SEOUL — South Korea and Britain had a ministerial meeting in London this week on improving strategic partnerships between the two sides on a broad range of diplomatic and economic issues, Seoul’s foreign ministry said on Thursday. On her first trip there as South Korea’s top diplomat, Kang Kyung-wha met with her new British counterpart Jeremy Hunt. It marked the fourth "strategic dialogue" between the two countries. Kang briefed him on her government’s efforts for the complete denuclearisation and a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula, and requested Britain’s continued support for the initiative, the ministry said. In response, the secretary was quoted as stressing the need to maintain international sanctions on North Korea until it takes concrete steps toward denuclearisation. On Brexit, Kang and Hunt also pointed out that the transitional period, agreed to in the EU summit in March, will be conducive to smooth shifts in related treaties. The formal … [Read more...] about S. Korea, Britain discuss N. Korea, Brexit in ministerial talks
N korea and s korea
N. Korea aiming to hide ongoing nuclear production: reports
North Korea intends to maintain some of its nuclear stockpile and production facilities while potentially concealing them from the United States, The Washington Post reported Saturday, citing U.S. officials. The assessment comes on the heels of a landmark meeting between the North's leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump, who has since the June 12 summit in Singapore buoyantly declared "there is no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea." Evidence collected since the pair's historic meeting points to secret production facilities and the development of methods to conceal weapons creation - implying Pyongyang is aiming to hide plans to continue its nuclear program from the U.S., having made contrary, if ambiguous, commitments to Washington. Over the weekend NBC News first reported that Pyongyang has in fact recently been increasing fuel production for nuclear weapons at several hidden sites. The U.S. network, citing intelligence officials, said North Korea's regime was … [Read more...] about N. Korea aiming to hide ongoing nuclear production: reports
Trump says he will know in first minute if N.Korea summit will succeed
Trump says he will know in first minute if N.Korea summit will succeedThe Saigon Times Daily U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he departs from the G7 summit in the Charlevoix city of La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada, June 9, 2018 - PHOTO: REUTERS LA MALBAIE, QUEBEC (REUTERS) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on June 9 he would know within a minute whether something good will come of his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore, which he described as a “mission of peace.” “I think within the first minute I’ll know. Just my touch, my feel. That’s what I do,” Trump told reporters at a news conference at the G7 summit in Quebec. “And if I think it won’t happen - I’m not going to waste my time. I don’t want to waste his time.” The main issue for the June 12 summit in Singapore is the U.S. demand for North Korea to abandon a nuclear weapons program that now threatens the United States. “I have a … [Read more...] about Trump says he will know in first minute if N.Korea summit will succeed
Singapore to restrict airspace during U.S.-N.Korea summit
Singapore to restrict airspace during U.S.-N.Korea summit SINGAPORE (REUTERS) - Singapore airspace will be restricted during the planned U.S.-N.Korea summit next week, according to a notice to airmen posted by aviation authorities today, June 6. The Southeast Asian city-state is set to host an historic meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12 and has increased security across the island. The notice, published on the websites of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said airspace over Singapore will be temporarily restricted for parts of June 11, 12 and 13. All aircraft arriving into Singapore Changi Airport will be required to reduce speed and face some restrictions on runway use "for reasons of national security," the notice said. A separate notice on the ICAO website warned aviators to keep clear of the Paya Lebar Air Base, a military facility in the island's east … [Read more...] about Singapore to restrict airspace during U.S.-N.Korea summit
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 5/6
Vietnam eager to develop Lien Chieu deep seaport The government has been urging the authorities to appraise Lien Chieu Seaport, showing strong support and promising smoother sailing for the project. Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung recently urged the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) to appraise the capital sources and mobilisation methods of investment capital at Lien Chieu port. Besides, the DPM assigned the Danang People’s Committee to complete the pre-feasibility report for the project after the city studied MPI’ appraisal. Based on reports of MPI and Danang city, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) was asked to build the investment planning evaluation report to submit the prime minister for approval. The assignment of the DPM shows Vietnam’s eagerness to develop the Lien Chieu Seaport project, which is considered one of two key projects that aim to boost the central city as a main logistics centre in the ASEAN and the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 5/6
