News Keywords Nat'l/Politics North Korea Economy IT/Science Foreign Policy World Life/Culture Sports Weather Thick layer of fine dust once again covers Korean Peninsula 2019-12-13 President Moon orders policy package for one-person households 2019-12-13 President Moon highlights need to establish fairness, freedom, equality 2019-12-13 N. Korea developing ICBM would pose direct threat to U.S. mainland: Es 2019-12-14 N. Korea's economy 53 times smaller than S. Korea's 2019-12-13 New activity spotted at N. Korea's Dongchang-ri missile launching site 2019-12-13 People living alone in S. Korea make under US$ 2,000 a month on averag 2019-12-13 Korean Air to start accepting mileage for partial payments next year 2019-12-13 Samsung Electronics to invest additional US$ 8 bil. in its China chip 2019-12-13 S. Korean researchers develop method of powering trains wirelessly 2019-12-09 Foreigners select installation of public WiFi throughout Seoul as city 2019-12-06 World's first geostationary air pollution monitoring satellite unveile 2019-12-06 U.S. point man for N. Korea Stephen Biegun to visit S. Korea on Sunday 2019-12-13 US. defense budget bill says GSOMIA should be maintained 2019-12-13 Fifth round of defense cost-sharing talks to be held next week in Seou 2019-12-13 Trump impeachment articles approved by House Judiciary Committee 2019-12-14 How will Boris Johnson 'get Brexit done' after election victory? 2019-12-13 ECB keeps key rate steady at 0.00%; new ECB President Lagarde to push 2019-12-13 2019 Seoul Christmas Festival brings holiday cheers to Cheonggye Plaza 2019-12-14 High-definition pictures of Japanese colonial era revealed 2019-12-13 7th Korea Foundation Award presented to head of St. Petersburg Univers 2019-12-13 Ryu Hyun-jin named in inaugural 'All-MLB Second Team' 2019-12-11 Park Hang-seo leads Vietnam to first Southeast Asian Games gold in 60 2019-12-11 S. Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin named in inaugural 'All-MLB Second Team 2019-12-11 Up to 8cm of snow in Gangwon-do Province; 'bad' levels of fine dust Sa 2019-12-13 Mild highs, mix of rain and snow later 2019-12-13 Relatively mild temperatures to persist through weekend, mix of rain a 2019-12-13
Issue Now S. Korea-Japan Trade Row Japan's travel account surplus drops in October 2019-12-09 S. Korea, Japan held 'geniune' talks on trade dispute: Trade official 2019-12-06 Prospects of S. Korea-Japan relations 2019-12-05 S. Korea and Japan to hold talks over export controls in Tokyo 2019-12-05 '1+1 plan' to compensate victims of wartime forced labor unacceptable for Japan: Official 2019-12-04 New Japanese ambassador to S. Korea vows to play bridge role to mend bilateral ties 2019-12-04 N. Korea & U.S. N. Korea says it conducts 'another important test' 2019-12-14 U.S. still hopeful N. Korea will stick to its commitment to denuclearize: Pentagon 2019-12-13 N. Korea claims 'important' test conducted at Sohae satellite site 2019-12-09 UNSC 'very concerned' over N. Korea's missile launches: U.S. envoy 2019-12-07 U.S. calling for N. Korea to restart dialogue while warning of possible use of military force 2019-12-07 Seoul's nuclear envoy speaks with U.S., Japanese counterparts after N. Korea's projectile ... 2019-11-29
Most Popular UN Security Council holds session over N. Korea's missile tests The UN Security Council is meeting in New York, as we speak, to discuss North Korea's recent missile currently holding a meeting in New York to discuss North Korea's recent missile tests. Today's UNSC meeting was convened at the request of the United States - the first time it's called for a Security Council meeting on North Korea since Pyongyang restarted the test-firing of short-range ballistic missiles in May. Our Kan Hyeong-woo is live on the line. Hyeong-woo, we hear they have just taken a break, but the meeting is still ongoing. Could it be a sign of a toughening U.S. stance toward the North. Conn-young, the Security Council meeting began about two hours ago at 3 PM local time at the UN headquarters in New York. As you said, today's session was requested by the U.S. this week and here is the U.S. Ambassador to the UN speaking before the meeting. "Yet while the United States has sought to engage in robust diplomacy with the DPRK, we have seen deeply troubling signs that they are headed in a different direction. Let me be clear, we have not asked North Korea to do everything before we do anything. We are prepared to be flexible, but we cannot solve this problem alone. The DPRK must do its part and it must avoid provocations. It must engage in this process." The five permanent members of the Security Council - the U.S., the UK, France, China and Russia - agreed on the common goal of trying to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but they had different views on how to go about it. The U.S., the UK and France urged North Korea to stop its provocative actions and change course to get back to the negotiating table to discuss paths toward denuclearization. The three also stressed that sanctions will remain in place unless North Korea takes concrete steps first. But Russia and China called for reciprocal steps by Washington and Pyeongyang to make progresssaying negotiations cannot be lopsided. The representatives from Moscow and Beijing added sanctions should be subject to change step-by-stepdepending on what North Korea does. And prior to the session, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, met with the members of the Security Council. What do we know about that? Right, so earlier Biegun attended a luncheon with the 15 Representatives of the UN Security Council before the actual session began. Although we don't have details on what was discussed, watchers say Biegun called on the Security Council member states to urge Pyeongyang to reverse its current provocative actions and come back to the negotiating table. Biegun is also reportedly seeking to meet with North Korean officials at the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjeom when he visits South Korea next week. That's according to Japan's Kyodo News Agency, citing government sources. If such a meeting takes place, it would be the first since Biegun sat down with the North's chief nuclear negotiator, Kim Myong-gil, for working-level talks in Sweden in October. During his trip to South Korea, Biegun is also expected to meet with Seoul's top nucear envoy Lee Do-hoon and visit the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae. Back to you, Conn-young. 