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Korea Herald
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Bipartisan resolution passes in Seoul for honoring Charles Rangel
The National Assembly in Seoul on Thursday unanimously voted to pass a resolution to remember former Congressman Charles Rangel, a US Army veteran who fought in the Korean War. The resolution, co-authored by Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Kim Young-bae and People Power Party Rep. Choi Hyung-du, was signed by 69 lawmakers of the two main parties. In the resolution, South Korean lawmakers said they express their "deepest respect" of the late congressman for his "dedication to defending the freedom and peace of the Republic of Korea against the illegal invasion by North Korea on June 25, 1950." The Republic of Korea is South Korea's official name. Rangel, over his time in the US Congress from 1971 to 2017, made "great contributions to the ROK-US alliance's resilience and strength, and peace on the Korean Peninsula," the resolution also said. "We extend our deepest condolences on the passing of Rep. Charles Rangel, and in his honor, resolve to continue to remember and cherish the values and spirit of the ROK-US alliance." Rangel, who died in May at 94 years, earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service in the Korean War. Also on Thursday, the National Assembly held an opening ceremony of the Seoul office of the Korea-US Parliamentarians' Union. "I think lawmakers of both parties all agree on the importance of continued efforts to cultivate the alliance and friendship between the two countries," Woo Won-shik, the Assembly speaker, said at the ceremony. The Korea chapter of the union launched in March.
Japan Forward
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Lee Jae-myung's Anti-Japan Stance a Setback for South Korea
このページを 日本語 で読む Lee Jae-myung is the former leader of the North Korea-friendly, anti-Japan, left-wing Democratic Party of Korea. Inaugurated on June 4, now Lee is the new president of the Republic of Korea. In his inaugural address, Lee declared, "We will strengthen the ROK-US alliance as the bedrock and solidify trilateral cooperation with Japan." Yet, we cannot help but have concerns as to whether he will actually implement policies in line with this vow. After all, in his campaign platform, Lee pledged to try to have materials on former comfort women entered into UNESCO's "Memory of the World" registry. He also announced his intention to set up a new foundation to address the issue. Then he raised it again, pledging to work towards international solidarity regarding the human rights of women during wartime. Furthermore, at a debate on the comfort women issue during the election campaign, he made the following pronouncement: "I will restore the honor [of the former comfort women] and obtain maximum compensation. I will correct the historical legacy and be a responsible presidential candidate." Lee thereby revealed his intent to rehash the issue. Fond of anti-Japan rhetoric, opposition leader Lee Jae-myung addresses his supporters in his campaign on March 19, 2024. (©Lee Jae-myung Facebook) 'Final and Irreversible Resolution' in 2015 The governments of Japan and South Korea have confirmed that their 2015 agreement concerning the comfort women issue constituted "final and irreversible resolution." Seeking UNESCO registry or similar acts would run counter to the agreement. There is even a possibility that Japan-South Korea relations will return to the level they were at during the Moon Jae In administration. At that time, many observers said they were at their worst in the postwar era. Should that occur, the foundation of political and economic relations between Japan and South Korea will again collapse. In the past, Lee had labeled Japan as an "enemy state." However, during his campaign for the presidency, he changed his tune and referred to Japan as "an important partner." But a nation that does not abide by bilateral agreements cannot be considered a partner. Moreover, scrapping the decision agreed to by South Korea and Japan would damage South Korea's own credibility and national interests. North Korea tested a 240mm caliber multiple rocket launcher with improved guidance technology on August 27, 2024. (©KCNA via Korean News Agency) National Security Intertwined with the Region There are also concerns about Lee's perception of security issues. North Korea has clearly identified South Korea as an enemy state. Meanwhile, in his inaugural address, Lee signaled a shift away from the realistic approach adopted by the preceding Yoon Suk-yeol administration. According to Lee, "[South Korea] will keep channels of communication with North Korea open and pursue peace on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and cooperation." North Korea is receiving military technology from Russia in exchange for aiding it in its invasion of Ukraine. China, which aims to annex Taiwan, has also been stepping up its military coercion. In the past, Lee made the following provocative statement: "The United States military should withdraw from the Korean Peninsula." He added, "Whatever happens in the Taiwan Strait is of no concern to us." If South Korea tries to remain uninvolved in a Taiwan crisis, the US-South Korea alliance will surely collapse. South Korea should also participate in efforts to deter China. Lee should never forget that South Korea's own security, including in the event of an emergency on the Korean Peninsula, cannot be achieved without the US military presence in South Korea and Japan, as well as Japan's security cooperation. Advertisement RELATED: Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Al Arabiya
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
South Korea, US wrap up annual military drills, stage joint river-crossing
South Korea and the United States wrapped up on Thursday 11 days of annual joint military drills known as Freedom Shield, which included staging a river-crossing exercise close to the heavily militarized border with North Korea. The militaries of the two countries reaffirmed their alliance and strengthened their defensive posture during the drills, US Forces Korea and South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said. The river-crossing exercise, which was held in Yeoncheon, an area near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, involved some 600 troops, as well as 100 armored vehicles and aircraft, according to South Korea's defense ministry. 'This training provided an opportunity for the brigade soldiers to experience the importance of the ROK-US alliance and maximize the interoperability of river-crossing equipment,' Major Jung Byung-hyuk of the South Korean army said after the river-crossing exercise. ROK refers to the Republic of Korea, South Korea's official name. South Korean and U.S troops had built a 180-metre (196.85 yards) floating bridge in order to allow armored vehicles to cross a river, according to the ministry. 'Regardless of politics, when asked the soldiers in these formations both US and ROK are standing side by side ready to support the US-ROK alliance,' Lieutenant Colonel Brent Kinney of the US Army said when asked about the current political situation in South Korea. South Korea has been suffering its worst political crisis in decades after President Yoon Suk Yeol briefly imposed martial law in December. The Constitutional Court is due to rule on whether to uphold his impeachment by parliament in coming days. Pyongyang has long demanded a halt to US-South Korea joint exercises, branding them a prelude to an invasion. North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles earlier this month, hours after condemning the South Korean and US militaries for launching the drills that the North called a 'dangerous provocative act.'
