Page 7 - South Korea

Trump puts pressure on Asian ally South Korea to pay more for its defence

The pressure from Trump comes as North Korea appears to be more emboldened through its growing partnership with Russia

Asia remains in Trump's tariff sights as deadline moves to August 1

The extension leaves Asia's economies squarely in the US administration's tariff sights while giving officials a little over three additional weeks to negotiate lower rates

Stocks fall, dollar up as Trump plans 25% tariffs on Japan, South Korea

Trump announced in April a 10 per cent base tariff rate on most countries and higher "reciprocal" rates ranging up to 50per cent, with an original deadline of this Wednesday

Trump to impose 25% tariff on South Korean, Japanese goods from Aug 1

US President Donald Trump to impose 25% tariff on imports from South Korea and Japan starting August 1, 2025, citing persistent trade deficits and unfair tariff and non-tariff barriers

Cochin Shipyard inks pact with Korea's KSOE to boost maritime cooperation

The MoU focuses on cooperation in several key areas, including joint exploration of new building opportunities in India and overseas, sharing of technical expertise, upskilling of the workforce, etc

US trade deal remains unclear: South Korean prez as Trump's deadline looms

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said that it remained unclear whether Seoul and Washington could conclude their tariff negotiations by the deadline set by President Donald Trump for next week, noting Thursday that both nations were still working to clarify their positions and identify areas of agreement. Speaking at his first news conference since taking office last month, Lee also reiterated his intentions to improve badly frayed ties with North Korea, though he acknowledged that mutual distrust between the Koreas is too deep to heal anytime soon. Trump's tariff hikes and other America First policies are major challenges for Lee's month-old government, as are North Korea's advancing nuclear programme and domestic economic woes. Lee, a liberal, came to power after winning a snap presidential election caused by the ouster of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol over his ill-fated imposition of martial law in December. Lee calls tariff talks with US clearly not easy Lee said the

South Korea to raise concerns over potential curbs on chipmakers in China

South Korea, currently subject to a blanket 10 per cent tariff with a 25 per cent country-specific duty on pause for 90 days, agreed with the US in their opening round of trade talks

Japan, South Korea mark 60 years of ties despite tensions, uncertainty

Japan and South Korea are marking the 60th anniversary of the normalisation of their diplomatic relations Sunday. The two Asian powers, rivals and neighbours, have often had little to celebrate, much of their rancour linked to Japan's brutal colonial rule of Korea in the early 20th century. Things have gotten better in recent years, but both nations each a strong ally of the United States now face political uncertainty and a growing unease about the future of their ties. Here's a look at one of Northeast Asia's most crucial relationships, from both capitals, by two correspondents from The Associated Press. The view from Seoul South Korea's new liberal president, Lee Jae Myung, is determined to break sharply from the policies of his disgraced predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, who now faces a trial on charges of leading an insurrection over his imposition of martial law in December. Relations with Japan, however, are one area where Lee, who describes himself as a pragmatist in foreign .

South Korea halts propaganda broadcasts along border to ease tensions

South Korea's military shut down loudspeakers broadcasting anti-North Korea propaganda along the inter-Korean border on Wednesday, marking the new liberal government's first concrete step toward easing tensions between the war-divided rivals. The South resumed the daily loudspeaker broadcasts in June last year following a years-long pause in retaliation for North Korea flying trash-laden balloons toward the South in a psychological warfare campaign. South Korea's Defense Ministry said the move, ordered by President Lee Jae-myung, was part of efforts "to restore trust in inter-Korean relations and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula." Kang Yu-jung, Lee's spokesperson, described the decision as a "proactive step" to reduce military tensions and ease the burden for South Koreans residing in border areas, who have also been affected by North Korea's retaliatory loudspeaker broadcasts. North Korea, which is extremely sensitive to any outside criticism of its authoritarian leadership a

BTS megastars RM and V complete military service, spark reunion excitement

BTS members RM and V are discharged from military service today, June 10, 2025. They were welcomed and greeted by enthusiastic fans anticipating the group's reunion

North Korea raises capsized destroyer upright as it continues repairs

North Korea said Friday it had righted a capsized destroyer and moored it at a pier in the northeastern port of Chongjin as it continues to repair the new warship leader Kim Jong Un has described as a significant asset for his nuclear-armed military. The report by North Korean state media aligned with South Korean military assessments and recent commercial satellite images. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said experts will closely examine the ship's hull before beginning the next phase of restoration, which will take place at a dry dock at the neighbouring port of Rajin and is expected to last seven to 10 days. Satellite images taken Thursday by Planet Labs PBC analysed by The Associated Press showed the stricken destroyer upright and floating. It wasn't immediately clear from the image just how much damage had been done to the vessel, which had been in the water for days after the failed launch. However, the ship did not appear to be noticeably listing, meaning ..

