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☆ Senior S.Korea, US officials agree N.Korea-Russia arms cooperation violates UN sanctions
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russia's President Vladimir Putin talk during a tour, in Russia, September 13, 2023 in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency. The officials, meeting in Seoul to discuss "extended deterrence" against growing threats from North Korea, called on Moscow to show responsibility as a permanent member of the Security Council. "We agreed to work together to ensure there is a price to pay for the grave violation of Security Council resolutions," South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin told a news conference. Under Secretary of Defence Sasha Baker said the allies will identify, expose and counter Russian attempts to acquire military equipment for the war in Ukraine. U.S. and South Korean officials have expressed concern that the summit between the increasingly isolated Moscow and Pyongyang was aimed at allowing Russia to acquire ammunition from the North to supplement its dwindling stocks.

Persons: Kim Jong, Vladimir Putin, Chang Ho, Kim Jong Un, Sasha Baker, Bonnie Jenkins, Soo, hyang Choi, Hyonhee Shin, Hyunsu Yim, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: North, Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, REUTERS, Rights, United, Security, South Korean, U.S, Thomson Locations: Russia, Rights SEOUL, South Korea, North Korea, Seoul, Moscow, Ukraine, Russian, Pyongyang

REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Sept 15 (Reuters) - South Korea is reviewing measures to limit currency and swap traders' tenure in local dealing rooms to three to five years, starting as early as next year, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Friday. "The FSS is in the process of finalizing the measures by collecting views from the bankers' federation." Money managers at local banks are fiercely opposing the move, as fraud checks are already rigorously done in their daily operations through middle- and back offices. Foreign banks with local branches will not be subject to enforcement on staffer rotations. The move could be in effect around the time the country's onshore currency market will be extended to 2 a.m. local time, or the end of London business day.

Persons: Thomas White, we're, Cynthia Kim, Kim Coghill Organizations: South, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Woori Bank, Financial Supervisory Service, Korean, Thomson Locations: South Korea, Rights SEOUL, London

☆ S.Korea c.bank says coordinated efforts needed to deal with household debt
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of the Bank of Korea is seen in Seoul, South Korea, November 30, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Sept 14 (Reuters) - South Korea's central bank said on Thursday it needs to make coordinated efforts to contain household debt, which is at levels that could undermine economic growth and financial stability. "Unlike in major countries, household debt increased continuously without de-leveraging and has reached a level that hinders macroeconomic and financial stability," the Bank of Korea (BOK) said in its quarterly monetary policy report. South Korea's household borrowing grew for a fifth straight month in August by the biggest amount in two years, driven up by rising mortgage demand, prompting financial authorities to tighten certain loan regulations. The BOK said in the report it was more effective for macro-prudential policy to coordinate with monetary policy than for policy responses to be made in isolation.

Persons: Kim Hong, BOK, Jihoon Lee, Sam Holmes Organizations: Bank of, REUTERS, Rights, Bank of Korea, prudential, Thomson Locations: Bank of Korea, Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL

☆ S.Korea police arrest 16 Fukushima protesters targeting Japan embassy
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Hongji Kim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] A university student is detained while attempting to break into the Japanese embassy on the occasion of Japan releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, in Seoul, South Korea, August 24, 2023. The protest came the day Japan began releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, a polarising move that prompted fresh, fierce criticism from around the region. A Reuters photographer on the scene saw police officers physically carry and drag protesters from the building and bundle them into a bus. A police officer at the Jongno police station in the South Korean capital said 16 people were arrested on charges of trespassing, accusing them of trying to break into the embassy. The Japanese embassy had advised its citizens on Tuesday not to approach Fukushima-related rallies in front of the embassy building, so as to "avoid getting into unnecessary trouble".

Persons: Kim Hong, Han Duck, Hongji Kim, Soo, hyang Choi, Josh Smith, Clarence Fernandez, Christopher Cushing Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Korean, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Japan, Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, Fukushima, Tokyo

☆ Malaysia's Permodalan Nasional weighs $2.15 bln automakers merger in EV push - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Yantoultra Ngui | Thomson Reuters | Yantoultra Ngui Is A Southeast Asia Deals Correspondent With Reuters In Singapore | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PNB holds 60.6% of industrial group UMW Holdings (UMWS.KL), which in turn owns 38% of Perodua, the country's biggest automaker by market share. PNB, Sime Darby, UMW and Perodua declined to comment. Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has EV maker VinFast , while Indonesia has nickel producers including Merdeka Battery (MBMA.JK) and Trimegah Bangun (NCKL.JK) supplying the key battery metal in the global EV supply chain. Sime Darby Motor has been pushing for the adoption of EVs in Malaysia. Perodua is also eyeing breaking into the EV market and embarked last year on a study to build its first hybrid vehicle.

