Page 46 - South Korea

S Korea, US to hold simulated drill to prevent North Korea's use of nukes

South Korean and United States militaries will hold a tabletop exercise at the Pentagon next week to hone their joint response to a potential use of nuclear weapons by North Korea, Seoul officials said Friday. The one-day computer simulation set for Wednesday comes as the two countries push to strengthen their 70-year alliance in the face of North Korea's increasingly aggressive nuclear doctrine. The exercise is meant to focus on measures against North Korean nuclear threats and discuss how to boost a US extended deterrence America's ability to use its full capabilities, including nuclear, to deter attacks on its allies, South Korea's Defence Ministry said in a statement. It said the exercise would set up possible scenarios where North Korea uses nuclear weapons, explore how to cope with them militarily and formulate crisis management plans. Worries about North Korea's nuclear programme deepened in South Korea after the North conducted a record number of missile tests in 2022 and

S Korea defence report revives 'enemy' label for North, first time in 6 yrs

South Korea called North Korea our enemy in its biennial defence document published Thursday, reviving the label for its rival for the first time in six years, as tensions worsen between the two. North Korea conducted an unprecedented number of missile tests in 2022, including simulated nuclear attacks on South Korea. In response, South Korea's conservative government led by President Yoon Suk Yeol has been seeking a stronger U.S. security commitment and boosting its own military capabilities. Descriptions of North Korea in South Korea's defence white papers reflect the rocky ties between the two Koreas. Past South Korean documents called North Korea its main enemy, present enemy or enemy in times of animosities with the North. But they avoided such references when relations were improved. (North Korea) doesn't give up its nukes and is persistently posing military threats to us, so the North Korean government and military is our enemy, the 2022 South Korean defence white paper ...

S Korea to take action against officials over N Korean drone infiltrations

The North's drone infiltrations have laid bare the South Korean military's lack of readiness against such small crafts that could potentially carry lethal weapons

S Korean lawmakers impeach interior and safety minister over crowd crush

South Korea's opposition-controlled parliament on Wednesday voted to impeach the country's interior and safety minister, Lee Sang-min, holding him responsible for government failures in disaster planning and the response that likely contributed to the high death toll in a crowd crush that killed nearly 160 people in October. The impeachment suspends Lee from his duties and the country's Constitutional Court has 180 days to rule on whether to unseat him for good or give him back the job. Lee is seen as a key ally of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose office issued an irritated response to his impeachment, accusing opposition lawmakers of abandoning legislative principles and creating shameful history. Lee issued a statement expressing regret after lawmakers voted 179-109 in favor of impeaching him and said he would defend his case in the Constitutional Court.

South Korea and Australia renew currency swap deal for five years

The central banks of South Korea and Australia have agreed to renew their bilateral currency swap deal for five more years.

International flights in South Korea back to 60% of pre-Covid levels in Jan

The number of international flights in South Korea has returned to 60% of pre-Covid levels in January, helped by increased travel to Japan and Asian countries, the Transport Ministry said on Monday

US committed to using full range of capabilities to defend S Korea: Blinken

"We are committed to defending the Republic of Korea using the full range of our capabilities -- nuclear, conventional missile defense capabilities," said Blinken

N Korea warns of 'toughest reaction' to allies' drills with Seoul

North Korea on Thursday threatened the toughest reaction to the United States' expanding joint military exercises with South Korea to counter the North's growing nuclear weapons ambitions, claiming that the allies were pushing tensions to an extreme red line. The statement by Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry came in response to comments by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who during a visit to Seoul on Tuesday said the United States would increase its deployment of advanced military assets to the Korean Peninsula, including fighter jets and aircraft carriers, as it strengthens joint training with South Korea. South Korea's Defense Ministry said the United States flew B-1B bombers and F-22 and F-35 fighter jets in a joint aerial exercise with South Korean fighters on Wednesday, which it said was aimed at demonstrating the United States' commitment to defend its ally with the full range of its military capabilities. The United States and South Korea are also planning to hold a simulate

China imposes mandatory Covid-19 tests for arrivals from South Korea

China resumed mandatory Covid-19 tests for arrivals from South Korea, in its latest tit-for-tat response over Seoul's strengthened anti-virus curbs against travellers from the neighbouring nation

India undeniably a global powerhouse, says South Korea at G20 meet

South Korea on Monday said India is undeniably a global powerhouse and that the Indian presidency of G20 will unleash its potential and pay heed to insights and feedback from members and contribute to the international community. The statement came from a representative of South Korea who was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the two-day G20 International Financial Architecture Working Group meeting here. The discussions during the meeting will be jointly steered by Ministry of Finance and Reserve Bank of India along with France and South Korea who are co-chairs of the International Financial Architecture Working Group. The impression of this country is that India is undeniably a global powerhouse that not only is a hard power evidenced by economic scales and population but also a soft power equipped with well-known films, cuisines, history and renowned figures, Byungsik Jung, the representative of South Korea said at the inauguration. He also exuded confidence about the succe

