Latest news with #Yonhap
Korea Herald
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Seoul hosts 1st remembrance ceremony for Korean War abductees, vows to address humanitarian issues
The government on Saturday held its first official memorial ceremony for those abducted by North Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, reaffirming its commitment to resolving long-standing humanitarian issues stemming from the country's division. The inaugural Korean War Abductees Remembrance Day event was held at Imjingak Peace Park in the border city of Paju, north of Seoul. It marked the first official observance of Korean War Abductees Remembrance Day, which was designated by law last year to be held annually on June 28. "Resolving humanitarian issues caused by the division of the Korean Peninsula is a fundamental duty of the state and a top priority," Vice Unification Minister Kim Nam-jung said during a speech at the event. Kim described the issue of wartime abductions as "one of the darkest legacies of division and war," stressing that any future-oriented approach to inter-Korean peace and coexistence must also include efforts to heal past wounds. "We can no longer delay the urgent task of confirming the fate of abducted loved ones and easing the pain carried by their families," Kim said. He added that the unification ministry under the new Lee Jae Myung administration will do its utmost to reduce military tensions on the Korean Peninsula and establish sustainable peace, ensuring that the tragedy of war is never repeated. "We will address the problems born out of national division and war one by one by reopening channels of communication with the North and work to resume dialogue," Kim said. "In moving from confrontation to reconciliation, we will make efforts to heal the pain of national division and suffering of families of wartime abductees." The Seoul government estimates that nearly 100,000 South Koreans have been kidnapped by the North since the war. (Yonhap)
Focus Malaysia
a day ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
US may extend tariff suspension ahead of July 8 deadline
THE United States may prolong its current pause on reciprocal tariffs, which is due to lapse next month, according to a White House spokesperson on Thursday. Karoline Leavitt, speaking during a press briefing and cited by Yonhap news agency, said the decision is ultimately up to President Donald Trump. Her comments come as negotiations continue between Washington, Seoul, and other nations to reduce or prevent the potential effects of the planned tariffs. 'It might be extended, but that call lies with the president,' Leavitt noted. The suspension, which temporarily halts 25% tariffs on South Korean imports, is scheduled to conclude on July 8. South Korea is actively seeking to finalise an agreement with the US before that deadline. The reciprocal tariffs were first introduced by Trump on April 2, intended to match the trade levies other countries place on American goods. Although the tariffs took effect on April 9, they were immediately put on hold for a 90-day period to allow room for diplomatic discussions. —June 27, 2025 Main image: AFP Pic
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Americans detained trying to send rice, Bibles, dollar bills to North Korea
South Korean authorities have detained six United States citizens who were attempting to send an estimated 1,300 plastic bottles filled with rice, US dollar bills and Bibles to North Korea by sea, according to news reports. The US suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Friday morning after they were caught trying to release the bottles into the sea from Gwanghwa island, near a restricted front-line border area with North Korea, South Korea's official Yonhap news agency reports. The six were taken into custody after a coastal military unit guarding the area reported them to the police. The area in question is restricted to the public after being designated a danger zone in November due to its proximity to the north. Activists floating plastic bottles or flying balloons across South Korea's border with the north have long caused tensions on the Korean Peninsula. An administrative order banning the launch of anti-Pyongyang propaganda towards the north is already in effect for the area, according to Yonhap. On June 14, police detained an activist for allegedly flying balloons towards North Korea from Gwanghwa Island. Two South Korean police officers confirmed the detentions of the six with The Associated Press news agency but gave no further details. In 2023, South Korea's Constitutional Court struck down a 2020 law that criminalised the sending of leaflets and other items to North Korea, calling it an excessive restriction on free speech. But since taking office in early June, the new liberal government of President Lee Jae-myung is pushing to crack down on such civilian campaigns with other safety-related laws to avoid a flare-up in tensions with North Korea and promote the safety of front-line South Korean residents. Lee took office with a promise to restart long-dormant talks with North Korea and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula. His government has halted front-line anti-Pyongyang propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts, and similar North Korean broadcasts have not been heard in South Korean front-line towns since then. It remains unclear if North Korea will respond to Lee's conciliatory gesture after it pledged last year to sever relations with South Korea and abandon the goal of peaceful Korean reunification. Official talks between the Koreas have been stalled since 2019, when the US-led diplomacy on North Korean denuclearisation derailed.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
South Korea vows reform after sharp drop in global competitiveness ranking
SEOUL: South Korea will strive to identify its weaknesses and transform them into opportunities for future growth, Acting Finance Minister Lee Hyoung Il said on Friday, stressing that the country's recent fall in the global competitiveness ranking should serve as a "turning point." South Korea was ranked 27th out of 69 countries in the 2025 World Competitiveness Ranking published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), marking a drop of seven places from last year's record high of 20th, Yonhap news agency quoted the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The IMD, a Switzerland-based business school, has issued the annual ranking since 1989, evaluating countries based on four key indicators; economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure. "We will thoroughly assess and analyse the identified weaknesses to turn this into an opportunity to enhance our national competitiveness," Lee said during a policy coordination meeting with relevant government agencies and private-sector experts. In this year's breakdown, South Korea saw a sharp decline in business efficiency, falling to 44th place -- down 21 spots from the previous year. Addressing challenges in the corporate sector, Lee said the government would work to establish an innovation ecosystem to support the artificial intelligence (AI) transformation and develop a robust talent training framework. He added that the government plans to work closely with the private sector to tackle structural inefficiencies and promote digital innovation in an effort to improve future rankings.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Tariff pause could be extended beyond July deadline, says White House
WASHINGTON: The administration of United States (US) President Donald Trump may consider extending its suspension of reciprocal tariffs, which is scheduled to expire next month, a White House spokesperson said on Thursday. According to Yonhap news agency, Karoline Leavitt made the remarks amid ongoing talks between the United States, South Korea, and other countries aimed at avoiding or minimising the impact of the proposed tariffs. "Perhaps it could be extended, but that's a decision for the president to make," Leavitt told reporters during a press briefing. The suspension, which includes 25 per cent duties on South Korean goods, is set to end on July 8. Seoul has been working to reach a deal with Washington before the deadline. Trump had announced the reciprocal tariffs on April 2, aimed at matching those imposed by other countries on US exports. The tariffs, including 25 per cent duties on South Korean products, officially took effect on April 9 but were immediately paused for 90 days to allow for negotiations. Earlier this month, Trump indicated he was open to extending the pause but suggested an extension might not be necessary.