Persons: Otomobil, Sime Darby, PNB, Trimegah, Yantoultra Ngui, Tom Hogue, Sonali Paul Organizations: Malaysia EV, EV, Sime Darby, Permodalan, Darby Motors, State, Sime, Sime Darby Motors, UMW Holdings, country's, Daihatsu, MBM Resources, Mitsui & Co, VinFast, Merdeka, Sime Darby Motor, Thomson Locations: Malaysia, Malaysia SINGAPORE, Permodalan Nasional, Malaysian, Southeast Asia, Perodua's, Perodua, UMW, Vietnam, Indonesia, The Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia

☆ Blinken to meet Japan, S.Korea foreign ministers virtually on Monday
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to media with El Salvador's Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill at the State Department in Washington, U.S., August 7, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Wurm/File PhotoTOKYO, Aug 14 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will hold a virtual meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin on Monday, the U.S. State Department said. Leaders of the three nations are due to meet on Aug. 18 at the U.S. presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland, according to Japanese media. Reporting by Rocky Swift; Editing by Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Alexandra Hill, Kevin Wurm, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Jin, Rocky Swift, Muralikumar Organizations: El Salvador's, State Department, REUTERS, Japanese, South Korean Foreign, U.S . State Department, U.S, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Camp David, Maryland

☆ Iran says unblocked S.Korea funds to be used for 'non-sanctioned goods'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The sign of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran is seen in Tehran, Iran January 25, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS/File PhotoAug 12 (Reuters) - Iran's central bank chief said on Saturday that all of Iran's frozen funds in South Korea had been unblocked and would be used for "non-sanctioned goods". White House spokesperson John Kirby said Iran could only access the funds "to buy food, medicine, medical equipment that would not have a dual military use." The five Americans will be allowed to leave Iran once the funds are unfrozen, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. He added that the costs of converting the funds from South Korea's won currency to euros would be accepted by the "third country" where the money would be deposited to buy "non-sanctioned goods".

Persons: Majid Asgaripour, Mohammad Reza Farzin's, John Kirby, Farzin, Helen Popper Our Organizations: Central Bank of, West Asia News Agency, REUTERS, Reuters, South Korea's, Dubai, Thomson Locations: Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Iran, South Korea, Washington, Tehran ., Qatar

☆ Heatwave-hit jamboree in S.Korea in doubt as American scouts leave
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Participants wait in a long line to get into a souvenir shop at the camping site for the 25th World Scout Jamboree in Buan, South Korea, August 4, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Hong-JiBUAN, South Korea, Aug 5 (Reuters) - The World Scout Jamboree in South Korea faced calls to be cancelled on Saturday after large contingents from the United States and Britain pulled out a week early over extreme heat and weather conditions. The U.S. contingent will take part in a jamboree programme on Saturday before moving to U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys near the jamboree site on Sunday, according to an email reviewed by Reuters. "The US Contingent to the World Scout Jamboree has made the difficult decision that we will be departing the 25th World Scout Jamboree site early because of ongoing extreme weather and resulting conditions at the jamboree site," said the email sent to parents by the U.S. group's media team. Organisers would meet on Saturday to discuss whether to continue, cancel or scale back the event, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

Persons: Kim Hong, Ji BUAN, U.S . Army Garrison Humphreys, Hyunsu Yim, Tom Hogue, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, South Korean, U.S, U.S . Army, Reuters, Contingent, Organization of, Scout Movement, Korean Scout Association, Minwoo, Thomson Locations: Buan, South Korea, United States, Britain, U.S, Saemangeum, South Korea's, Seoul

☆ S.Korean experts seek to verify room-temperature superconductor claim
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, Aug 3 (Reuters) - South Korean experts said on Thursday they would set up a committee to verify claims that a room temperature superconductor has been discovered, which has driven investor frenzy as well as peer skepticism since. The researchers that made the claim did not respond immediately to a request for comment. Shares in the U.S., China and South Korea have gained since the claim of a practical superconductor was made public, as investors made early bets despite skepticism among some scientists. The global frenzy had been further stoked after a Chinese university published a video replicating the experiment. An index tracking Chinese superconductor-related stocks has surged since late July, when the South Korean researchers published their papers, rising as much as 22%, though it gave up a large chunk of those gains on Thursday.

