US to leave UN cultural agency UNESCO again, diplomats say
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.
The move is a blow to the Paris-based agency, founded after World War Two to promote peace through international cooperation in education, science, and culture. The New York Post also reported on the US withdrawal, citing a White House official.
Trump took similar steps during his first term, quitting the World Health Organization, the UN Human Rights Council, a global climate change accord and the Iran nuclear deal.
Joe Biden reversed those decisions after taking office in 2021, returning the US to UNESCO, the WHO and the climate agreement.
With Trump now back in the White House, the US is once again pulling out of these global bodies. He has already decided to withdraw the US from the WHO and halt funding to the Palestinian relief agency UNRWA as part of a review of the US' participation in UN agencies, due to be concluded in August.
UNESCO is best known for designating World Heritage Sites, including the Grand Canyon in the United States and the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria.
The United States initially joined UNESCO at its founding in 1945 but withdrew for the first time in 1984 in protest against alleged financial mismanagement and perceived anti-US bias, returning almost 20 years later in 2003 under President George W. Bush, who then said the agency had undertaken needed reforms.
UNESCO's full name is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The United States provides about 8 percent of UNESCO's total budget, down from about 20 percent at the time Trump first pulled the United States out of the agency. (Reuters)
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Korea Herald
an hour ago
- Korea Herald
[Wang Son-taek] Subtler signals in Kim Yo-jong's statement
On Monday and Tuesday, Kim Yo-jong, deputy director of the North Korean Workers' Party and sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued statements filled with strong and resolute language targeting both South Korea and the United States. She declared that, regarding South Korea, 'We have completely exited the era of perceiving them as compatriots,' and told the US, 'Contact between North Korea and the US is only America's wish.' At first glance, these remarks might suggest that North Korea is maintaining a hardline policy stance toward both Seoul and Washington. However, taking these statements at face value would be a misjudgment. There exist dual contexts beneath the content; the form itself cannot simply be evaluated as entirely hardline. Notably, these statements were made voluntarily by North Korea at a moment when there was neither an external provocation nor any signs of internal turmoil. Typically, North Korea issues such pronouncements in response to external military stimuli or in reaction to strong diplomatic pressures. This time, however, the remarks seem to be reacting instead to conciliatory gestures from South Korea and the US. Thus, the real purpose of these statements is not merely to reaffirm their stance, but also to deny the possibility of dialogue outright. Rather, they are preemptively setting the parameters for future bilateral or multilateral relations and making their own political and security conditions explicitly clear to the outside world. Since taking office on June 4, the Lee Jae Myung administration has pursued multiple initiatives to improve relations with the North: halting loudspeaker broadcasts across the border, banning anti-North Korea leaflets, considering individual tourism programs and working toward normalizing the Ministry of Unification. According to Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, 'The era of tit-for-tat confrontation is over.' Collectively, these moves send an explicit message of a new approach, differing significantly from the previous administration. While Kim Yo-jong dismissed these changes as 'not even worth evaluating,' the fact that she addressed each measure in detail is notable. Had they truly been meaningless, she would not have taken the effort to include them in a formal statement. Some experts interpret these comments as North Korea making clear that it has no interest whatsoever in resuming dialogue with the South. However, such an interpretation may be overly hasty and insufficiently nuanced. A closer reading of Kim's wording reveals that Pyongyang has been closely monitoring recent policy moves and messages from both Seoul and Washington. Her reference to the Lee administration's assessment of the past few years as 'the worst or most foolish of times' expresses agreement that the administration of former President Yoon Suk Yeol had taken a hardline stance toward North Korea. The North is closely watching how the new government in Seoul seeks to adjust the preconditions for inter-Korean relations and, rather than seeking a full severance, is likely signaling an 'indirect response' and a readiness to seize initiative if dialogue does eventually occur under favorable circumstances. The message toward the United States is strong, but more proactive in signaling compared to the one directed at South Korea. Kim Yo-jong brushed off dialogue