N Korea slams Nato chief's Seoul visit as 'prelude' to war in Asia-Pacific

North Korea on Monday denounced a visit to Seoul by Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General, as a "prelude" to war, saying the move could bring a "new Cold War" to the Asia-Pacific region

Bad weather disrupts operation of S Korean airport again after 3 days

According to the Jeju branch of the Korea Airports Corp., 50 flights to and from the airport -- 18 departures and 32 arrivals -- had been cancelled, while nine other flights were delayed

Snowstorm sweeps through South Korean capital Seoul, nearby regions

Cars slowed and stopped on icy roads and bundled-up commuters gingerly navigated snow-covered sidewalks as a snowstorm swept through the South Korean capital of Seoul and nearby regions on Thursday, extending a frigid cold spell that has the country in its grip. There were no immediate reports of major disruptions or damage caused by the snow, ice and subzero temperatures as of Thursday afternoon, as officials lifted their heavy snow warnings for the area after the snowfall weakened following morning commuting hours. Traffic on the country's major roads was normal, although 110 hiking trails across three national parks remained closed. More than 5 centimeters (2 inches) of snow fell in Seoul in the 24 hours through 11 a.m. Thursday, while neighbouring Gyeonggi province and Incheon saw 6 to 8 centimeters (2.3 to 3 inches) of snow. Morning temperatures in the region fell to around minus 10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit). The country's weather agency forecasted similar weathe

Hockey World Cup Quarterfinal Hlts: Germany, Netherlands through to semis

Hockey World Cup 2023 Quarterfinals Highlights: Germany beat England with a great comeback after being 0-2 down for 56 minutes. They won the shoot-out 4-3. In second game, Netherlands beat Korea 5-1

South Korea, Japan grapple with heavy snow; Chaos, delay at airports

Thousands of travelers swarmed a small airport in South Korea's Jeju island on Wednesday in a scramble to get on flights following delays by snowstorms as frigid winter weather gripped East Asia for the second straight day. Officials at South Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety didn't immediately report any major damage or injuries from subzero temperatures and icy conditions that have affected most of the country since Tuesday. But at least eight roads and 10 sea routes remained closed as of Wednesday afternoon. About 140 homes in capital Seoul and nearby regions reported busted water pressure pumps or pipes as temperatures dipped to around minus 15 to minus 20 degrees Celsius (5 degrees to minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit) across the mainland. In Japan, heavy snow and record cold temperatures also brought widespread disruptions. At least one person has died and two more deaths were being investigated in connection with the cold weather, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno

Ship sinks between South Korea and Japan; 12 of 22 crewmembers found

Ships searching in wind-whipped waters between South Korea and Japan have picked up at least 12 of the 22 crewmembers from a cargo ship that sank early Wednesday. Officials said only one of them remained conscious, but they did not immediately confirm any deaths. South Korean and Japanese coast guard vessels and aircraft as well as two commercial cargo ships were continuing to search for the 10 missing crewmembers but the efforts were being slowed by strong winds and waves, South Korean officials said. The 6,551-ton Jin Tan sank about three and a half hours after it sent a distress call at around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday in Japan's exclusive economic zone, Japanese coast guard spokesperson Shinya Kitahara said. The vessel, which was Hong Kong registered and carrying lumber, sank about 160 kilometers (100 miles) southwest of Nagasaki, Japan, and about 150 kilometers (93 miles) south of South Korea's Jeju island. The captain last communicated with the coast guard through a satellite phone

Coldest day of season grips S Korea; Seoul records minus 25.5 degrees C

The lowest apparent temperature for Seoul was minus 25.5 degrees, while that of Cheorwon was minus 39.3 degrees

Hockey World Cup Crossover Hlts: Korea upset Argentina, Germany beat France

Hockey World Cup 2023, Crossover Highlights: While the first game was an easy affair with Germany going past France 5-1. A surprise was in store in the second game as Korea beat Argentina in Shoot-out

South Korea's cumulative Covid cases top 30 million; death toll at 33,235

The country reported 9,227 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, the lowest number in more than three months

Hockey World Cup Day 8 Highlights: Australia, Belgium move to quarterfinals

Men's Hockey World Cup 2023 Day 8 Highlights: Australia topped Group A courtesy of two wins and a draw while France stopped Argentina at a 5-5 draw. Belgium topped Group B and Germany finished second