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☆ South Korean leader criticises China envoy over "inappropriate" remarks
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SEOUL, June 13 (Reuters) - South Korea's president stepped up criticism of China's ambassador on Tuesday, saying the envoy had been disrespectful in suggesting South Korea had made the wrong choice by siding with the United States against China. South Korea's foreign ministry summoned Xing on Friday to issue a protest and express "strong regret" over comments that the ministry said were "provocative" and a possible interference in internal affairs. South Korea has been a staunch U.S. ally for decades and is host to nearly some 28,000 U.S. troops but it has developed extensive economic ties with China in recent years. Its foreign ministry called in South Korea's ambassador on Saturday to express its "serious concern and dissatisfaction" over Seoul's "improper reaction" to Xing's comment. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said challenges in relations with South Korea were "not caused by China".

Persons: Xing Haiming, Xing, Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Kim Seok, Park Jin, Xing's, Park, Hyonhee Shin, hyang Choi, Ed Davies, Robert Birsel Organizations: South, Foreign, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, United States, China, U.S, South, North Korea, Korea, South Korea's, Vienna

☆ US concerned North Korea plans to deliver more weapons to Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, June 12 (Reuters) - The United States is concerned that North Korea is planning to deliver more weapons to Russia, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said on Monday after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to bolster strategic cooperation with Moscow. Earlier on Monday, North Korea's KCNA state news agency said Kim made the pledge in a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin marking Russia's National Day. "We are concerned that the DPRK is planning to deliver more military equipment to Russia," the spokesperson added, using the initials of North Korea's official name. North Korea has sought to forge closer ties with the Kremlin and backed Moscow after it invaded Ukraine last year, blaming the "hegemonic policy" and "high-handedness" of the United States and the West. The United States said in March it had new information that Russia was actively seeking to acquire additional weapons from North Korea in exchange for food aid.

Persons: Kim Jong, Kim, Vladimir Putin, KCNA, Wagner, Hyonhee Shin, Stephen Coates Organizations: U.S . State Department, North, The State Department, United States, Kremlin, United, Thomson Locations: United States, Korea, Russia, U.S, Moscow, Russian, Ukraine, United, North Korea, Washington

☆ North Korea's Kim vows to 'hold hands' with Putin for strategic cooperation
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, June 12 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to "hold hands" with Russian President Vladimir Putin and bolster strategic cooperation on their shared goal of building a powerful country, state media KCNA reported on Monday. Kim made the pledge in a message to Putin marking Russia's National Day, defending his decision to invade Ukraine and displaying "full support and solidarity." "Justice is sure to win and the Russian people will continue to add glory to the history of victory," Kim said in the message published by KCNA. Kim called for "closer strategic cooperation" with Moscow, "holding hands firmly with the Russian president, in conformity with the common desire of the peoples of the two countries to fulfil the grand goal of building a powerful country," it added. Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Kim, KCNA, Hyonhee Shin, Stephen Coates Organizations: Kremlin, West, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, Ukraine, Russian, Moscow, North Korea, United States

☆ Jubilant Man City overcome Inter to complete the treble
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/17] Soccer Football - Champions League Final - Manchester City v Inter Milan - Manchester City fans at Manchester's 4TheFans Fan Park for the Champions League Final - Manchester, Britain - June 10, 2023 Manchester City fans celebrate after winning the Champions League final Action Images via... Read moreSummary City beat Inter 1-0 to win club's first Champions LeagueRodri scores 68th minute winner for Guardiola's sideVictory completes treble with FA Cup and Premier LeagueISTANBUL, June 10 (Reuters) - Manchester City finally expanded their domestic domination across the continent as they beat Inter Milan 1-0 with a second-half Rodri goal to win the Champions League for the first time and complete a rare treble on a nervous Saturday evening. An eruption of joy greeted the final whistle with City's players sprinting towards their fans in the Ataturk Stadium. It belongs to us," said City manager Pep Guardiola. City may have experienced a horrible sense of deja vu as chief playmaker De Bruyne also failed to finish the final two years ago when City fell short against Chelsea. It was City's night, and the celebrations will be long and loud, while for Inter there was no repeat of their surprise 2010 win over Bayern Munich.

