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Trump gives 'complete,' 'total' endorsement of Takaichi ahead of Japan's general election
US President Donald Trump on Thursday threw his support behind Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, calling her a "strong, powerful and wise leader," as the Asian country is set to hold a crucial general election this weekend. On social media, Trump publicly backed Takaichi ahead of Sunday's election, which is important for her and her ruling Liberal Democratic Party as they seek to enhance their standing in the lower chamber of the Japanese parliament. "In addition to National Security, the
Feb. 6, 2026 -
Security adviser expresses concerns over US tariff risk's impact on security consultations
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Thursday the United States' move to raise tariffs on South Korea is having a negative effect on follow-up security consultations between the two allies, including talks on nuclear-powered submarines. In an interview with the Kyunghyang Shinmun, Wi expressed concern that security negotiations have slowed after US President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on South Korean goods from 15 percent to 25 percent, reversing an earlier agreement reached
Feb. 5, 2026 -
Lula to make first Seoul trip since 2010 at Lee’s invitation
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will visit South Korea at President Lee Jae Myung’s invitation, as Seoul looks to diversify critical mineral supply chains and shore up resilience amid growing global uncertainty. Cheong Wa Dae said Thursday that Lee extended an invitation to Lula during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 leaders’ summit in South Africa in November 2025, which the Brazilian leader accepted. “The two sides are coordinating the schedule for President L
Feb. 5, 2026 -
Cho, US energy chief stress progress on nuclear submarines, as trade tensions cloud outlook
Seoul and Washington reaffirmed the need to accelerate progress on civilian uranium enrichment, spent nuclear fuel reprocessing and nuclear-powered submarines during talks between Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Washington, even as unresolved trade tensions cast uncertainty over the pace of broader strategic cooperation. Recent high-level diplomatic talks have yielded little progress on trade issues, while Seoul officials say Washington is reviewing steps to for
Feb. 5, 2026 -
Trump says he had 'positive' call with Xi over Taiwan, Ukraine, Iran, other issues
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he had a "positive" phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on an array of subjects, including Taiwan, the Russia-Ukraine war, Iran and his plan to travel to Beijing in April. In a social media post, Trump commented on his wide-ranging discussions with Xi in what he called a "long and thorough" call, which marked their first phone talks since Nov. 24. Among the topics during the call were China's purchase of US oil and gas and its consideration
Feb. 5, 2026 -
Seoul to continue consultations with US to prevent tariff hike: minister
South Korea will continue to closely consult with the United States to reach a resolution before the US administration formalizes a tariff hike on Korea as threatened by President Donald Trump, Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo said Thursday, returning from a weeklong trip to the US. Yeo's trip came after the US president made a surprise announcement of a plan to raise "reciprocal" tariffs and auto duties on South Korea back to 25 percent, citing a delay in South Korea's legislative process supporting
Feb. 5, 2026 -
Vance calls on allies to join 'critical minerals trading bloc' amid efforts to counter China's supply chain clout
US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday called on allies and partners to join an envisioned critical minerals trading bloc, casting them as being "on the same team," as Washington steps up efforts to counter China's formidable influence over key resources. Speaking at a multilateral meeting on critical minerals in the US capital, Vance said that US President Donald Trump's administration is seeking a "preferential trade zone," which will maintain "price floors" through "adjustable tariffs" and g
Feb. 5, 2026 -
FM, US energy secretary reaffirm need for progress on uranium enrichment, reprocessing, nuclear subs
South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright reaffirmed the need to swiftly make progress in Seoul's efforts to secure civil uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing rights and acquire nuclear-powered submarines, the foreign ministry said Wednesday. Cho had a meeting with Wright in Washington to discuss a range of issues, including the implementation of a joint fact sheet that the two governments released in November to outline trade and security agr
Feb. 5, 2026 -
Cho-Rubio talks highlight security cooperation as tariff issues remain elusive
Recent high-level diplomatic talks appears to have led to little progress on trade issues, as tariffs were largely absent from the official readout of the Korea-US foreign ministers' meeting even as Washington reviews steps to formally reinstate higher duties on Korean goods. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the US State Department on Tuesday (local time), as Seoul stepped up diplomatic efforts to head off a potential tariff increase on Korean exports from 15 pe
Feb. 4, 2026 -
US govt. weighing whether to formalize threatened S. Korea tariff hike in Federal Register: Seoul official
US President Donald Trump's administration is conducting interagency consultations over the issue of formalizing his announcement on a plan to increase reciprocal and other tariffs on South Korea in the Federal Register, Seoul's trade minister said Tuesday. Yeo made the remarks during a press availability, after Trump threatened last week to raise "reciprocal" tariffs, and auto, lumber and pharmaceutical levies on South Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent, citing a delay in the Asian country's l
Feb. 4, 2026 -
FM, Rubio reaffirm cooperation on civil nuclear power, nuclear subs, shipbuilding
The top diplomats of South Korea and the United States agreed to continue close cooperation on civil nuclear power, nuclear-powered submarines and shipbuilding during their talks in Washington on Tuesday, the State Department said. South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also reaffirmed their commitment to the "complete" denuclearization of North Korea, according to Tommy Pigott, the department's principal deputy spokesperson. Cho and Rubio held their talks
Feb. 4, 2026 -
Trade minister calls for 'mutually beneficial' solution to renewed trade tension between Seoul, Washington
Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo has delivered South Korea's commitment to upholding its tariff deal with the United States to Washington officials, calling for a "mutually beneficial" resolution to trade tensions escalating between the two countries amid US President Donald Trump's tariff hike threat, Yeo's office said Wednesday. Yeo headed to the US capital last week to expand Seoul's outreach in the US after Trump made a surprise announcement that he will raise "reciprocal" tariffs and auto duties
Feb. 4, 2026 -
FM Cho vows to explain S. Korea's parliamentary process to US
Seoul will provide a detailed explanation of its parliamentary procedures to Washington amid ongoing tariff tensions, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Tuesday as he departed for the US. Cho is set to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and attend a US-hosted ministerial meeting on critical minerals. “[We will] clearly explain our position and seek understanding from the US side,” Cho said, referring to Washington’s concerns over delays in legislation related to South Korea’s investment com
Feb. 3, 2026 -
S. Korea, Poland launch security dialogue, pledge closer coordination on Korean Peninsula
South Korea and Poland have agreed to strengthen dialogue and information sharing on security issues related to the Korean Peninsula during their first bilateral talks focused on security strategy, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. The inaugural meeting held Monday in Warsaw, Poland, brought together Jeong Yeon-doo, South Korea’s vice minister for diplomatic strategy and intelligence, and Robert Kupiecki, undersecretary of state for security policy at Poland’s Foreign Ministry. According to
Feb. 3, 2026 -
Foreign Ministry rebuts claims of inadequate consular support in Japan assault case
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday rejected claims that a Korean national assaulted in Japan was not given proper consular assistance. The dispute follows reports that a Korean tourist suffered serious injuries, including three fractured teeth, after being attacked by several residents during a trip to Japan late last year. Some media outlets alleged that the Korean consulate did not provide sufficient support during the reporting and investigation process. In messages sent out to reporte
Feb. 3, 2026