logo
South Korea reviewing various options to improve North Korea ties, including tourist visits

South Korea reviewing various options to improve North Korea ties, including tourist visits

Straits Times7 days ago
Find out what's new on ST website and app.
Tourism is one of a narrow range of cash sources for North Korea that are not targeted under United Nations sanctions over its nuclear and weapons programmes.
SEOUL - South Korea is studying various plans to improve relations with North Korea, a spokesperson for South Korea's Unification Ministry said on July 21, in response to a media report that Seoul is considering allowing individual tours to North Korea.
Mr Koo Byung-sam, a spokesperson for the ministry that handles inter-Korea affairs, refused to comment on a 'particular issue'.
But, he said he understood individual tours were not in violation of international sanctions.
Tourism is one of a narrow range of cash sources for North Korea that are not targeted under United Nations sanctions over its nuclear and weapons programmes.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has pledged to improve strained relations with Pyongyang that have reached their worst level in years.
In a bid to ease tensions, Mr Lee suspended anti-North Korea loudspeaker broadcasts along the border and ordered a halt to leaflet campaigns criticising the North's leaders by anti-Pyongyang activists.
The president has said he will discuss further plans with top security officials to resume dialogue with North Korea that is technically at war with the South.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF
Asia Japan PM Ishiba apologises to his party for election loss, vows to stay in office to deal with US tariff talks
Business $1.1 billion allocated to three fund managers to boost Singapore stock market: MAS
Singapore Proof & Company Spirits closes Singapore distribution business
Singapore Malaysia-bound motorists urged to avoid Tuas Second Link on July 23 due to chemical spill exercise
Singapore Mandai Wildlife Group group CEO Mike Barclay to retire; Bennett Neo named as successor
Singapore Jail, caning for man who held metal rod to cashier's neck in failed robbery attempt
Singapore Fresh charge for woman who harassed nurse during pandemic, created ruckus at lion dance competition
North Korea recently opened a beach resort in the city of Wonsan, a flagship project driven by leader Kim Jong Un to promote tourism.
But, the tourist area is temporarily not accepting foreign visitors, according to a July 16 note by DPR Korea Tour, a website operated by North Korea's National Tourism Administration.
North Korea first needs to open the area to the outside world, the Unification Ministry spokesperson said, asked if South Koreans could travel to Wonsan.
South Korea once ran tours to North Korea's Mount Kumgang area, but suspended them in 2008, when a South Korean tourist was shot dead by a North Korean soldier. REUTERS
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Abbot of China's iconic Shaolin temple under probe for corruption, sexual misconduct
Abbot of China's iconic Shaolin temple under probe for corruption, sexual misconduct

Straits Times

time3 minutes ago

  • Straits Times

Abbot of China's iconic Shaolin temple under probe for corruption, sexual misconduct

Find out what's new on ST website and app. Venerable Shi Yongxin took office in 1999 as abbot of the famous temple, and had faced similar allegations in 2015. BEIJING - Chinese authorities are investigating the head of the temple where gongfu was born over alleged embezzlement and other misconduct, the monastery said. Abbot Shi Yongxin, known as the 'CEO monk' for establishing dozens of companies abroad, is suspected of embezzling project funds and temple assets, the Shaolin Temple said in a statement on WeChat on July 27 . It said Abbot Shi had seriously violated Buddhist precepts, including by allegedly engaging in 'improper relationships with multiple women. Multiple departments were conducting a joint investigation, the temple said. Abbot Shi has previously been accused by former monks of embezzling money from a temple-run company, maintaining a fleet of luxury cars and fathering children with multiple women. China's government exercises authority over the appointment of religious leaders, and improper conduct is often grounds for removal from office. A hashtag related to the temple scandal had been viewed over 560 million times on social media platform Weibo, as at the morning of July 28 . Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole backfilled; road to be repaved after LTA tests Singapore Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole did not happen overnight: Experts Singapore Authorities say access to Changi intertidal areas unaffected by reclamation, in response to petition Singapore SIA flights between S'pore and Cambodia, S'pore and Thailand, operating normally amid border dispute Singapore Police statements by doctor in fake vaccine case involving Iris Koh allowed in court: Judge Singapore New Mandai North Crematorium, ash-scattering garden to open on Aug 15 Singapore Not feasible for S'pore to avoid net‑zero; all options to cut energy emissions on table: Tan See Leng Singapore With regional interest in nuclear energy rising, S'pore must build capabilities too: Tan See Leng The last post to the abbot's personal account on Weibo declared: 'when one's own nature is pure, the pure land is here in the present'. Abbot Shi faced similar allegations in 2015 which the temple called vicious libel. The 59-year-old took office as abbot in 1999 and in the following decades expanded Shaolin studies and cultural knowledge overseas. He helped the temple in China's Henan province to establish dozens of companies – but received backlash for commercialising Buddhism. The temple, established in AD495 , is known as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Chinese gongfu . Abbot Shi was first elected vice-chairman of the Buddhist Association of China in 2002 and has served as a representative to the National People's Congress, the country's top lawmaking body. AFP