Persons: Joyce Lee, Brenda Goh, Mark Potter Organizations: Korean Society, Quantum Energy Research Centre, Seoul National University, Sungkyunkwan University, Pohang University of Science, Technology, South, Jiangsu Etern Co, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, U.S, China, South Korea, Jiangsu

SEOUL/SHANGHAI, July 31 (Reuters) - Chinese battery materials firms are ramping up investment in South Korea, announcing projects worth at least $4.4 billion this year to try to meet U.S. electric vehicle (EV) tax credit rules aimed at lowering reliance on China's supply chains. The IRA, designed to wean the U.S. off the Chinese supply chain for electric vehicles (EVs), will also eventually bar tax credits if any EV battery components were manufactured by a "foreign entity of concern", a provision aimed at China. South Korea has a free-trade agreement with the United States that would likely make batteries manufactured in the North Asian nation and later installed in U.S.-manufactured electric cars eligible for the federal tax credits. SK On and its supplier EcoPro Co (086520.KQ) also announced a joint venture with China's Green Eco Manufacture to make battery precursors in South Korea. POSCO Holdings (005490.KS) said last month it would cooperate with China's CNGR Advanced Material (300919.SZ) on nickel refining and precursor production in South Korea.

Persons: Kang Dong, hasn't, China's, 1,274.0000, Heekyong Yang, Zoey Zhang, Miyoung Kim, Tom Hogue Organizations: SK, U.S, Hyundai Motor Securities, China JV, U.S . Treasury Department, South, New Energy Technology, Reuters, Zhejiang, LG Chem, LG Energy, EcoPro, China's, POSCO Holdings, LG, Samsung SDI, EV, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, SHANGHAI, South Korea, United States, China, U.S, Korea, Ningbo, Seoul, South Korean, Korean, KS, Shanghai

☆ S.Korea financial watchdog gathers securities firms to manage real estate risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, July 20 (Reuters) - South Korea's financial market watchdog gathered local securities firms on Thursday to assess real estate-related risks and urged for thorough and preemptive preparation against them amid concerns the number of overdue loans could rise. Earlier this month, a local credit union was hit by customer withdrawals after media reports about a rise in its non-performing loans related to real estate projects, sparking worries about a liquidity shortage at the union and other financial institutions. "The amount of overdue real estate project financing at securities firms is currently judged to be at a tolerable level, but I request for thorough and preemptive preparation, with the worst case scenario in mind, to prevent any trouble," Deputy Governor Hwang Seon-oh said at the meeting. Hwang met with chief risk officers and investment banking executives from 10 securities firms, who shared the authorities' view on real estate-related risks and agreed to implement risk management measures, according to the statement. Authorities will now step up monitoring of securities firms' exposure to real estate projects to prevent any liquidity risks and engage intensively with those of high vulnerability, the FSS said.

Persons: Hwang Seon, Hwang, Jihoon Lee, Jamie Freed Organizations: Financial Supervisory Service, Thomson Locations: SEOUL

[1/2] The South Korean and American flags fly next to each other at Yongin, South Korea, August 23, 2016. Officials from the United States and South Korea are meeting on Tuesday in Seoul for the first Nuclear Consultative Group discussion, aimed at better coordinating allied nuclear response in the event of a war with North Korea. China and North Korea have criticised the group's formation as further raising tensions on the Korean peninsula. When asked whether South Korea will have a role in U.S. nuclear war planning, a senior U.S. administration official told Reuters the group was more about sharing information. "We will discuss information sharing, consultation system, steps for joint planning and implementation to strengthen nuclear deterrence against North Korea," Yoon's spokesperson, Lee Do-woon, told reporters on Monday.

