Annan sees “one mediation process” key to ending Syrian crisis
Kofi Annan, the UN and the Arab League (AL)’s joint special envoy for Syria, said Wednesday that an one and only mediation process accepted by all parties concerned is crucial for the success in the efforts to end the current crisis in Syria. “If we are going to succeed, it is extremely important that […]
N. Korea agrees to halt nuke program
North Korea announced Wednesday that it will temporarily halt its uranium enrichment program and put a moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests in exchange for food aid and a guarantee of continued negotiations with the United States. “The DPRK, upon request by the U.S. and with a view to maintaining a positive atmosphere for […]
China’s nuclear weapon R&D founder remembered
China has held a series of activities to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of Zhu Guangya (1924-2011), a leading scientist in the country’s research and development of nuclear weaponry. The institutions that have organized commemorative activities include the General Armament Department of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the Chinese Academy of Engineering […]
S. Korea urges China to stop repatriating NK defectors at UN
South Korea urged China to stop repatriating North Korean defectors detained there in a speech at the United Nations, Monday. It said they fled from the destitute communist state “in pursuit of freedom and the right to live” and their repatriation amounts to a “grave infringement of human rights.” This was the latest in a […]
Seoul steps up efforts over NK defectors
UN envoy urges China to halt forced repatriation Efforts are taking concrete shape both at home and abroad to stop China from repatriating North Korean defectors to their home country. The U.N. special rapporteur on North Korean human rights has urged neighbors of North Korea to handle those who escape the repressive state under international […]
N. Korea flexes muscles ahead of nuclear summit
North Korea is back in the spotlight. On Wednesday, it launched a verbal assault at South Korea for its scheduled hosting of the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit slated for March 26 and 27. The North’s Central News Agency characterized the global gathering as a grave threat to the Stalinist state, threatening that “it won’t sit […]
The Death of Kim Jong Il: Now What?
After 17 years at the helm of North Korea, the Dear Leader is no more, and suddenly we are faced with a reality on which so much “contingency planning” has been based. So, what can we expect of the next chapter in the North’s political history? And how should the key players—South Korea, the US […]
Power shift to Asia: no need to panic
On Feb. 15, just as Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping arrived in the United States for a four-day visit, U.S. President Barack Obama told an audience of American workers in Milwaukee: “Manufacturing is coming back!” Coming back from China, that is. But while the Master Lock Company of Milwaukee has indeed moved some jobs back to […]
Korea-US FTA to take effect on March 15
The free trade agreement between Korea and the United States (KORUS FTA) will go into effect on March 15, six years after the two countries kicked off talks on the trade pact in June 2006. Trade Minister Bark Tae-ho (Photo: News 1) Trade Minister Bark Tae-ho announced Tuesday that Deputy Trade Minister Choi Seok-young […]
Park Chung-hee memorial hall opens amid dispute
Park Geun-hye, right, interim emergency committee leader of the ruling Saenuri Party, looks at a giant black-and-white photograph of her late father, President Park Chung-hee, on display at a memorial hall for the late leader in Seoul, Tuesday. A memorial hall for the late former President Park Chung-hee opened Tuesday, creating a stir among people […]
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