Korea Herald
09-03-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
HD Hyundai's vice chair visits US naval academy to bolster shipbuilding ties
Chung Ki-sun, executive vice chairman of Korean shipbuilding conglomerate HD Hyundai, recently visited the US Naval Academy in Maryland, the company announced Sunday. During his visit on Friday, Chung met with key academy officials, including Superintendent Vice Admiral Yvette M. Davids and Academic Dean Samara Firebaugh. He also toured the academy's hull structure class and fluid dynamics laboratory, engaging with faculty and students in discussions about the future of the naval industry. "South Korea is a strong ally and a trusted partner of the US, and together we will be a driving force in the innovation of the shipbuilding and maritime industry," said Chung at a meeting with the students. "The ROK-US alliance was forged in sacrifice and has been strengthened over the decades. Today, it is more than a military partnership. It is a pillar of global security. As challenges evolve, so too must our cooperation." Chung's visit to the naval academy comes as the US seeks collaboration with shipbuilding giants in allied nations such as South Korea and Japan to revitalize its struggling shipbuilding industry. The US' limited shipbuilding capacity has emerged as a major challenge for its naval forces, especially as China's military fleet has significantly outgrown it in numbers. In February, HD Hyundai expressed its intention to collaborate with the US at a conference hosted by the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC, stating its support for addressing naval security issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
Associated Press
09-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
HD Hyundai Executive Vice Chairman Chung Kisun Visited the US Naval Academy
SEOUL, South Korea, March 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HD Hyundai Executive Vice Chairman Chung Kisun visited the US Naval Academy (USNA), the cradle of the world's most powerful navy. HD Hyundai announced that on Friday the 7th, Chung visited the USNA in Annapolis, Maryland, meeting with USNA Superintendent Vice Admiral Yvette M. Davids, Academic Dean Samara Firebaugh, and other academy officials. Chung visited a hull structure lecture and a fluid dynamics laboratory, where he exchanged ideas with faculty and midshipmen about future maritime developments and research challenges. 'South Korea is a strong ally and a trusted partner of the United States, and together we will be a driving force in the innovation of the shipbuilding and maritime industry,' said Chung during his visit. 'The ROK-US alliance was forged in sacrifice and has been strengthened over the decades. Today, it is more than a military partnership. It is a pillar of global security. As challenges evolve, so too must our cooperation.' He continued, 'HD Hyundai has secured world-leading technology in AI-based autonomous navigation and advanced digital vessels,' and emphasized, 'We have successfully built five world-class Aegis destroyers, which we have delivered to the Navy, supporting innovation in national security.' Former Republic of Korea Navy Chief of Naval Operations Jung Ho-sub, who accompanied Chung on the visit, said 'I hope that based on the world's leading shipbuilding technology, we can actively cooperate with the U.S. Navy to contribute to maintaining global peace.' Chung, also a former officer in the RoK Army Commando Regiment, has shown continuous support for military personnel in Korea as well. In January of this year, he sent special barbecue meals to encourage Naval ROTC cadets during winter training at the Naval Education Command in Jinhae. In January 2023, he also sent a coffee truck to an Army ROTC winter training site. Meanwhile, HD Hyundai signed an MOU for educational cooperation with the University of Michigan and Seoul National University last July to foster talent in the shipbuilding industry and has been expanding cooperation with the U.S. through joint research, education, and internship programs.