Symposium to spur cooperation between Hwaseong city and Hanoi
Michelle Park The symposium, hosted by Korean-backed Mirae N Limited, aims to lay the groundwork for a long-term and sustainable business cooperation between the parties as well as create a platform for women entrepreneurs in Korea’s Hwaseong city and Hanoi to present their businesses, exchange experience, and seek investment opportunities. According to Michelle Park, chairwoman of Hwaseong City Women Entrepreneurs Association (HWEA), the city (just one hour from Seoul’s city centre) is home to 30 major businesses and about 7,000-8,000 small and medium-sized businesses. It also hosts R&D centres and the production units of leading Korean industrial groups like Samsung Electronics and Hyundai (the Kia brand, particularly), leading to the presence of numerous satellite units producing components to supply these major players. “Coming to Vietnam this time, we seek to propel international exchange, helping member units increase business opportunities to avail … [Read more...] about Symposium to spur cooperation between Hwaseong city and Hanoi
While focus is on N.Korea, China continues disputed sea buildup: think tank
While attention in Asia has been distracted by the North Korean nuclear crisis in the past year, China has continued to install high-frequency radar and other facilities that can be used for military purposes on its man-made islands in the disputed East Sea (known internationally as South China Sea), a U.S. think tank said on Thursday. Chinese activity has involved work on facilities covering 72 acres (29 hectares) of the Spratly and Paracel islands, territory contested with several other Asian nations, according to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies. The report cited satellite images. The United States and its allies oppose China's building of artificial islands in the disputed sea and their militarization, given concerns Beijing plans to use them to deny access to strategic routes. The report said that in the last several months China had constructed what appeared to be a new high-frequency radar array at the … [Read more...] about While focus is on N.Korea, China continues disputed sea buildup: think tank
Japan expands sanctions aimed at N. Korea
Japan said Friday it had added 19 more entities to its list of organizations and individuals targeted by asset-freeze sanctions on North Korea.The sanctions list now comprises 103 entities and 108 individuals in total, including seven Chinese entities, five Chinese individuals, one Singaporean entity and two Namibian entities, it said.They include organizations involved in financial services, coal and minerals trading, transportation and sending North Korean laborers abroad, the foreign ministry said in a statement.Japan has already imposed strict sanctions on North Korea, including a blanket ban on trade and port calls.Top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said: "North Korea launched an ICBM ballistic missile that landed in our exclusive economic zone and continues to repeat provocative commentaries."In light of this, as we host a ministerial meeting of the U.N. Security Council on December 15, we have decided on the asset freeze in order to further increase pressure" on the … [Read more...] about Japan expands sanctions aimed at N. Korea
US, S. Korea, Japan start missile-tracking drill
The U.S., South Korea and Japan started joint exercises Monday to track missiles from North Korea, Seoul's military said, following the nuclear-armed Pyongyang's longest-range test launch to date.The trilateral drill comes less than two weeks after Pyongyang test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and declared it had achieved nuclear statehood, escalating global alarm over its weapons push.The two-day exercise -- the sixth since June last year -- kicked off in waters near the Korean peninsula and Japan, Seoul's defense ministry said."During the drill, Aegis warships from each country will simulate detecting and tracking down potential ballistic missiles from the North and sharing information," it said in a statement.Two U.S. ships are taking part, with one each from the two Asian countries.Both South Korea and Japan have security alliances with the U.S., although their own relationship is marred by disputes over history and territory.Washington and Seoul staged their … [Read more...] about US, S. Korea, Japan start missile-tracking drill
N.Korea threats spark South Korea arms sales: study
Faced with constant missile and nuclear threats from its belligerent northern neighbor, South Korea is boosting its arms sales and aims to become a major exporter, a study said on Monday.South Korea's arms industry accounted for 2.2 percent of global top 100 producers' sales in 2016, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in a report listing the world's "top 100" military services.South Korean arms-producing companies' combined sales totaled $8.4 billion (7.1 billion euros) the same year with a 20.6 percent rise in sales compared to 2015, SIPRI added."The increasing nuclear weapons capability in North Korea has led to major investments in South Korea," SIPRI Senior Researcher Pieter Wezeman told AFP.In defiance of repeated international condemnations and sanctions, Pyongyang fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) last week, which reached an altitude of 4,475 kilometers (2,780 miles) before splashing into the sea 950 kilometers (590 miles) east of … [Read more...] about N.Korea threats spark South Korea arms sales: study