Persons: Ken Scar, Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Kim Tae, Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell, Lee, woon, General John Weidner, Josh Smith, Steve Holland, David Brunnstrom, hyang Choi, Ed Davies, Stephen Coates Organizations: . Army, REUTERS, Nuclear, Monday, South, Reuters, South Korea's, . National Security, Pacific Affairs, . U.S, U.S . Forces, Thomson Locations: Yongin, South Korea, SEOUL, United States, North Korea, Seoul, Korea, U.S, Washington, China, ., U.S . Forces Korea, Lincoln

☆ North Korea fires two missiles after U.S. submarine arrives in S.Korea
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The U.S. military said it was aware of the missile launches and was consulting closely with its allies and partners. The firing comes nearly a week after North Korea tested its latest Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile, a launch Pyongyang said was a warning to the United States and other adversaries. Also on Tuesday, a U.S. soldier facing disciplinary action fled across the inter-Korean border into North Korea. The soldier is believed to be in North Korean custody, Washington said, creating a fresh crisis between the two foes. North Korea "undoubtedly opposes" a new U.S.-South Korea nuclear war planning group that met for the first time on Tuesday, as well as the visit of the U.S. nuclear ballistic missile submarine, he said.

Persons: Yasukazu Hamada, Washington, Leif, Eric Easley, Rami Ayyub, Kiyoshi Takenaka, Nobuhiro Kubo, Josh Smith, Doina Chiacu, Eric Beech, Sandra Maler, Sonali Paul Organizations: Japanese Defence Ministry, Korea's, Chiefs of Staff, Pacific Command, Japanese Defence, Japan, North, Ewha University, U.S, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, North Korea, Japan's, South, Korean, U.S, United States, Pyongyang, North, American, Seoul . North Korea, Korea, Washington, Tokyo, Seoul

☆ S.Korea c.bank warns of financial stability risk as debts rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, July 17 (Reuters) - South Korea's central bank said on Monday there was a need to manage financial stability in addition to price risks as the country's high household debts have started to climb. "In terms of monetary policy, it should consider financial stability more actively to prevent excessive leveraging or risky asset investments when monetary policy is loose," the Bank of Korea (BOK) said in a report. "There is a need to discuss introducing a 'prudential monetary policy' with higher consideration on financial stability, in addition to price stability," the central bank said. The central bank said in the report there was limited financial stability risk from household debt, given the low loan-to-value ratio and the high percentage of high-income earners, but it flagged negative long-term implications on growth and inequality. The BOK has kept monetary policy unchanged since its last interest rate hike in January and its tightening campaign, which began in August 2021, is widely expected to be over.

Persons: BOK, Jihoon Lee, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Bank of Korea, prudential, Bank for International Settlements, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, Switzerland, Australia

[1/8] Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol shake hands after a joint statement, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 15, 2023. South Korea is a U.S. ally and the world's ninth biggest arms exporter, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) think tank. In a press conference, Yoon said South Korea plans to provide "a larger scale of military supplies" to Ukraine this year, following last year's provision of non-lethal supplies such as body armour and helmets. Yoon said South Korea also plans to provide Ukraine with $150 million in humanitarian aid this year, following about $100 million in 2022. Yoon said on Saturday South Korea has delivered safety equipment and humanitarian aid that Ukraine needs, since May, including mine detectors.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Yoon Suk, Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Zelenskiy, Yoon's, Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Pacheco Pardo, Joyce Lee, Olena, Josh Smith, Hyonhee, William Mallard, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: South, REUTERS, NATO, Russia's, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Ukraine, Brussels School, Saturday, Seoul's, Seoul's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, U.S, Seoul, SEOUL, KYIV, Lithuania, Poland, South Korea, Stockholm, North Korea, Korea, South

☆ South Korea's President Yoon visits Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Joyce Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Summary South Korea's Yoon to meet Ukraine's Zelenskiy - Yoon's officeS.Korea facing renewed pressure to provide weapons to UkraineS.Korea to play a role in Ukraine's reconstruction -ministrySEOUL, July 15 (Reuters) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was visiting Ukraine on Saturday for talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the South Korean presidential office said. Yoon said this week his administration was preparing to send de-mining equipment and ambulances, following a request from Ukraine, and will join NATO's trust fund for Ukraine. Zelenskiy asked Yoon to boost military support when they met for the first time in May. South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on Friday it planned to support the reconstruction of Ukraine's infrastructure, such as transportation, energy and industry. South Korean companies and companies in Ukraine and other countries signed agreements on Friday for cooperation in the reconstruction of Ukraine, the ministry said in a statement.

