided not to attend the ceremony on Japan�

Nov. 24, 2024

US has not yet seen N. Korea's atmospheric reentry missile capability: Indo-Pacific Command chief

The commander of US Indo-Pacific Command said Tuesday that the United States has "not yet" seen North Korea's atmospheric reentry capability, a key technology required for the recalcitrant regime to advance its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program. Adm. Samuel Paparo made the remarks during a forum in Washington as Pyongyang has been doubling down on its quest to secure reliable long-range warhead delivery vehicles as seen in the test-launch last month of a new Hwason

Nov. 20, 2024