Persons: club's, Ederson, Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne, De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Rodri, Guardiola, City's, Sheikh Mansour, Noel, Liam Gallagher, jinx, Simone Inzaghi's, Matteo Darmian, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni, Haaland, Andre Onana, Manuel Akanji, Lautaro Martinez, selfishly, Romelu, Bernardo Silva, Federico Dimarco, Edin Dzeko, Lukaku, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, Manchester City, Inter Milan, Champions, League, City, Inter, FA Cup, Premier League ISTANBUL, Premier League, FA, Champions League, Manchester, Chelsea, BT Sport, Oasis, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Roma, Sevilla, Europa League, Fiorentina, West Ham United, Europa Conference, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, Spanish, Barcelona, Real, Liverpool, Porto, Brazilian

☆ China envoy in South Korea warns of 'wrong bets' over Sino-U.S. rivalry
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, June 9 (Reuters) - South Korea might be making "wrong bets" in the Sino-U.S. rivalry, the Chinese ambassador in Seoul said, urging Seoul to stop "decoupling" from China and restore economic and diplomatic ties. Xing blamed Seoul for creating "difficulties" for bilateral ties by failing to respect Beijing's core interests, including Taiwan, while being influenced by the United States. Frankly, the blame does not lie with China," he said, according to a statement released by the embassy. Xing warned against making the "wrong judgment" on China because of the "interference of external factors" such as U.S. pressure. "In a situation where the United States is pressuring China with all its might, some are betting that the United States will win and China will lose.

Persons: Xing Haiming, Lee Jae, myung, Yoon Suk, Xing, Yoon, Hyonhee Shin, Gerry Doyle Organizations: China, Reuters, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, U.S, Seoul, China, Taiwan, United States, Beijing

☆ Japan, South Korea to speed up talks over pending military issues
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SINGAPORE, June 4 (Reuters) - Japan and South Korea agreed on Sunday to quickly resolve disputes over past military encounters that stand in the way of closer security cooperation, Japan's defence minister said at the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore. Yasukazu Hamada held talks with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jong-sup, as part of Asia's top security conference. "We discussed pending issues" and agreed "to accelerate talks, including steps to prevent a recurrence" of a 2018 radar incident, Hamada told reporters after the meeting. "We will continue to keep close communication with South Korea," he said. Hamada said he and Lee agreed on the importance of promoting defence cooperation among Japan, South Korea and the United States.

Persons: Yasukazu Hamada, Lee Jong, Hamada, Lee, Kaori Kaneko, Tim Kelly, Hyonhee Shin, Hyun Young Yi, Gerry Doyle, William Mallard Organizations: South Korean, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Seoul, Korean, North Korea, U.S, United States

☆ North Korea slams UN meeting on satellite launch, 'robbery' US demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing what it called a space satellite toward the south, in Seoul, South Korea, May 31, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Hong-JiSEOUL, June 4 (Reuters) - North Korea denounced the U.N. Security Council for holding a meeting on its recent satellite launch upon "robbery demands" from the U.S., vowing to continue rejecting sanctions and taking "self-defensive" action, state media KCNA said on Sunday. She said the satellite launch was a "legitimate, self-defensive countermeasure" against increasing threats from the U.S. and its allies, which Pyongyang have accused of rekindling tension with their annual springtime military drills. North Korea will never acknowledge U.N. sanctions resolutions "even if they slap them hundred, thousand times," she said, pledging to continue exercising its sovereign rights, including launching spy satellites. North Korea had informed the IMO of a time frame of its planned satellite launch, and the resolution "strongly" condemned the isolated country's missile tests "which seriously threatened the safety of seafarers and international shipping."

Persons: Kim Hong, Ji, KCNA, Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un, Kim, Kim Myong Chol, Hyonhee Shin, Nick Zieminski Organizations: REUTERS, . Security, UNSC, KCNA, International Maritime, Thomson Locations: North Korea, Seoul, South Korea, Ji SEOUL, U.S, United States, Pyongyang, Korea