Persons: Yoon, Ukraine's, Ukraine S.Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Irpin, Zelenskiy, Andrzej Duda, Joyce Lee, Hyonhee, William Mallard Organizations: South Korean, NATO, Ukraine, South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, SEOUL, Lithuania, Poland, Bucha, Kyiv, U.S, South Korea, North Korea, Seoul, Korea

☆ S.Korea opposition lawmakers want more experts to review Fukushima discharge plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi and South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party lawmaker Wi Seong-gon attend their meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, July 9, 2023. Yonhap via REUTERS/File PhotoJuly 12 (Reuters) - More expert organizations should take part in reviewing Japan's plan to release Fukushima wastewater into the sea in addition to the U.N nuclear watchdog, South Korean opposition lawmakers said on Wednesday while visiting Japan. Democratic Party lawmaker Wi Seong-gon, who was among the group of lawmakers from the opposition parties, made the comment in a joint statement at a press conference in Tokyo. When asked about the South Korean government's position, Wi said Seoul needed to relay the voices of people who were concerned and opposed to the plan. "We are doing our best to persuade the government and this is why we are visiting Japan right now," Wi said.

Persons: Rafael Grossi, Wi, Yoo Suk Yeol, Hyunsu Yim, Ed Davies Organizations: Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Democratic Party, National Assembly, Yonhap, REUTERS, Democratic, International Atomic Energy Agency, Korean, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Korean, Japan, Tokyo, South

☆ S.Korea market watchdog urges preemptive risk management by foreign firms
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, July 12 (Reuters) - The head of South Korea's financial supervisory agency asked foreign financial firms on Wednesday for preemptive risk management in the face of various uncertainties. "Especially, I request that you do your best to maintain financial soundness and proactive risk management by pre-emptively responding to recent external and internal uncertainties," Lee Bok-hyun, governor of the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), told firms. Representatives from 11 foreign institutions including JPMorgan Chase Bank, HSBC Bank, MUFG Bank, Yuanta Securities, Goldman Sachs Securities, insurers, and investment companies attended. Lee also told the meeting, which is held once or twice a year, about progress in regulatory changes and authorities' efforts to improve foreign access to financial markets, the FSS said in a statement. Reporting by Jihoon Lee; editing by Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lee Bok, hyun, Lee, Jihoon Lee, Robert Birsel Organizations: Financial Supervisory Service, JPMorgan Chase Bank, HSBC Bank, MUFG Bank, Yuanta Securities, Goldman, Goldman Sachs Securities, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, Goldman Sachs

☆ US, Japan, S.Korea hold rare military meeting as N.Korea launches missile
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Idrees Ali | Thomson Reuters | National Security Correspondent Focusing On The Pentagon In Washington D.C. Reports On U.S. Military Activity | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Washington has been pressing the uneasy neighbors to work more closely to better counter rising threats from China and North Korea. He said the North Korean ballistic missile had been launched towards the Sea of Japan. U.N. Security Council resolutions ban North Korea's use of ballistic missile technology, including for satellite launches. North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said on Tuesday a U.S. military spy plane had entered North Korea's Exclusive Economic Zone eight times. A senior U.S. defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said it appeared that North Korea's threats were largely bluster.

Persons: Mark A, Milley, Yves Herman, SMITH, Dave Butler, Mark Milley, Camp, Korea's Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un, Idrees Ali, Jacqueline Wong, Robert Birsel Organizations: Joint Chiefs, NATO Defence Ministers, REUTERS, United, South, Reuters, North, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Hawaii, United States, North Korea, Washington, China, Seoul, Tokyo, Korea, Japan, Camp Smith, U.S, South Korea

☆ Japan protests to S.Korea over military drill on disputed islands
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, July 7 (Reuters) - Japan lodged a protest with South Korea over military drills it conducted on disputed islands, saying it was "extremely regrettable", the foreign ministry said in a statement issued on Friday. "Takeshima is indisputably an inherent territory of Japan, in light of historical facts and based on international law," the ministry said in the statement. "The drills by the South Korean military are unacceptable and extremely regrettable." "The East Sea territory defence exercise was carried out to conduct our mission to protect our territory, people and property," a South Korean military official said. The South Korean military has conducted the military drill routinely every year, the official added.