efforts made by the Trump administration as 'nothing but an American wish,' yet repeatedly expressed positive assessments of President Trump and his administration, saying things such as 'It would be better to explore new approaches,' 'A confrontation between two nuclear states benefits no one,' and 'The personal relationship between the leaders is not bad.' While they remain unwilling to engage in another round of talks targeting 'denuclearization,' they hint at the possibility of new contact if the US acknowledges North Korea as a de facto nuclear state. In this latest statement, North Korea defines itself as an 'irreversible nuclear power' and firmly declares it will not enter negotiations that do not recognize this status. Yet, by stating, 'We are open to any option,' they leave open the possibility that the door to dialogue with the US is not completely closed — so long as new terms and approaches are genuinely on the table. This careful and conditional strategy reflects lessons learned from previous talks and signifies a potential 'reset,' not a complete rupture. It illustrates a calibrated posture designed to manage both risk and opportunity. It is difficult to decipher North Korea's true intentions. Pyongyang often acts unpredictably and is accustomed to using deliberately ambiguous and layered language. Prudence and a reserved attitude are therefore needed when predicting its next steps. But to dismiss this statement as a mere declaration of permanent severance — and any efforts to resume dialogue as mere wishful thinking, as North Korea might cynically claim — could be a grave diplomatic silliness. Rather, we must seriously consider the possibility that these signals are part of a broader effort by Pyongyang to reconfigure its external relationships when favorable conditions come. Saving face and maintaining dignity are essential pillars of North Korean diplomatic language and its foreign policy psychology. Given this, while the statement appears harsh and aggressive, it may not be intended as a total and final rejection of all diplomatic contact. North Korea continues to emphasize its position as a rule-setter in diplomatic negotiations and signals that contact is still possible — as long as it takes place within its preferred and carefully calibrated framework. That kind of approach might provide a possible reason for North Korea to join dialogues, and South Korea and the US can determine the scenario. In summary, Kim Yo-jong's statement loudly declares a break, but it also includes efforts to monitor counterpart reactions, control diplomatic framing and set preconditions. What is needed now is not to fixate solely on North Korea's abrasive wording, but to carefully analyze the multiple meanings embedded within. Interpreting why, when and in what context this statement was made is also crucial for effective policymaking. Sometimes, what North Korea does not say is far more significant than what it does. This latest statement offers a textbook case in that regard.
Korea Herald
4 hours ago
- Korea Herald
From US to Scotland, Korea chases last-minute deal to dodge tariff hit
Samsung chief joins Seoul's negotiation efforts as tariff clock ticks down With just days remaining before the US imposes steep "reciprocal tariffs," South Korea is ramping up efforts to strike a deal, overhauling its negotiation package and closely shadowing key US officials as it tries to bring the 25 percent rate down. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol departed Tuesday for Washington, where he is scheduled to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday. Koo said he would press for a 'mutually beneficial agreement,' pitching sectors such as shipbuilding as a cornerstone of bilateral cooperation. 'We'll explain our programs and explore long-term collaboration, especially in areas like shipbuilding,' Koo told reporters before departure. Top economic officials have fanned out across the US and even followed American negotiators to Scotland in hopes of reaching a deal before US President Donald Trump's tariff-pause deadline set for Friday. Seoul's 'Make American Shipbuilding Great Again' proposal, reportedly a multibillion-dollar investment plan aimed at revitalizing the US shipbuilding sector, has emerged as a key bargaining chip. Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan traveled to Washington on Monday to support the talks, following the company's $100 million acquisition of Philly Shipyard and plans for further investment, technology transfer and workforce development. Later on Tuesday, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong also departed for Washington, raising expectations that Korea may offer expanded semiconductor investments or AI chip cooperation as part of its negotiation package. Industry Minister Kim Jeong-kwan and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo expanded their outreach beyond Washington, flying to Scotland on Sunday to continue talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who was accompanying Trump on his UK state visit. They held two consecutive days of negotiations with Lutnick on Thursday and Friday last week. The first round took place at the Commerce