[1/5] TANAKA whose real name is Kim Kyung-wook, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Seoul, South Korea, May 16, 2023. Now Kim exemplifies the changing attitudes of young Koreans as ties with Japan thaw. DEMAND REBOUNDThe quarrels are being left behind as the enthusiasm of young Koreans fuels a sharp rebound in demand for Japanese consumer products. That compared with a 90% drop in imports of Japanese beer in 2019, when the intensifying feuds made it an early target of a sweeping boycott. "China is clearly less preferred than countries like the United States and Japan," Kim said, citing Beijing's curbs on freedom in Hong Kong and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Persons: TANAKA, Kim Kyung, Kim Hong, Ji, Jeong, Tanaka, idolises, I've, it's, Kim, Fumio Kishida, Yoon Suk, James Kim, Hyonhee Shin, Heekyong Yang, Jimin Jung, Daewoung Kim, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, South, Korea's, Relations, Asahi Group Holdings, Costco, Hankook Research, Asan Institute, Policy Studies, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Ji SEOUL, South Korean, Japan, Tokyo, Korean, China, Russia, North Korea, United States, Hong Kong

☆ South Korea experts say more study needed on Japan's nuclear water plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission Chairperson Yoo Guk-hee announce the results of their inspection of Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant during a press conference at Government Complex Building in Seoul, South Korea. South Korea's inspection team for... Read moreSEOUL, May 31 (Reuters) - South Korean nuclear safety experts who visited Japan's wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant said on Wednesday that detailed analysis was needed to verify Japan's plan to release tonnes of contaminated water from it into the sea. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear station, about 220 km (130 miles) northeast of Tokyo, was destroyed by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in 2011, triggering three reactor meltdowns. The 21-member South Korean team had focused during its six-day trip on water purification, transport and release equipment, as well as sampling and analysis facilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency is also conducting a safety review of Japan's plan to release the water.

Persons: Yoo Guk, Japan's, Yoo, Yoon Suk Yeol, Fumio Kishida, Hyonhee Shin, Robert Birsel Organizations: Safety, Security, Nuclear Safety, Security Commission, South Korean, International Atomic Energy Agency, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, SEOUL, Fukushima, Tokyo, Japan

☆ Zelenskiy urges South Korea to provide defence systems - report
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol shake hands during the G7 leaders' summit in Hiroshima, Japan, May 21, 2023. Yonhap via REUTERS/File PhotoSEOUL, May 30 (Reuters) - Ukraine "desperately hopes" that South Korea will provide defensive military equipment such as anti-aircraft systems to fend off Russian attacks, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was cited as saying in an interview with a South Korean newspaper. We have to have a sky shield to rebuild Ukraine, and I desperately hope that South Korea will support us in this area." He said South Korea's early warning system would help defend his country from Russian air raids, the report said. Zelenskiy also requested South Korean military support in a video address to South Korean lawmakers in April, including armoured vehicles, as well as anti-aircraft, anti-tank and anti-ship weapons.

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy urges South Korea to provide defence systems -report
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing what it called a space satellite toward the south, in Seoul, South Korea, May 31, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Hong-JiSEOUL/TOKYO, May 31 (Reuters) - A satellite launch conducted by North Korea on Wednesday ended in failure after the rocket's second stage malfunctioned, sending the craft plunging into the sea, North Korean state media said. The new "Chollima-1" satellite launch rocket failed due to instability in the engine and fuel system, state news agency KCNA reported. The launch was the nuclear-armed state's sixth satellite launch attempt, and the first since 2016. It was supposed to launch North Korea's first spy satellite into orbit.

Persons: Kim Hong, KCNA, Hyonhee Shin, Josh Smith, Chang, Ran Kim, David Brunnstrom, Chris Reese, Sonali Paul, Christian Organizations: REUTERS, Ji, North, Thomson Locations: North Korea, Seoul, South Korea, Ji SEOUL, TOKYO, North Korean, Tokyo, Washington

[1/6] People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing what it called a space satellite toward the south, in Seoul, South Korea, May 31, 2023. The launch prompted emergency alerts and brief evacuation warnings in parts of South Korea and Japan, which were then withdrawn with no danger or damage reported. South Korea's military said it was still analysing whether the launch was successful, while media in South Korea and Japan said governments there were examining the possibility that it failed. North Korea had said it would launch its first military reconnaissance satellite between May 31 and June 11 to boost monitoring of U.S. military activities. North Korea has previously attempted five satellite launches, with two satellites placed in orbit, including during its last such launch in 2016.