Persons: Kaori Kaneko, Hyunsu Yim, Kim Coghill Organizations: South, South Korea, East, Korean, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, South Korea, South Korean, Tokyo, Seoul, Dokdo, Korea

☆ Japan, S.Korea to discuss FX swap deal in first finance talks since 2016
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The swap deal expired in 2015 amid worsening relations over issues related to Japan's wartime occupation of the Korean Peninsula, and its restoration would symbolise the improvement in relations, analysts say. "We must strongly raise the momentum for historic improvement of Japan-South Korea relations. The ministers will also discuss global economic developments, infrastructure investment in developing countries, and the role both countries could play in multilateral financial cooperation. The bilateral finance talks, the eighth of their kind, were last held in 2016. Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Editing by Leika Kihara, Simon Cameron-Moore and Gerry DoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim Keon, Issei Kato TOKYO, Shunichi Suzuki, Choo Kyungho, Masato Kanda, Suzuki, Choo, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Leika Kihara, Simon Cameron, Moore, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Tokyo International, REUTERS, Japanese Finance, Korean, Thomson Locations: Korean, Tokyo, Japan, South Korea, China, North Korea, Ukraine

☆ Blinken called S.Korea to discuss China visit; N.Korea warns of stronger response
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, June 24 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called key ally South Korea to discuss results of his visit to China this month, South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday. Blinken told South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin he had an honest, practical and constructive dialogue with the Chinese side, and wanted to explain the results of his visit in as much detail as possible, a ministry statement said. Blinken's "threats" for China to pressure Pyongyang expresses a "dangerous hegemonic mentality", KCNA said, citing a North Korean foreign ministry official. North Korea fired two short-range missiles off its east coast last week, less than an hour after Pyongyang warned of a response to military drills by South Korean and U.S. troops. Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by William Mallard and Tom HogueOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Park Jin, Xi Jinping, KCNA, Joyce Lee, William Mallard, Tom Hogue Organizations: Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Korean Foreign, North, South Korean, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, China, Korea's, Beijing, North Korea, Pyongyang, United States, North Korean, Korea, U.S

☆ Crematorium fills up as heatwave scorches northern Indian town
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Adnan Abidi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Women rest under a tree on a hot summer day in Ballia District in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, June 21, 2023. REUTERS/Adnan AbidiBALLIA, India, June 21 (Reuters) - A Hindu priest in northern India says the number of bodies brought to a crematorium by the River Ganges has doubled in the past week as a heatwave ravages parts of the country. Yadav, confirmed a surge in admissions at the main district hospital and said an investigation was underway to determine the cause of deaths. Brijesh Yadav, 28, said he rushed his 85-year-old grandfather to the hospital on Tuesday after he complained of difficulty in breathing. India has an average of five to six heatwave events annually over its northern parts between March and June and sometimes until July, according to the World Health Organization.

Persons: Adnan Abidi BALLIA, Rajesh Pandey, Yadav, Brijesh Yadav, Yogi Adityanath, Saurabh Sharma, Shivam Patel, Angus MacSwan Organizations: REUTERS, S.K, Indian Express, State, NDTV, World Health Organization, University of Cambridge, Thomson Locations: Ballia District, Uttar Pradesh, India, Ballia, Bihar

☆ Blinken supports efforts toward "mature" China-South Korea ties - S.Korea ministry
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SEOUL, June 17 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he supports South Korea's efforts to develop a "healthy and mature" cooperative relationship with China, South Korea's foreign ministry said on Saturday. Blinken, who arrives in Beijing on Sunday for the highest-level visit by an official of President Joe Biden's administration, discussed bilateral relations, relations between China and South Korea, and North Korea in a call with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin on Saturday, the ministry said in a statement. Blinken and Park strongly condemned what they consider North Korea's repeated provocations, the ministry said, and agreed the U.S., South Korea and Japan should continue to urge China to play a constructive role in the U.N. Security Council on denuclearisation. Blinken said on Friday the trip was aimed at establishing "open and empowered" communications. Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Joe Biden's, Jin, Joyce Lee, William Mallard Organizations: South Korean Foreign, . Security, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, China, South, Beijing, South Korea, North Korea, U.S, Japan, denuclearisation, Washington

More than 85% of the South Korean public oppose Japan’s plan, according to a survey last month by local pollster Research View. Seven in 10 people said they would consume less seafood if the wastewater release goes ahead. "We are getting more customers than usual lately and many of them seem worried about the planned wastewater release," he said. Social media posts talking about buying salt in large amounts and urging people to do the same have also gone viral. Order volumes and inquiries about buying salt have increased as of late, according to the local branches of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation known as Nonghyup in Sinan County, a region famous for producing sea salt.

Persons: Japan's, Hyun Yong, gil, Daewoung Kim, Jimin Jung, Hyunsu Yim Organizations: sil, South, South Korea's Ministry of, Fisheries, “, country’s, Of Fisheries Cooperatives, National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, NHK, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, Fukushima, Seoul, Tokyo, Sinan County, South Korea, Insanaga, KS, Japan

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