Tokyo’s lower house adopts resolution; Seoul blasts Tokyo for challenging Korean sovereigntySouth Korea on Friday urged Japan to recant its “unjust” claim to Dokdo after Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda pledged an “indomitable resolve to protect” its sovereignty over the tiny islets in the East Sea. “We strongly protest Prime Minister Noda’s reiteration of an unjust claim over Dokdo that is clearly our territory historically, geographically and under international law. We urge an immediate withdraw

The Global Green Growth Institute is ready to take a new leap forward as an international organization by securing credibility, doubling its workforce and courting several more donor countries over the next two years, its new chairman told The Korea Herald.The Seoul-based think tank was established in 2010 by the Korean government to help countries share their experiences and technological expertise for environment-friendly development. Sixteen countries signed a convention for its status upgrad

President Lee Myung-bak is likely to return the Japanese prime minister’s written protest against his recent visit to Dokdo that escalated tension between the two countries, Seoul officials said Wednesday.Officials said Cheong Wa Dae has yet to decide but is leaning toward refusing to accept last week’s letter from Yoshihiko Noda after discussing with experts in international law and foreign relations. “We’ve been consulting with outside specialists primarily on the possible legal impact (on the

Promotion of economic specialists, return of technocrats raise prospect of economic reformNorth Korea’s ongoing reshuffle of its top brass is adding to signs of change under the burgeoning leadership of Kim Jong-un. Since taking the reins in December, he has been challenging the military’s iron grip, exposing the reclusive family to the public and retuning the communist state’s economic strategy. The Swiss-educated, 20-something leader is seen placing economic specialists in powerful positions,

Missile range limits to South Korea need to be revised as soon as possible. North Korea has constantly developed its missile capabilities by extending its range, while South Korea has been prevented from catching up with its rival. The Pyongyang regime launched a long-range missile, the Kwangmyongsong-3, in April, but failed as it crashed into the West Sea a few minutes after liftoff. Though Pyongyang said it meant to put a satellite into orbit, it broke the U.S-North Korea agreement that it wou

South Korea on Tuesday dismissed Japan’s formal proposal for an international litigation over the sovereignty of Dokdo islets as Tokyo is pondering options to retaliate against what it considers a diplomatic offense by President Lee Myung-bak.Ohtsuki Kotaro, a counselor at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, delivered to the Korean Foreign Ministry a diplomatic document detailing a proposal to file the Dokdo case with the International Court of Justice. Tokyo’s Cabinet endorsed the decision at a meet

Concerns are rising here that the escalating tension between Seoul and Tokyo over Dokdo may take its toll on their economic, cultural and tourist exchanges.Signs of repercussions are emerging from Japan after President Lee Myung-bak’s controversial trip to the islets on Aug. 10 and his subsequent calls for an apology for Japan’s wartime atrocities from the country’s emperor. Tokyo has long claimed the South Korean islets in the East Sea. With public sentiment turning increasingly bitter, the pro

Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan met with Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla Miranda on Monday to discuss ways to expand economic cooperation and other technological and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Chinchilla arrived here on Sunday on invitation from President Lee Myung-bak. She is the first Costa Rican president to visit Seoul in 11 years. The two leaders are scheduled for summit talks on Tuesday. Chinchilla received an honorary citizenship from Seoul City after meeting with

Amid spiraling tension, South Korea is considering reasserting its ownership of Dokdo in response to the Japanese prime minister’s letter which expressed regret about President Lee Myung-bak’s recent trip to the islets, Seoul officials said Sunday.Officials here have been grappling with how to respond to the dispatch delivered via the Korean Embassy in Tokyo on Friday. Yoshihiko Noda also expressed regret about Lee’s calls for Emperor Akihito’s apology for Japan’s colonial atrocities.  The unpre

North Korea is stepping up diplomatic efforts to induce more assistance and investment critical to rejuvenating its antiquated economy and underpinning the new leadership’s power base. International sanctions against its missile and nuclear programs have stalled foreign aid and derailed cross-border economic cooperation. In recent months, however, positive signs have been detected in the North from Kim Jong-un’s recent public appearances and economic guidelines. Optimists say the moves reflect h

