In the aftermath of North Korea’s test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, South Korea, the US and Japan are poised to push for a fresh batch of strong international and individual sanctions such as on labor exports and fuel trade. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency session on Wednesday in New York, upon a request of the three countries. Their leaders would also explore their options at a dinner meeting scheduled for Thursday on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Hambur

North Korea July 5, 2017

North Korea’s missile test is threatening to undermine President Moon Jae-in’s initiative to reopen denuclearization talks with the runaway neighbor even before it takes off in earnest. The provocation came just a few days after Moon secured his US counterpart’s blessing for his vision for a “phased, comprehensive approach” intended to start with a moratorium on Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile tests and progress to a complete disarmament and ultimately a peace treaty. In a joint statement, the t

North Korea July 5, 2017

President Moon Jae-in renewed his resolve to pursue sanctions and dialogue to tackle North Korea’s nuclear program during a meeting with former US President Barack Obama on Monday, saying now is the “last chance” for the regime to return to the negotiating table. During the 40-minute talk, Moon shared the results of his recent summit with his incumbent US counterpart Donald Trump, asking for Obama’s advice on ways to advance the relationship. The former president stressed bipartisan US support f

Foreign Affairs July 3, 2017

President Moon Jae-in appears to have won his US counterpart Donald Trump’s fundamental support for his approach toward North Korea and a US missile shield during their first summit, but challenges persist over future dealings with the nuclear issue and trade, analysts said Sunday. During Moon’s visit last week, the two leaders were seen building personal rapport and reaffirming their commitment to the 60-year alliance. Seoul managed to keep at bay the controversy over its decision to freeze the

Foreign Affairs July 2, 2017

Trump:Thank you very much. Melania and I are honored to welcome President Moon of South Korea and his lovely wife Madam Kim to the White House. Mr. President, let me be the first to congratulate you on your election, tremendous election people, and also people of South Korea for providing such an incredible example of democracy for the world to see. It was very exciting I must see and congratulations.This morning President Moon and Vice President Pence laid a wreath at the Korean War Veterans Me

National July 1, 2017

As their maiden dinner meeting unfurled at the White House on Thursday, Presidents Moon Jae-in and Donald Trump were seen fostering a rapport, trading jokes and cheers about each other’s election victory.  In an apparent bid to break the ice, Moon said that he also suffers from “a bit of fake news” coverage, prompting laughs. Trump, who uses the term to describe unfavorable news reports, said he hoped the media heard that.  Trump congratulated Moon on his election win, saying it was a “great vic

Foreign Affairs June 30, 2017

With North Korea topping the agenda for the first summit between Presidents Moon Jae-in and Donald Trump, the focal point is whether the two leaders would manage to settle on a joint approach to dismantle the communist state’s nuclear program. En route to Washington, Moon proposed a step-by-step formula starting with a halt in the North’s nuclear and missile tests and progressing to a complete disarmament and ultimately the establishment of a peace regime. The moratorium must entail “thorough ve

North Korea June 29, 2017

This is the fourth of five interviews with prominent US scholars on an upcoming South Korea-US summit and the alliance. -- Ed.Despite their differences over North Korea and a US missile shield, Presidents Moon Jae-in and Donald Trump need to avoid an “open clash of wills” when they meet this week, which may aggravate nuclear issues and future cooperation, a leading US expert said.David Straub, the Sejong-LS Fellow at the Sejong Institute in Seoul who served at the US State Department for 30 year

North Korea June 28, 2017

A senior Japanese diplomat was found Tuesday to have portrayed the victims of wartime sexual slavery as “paid prostitutes,” drawing the ire of South Korea and adding to perennial historical tension between the countries. Takashi Shinozuka, the Japanese consul-general in Atlanta, made the comment during an interview with a local newspaper last week as he criticized the Brookhaven City Council’s plan to raise a statue in commemoration of the “comfort women.” The Atlanta Comfort Women Memorial Task

Foreign Affairs June 27, 2017

With North Korea bent on pursuing its nuclear program, Washington needs to offer setting up diplomatic representation in each other’s country and demand a halt in Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile tests in return, former US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said Monday.Clapper, who served as the spy chief for 6 1/2 years through November last year, voiced the need for an “alternative approach” to break the drawn-out deadlock on the North’s nuclear issues, referring to the “interest s

North Korea June 26, 2017

President Moon Jae-in on Saturday proposed that the two Koreas form a unified team to take part in the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang, pinning high hopes on sports as a driver to kick-start cross-border exchanges that have for years been at a standstill. 　He made the overture at the opening ceremony of the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships in Muju, North Jeolla Province, to which the North sent a rare demonstration team. The liberal president, who envisions a restart of dialogue for a thaw wi

North Korea June 25, 2017

The Korean Peninsula is heating up at an unparalleled pace. As the air and sea temperatures rise, pollack, cod and other staple fish are on the verge of extinction, while mackerel, anchovy and squid are becoming ubiquitous and cheaper. Apple orchards are being replaced by tangerine, banana and kiwi farms. Summer birds like white and night herons are spotted all year round. Double rice harvest, which was once possible on the southernmost island of Jeju only, is spreading to upper regions. The ave

Social Affairs June 25, 2017

President Moon Jae-in may share the common goal of North Korea’s denuclearization with President Donald Trump, but the two leaders appear to be drifting apart on their action plans to achieve that end, with Washington hardening its line in the wake of Otto Warmbier’s death.The 22-year-old’s return home in a coma last week has stoked the wrath of the US public. His death Monday added fuel to the fire, triggering calls for tougher sanctions on Pyongyang and a travel ban for US tourists. While cont

North Korea June 21, 2017

The Moon Jae-in government’s recent halt of the deployment of US anti-missile assets has created a “trust issue” between the allies, a prominent Washington academic said Tuesday, warning the decision may send a wrong signal to North Korea and China. Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, expressed discomfort over the stalled installment of four launchers of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery until a full environmental review is complete. While criticizing Beij

Foreign Affairs June 20, 2017

Otto Warmbier, a US college student who was released last week from North Korea in a coma after a 16-month detention, died Monday, prompting condemnation from the leaders of South Korea and the US and further darkening the atmosphere surrounding their upcoming summit. The 22-year-old had been treated for “severe brain damage” at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in his home state of Ohio since his return. His family did not specify the cause of death but said he had been “unable to spe

North Korea June 20, 2017