South Korea pitches Trump on shipyards for last-minute trade deal
South Korea pitches Trump on shipyards for last-minute trade deal

Business Times

time3 minutes ago

  • Business Times

South Korea pitches Trump on shipyards for last-minute trade deal

[SEOUL] South Korea is pitching the US on a shipbuilding partnership as a key proposal to seal a last-minute agreement to avoid a 25 per cent tariff rate. While details remain unclear, Yonhap News reported that South Korea has proposed a multi-billion dollar project dubbed 'Make American Shipbuilding Great Again'. South Korea's Industry Ministry declined to comment. 'We confirmed the US side's strong interest in the shipbuilding sector and the two countries agreed to work together to develop mutually acceptable terms that include shipbuilding cooperation,' South Korea's presidential office said on Saturday (Jul 26). As countries across Asia clinched deals last week, Seoul's negotiators have been racing to stay engaged with their US counterparts as Washington shifted its focus to the European Union and China. The US and EU announced a pact on Sunday that will see the bloc face 15 per cent tariffs on most of its exports to the US, including automobiles. The latest agreement, which follows a Japan deal last week, adds to the pressure on Asia's fourth-largest economy to clinch a deal. South Korea, where negotiations have been slowed by internal political turmoil, is one of the biggest Asian economies to still be without a deal. Aside from China, other major exporters in the region that are in the thick of negotiations include India and Taiwan. South Korea's finance and foreign ministers are set to meet with their US counterparts this week in a last-minute bid to close the negotiations and the government in Seoul has said the two countries are committed to making a deal before US President Donald Trump's Aug 1 deadline. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Also on the table is increased access to South Korea's agricultural market, as well as a fund to invest in American projects similar to an agreement Japan struck. Under the deal, the two sides touted a US$550 billion fund as part of the agreement on the tariff rate dropping to 15 per cent. The South Korean talks are similarly focused on reaching a 15 per cent tariff rate, including for autos, and the recent proposals suggest a comparable structure. Putting agricultural imports on the table raises the stakes for South Korea's new government. Past efforts to open the country's beef market sparked nationwide protests and any shift on rice imports could face even stiffer resistance. Barring a deal, Bloomberg Economics estimates a 1.7 per cent hit to South Korea's gross domestic product, with market volatility and uncertainty threatening to push the GDP losses beyond that. Overseas shipments were equivalent to more than 40 per cent of South Korea's GDP last year. 'Japan's trade deal paints a positive backdrop but also sets a high bar for others,' Morgan Stanley economist Kathleen Oh said in a note last week. 'Korea and Taiwan may need to ramp up new investment schemes to increase agricultural and energy imports and expand market access, as seen in Japan's case.' BLOOMBERG

Malaysia's economy projected to grow 4% to 4.8% this year, central bank says
Malaysia's economy projected to grow 4% to 4.8% this year, central bank says

CNA

time3 minutes ago

  • CNA

Malaysia's economy projected to grow 4% to 4.8% this year, central bank says

KUALA LUMPUR :Malaysia's economy is projected to expand by 4 per cent to 4.8 per cent in 2025, down from a previous forecast of 4.5 per cent to 5.5 per cent, its central bank said on Monday, warning that trade and tariff uncertainties could affect global growth. Headline inflation is expected to average between 1.5 per cent and 2.3 per cent this year, Bank Negara Malaysia said in a statement. The central bank said the global economic growth outlook was affected by shifting trade policies and uncertainties surrounding tariffs. It said Malaysia's "updated growth projections account for various tariff scenarios, ranging from a continued elevation of tariffs to more favourable trade negotiation outcomes." Although Malaysia's economy remains on a "strong footing", the central bank said its growth projection remains subject to uncertainties surrounding the global economy. Malaysia is facing a 25 per cent tariff on its exports to the United States unless it can reach a deal with Washington by August 1. Malaysia's trade minister said several sticking points remained in the talks with the United States, particularly on non-trade barriers, but discussions were progressing well and were on track to meet the August deadline.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store