WASHINGTON (Yonhap) -- The United States Tuesday blacklisted a North Korean bank for its alleged involvement in arms trade banned under U.N. resolutions adopted after the North's nuclear and missile tests in 2009. The Treasury Department said in a statement that it has designated the Bank of East Land, or Dongbang Bank, "for its facilitation of weapons-related transactions for, and other support...

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) ― U.S. President Barack Obama has reinforced trade restrictions against North Korea to buttress a United Nations arms embargo on the North for its nuclear and missile tests, the White House said Monday. Obama has extended trade restrictions against North Korea every year since 2009 under Executive Order 13466 issued by former President George W. Bush upon his termination...

The National Assembly and the prosecution are clashing as the latter has officially refused to abolish the controversial Central Investigation Department as requested by the parliamentary legislation reform committee. The parliamentary committee demanded on Monday that the prosecution abolish the CID and submit a revised ordinance by 5 p.m. Tuesday. The prosecutor’s office, however, immediately...

Two of the world’s most prominent IT giants Samsung Electronics and Apple Inc. are poised to fight it out over patent rights. Shortly after Apple said it had sued Samsung for “blatantly copying” its products, Samsung Electronics fired back Samsung would be filing a suit against Apple for copying its communications technology. “We are definitely considering a lawsuit,” said Kim Nam-yong, a spoke...

Thirteen Korean adoptees regained their South Korean citizenship on Tuesday but didn’t have to forfeit their foreign nationality in the first case of its kind to happen since a revised immigration law went into effect, the Justice Ministry said. Kim Dae-won, 43, who was adopted by a family in Switzerland when he was five, and 12 other adoptees were allowed to have double citizenship, the ministr...

Allies united as they soften stance over past military provocations by Pyongyang Facing the increasing need to deal with North Korea’s ongoing nuclear ambitions, South Korea and the U.S. appear to be softening their once firm stance not to resume dialogue until the communist state apologizes for attacking Seoul last year, according to officials and reports Tuesday. International efforts to achi...

A parliamentary panel on Tuesday debated South Korea’s free trade agreement with the European Union, which was unexpectedly voted down by a subcommittee Friday, stymieing Seoul’s move to expand trade with the world’s biggest economic bloc. Ruling and opposition parties received reports from vice ministers of agriculture, knowledge and economy on the government’s plans to minimize the damage to l...

The Seoul government is considering deploying a 2,300-ton frigate ― currently being built ― to Ulleung Island in apparent efforts to bolster its capabilities to defend the easternmost islets of Dokdo, news reports said Tuesday. “After the construction to expand the port on Ulleung Island is completed, (the government) is considering deploying the frigate,” said an anonymous government source cit...

Seoul National University will launch a think tank in May to work out a long-term strategy for the nation’s research and development sector, the school said Tuesday. Starting with the organization of its members, the tentatively named “Future R&D Committee” plans to hold the first meeting next month. The nation’s R&D policy has thus far been planned by government offices or research institutes ...

The defense chiefs of South Korea and Mongolia will hold talks in Seoul on Thursday to discuss ways to enhance bilateral military ties, the Ministry of National Defense said Tuesday. South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and his Mongolian counterpart Luvsanvandan Bold are also scheduled to discuss regional security issues including North Korean provocations such as the sinking of the corvet...

Seoul City said Tuesday that it will create art performance venues in 50 spots around the city for artists and citizens to show off their artistic talent. The “Open Art Theater” project will start on May 22, with “talent donations” by professional and amateur artists. Those who participate in the project will be given some financial support for their performances. A total of 50 locations were ...

Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik said Tuesday that South Korea needs to make “meticulous and creative” preparations for a free trade pact with China by carefully studying the possible ramifications the deal may bring about on the local economy. “China is actively raising the need for a free trade agreement with South Korea,” Kim said during a Cabinet meeting. “There need to be meticulous and creati...