Latest news with #US-NorthKorea
Korea Herald
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
New Pope Leo XIV likely to visit Korea in 2027
Seoul awaits fourth papal visit in 2027 as host of World Youth Day Following tradition, it is highly likely that newly elected Pope Leo XIV will visit South Korea with Seoul confirmed as the host city for World Youth Day 2027. The visit may also rekindle hopes for a historic papal trip to North Korea — something that remained unfulfilled under Pope Francis. On May 8, the Vatican's conclave elected Pope Leo XIV, an American-born prelate with experience in Latin America and a background in missionary work. Born Robert Francis Prevost, he is 69 years old. If Pope Leo attends the 2027 WYD, it would mark the fourth papal visit to the country and the first since Pope Francis' five-day trip in 2014. Pope Francis confirmed Seoul as the next WYD host during the 2023 event in Lisbon, making Korea the second Asian country to stage the event after the Philippines in 1995. World Youth Day, the Catholic Church's largest global gathering of young people, was launched in 1986 under Pope John Paul II and often draws hundreds of thousands from across continents to a single host city. By custom, the pope always attends. Amid preparations for the event, attention is also turning to the long-standing question of whether the new pope will visit North Korea. During his tenure, Pope Francis repeatedly expressed interest in visiting Pyongyang, even responding positively to an invitation conveyed through then-President Moon Jae-in. But with US-North Korea talks faltering and inter-Korean dialogue frozen, the trip never materialized. Preparations are already under way for the 2027 WYD. The Archdiocese of Seoul anticipates between 400,000 to 800,000 participants, including tens of thousands of overseas pilgrims. Organizers are mapping out venues, accommodation, security protocols and outreach strategies to ensure the capital can accommodate one of the largest religious gatherings in its history.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
US Trade Deal Live News Updates: US to announce a major trade deal with "with representatives of a big, and highly respected, country", says Donald Trump
US Trade Deal Live News Updates: U.S. President Donald Trump said he will unveil a major trade deal during a news conference at the Oval Office on Thursday morning, but withheld key details, including the partner country's identity. In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said the announcement would feature 'representatives of a big, and highly respected, country' at 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT). 'This will be the first of many,' he added, referring to potential trade agreements under his administration's revived protectionist agenda. The tease comes as Trump's trade team continues intense negotiations following his April 2 decision to impose a 10% tariff on most countries—though those duties were temporarily suspended for 90 days. In addition, the former president has levied much steeper tariffs on specific sectors and nations: 25% on autos, steel, and aluminum; 25% on Canada and Mexico; and a dramatic 145% on Chinese imports. While Thursday's announcement has sparked speculation, Trump has not confirmed which nation is involved. Last week, he hinted at potential trade agreements in the pipeline with India, Japan, and South Korea. On Tuesday, he said his administration would review 'several trade deals' over the next two weeks to decide which to proceed with, adding that the U.S. was now 'negotiating from a position of strength.' The moves mark a reassertion of Trump's hardline trade strategy, which he championed during his first term, arguing that America had been taken advantage of by long-standing trade imbalances and weak global enforcement mechanisms. With Thursday's unveiling, all eyes will be on whether the deal signals a broader shift in global economic alliances or a new wave of U.S.-first trade pacts. South Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-Myung: US-North Korea summit must restart reports Reuters Global temperatures stuck at near-record highs in April: EU monitor Global temperatures were stuck at near-record highs in April, the climate change monitor Copernicus said Thursday, extending a prolonged and exceptional heat streak that has lasted nearly two years. "Globally, April 2025 was the second-hottest April on record, continuing the long sequence of months" with temperatures more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial baseline, said Samantha Burgess from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, which runs Copernicus. (reports AFP) Japan defence minister Nakatani: North Korea's ballistic missile may have flown on an irregular trajectory reports Reuters US to announce trade deal with UK reports New York Times Iran FM Araghchi arrives in Delhi to strengthen ties at India-Iran Joint Commission Meet on 75th anniversary of Friendship Treaty In a key diplomatic development aimed at bolstering strategic ties, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to co-chair the 20th India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting. The high-level dialogue comes as both nations mark the 75th anniversary of the India-Iran Friendship Treaty. Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, welcomed the visiting dignitary and highlighted the significance of the occasion. In a post on X, Jaiswal said, "Warm welcome to FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi, as he arrives in New Delhi for the India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting. An opportunity to review and enhance bilateral cooperation on the 75th Anniversary of the India-Iran Friendship Treaty." (reports ANI) Quad conducts logistics network simulation in Hawaii to boost Indo-Pacific cooperation, MEA says The Quad countries—Australia, India, Japan, and the United States—gathered in Honolulu, Hawaii, from April 28 to May 2 for a Tabletop Exercise (TTX) aimed at launching the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN), a key initiative to enhance regional coordination and maritime logistics. The exercise, hosted at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, served as a simulation to develop and refine the IPLN, envisioned as a framework for operational cooperation among the four partners. According to India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the IPLN reflects the Quad's broader commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. "The IPLN, along with the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), underscores the Quad's resolve to strengthen practical cooperation and collectively address regional challenges," the MEA said in a statement. The simulation focused on sharing logistics capabilities and enhancing interoperability across humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and defense operations. Officials and defense planners from all four countries worked together on scenarios requiring coordinated logistics responses across the vast Indo-Pacific maritime domain. The IPLN is expected to complement existing Quad initiatives such as the IPMDA, which facilitates real-time information-sharing to monitor and respond to maritime activities across the region, particularly in areas prone to illegal fishing and unregulated vessel traffic. The TTX also comes amid increasing concerns about coercive actions in the Indo-Pacific, with Quad members seeking to deepen security cooperation in ways that avoid overt militarization while reinforcing stability and rule-based norms. The Quad's efforts in logistics and maritime awareness are widely seen as part of a broader strategy to provide credible, transparent alternatives to China's expanding influence in the region. US to announce a major trade deal with "with a big, and highly respected, country", says Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump said he will unveil a major trade deal during a news conference at the Oval Office on Thursday morning, but withheld key details, including the partner country's identity. In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said the announcement would feature 'representatives of a big, and highly respected, country' at 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT). 'This will be the first of many,' he added, referring to potential trade agreements under his administration's revived protectionist agenda. The tease comes as Trump's trade team continues intense negotiations following his April 2 decision to impose a 10% tariff on most countries—though those duties were temporarily suspended for 90 days. In addition, the former president has levied much steeper tariffs on specific sectors and nations: 25% on autos, steel, and aluminum; 25% on Canada and Mexico; and a dramatic 145% on Chinese imports. While Thursday's announcement has sparked speculation, Trump has not confirmed which nation is involved. Last week, he hinted at potential trade agreements in the pipeline with India, Japan, and South Korea. On Tuesday, he said his administration would review 'several trade deals' over the next two weeks to decide which to proceed with, adding that the U.S. was now 'negotiating from a position of strength.' The moves mark a reassertion of Trump's hardline trade strategy, which he championed during his first term, arguing that America had been taken advantage of by long-standing trade imbalances and weak global enforcement mechanisms. With Thursday's unveiling, all eyes will be on whether the deal signals a broader shift in global economic alliances or a new wave of U.S.-first trade pacts. (reported Reuters)
NHK
30-04-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Japanese abductees' relatives meet senior US official to seek support
Relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea met with a senior US State Department official to seek American support for the swift return of the abductees. The relatives and their supporters met Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in Washington on Tuesday and held talks for about 30 minutes. The relatives are Yokota Takuya, who heads a group of abductees' families, and Iizuka Koichiro. Yokota is a younger brother of Yokota Megumi, who was abducted by North Korean agents at the age of 13. Iizuka's mother Taguchi Yaeko was taken when he was just a year old. Yokota said after the meeting that he told Landau that his mother, Yokota Sakie, is now the only surviving parent of the 12 abduction victims identified by the Japanese government who have yet to return home. The Japanese government has so far recognized 17 citizens as having been abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. Five returned home following a Japan-North Korea summit in 2002, but the remaining 12 are still unaccounted for. During his first term, US President Donald Trump raised the abduction issue in his meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The Japanese delegation conveyed to the US side its hope that the issue be raised again if another US-North Korea meeting is held. In response, Landau reportedly indicated that the administration intends to work toward resolving the issue. The US department announced on Tuesday that Landau "reaffirmed US support for Japan in achieving an immediate resolution of the abductions issue." The department also said Landau "expressed his condolences for Arimoto Akihiro, who was unable to reunite with his abducted daughter Keiko before he passed away February 15." Yokota said he asked for Japan and the US to work together to resolve the issue as there is no time left. He added that the meeting was very fruitful. The delegation said a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had originally been arranged for Tuesday but did not take place. They said they have requested to meet with him sometime later this week.
