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A city built for healing: Daejeon’s bid to welcome the Invictus Games
DAEJEON — “I didn’t want these venues to become places where an event simply comes and goes,” said Moon Hyun-kyu, director of rehabilitation sports at the Korea Disabled Veterans Association, as he looked across the spectator stands of Yongun International Swimming Pool on Wednesday. Gesturing toward the rows of tiered seating, Moon said organizers hope to fill as many as 3,000 seats with local residents during the Games. Standing beside him, Invictus Games Foundation Chief Executive Rob Owen wa
Feb. 25, 2026 -
South Korea eyes potential US-NK talks during Trump’s China visit, Seoul envoy
South Korea is keeping a close watch on the prospects of renewed engagement between Washington and Pyongyang ahead of US President Donald Trump’s planned trip to China, Seoul’s ambassador to the United States said Wednesday. “On the potential for US-North Korea talks, we are closely tracking related developments while considering all possible options,” Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha said during a press briefing with South Korean reporters in Washington. Kang’s remarks come amid reports that Trump is
Feb. 25, 2026 -
Russian Embassy removes banner, cancels external event amid controversy
The Russian Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday removed a controversial banner on its outer wall of the embassy complex amid speculation the message might allude to Russia's war with Ukraine, while canceling an external event commemorating its military. The removal came after the embassy recently caused controversy by hanging a banner on the exterior wall of its building that read "victory will be ours" in Russian. The phrase, though used during World War II, drew criticism for being reminiscent of the
Feb. 24, 2026 -
US delegation's trip to Seoul being delayed due to 'scheduling' issues: senior official
A potential trip to South Korea by a US delegation for negotiations on security issues is being delayed due to scheduling matters, a senior Seoul official said Tuesday, dismissing speculation that the delay was related to trade issues. The US delegation had been widely expected to visit South Korea as early as late February to discuss security issues under a joint fact sheet that ranges from Seoul's bid to build nuclear-powered submarines to bilateral cooperation on nuclear energy and shipbuildi
Feb. 24, 2026 -
US yet to express agreement on inter-Korean no-fly zone reinstatement, Seoul official says
The United States has not yet agreed to South Korea’s proposal to reinstate a no-fly zone near the inter-Korean border under the suspended Sept. 19 military agreement, a high-ranking official at Seoul's Foreign Ministry said Monday, adding that consultations are ongoing. A ministry official, requesting anonymity, told reporters at the Government Complex Seoul that restoring the 2018 inter-Korean military pact has been a firm policy objective of the Lee Jae Myung administration from the outset, a
Feb. 24, 2026 -
Trump warns of 'much higher' tariffs for countries that want to 'play games'
US President Donald Trump warned Monday that any country that wants to "play games" with last week's Supreme Court ruling against his administration's emergency tariffs, will face a "much higher" tariff. Trump issued the warning in a social media post after the high court ruled Friday against his use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to justify country-specific "reciprocal" tariffs and other duties in a major setback to his trade policy. "Any Country that wants to 'play gam
Feb. 24, 2026 -
Korea, Brazil leaders agree to elevate ties to strategic partnership
South Korea and Brazil agreed to elevate their ties to a strategic partnership, adopting a four-year action plan and unveiling a package of cooperation deals during a summit between the two leaders Monday. President Lee Jae Myung met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at Cheong Wa Dae on Monday during Lula’s three-day state visit to South Korea, which began the previous day. Lee announced the elevation of bilateral ties, citing the steady rise in trade — which has exceeded $10 bi
Feb. 23, 2026 -
South Korea urges nationals to leave Iran amid potential US military strike
South Koreans in Iran are being warned to leave the country amid rising tensions over the possibility of a US military strike against Iran. The South Korean Embassy in Iran on Sunday posted a safety notice on its website, warning that the security situation in Iran could change rapidly and urging nationals to closely monitor media reports and embassy advisories while taking extra precautions for their personal safety. “Recent media reports have highlighted rapidly escalating regional tensions, c
Feb. 23, 2026 -
S. Korean Embassy advises Korean nationals to leave Iran amid possible US military strike
The South Korean Embassy in Iran on Monday advised Korean nationals in the Middle Eastern country to leave it when flights are available as tensions are growing over the United States' possible military attack on Tehran. US President Donald Trump said last week he is considering limited military strikes on Iran, exerting pressure on Tehran to reach a new nuclear deal. "We advise (Korean nationals) to leave Iran when available flights are in operation," the embassy said in a safety notice uploade
Feb. 23, 2026 -
Russian Embassy in Seoul displays ‘Victory will be ours’ banner ahead of Ukraine war anniversary
The Russian Embassy in Seoul displayed a banner promoting Russia’s position on its war in Ukraine, ahead of the fourth anniversary of the invasion. The roughly 15-meter banner, in the colors of the Russian flag, was hung from the facade of the embassy building in Jung-gu, central Seoul, with a Russian-language slogan reading: “Victory will be ours.” The slogan was widely used by the Soviet Union during World War II and has recently been revived in Russia as a symbolic expression associated with
Feb. 22, 2026 -
Allies differ over joint drills as Lee pushes to ease tension with NK: sources
South Korean and United States military authorities are showing differences over details of the annual springtime joint exercise, sources said Sunday, delaying a planned joint announcement of the drill schedule. The allies had planned to jointly unveil details of the Freedom Shield exercise — scheduled for March 9–19 — on Wednesday, but postponed the announcement as consultations continued over the scope of outdoor field training, according to military officials. An official from South Korea’s J
Feb. 22, 2026 -
Trump raises new global tariff to 15 pct from 10 pct following tariff ruling
US President Donald Trump said Saturday that he will raise a new global tariff to 15 percent from 10 percent, as he repeated his criticism of this week's Supreme Court ruling against his administration's sweeping emergency duties. Trump made the announcement in a social media post, a day after the high court upheld a lower court's ruling against his use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to justify duties, including the "reciprocal" tariffs on South Korea and other trading p
Feb. 22, 2026 -
Mexican president shares letter from S. Korean counterpart on BTS tour
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has released a letter from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung responding to her request for additional concerts in Mexico by global K-pop sensation BTS. In a two-minute TikTok video posted Friday (Mexican time), Sheinbaum said she had previously asked Lee whether the band, which enjoys massive popularity among Mexican youths, could add more dates to its scheduled May tour in Mexico City. "I have now received a reply from the President of Korea," Sheinbaum sa
Feb. 21, 2026 -
Seoul says it has ‘not received request’ regarding Gaza fundraiser mentioned by Trump
South Korea said Friday that it had not received any request to participate in the US-organized Gaza reconstruction fundraiser, after US President Donald Trump mentioned it was among countries expected to take part. The clarification came after Trump referred to South Korea during the first board meeting of the US-led Board of Peace in Washington on Thursday, as he outlined international efforts to support the war-torn enclave. “Japan has just committed to an aid fundraiser, which will be a very
Feb. 20, 2026 -
USFK exercise prompts Chinese fighter response in rare US air drill
US Forces Korea and Chinese fighter aircraft engaged in a brief aerial face-off over the Yellow Sea earlier this week after a rare US Air Force exercise prompted Beijing to deploy its own jets, military sources said Friday. According to multiple sources, 10 USFK F-16 fighter jets took off from Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek late Wednesday and flew over international waters in the Yellow Sea, maneuvering toward airspace between South Korea’s and China’s air defense identification zones. The aircraft
Feb. 20, 2026