Latest news with #JejuForumforPeaceandProsperity
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
China's steel towers in PMZ raise 'South China Sea 2.0' question: ex-top US envoy
China's installation of steel structures in the overlapping sea zone with South Korea raises a question about whether it is seeking to turn the area into another South China Sea, a former US ambassador to Seoul said Thursday. Harry Harris, a former commander of the US Pacific Command, made the remark, denouncing Beijing for its recent actions in the Provisional Maritime Zone, an area in the Yellow Sea where the exclusive economic zones of South Korea and China overlap. China has built three steel towers in the PMZ over the past several years, claiming that they are fish farms and a management facility, sparking concerns in South Korea over its unilateral actions despite a bilateral agreement on the PMZ signed by the two countries to ensure maritime stability. "China turns its attention to the West Sea to encroach into the PMZ, disregarding the 2001 agreement between Beijing and Seoul," Harris said during a session of the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, referring to the Yellow Sea as the West Sea. "Washington-based website 1945 rightly asks, 'If we are seeing South China Sea 2.0,'" he said, quoting an article from the publication. Harris' remarks are seen as suggesting that China's true intention behind the tower installations is to lay the groundwork for territorial claims to the waters -- similar to what it has done by building artificial islands in the South China Sea, where it has ongoing disputes with neighboring countries. Given this situation, Harris said diplomacy and maritime cooperation have become more vital than ever. On North Korea, Harris said the recent developments in inter-Korean ties, with the North's leader Kim Jong-un having severed all ties with the South and labeling it an enemy state, speaks to the view that the regime will not give up its nuclear weapons. "Why am I not surprised? None of this sounds to me like he's trying to get rid of his nuclear ambitions anytime soon. In fact, he's telling us precisely the opposite by his declarations and actions," Harris said. While he still hopes for diplomacy to work out with the North, Harris said hope alone cannot be an effective course of action when dealing with Pyongyang. "The quest for dialogue with the North must never be made at the expense of the ability to respond to threats. Dialogue with military readiness must go hand in hand," he said. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Acting president calls for restoring 'inclusive' economic environment amid global uncertainties
Acting President Lee Ju-ho on Thursday called for concerted efforts by countries to restore a "cooperative and inclusive" economic environment that benefits all, amid complex crises and uncertainties threatening to undermine prosperity. Lee made the call in a virtual message to an international forum taking place on the southern island of Jeju, underscoring the importance of seeking "new solutions" to the many challenges arising from ongoing conflicts and a shift in the international order. "The ongoing armed conflicts in Europe and the Middle East pose serious challenges to the rules-based international order, while the climate crisis fundamentally threatens the sustainable prosperity of humanity," Lee said in the keynote speech during the opening session of the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity. Lee pointed out that the global economy now faces "structural instability," driven by rising protectionism and economic nationalism, supply chain bottlenecks, and volatile financial markets. "We must move beyond the logic of power and strengthen the rules-based international order and global governance. We must also work to restore a cooperative and inclusive economic environment," he said. Lee, the education minister, noted that the rapid advancement of cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, is opening up new opportunities for humanity, while at the same time, posing serious challenges to social and ethical norms. Lee underscored the need to enhance international solidarity to achieve carbon neutrality and narrow the digital divide, while strengthening cooperation on cybersecurity and establishing global norms for the ethical use of AI. "In today's hyper-connected world, it is time for us to seek new solutions to overcome these intertwined crises," he said. Oh Young-hoon, governor of Jeju Province, voiced hope that the forum will become a platform for solidarity to overcome conflicts and uncertainties, and move toward peace and sustainability. "Conflicts around the globe are no longer confined to their regions. They are creating political and economic ripple effects worldwide," Oh said. "We must seize opportunities within the crisis and take immediate action toward innovation. Without innovation, we cannot achieve security, sustainable development, overcome structural violence like poverty and discrimination, or realize lasting peace," Oh said. "Jeju is rapidly growing into a global hub for international dialogue ... We will continue to work with the international community to tackle shared challenges and build a more sustainable future," he added. (Yonhap)