Department headquarters in Washington, followed by a second meeting at Lutnick's residence in New York. Lutnick confirmed their meeting in Turnberry in a Fox News interview and said that additional deals might be completed before Friday's deadline. Kim and Yeo appear to have headed directly back to Washington, continuing their pursuit of a deal. National Security Office chief Wi Sung-lac and Trade Minister Yeo have been in the US since July 20, engaging in both formal and informal negotiations. Talks initially stalled after a lukewarm response to Korea's first proposal to the US, particularly on non-tariff barriers concerning agricultural imports. In response, Seoul revised its offer, pledging more than $100 billion in US-bound investments and signaling a more flexible position on agriculture. Growth outlook hinges on US deal Asia's fourth-largest economy is under growing pressure to reach a deal as the US finalizes agreements with other major trading partners. A US-EU pact announced Sunday capped tariffs at 15 percent, following a similar deal with Japan that included $550 billion in investments and increased US agricultural imports. Both Tokyo and Brussels secured 15 percent tariffs on key Korean export items such as automobiles and semiconductors, placing Seoul at a disadvantage if it fails to achieve comparable terms. Failure to secure a deal would deliver a sharp blow to Korea's export-driven economy. The country's gross domestic product grew 0.6 percent in the second quarter, rebounding from a contraction in the first, helped by a pickup in consumer spending and exports. But economists warn that steep US tariffs could reverse those gains, putting pressure on growth in the second half. Automobiles, Korea's top export to the US, would face a 25 percent tariff while Japan enjoys a 15 percent rate, undermining the competitiveness of Hyundai and Kia and triggering potential ripple effects across auto parts, shipping and employment. Adding to the pressure, the Trump administration is expected to unveil semiconductor tariffs as early as next month, fueling concern across the chip supply chain, from raw materials and equipment to tech giants. The outcome could lead to tariffs ranging from 25 to 50 percent, similar to those previously imposed on steel, aluminum and autos. In a worst-case scenario, Korean firms such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, whose high-end memory chips are produced domestically and exported to the US, often via Taiwan, could be severely impacted. The fallout could extend to financial markets. 'If the steep tariffs go into effect, the Korean currency could tumble and Korean equities may face a correction,' said Park Sang-hyun, an economist at iM Securities. Citi economist Kim Wook-jin said he still expected a US-Korea trade agreement before the deadline this Friday, citing the precedent set by the US-Japan deal. 'There is a low likelihood that the US will lock in a 25 percent tariff and risk triggering a major economic shock to South Korea. Given the current political climate, the new (Korean) government is unlikely to take an overly aggressive stance on tariffs, and Washington is also seen as motivated to reach a deal,' he said. He estimates a potential 14 percent effective US tariff rate on Korean goods, assuming 15 percent duties on autos and reciprocal items, with no further hikes on the already elevated steel, semiconductor and pharmaceutical tariffs. A successful agreement could lift sentiment and support a rebound. 'If tariffs are lowered, exports could bottom in the third quarter and begin a gradual recovery in the fourth,' said Jeong Yeo-kyung of IBK Securities. Lee Jung-hoon of Eugene Investment & Securities added that with stronger domestic demand in the second half, Korea could see 1 percent growth this year and return to the 2 percent range in 2025.
Korea Herald
8 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Trump says Aug. 1 tariff negotiation deadline won't be extended
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday this week's deadline for making trade deals with countries will not be extended, as South Korea and other countries are striving to reach a tariff agreement with the United States before the deadline. His remarks in a social media post came as his administration's "reciprocal" tariffs, including 25 percent duties on South Korea, are set to go into force on Friday unless a deal is struck. "THE AUGUST FIRST DEADLINE IS THE AUGUST FIRST DEADLINE — IT STANDS STRONG, AND WILL NOT BE EXTENDED," he wrote on Truth Social. "A BIG DAY FOR AMERICA!!!" Meant to address trade barriers to American exports, the steep reciprocal tariffs took effect on April 9, but Trump placed a 90-day pause on them on the same day to allow for negotiations. Later, Trump extended the pause, saying the new levies will take effect on Aug. 1. In a separate post, Trump accused India of having "the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers of any country," saying that the country will pay 25 percent tariffs, starting Friday. The Trump administration has so far reached a trade deal with Britain, the European Union, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. (Yonhap)