Persons: Kim Hong, Leif, Eric Easley, Chol, Brian Weeden, Hyonhee Shin, Josh Smith, Chang, Ran Kim, David Brunnstrom, Chris Reese, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Ji, Ewha University, Ocean, Central Military Commission, Workers ' Party, U.S, U.S . State Department, Korean, United Nations, State Department, Secure, Foundation, Thomson Locations: North Korea, Seoul, South Korea, Ji SEOUL, TOKYO, Japan, Korean, China, Pyongyang, Tokyo, Okinawa, Korea's, U.S, Washington

☆ This former Vietnam War POW spent 10 months in a 'tiger cage'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Instead he scrambled out of a porthole and found himself face-to-face with the North Vietnamese. A day that Wallingford recalled as clearly as if it were yesterday, as he recounted it to CNN at a recent reunion for surviving Vietnam War POWs in California. As a longtime veteran of combat in Vietnam, Smith also had battlefield wisdom to impart to his brothers in arms. But what can’t be disputed is that soon after those bombings took place, early in 1973, North Vietnam did finally agree to a peace deal. “He had the stones to go to Hanoi and bomb them for (12) days, which ended the war,” Wallingford said.

☆ South Korea, EU agree to boost security ties amid Ukraine, North Korea tension
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SEOUL, May 22 (Reuters) - South Korea and the European Union agreed on Monday to step up cooperation on security amid tension over Russia's invasion of Ukraine and North Korean nuclear threats. He also wants cooperation to curb North Korea's nuclear ambitions. They also criticised North Korea's ongoing efforts to develop its nuclear arsenal and Pyongyang's threats of the possible use of nuclear weapons against South Korea. South Korea is a staunch U.S. ally and hosts some 28,000 U.S. troops. It has also developed a crucial economic relationship with China, South Korea's largest trading partner.

☆ North Korea criticises US, South Korea military drills as 'nuclear blackmail'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, May 19 (Reuters) - North Korea accused the U.S. and South Korea of ramping up "nuclear blackmail" with joint military drills, pledging to take corresponding action against what it called "warmongers' madness," state media KCNA said on Friday. North Korea has reacted angrily to the exercises, calling them a rehearsal for invasion. This week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a military satellite station, saying successfully launching a spy satellite is an "urgent requirement of the prevailing security environment". Kim has said he prioritised a spy satellite programme as part of efforts to advance surveillance technology to improve the country's ability to strike targets in a crisis. The reclusive country in December conducted what it called an important "final phase" test for a spy satellite and said it would complete preparations for the launch by April.

☆ The German couple who moved to Italy and opened a pizza restaurant
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Silvia Marchetti | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Living la dolce vita in Italy isn’t just about snatching a cheap dwelling in a charming rural village. Making pizza in Italy and satisfying Italian palates is not the simplest of missions. Only one other place to eat is open year-round – a restaurant serving regional dishes but no pizza. Marco MolinariPaying homage to her Germanic origins she makes pizza with sauerkraut, sausages and veal shin, with tomato salad, pizza kebabs, pizza with goat cheese and pizza with salmon – the latter being the most wanted by clients. There’s Pizza Irene with mozzarella, gorgonzola, arugula and mushrooms.

SEOUL, May 17 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday his country is ready to partner with South Korea on critical minerals and clean energy projects, and to fend off North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. Addressing South Korea's parliament, Trudeau said Canada was committed to increase military engagement to mitigate threats to regional security, while working together with Seoul to denuclearise North Korea. "Canada is ready to strengthen our partnership with friends like Korea on everything from critical minerals to high-tech innovation to clean energy solutions," Trudeau said. Yoon and Trudeau will sign an agreement on key mineral supply chains, clean energy conversion and energy security cooperation, a South Korean government official has said. "Canada is committed to increase not just our trade, but also our military engagement as a means of mitigating threats to regional security," Trudeau said.

☆ Canada's Trudeau to visit South Korea; focus on minerals, security
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, May 16 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will arrive in South Korea on Tuesday for a summit with President Yoon Suk Yeol as the two countries seek to boost cooperation on security and critical minerals used in batteries. Yoon and Trudeau are scheduled to hold a summit and joint press conference on Wednesday, followed by an official dinner, said Yoon's deputy national security advisor, Kim Tae-hyo. The two U.S. allies have been exploring ways to deepen cooperation on critical minerals used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and step up intelligence sharing. Yoon and Trudeau will sign an agreement on key mineral supply chains, clean energy conversion and energy security cooperation, a South Korean government official told Reuters, requesting anonymity as the deal was not finalised. The two countries have also sought to step up security cooperation including intelligence sharing, while navigating an intensifying rivalry between the United States and China.

