S. Korean firms call for USMCA extension ahead of next year's joint review

South Korean firms with production bases in North America have expressed their hope for preserving a free trade pact among the United States, Mexico and Canada in their comments to the US government, stressing the importance of policy certainty, as a joint review of the pact is set for next year. In comments posted on the website of the Office of the US Trade Representative, Korean companies called for extending the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, as the review, slated to start in July, could lead t

Nov. 25, 2025

Lee, Erdogan agree to bolster defense, nuclear energy cooperation in summit talks

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a summit Monday and agreed to expand economic cooperation in the defense, nuclear energy, bio and other fields to deepen the two countries' strategic partnership. During the talks held at the presidential palace in Ankara, Lee described Turkey as a "brotherly nation" for having fought alongside South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, and expressed hope to strengthen the bilateral strategic partnership into a

Nov. 25, 2025

Omani envoy's address at National Day reception

Oman marked its National Day on Thursday. In Korea, the embassy of Oman celebrated the day with an event that brought together diplomats and officials, with the ambassador of Oman stressing Oman's role in the international stage, as well as Korea-Oman ties. Following is the full text of Omani Ambassador to Korea Zakariya Al Saadi's speech at the event held in Seoul on Thursday. In the name of Allah, the most compassionate, the most merciful, H.E. Lee Jae-woong, spokesperson and deputy minister f

Nov. 24, 2025

Number of Koreans aboard 1945 sunken Japanese ship likely to be unveiled by year-end

The number of Koreans aboard a Japanese ship that sank in 1945, killing up to over 3,000 people, will likely be revealed by the year-end following an analysis of passenger lists, the interior ministry said Sunday. The government has commissioned the Foundation for Victims of Forced Mobilization by Imperial Japan to carry out an in-depth analysis of 75 passenger lists and related items received from the Japanese foreign ministry between September last year and March this year. The analysis is exp

Nov. 23, 2025

South Korea, Poland face shared challenges from China–Russia–NK triangle: think-tank

South Korea is a crucial partner for Poland in its drive to bolster its defense, but Seoul must make hard choices in the face of shifting security challenges, say experts from the OSW Center for Eastern Studies, a Polish government-affiliated think tank. Speaking in an interview in Seoul on Oct. 22, OSW analyst Witold Rodkiewicz warned that Korean firms operating in Russia indirectly support Moscow's war machine and that too much hedging could place South Korean industries in a precarious positi

Nov. 21, 2025

Oman marks National Day by ushering in new chapter

MUSCAT (ONA) — The Sultanate of Oman will mark this Thursday its Glorious National Day, commemorating the Al Busaidi State Foundation Day on Nov. 20 each year. This historic occasion embodies the patriotic spirit of this blessed nation's people as they advance with renewed determination to build their homeland under the leadership of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. The profound pride of the nation's monarch in the people of Oman reflects the deep unity between the leader and his loyal citizens. This n

Nov. 20, 2025

Trump's chip tariff plan likely postponed: report

Officials of US President Donald Trump's administration have said privately that they might not impose semiconductor tariffs soon, potentially postponing a plan to roll out the sector-specific duty, a report said Wednesday. Reuters reported, citing multiple unnamed people, that the officials recently delivered the message to government and private-industry stakeholders, amid concerns that additional tariffs could provoke China and heighten worries about consumer prices. Citing two people, the ne

Nov. 20, 2025

S. Korean envoy stresses close cooperation with US to pave way for NK dialogue

South Korea's top envoy to the United States pledged Tuesday to work closely with the US to foster conditions needed for the resumption of diplomacy with North Korea, amid uncertainty over whether Pyongyang would accede to dialogue overtures. New Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha, who served as Seoul's foreign minister from 2017-2021, made the remarks during her first meeting with Korean correspondents since taking office last month. "While closely communicating with the US side, (we) will continue (eff

Nov. 19, 2025

Belgium marks King’s Day, lauds S. Korea’s role on UNSC

Belgium marked King’s Day in Seoul on Nov. 13, highlighting its monarchical tradition and deepening partnership with South Korea. King’s Day, observed annually, honors the continuity of the Belgian monarchy and the king’s role as a symbol of national unity. The celebration dates back to 1866, when it was first dedicated to King Leopold I on the feast day of Saint Leopold. Speaking at the reception, Belgian Ambassador to Korea Bruno Jans highlighted more than a century of relations with South Kor

Nov. 18, 2025

Pompeo says NK denuclearization will only happen with Xi's 'permission,' no carrots to convince it

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that North Korea's denuclearization will happen only with Chinese President Xi Jinping's "permission" and "direction," underlining the need to focus on deterring Beijing from using Pyongyang as a "strategic tool." During a forum, Pompeo, the chief diplomat during President Donald Trump's first administration, recounted his nuclear negotiations with the North in 2018 and 2019, claiming there is not much freedom for North Korean leader Kim Jong-

Nov. 18, 2025

Lee begins UAE state visit with tribute at war memorial

President Lee Jae Myung on Monday visited a United Arab Emirates war memorial to pay tribute to fallen service personnel and public servants, the first stop on his three-day state visit. Lee began his schedule in Abu Dhabi with a stop at Wahat Al Karama, which means "Oasis of Dignity," a site that commemorates all Emiratis who were killed in the line of duty. "In the name of the people of the Republic of Korea, I pay tribute to your noble sacrifice," he wrote in the guest book, referring to Sout

Nov. 18, 2025

Lee set for summit with UAE president, with defense industry ties in focus

President Lee Jae Myung is set to hold summit talks with United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday, with discussions expected to focus on cooperation in the defense industry, advanced technologies and energy. Lee arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday for a three-day state visit, the first stop of his inaugural Middle East trip since taking office in June, aimed at deepening economic cooperation with the UAE. During the summit, the two leaders are scheduled to attend the sig

Nov. 18, 2025

Busan a model for Rwanda's tourism, smart city vision: Kigali mayor

Busan serves as a model of urban and tourism development for Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, according to Kigali Mayor Samuel Dusengiyumva, who visited South Korea last month for a global city tourism summit. “We see a lot of tourism coming to Busan. They are expecting 3.5 million tourists this year, so we can learn from them and see how to make the experience for our tourists much better and more enjoyable,” Dusengiyumva told The Korea Herald in an interview, noting Busan’s urban planning, infrastruc

Nov. 17, 2025

Polish ambassador voices hopes to build on 'exemplary' Korea-Poland ties

Korea and Poland have built "exemplary ties" that will continue to strengthen and expand, Polish ambassador to Korea said during the Nov. 12 celebration of more than a century of Polish independence. Poland regained its sovereignty on Nov. 11, 1918, reappearing on the world map after 123 years of partitions. The day is commemorated annually as a reminder of the nation's restored independence. “Poland learned the hard way that independence is not bestowed upon us forever. And this lesson remains

Nov. 17, 2025

[Contribution] Central Asia, on threshold of a new era

By Shavkat Mirziyoyev President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Central Asia is entering a new, historically significant stage of its development. Today, we are moving toward genuine unity. For the first time in many years, an atmosphere of trust, good neighborliness, and mutual respect is taking shape in our region — an atmosphere that serves as a solid foundation for joint progress. This process is not spontaneous. It is the result of purposeful work and the political will of the leaders of our

Nov. 16, 2025