As regional powers are coming together on the terms of restarting stalled peace talks with North Korea, the outcome appears to be lying in the hands of the nuclear-armed state which clearly has the most to gain through the dialogue.Members of the aid-for-denuclearization talks have been engaged in a flurry of diplomacy this month, discussing the best solution to the high-running tensions between t

Expert warns of Pyongyang’s possible missile test-firing, more provocations this yearAs regional powers coordinate terms under which they can resume peace talks with North Korea, Washington appears to be growing more cautious about what impatience and instability could push the nuclear-armed state to do. Nuclear and missiles threats by the impoverished communist state go “beyond the region to the

North Korea is stepping up efforts to persuade a reluctant South Korea into having talks, apparently realizing that inter-Korean dialogue is its only hope of resuming larger-scale talks with regional powers and thereby securing much needed aid.The North called for better ties with Seoul in its New Year’s editorial, and has repeatedly proposed, through both official and unofficial channels, to iron

The chairman of the ruling Grand National Party vowed Tuesday to pay more attention to public demand while backing government policies, a significant wording as his party remains at odds with President Lee Myung-bak over a controversial chief state auditor nominee.His party has and will continue to actively support policies by the conservative Lee government, but at the same time will “make the ut

Foreign ministers of South Korea and the Philippines agreed to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries at a meeting in Seoul. Philippine Foreign Minister Alberto G. Romulo met his South Korean counterpart Kim Sung-hwan in Seoul on Monday to discuss, among other issues, ways to promote ties in the fields of trade and investment, agriculture and energy. President Lee Myung-

Civil service marred by ethical problemsDozens of government officials and lawmakers could have been involved in bribery related to construction site catering contracts, prosecutors said.Prosecutors began investigating the potentially explosive scandal last month, suspecting former National Police Agency chief Kang Hee-rak and ex-commissioner general of the National Coast Guard Lee Gil-beom of rec

South Korea and the U.S. have dismissed North Korea’s proposal for “unconditional talks” as insincere, insisting actions still had to be made ahead of any kind of dialogue. Nuclear envoys of Seoul and Washington agreed Wednesday that peace talks between the two Koreas should precede the resumption of the six-party denuclearization negotiations. The reclusive North made the rare proposal through an

South Korea and the U.S. are in agreement that North Korea should first solve issues with Seoul before rejoining the multinational peace talks with four other regional powers, a Seoul official said Wednesday. Top envoys of Seoul and Washington on North Korea discussed the terms of resuming the stalled six-nation denuclearization talks with the reclusive state, apparently noting the inevitable need

North Korea has violated the armistice with South Korea 221 times, a recent report by the Defense Ministry said, as tensions continue to run high following two deadly attacks by Pyongyang last year.Since the two Koreas temporarily ended their three-year war with a truce in July 1953, North Korea has repeatedly violated the pact and conducted an actual military attack up to 26 times, according to a

Preconditions for reopening dialogue to be delivered to the North ‘via inter-Korean channel’While maintaining tough rhetoric, South Korea and the U.S. appear to be opening the door to possible peace talks with North Korea, apparently sending messages Pyongyang that the issue depends upon its attitude from this point on. Positive changes have been brewing on the tense Korean Peninsula since North K

Former unification minister urges Lee government to seek ‘exit strategy’ from standoffSo as not to lose the initiative to other regional powers in solving issues on the peninsula, South Korea must restore trust with the rival North and work on resuming the stalled multinational talks aimed at denuclearizing the growingly provocative state, a former unification minister here said.Before the Lee Myu

While noting North Korea’s renewed willingness to resume the long-stalled talks with South Korea as well as regional partners, the Seoul government appears cautious not to become too optimistic about the unpredictable state’s change of attitude. North Korea welcomed the New Year on Saturday with an editorial calling for improved ties with South Korea, in its first mention of peace since attacking

Upcoming U.S.-China summit draws attention regarding efforts to ease tensions on peninsulaWith neither Koreas wanting another war, signs of peace and dialogue are brewing for the first time in months on the divided peninsula. North Korea, which conducted two deadly attacks against South Korea in the past year, welcomed the New Year with a call for better ties with the rival South.“The danger of wa