NHK
29-04-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Japanese abductees' relatives head to Washington seeking support
Two relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea have left for the United States to seek support from the Trump administration and US lawmakers for an early resolution of the issue. The relatives are Yokota Takuya, who leads the group of abductees' families, and Iizuka Koichiro. Yokota is the younger brother of Yokota Megumi, who was kidnapped by North Korean agents at the age of 13. Iizuka's mother Taguchi Yaeko was abducted by the North when he was one-year-old. The two plan to meet US government officials and lawmakers of both chambers of Congress while they stay in Washington until May 3. The Japanese government has so far recognized 17 citizens as having been abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. Five returned home following a bilateral summit in 2002, but the other 12 are still unaccounted for. Arimoto Akihiro, whose daughter Keiko was abducted and has not returned, died in February at the age of 96. The mother of Yokota Megumi, 89-year-old Yokota Sakie, is now the only surviving parent of the remaining 12 victims. In 2018 during his first term, US President Donald Trump raised the issue of abduction when he met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the first-ever US-North Korea summit. The abductees' families are asking senior US government officials to support their efforts to bring their loved ones back to Japan as early as possible. They also want the US president to emphasize the need to resolve the issue if he holds another summit meeting with the North Korean leader. Before departing from Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Tuesday morning, Yokota said that the group wants abduction victims to return home as soon as possible within a limited time period. He said that he wants important US figures to understand that time is running out, and that Japan and the US need to address the issue together. Iizuka said that he is grateful for opportunities to meet and talk about the issue with leading US lawmakers as the relatives need strong US backing to rescue their family members. He said that he wants to make a strong appeal.
Korea Herald
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
[Editorial] Build up strength
Concerns about possible US-NK talks and USFK role adjustment US President Donald Trump has hinted at the possibility of restarting talks with North Korea. Asked by a reporter at the White House on Monday about whether he plans to reach out to North Korea and its leader, Kim Jong-un, Trump said, 'Well, I do.' Trump said there is communication with North Korea. He called North Korea a 'big nuclear nation.' Though Trump did not elaborate on the communication, it is quite obvious that Washington will likely seek to reopen dialogue with Pyongyang. If US-North Korea contacts were actually happening, it is likely that they communicate through North Korean representative to the United Nations in New York. Some speculate that the US might utilize channels with Russia to communicate with North Korea. Trump is going to reach out to North Korea, but the way his administration treats US allies is not like that. In the recently distributed 'Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance,' the Pentagon reoriented the US military to prioritize deterring China's seizure of Taiwan, according to an article in the Washington Post. The Pentagon will 'assume risk in other theaters' and pressure allies in Europe, the Middle East and East Asia to take on the bulk of the deterrence role in deterring Russia, North Korea and Iran, according to the guidance. Under the guidance, Washington is likely to pressure Seoul to increase its defense budget to deter North Korea and demand a steep increase in its share of the expenses of stationing US Forces Korea. A possible change in the role of the US military in Korea is a grave issue to watch. The Pentagon indicated in the memo that US military deployments will be reassessed. If US forces in Korea are reduced or partly deployed to defend Taiwan, insecurity will grow in Northeast Asia, including the Korean Peninsula. North Korea, which is always on the lookout for security gaps on the Korean Peninsula, is likelier to try bolder provocations against South Korea in such a scenario. To make matters worse, military relations between Pyongyang and Moscow are expected to deepen further. North Korea recently disclosed photos of Kim Jong-un boarding a radar surveillance plane and inspecting the progress on the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine. Some experts suspect Russian technologies might have been introduced in that military equipment. With South-North relations having been strained in recent years, North Korea has become very hostile to South Korea. If the US and North Korea negotiate to restart their direct dialogue in such a precarious situation, one of the biggest concerns for South Koreans would be the possibility of South Korea being passed over. Trump and Kim held talks in 2018 and 2019, and at that time, South Korea was practically sidelined to the role of an onlooker. If the same pattern is repeated this time, Seoul could end up accepting the outcomes of Trump-Kim negotiations passively. More concerning is the possibility that the dialogue will develop toward a deal lacking denuclearization. Should North Korea get sanctions relief with its nuclear programs kept intact, South Korea would face a dangerous security situation. With the South Korean government leadership weakened due to the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law decree, it has been difficult for Seoul to respond preemptively to US government policies. The Constitutional Court is scheduled to issue a sentence in Yoon's impeachment trial Friday. Afterward, the South Korean government and politicians should work together to get South Korean positions reflected well in Trump's Korea policies. There is a very low chance of China invading Taiwan, but it is not zero. Nonetheless, should an emergency break out in the Taiwan Strait, part of the USFK resources will likely be deployed there. South Korea should brace for all possibilities. In an era when the international security order is being shaken, efforts to build strength are a must, not an option.