☆ South Korea to drop mandatory 7-day quarantine for COVID patients from June
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, May 11 (Reuters) - South Korea on Thursday lowered its crisis level for COVID-19 and will from June no longer require infected people to quarantine for seven days, dropping one of the country's few remaining pandemic-related restrictions. Health authorities will still recommend five days of self-isolation for infected people but it will not be mandatory. Requirements that masks be worn at all medical facilities and pharmacies will also be dropped, with masks only mandatory at hospitals with patient wards. Yoon said the government would continue to provide financial support for COVID testing and treatment "for a while". South Korea, which has a population of 52 million, has reported around 31.3 million infections and 34,600 deaths, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Though investigators have yet to pin down a motive in the attack, they are probing whether Garcia was driven by extremist ideologies, a law enforcement source told CNN. Among those killed were two elementary school-aged sisters; three members of a Korean American family, including a child; a mall security guard; and a young engineer. Law enforcement does not yet feel they have a “complete picture” of Garcia’s past and are continuing to dig into his background, a law enforcement source told CNN. The child’s name and age were not given, but the Texas Department of Safety did note a three-year-old child was among those killed. Other victims included Christian LaCour, an outlet mall security guard, and Aishwarya Thatikonda, who was killed while visiting the mall with a friend, CNN affiliate WFAA reported.

Here’s what we know so far about those killed in the Texas shooting:The Cho familyCho Kyu Song, 37 (husband) and Kang Shin Young, 35 (wife) are shown in an undated photo. William, who just celebrated his birthday, lost his mother, father and younger brother in the shooting, according to the post. Daniela and Sofia MendozaSisters Daniela and Sofia Mendoza were both elementary school students in the Wylie Independent School District, according to a letter sent to parents by the district. “Words cannot express the sadness we feel as we grieve the loss of our students,” the letter reads. “Please hold the Mendoza family close to your heart.

☆ Israel hands lawmaker held in gun-running case over to Jordan
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

JERUSALEM, May 7 (Reuters) - Israel on Sunday handed over to Jordan a member of the Jordanian parliament who had been held on suspicion of trying to smuggle weapons into the occupied West Bank. A Jordanian security source said the case will be brought to trial. Its investigation, Shin Bet said, determined that Adwan was smuggling for money and "indeed received large sums of money". Shin Bet said a number of suspects in Jordan have also been arrested by Jordanian authorities over their alleged involvement. Israel enjoys close security ties with Jordan, the Arab neighbour with which it shares its longest stretch of border, but political relations have soured in recent years.

☆ Japan PM Kishida visits Seoul to forge closer ties amid N.Korea threats
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

South Korean officials are hopeful that Kishida will make some kind of gesture in return and offer some political support, although few observers expect any further formal apology for historical wrongs. But the historical differences between South Korea and Japan also threaten to cast a shadow over the blossoming ties between its two leaders. The majority of South Koreans believe Japan hasn't apologised sufficiently for atrocities during Japan's 1910-1945 occupation of Korea, Lee said. "They think that Prime Minister Kishida should show sincerity during his visit to South Korea, such as mentioning historical issues and expressing apologies," she added. Still, South Korea is an "important neighbour that we must cooperate with on various global issues," Japan's foreign ministry has said.

May 5 (Reuters) - The Monetary Authority of Singapore on Friday imposed additional capital requirement on DBS Bank, the banking arm of the country's largest lender DBS Group (DBSM.SI), following the disruption of its banking services in recent months. "Together with the additional capital requirement imposed on DBS in February 2022, this translates to approximately S$1.6 billion ($1.21 billion) in total additional regulatory capital," MAS added. The additional capital requirement for DBS is now a multiple of 1.8 times to its risk weighted assets for operational risk, an increase from the multiple of 1.5 times MAS applied in February 2022 following the November 2021 disruption, according to MAS. MAS has now required a comprehensive review it directed DBS to conduct in March to cover the May incident, MAS said. "The additional capital requirement imposed at this time underscores the seriousness with which MAS treats this matter," she said.

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