2019-12-12 Four U.S. bases returned to S. Korea on condition consultations continue for shouldering decontamination costs The U.S. returned four military bases to South Korea: Camps Eagle and Long in Wonju, Camp Market in Bupyeong and the Shea Range parcel at Camp Hovey in Dongducheon. The return of these installations were delayed for the past decade due to disagreement regarding costs and methods of decontamination. The two sides agreed at the 200th joint committee meeting of the Status of Forces Agreement at Camp Humphreys held Wednesday that the bases be returned on the condition that the allies continue consultations on base decontamination. "South Korea and the U.S. have agreed to immediately return the four bases on the condition that the two sides continue consultations on determining responsibilities for the decontamination of current bases used by U.S. Forces Korea. The two sides also agreed to initiate the return process of the Yongsan Garrison in accordance to SOFA rules." The government estimates the costs to cleanse the returned four bases could reach more than 92-million U.S. dollars depending on the conditions of the facilities. And unless Seoul makes progress in negotiations with the U.S., it looks like the costs for cleansing the bases will be shouldered by the South Korean government. Up until now, the U.S. has cited its so-called Known Imminent Substantial Endangerment to Human Health, or KISE principle, which is an abstract standard in considering paying the costs associated with the return of U.S. bases. Specifics on the return of Seoul's Yongsan Garrison were not detailed other than the fact that some U.S. bases there are being moved to Camp Humphreys, a U.S. military complex in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul. "After the return process is complete, the Garrison is to become a national park as initially planned 14 years ago. Officials said the decision to return the bases were not influenced by the defense cost-sharing talks between the two allies. Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News." 2019-12-12 U.S. 'ready to be flexible', but urges N. Korea to stop provocations With under three weeks left until North Korea's self-imposed year-end deadline for the United States to come up with a new approach for their denuclearization talks,Washington's envoy to the UN said the Trump administration is "prepared to be flexible" and ready to resume dialogue. "We recognize the need for a balanced agreement that addresses the concerns of all the parties but we cannot do this alone. North Korea must make this difficult but bold decision to work with us." But at the same time, the U.S. official upped pressure on North Korea by raising the regime's recent launches. "These ballistic missile tests, no matter their range, undermine regional security and stability are in a clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. These actions also risk closing the door on this opportunity to find a better way for the future." The UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Mohamed Khaled Khiari, also expressed concern over North Korea's provocative actionscalling them "deeply troubling." Russia and China called for reciprocal steps by Washington and Pyeongyang to make progressstressing that UN sanctions should be subject to change step-by-step depending on what North Korea does. "It is imperative that this council take action and invoke the reversible provisions in the DPRK-related resolution as soon as possible in light of the evolving situation on the peninsula and make necessary adjustments to the sanctions." Wednesday's Security Council meeting did not adopt any additional sanctions resolution on North Korea or special statement. Kan Hyeong-woo, Arirang News. 2019-12-12 Seoul Christmas festival begins in light-filled downtown Christmas is just around the corner, and Seoul is celebrating with a festival. The streets are adorned with lightbulbs and decorations. And Our Kim bo-kyoung is at Cheonggye Plaza, downtown, where it's all happening. Bo-kyoung? Hi, Aram, like you said, I'm at Cheonggye Plaza, where the 2019 Seoul Christmas Festival has just kicked off. There's been carolling, and sculptures lighting the way. Now, behind me stands a giant Christmas tree that was lit up just an hour ago as part of the opening ceremony. After a countdown, public officials pressed buttons to light the tree, and they delivered messages wishing for peace and happiness not only in South Korea but also in the North. Listen to this. "In the new year, I hope our society is filled with peace rather than conflict, and I hope peace comes to North Korea, too. May peace and happiness be with everyone in the new year "In this fifth edition of the festival, I hope those of us who are tired can find consolation, encouragement and harmony. I also hope the lights of Cheonggyecheon stream brighten the city, making this into a winter celebration and a world landmark for sharing love and happiness. I hope everyone is blessed by the grace and love of Jesus Christ." The lights and Christmas trees look amazing. Tell us more about when and where the festival is being held. Aram, this festival is until January 1st, and it goes along Cheonggyecheon stream for 1.2 kilometers, from Cheonggye Plaza to the bridge near Jonggak station. Along the way, there are five zones with various LED light sculptures, including the Santa Zone, which feels like Santa's village, and the Blessing Zone where angels and animals bless the birth of Jesus. This not the only place where you can enjoy the Christmas ambience. Korea's southern port city of Busan is holding the Busan Christmas Tree Cultural Festival and the Seomyeon Tree Festival where you can see giant trees with colorful lights. Back to you, Aram. 2019-12-13
