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Politics
South Korea to launch new naval frigate
Seoul: South Korea was to launch a new frigate on Monday featuring advanced sonar and power systems to boost anti-submarine capabilities in coastal operations, the Navy said. The launch ceremony for the 2,800-ton FGG-II Seoul will take place later in the day at Hyundai Heavy Industries Co.’s shipyard in the…
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Politics
Allies working on ‘contingency plans’ over N. Korea’s year-end deadline ultimatum: Cheong Wa Dae
Seoul: The United States is trying hard to coax North Korea into restarting nuclear talks, as South Korea is also quite “serious” about the year-end deadline set by Pyongyang, a top Cheong Wa Dae official said Sunday. The North has emphasized that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump should…
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Politics
Welcoming ceremony held in Busan for special summit with ASEAN
Busan: South Korea held a welcoming ceremony in the southeastern port city of Busan on Sunday for a special summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) set to take place later this month. Some 10,000 citizens, as well as first lady Kim Jung-sook, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and…
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South Asia
Pakistan formally opens Kartarpur Corridor for Indian Sikh pilgrims
By Nasir Aijaz AsiaN Representative Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan formally inaugurated the Kartarpur Corridor at a colourful ceremony on Saturday in Narowal area near Indian border, paving the way for Sikh pilgrims to visit Darbar Baba Guru Nanak, one of their religion’s holiest sites in Pakistan without needing a…
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Politics
Mahathir: If they do something not nice to us, we have to be un-nice to them
Bangkok: When Dr Mahathir Mohamad spoke at a dialogue session at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) last Saturday on the sidelines of the just concluded 35th ASEAN Summit here, he called for the 10-ASEAN nations to speak with one voice on the global stage to avoid being bullied,…
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Politics
U.S. ratchets up pressure on South Korea to jack up share of defense costs
Seoul: The United States is ramping up pressure on South Korea to sharply increase Seoul’s share of the expenses for stationing American troops here, apparently with an eye to expanding the scope of their cost-sharing deal to cover activities outside the peninsula. This week, James DeHart, the top U.S. negotiator…
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Politics
Moon requests continued support from OANA news agencies for Korea peace
Seoul: President Moon Jae-in asked Thursday for continued attention and support for the Korea peace process from Asia-Pacific news agencies, as he greeted their representatives at Cheong Wa Dae. “Peace on the Korean Peninsula is a starting point for achieving a peace community of co-prosperity,” Moon said in a meeting…
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Politics
Headquarters of international alliance to protect safety of maritime navigation opened
By Habib Toumi Manama: The headquarters of the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) Task Force, an international alliance that aims “to protect the safety of maritime navigation and international trade”, have been opened in Bahrain. The premises within the US Naval Support Activity were inaugurated by Field Marshall Shaikh Khalifa…
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Politics
Senior U.S. diplomat calls recent Moon-Abe meeting ‘encouraging’ sign
Seoul: The top American diplomat for East Asia on Wednesday described this week’s meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as an “encouraging” sign in fence-mending efforts between Seoul and Tokyo. Assistant Secretary of State David Stilwell made the remarks after paying courtesy calls…
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Politics
U.S. underscores commitment to Indo-Pacific region after RCEP deal
Washington: The United States has underscored its commitment to free trade with the Indo-Pacific region after a bloc of nations led by China struck a major trade deal without U.S. participation. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world’s largest free trade agreement, was announced earlier Monday by the 10 member…
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