TOKYO (AP) ― Japan will hold government-level talks with North Korea for the first time in four years, Japanese officials said Tuesday, in the latest sign of a thaw in relations between the two sides.Chief government spokesman Osamu Fujimura announced that the talks will be held in Beijing on Aug. 29 and cover “various pending issues.”Japan ruled the Korean Peninsula as a colony before and during World War II. Ties between Japan and North Korea remain chilly, and they do not have formal diplomat

North Korea seems to be on course to complete the construction of a new light-water reactor in its main nuclear complex in 2013, a U.S. think tank said Tuesday after analysis of satellite imagery.A set of photos taken in May and June by commercial satellite shows cranes, a rectangular steel structure of considerable height and two metal beams, according to the Institute for Science and International Security, based in Washington.“New construction material has been placed on and near the reactor

Jang’s visit promises faster development of joint industrial zones, greater cooperation in technology, agriculture, infrastructureNorth Korea and China are furthering their ever-growing economic ties as the impoverished country tries to elicit capital needed to fix its crumbling economy and rebuild industries.The two allies reached an agreement on Tuesday to stimulate the sluggish development of joint industrial zones in the North and boost cooperation in technology, agriculture, infrastructure

Amid deepening international isolation, North Korea is beefing up economic cooperation with China through trade, investment and joint industrial projects, which are expected to top the agenda for Jang Song-thaek, vice chairman of the North’s powerful National Defense Commission, who is visiting China this week.The two countries have joined forces to cultivate an industrial belt along their border, which entails free economic zones in the Rajin-Seonbong and Hwanggeumpyeong-Wihwa Islands areas. Un

A South Korean man has been sentenced to death for drug trafficking in China, Seoul officials said Tuesday. The 51-year-old, identified only by his surname Shin, was convicted of smuggling 10.3 kilograms of methamphetamine into the northeastern city of Yanji and selling it, an official at the Foreign Ministry told reporters on customary condition of anonymity. He was arrested in 2009. Under Chinese law, trafficking of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine is punishable by death. In late May, a 53-

South Korea established a public-private partnership on Monday to cultivate overseas development programs in a more comprehensive, diverse and effective way. The Development Alliance Korea, a first of its kind here, seeks to forge an extensive network between the government, corporations, universities and civic groups that are devoted to assisting developing countries. It will also be working with multinational agencies.  Among the some 80 members are the Korea International Cooperation Agency,

Japan may replace ambassador to Seoul, transportation minister threatens to visit controversial shrinePresident Lee Myung-bak’s trip to Dokdo on Friday is precipitating one of the biggest diplomatic crises in recent years between Korea and Japan in the latest twist to their volatile history often snowed under in territorial brawls. Lee became Korea’s first leader to land on the easternmost islets of Dokdo. He dropped by the nearby Ulleungdo earlier in the day to meet with residents there. Analys

Civic organizations plan to request a U.N. agency this month to investigate alleged torture of Kim Yong-hwan, a North Korea human rights activist, by Chinese investigators.The Committee on the Torture of Kim Young Hwan which launched on Thursday said it will submit a petition to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment. They are also planning to refer the case to the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Work

Just last week the United Nations General Assembly adopted the outcomes from the Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development. That conference on June 20-22 in Rio de Janeiro was held not to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the original Rio Earth Summit and creation of a comprehensive global action plan, Agenda 21, that contributed to the adoption of three major conventions ― United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Convention on Biological Diversity and United Nations Conventio

North Korea is relinquishing its rickety central planning and rationing systems in an economic reform that allows greater autonomy to farmers and businesses, Seoul officials and reports said.U.S.-based Radio Free Asia said the communist country is implementing a new economic management system under new leader Kim Jong-un’s guideline announced on June 28. Citing a source from the northeastern province of Ryanggang, the report said the government has been dispatching instructors to brief local com