South Korea passes bills calling for special probes into Yoon, his wife

South Korea's liberal-led legislature on Thursday passed bills to launch special investigations into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law in December and criminal allegations against his wife, targeting the ousted conservative a day after his liberal successor took office. The bills were previously vetoed by Yoon and South Korea's caretaker government after his December 14 impeachment over the martial law debacle. The bills are expected to be signed by new President Lee Jae-myung, a Democrat who won Tuesday's snap election triggered by Yoon's formal removal from office in April.

Stabbing survivor Lee Jae-myung on path to become South Korea's president

For many politicians that might have been the right time to throw in the towel on a career of public service, but these are the moments of adversity that fire Lee up

Lee Jae Myung elected as South Korea's President, ending 6 months of chaos

Lee, a former labor activist, won Tuesday's election with 49.4 per cent of the vote, a comfortable win over Kim Moon-soo of the incumbent People Power Party

South Korea elects Lee Jae-myung as president after Yoon's impeachment

Liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung wins South Korea's presidency in a high-turnout snap election after Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment and a brief imposition of martial law

S Koreans vote for new president in wake of Yoon's ouster over martial law

Millions of South Koreans are voting Tuesday for a new president in a snap election triggered by the ouster of Yoon Suk Yeol, a conservative who now faces an explosive trial on rebellion charges over his short-lived imposition of martial law in December. Pre-election surveys suggested Yoon's liberal archrival, Lee Jae-myung, appeared headed for an easy win, riding on deep public frustration over the conservatives in the wake of Yoon's martial law debacle. The main conservative candidate, Kim Moon Soo, has struggled to win over moderate, swing voters as his People Power Party remains in a quagmire of internal feuding over how to view Yoon's actions. This election serves as another defining moment in the country's resilient democracy, but observers worry a domestic divide worsened by Yoon is far from over and could pose a big political burden on the new president. The past six months saw large crowds of people rallying in the streets to either denounce or support Yoon, while a ...

S Korea holds snap presidential election on Tuesday; here's what to know

After months of political turmoil, South Korea will elect a new president this week to succeed conservative Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted over his brief but shocking imposition of martial law. Surveys suggested liberal Lee Jae-myung is heavily favored to win Tuesday's snap election, riding on a wave of public disappointment of Yoon's martial law debacle in December. The main conservative candidate, Kim Moon Soo, wants a come-from-behind victory, but observers say his refusal to directly criticise Yoon made it difficult for him to narrow the gap with Lee. The winner will be sworn in as president on Wednesday without the typical two-month transition period. The new leader faces the urgent tasks of trying to heal the deep domestic divide over Yoon's action as well as focusing on US President Donald Trump's America-first policy and North Korea's advancing nuclear programme. Who is running for the presidency? Lee, who represents the main liberal Democratic Party, is the favourite to win

South Korea to elect a new president; here's a look at all the candidates

Months of a political drama in South Korea is drawing to a close, with the country poised to elect a new president this week to succeed Yoon Suk Yeol, a conservative leader who was toppled over his ill-fated imposition of martial law. Surveys show liberal Lee Jae-myung maintaining a solid lead over his main conservative rival, Kim Moon Soo, who wants an upset victory. Whoever wins, the new president will forgo the usual two-month transition and serve one full, five-year term at a time when South Korea faces crucial challenges including a severe left-right political divide, the Trump administration's tariff policy and North Korea's expanding military partnership with Russia. Here is a look at the two main candidates standing for the June 3 election: LEE JAE-MYUNG Lee, 60, the Democratic Party candidate, was the driving force behind an opposition-led campaign to oust Yoon, whose December 3 marital law decree plunged South Korea into turmoil. Lee said he initially thought Yoon's ...

Chennai to become Hyundai's largest export hub outside South Korea

Marking 25 years of exports from India, Hyundai targets 7-8% export growth in FY26 as demand from emerging markets rises and Chennai Port expands facilities

China to resume seafood imports halted over Fukushima discharge, says Japan

China will resume Japanese seafood imports that it banned in 2023 over worries about Japan's discharge of wastewater from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea, a Japanese official said Friday. The issue has been a significant political and diplomatic point of tension for the wary Asian powers. Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the two sides reached an agreement after Japanese and Chinese officials met in Beijing and the imports will resume once the necessary paperwork is done. China did not immediately comment. China blocked imports of Japanese seafood because it said the release would endanger the fishing industry and coastal communities in eastern China. Japanese officials have said the wastewater must be released to make room for the nuclear plant's decommissioning and to prevent accidental leaks. They say the treatment and dilution will make the wastewater safer than international standards and its environmental impact will be ...