Politics

Wang Yajun, the new Chinese ambassador to North Korea. (Source photos by AP and CNS/Kyodo) 
International relations

New Chinese ambassador demonstrates drive to deepen North Korea ties

Beijing and Pyongyang looking to counter U.S.-led security order in East Asia

4 April 2023
The U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz arrives at a port in the South Korean city of Busan in March.
Defense

Japan, U.S., South Korea conduct anti-sub drills with eye on North Korea

Pyongyang hints at nuclear retaliation in denouncing joint exercises

4 April 2023
A worker unloads a basket of fish in Soma, a city in Japan's Fukushima Prefecture, on Jan. 19.
International relations

South Korea to continue ban on seafood from Fukushima

Trade and historical matters are complicating efforts to heal bilateral ties

30 March 2023
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol would be the first leader from the country to address Congress in 10 years.
International relations

U.S. Congress to invite South Korea's Yoon for address with eye on China

Key lawmaker calls for more joint exercises to handle North Korea's provocations

28 March 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida looks on during a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on March 21.
Politics

Kishida's approval rating above water for first time in 7 months

Ukraine trip and summit with South Korea's Yoon receive high marks in Nikkei poll

27 March 2023
North Korea conducted nuclear-capable cruise missile and underwater drone attack tests this week. (KCNA via Kyodo)
N Korea at crossroads

North Korea seeks to add 'radioactive tsunami' to nuclear arsenal

Latest weapons tests show effort to broaden Pyongyang's attack options

25 March 2023
Japan lifts export controls over three items to South Korea, as both sides move toward reconciliation. 
23 March 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio KIshida, left, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Tokyo on March 16. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Indo-Pacific

Bring South Korea into Quad to cement Japan ties, analysts say

Tokyo-Seoul reconciliation hailed as being as important as AUKUS

20 March 2023
South Korean civic groups rally against the government's proposal to compensate former wartime laborers at the National Assembly in Seoul on March 7. 
Japan-South Korea rift

What makes or breaks Seoul's gambit on wartime labor issue

Public sentiment toward Japan brightens in South Korea; will it last?

18 March 2023
President Joe Biden, center, is flanked by U.S. officials as he meets with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Cambodia on Nov. 13.
Biden's Asia policy

U.S. bets on next 4 years to cement ties between Japan, South Korea

Biden aims to build on rapprochement between allies under Yoon Suk Yeol

18 March 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will host Group of Seven leaders in May. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
International relations

Japan eyes inviting South Korea to G-7 summit in May

Asian neighbors just started to mend fences after years of strained ties

18 March 2023
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon-hee, at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on March 17 after the summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
International relations

Yoon returns to storm in South Korea after Japan breakthrough

President must overcome lack of support from public, political opposition

17 March 2023
Diplomats from Japan, South Korea and the U.S. meet at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta on Dec. 13 to discuss North Korea.
Interview

South Korea less inclined to align with U.S., Japan on China: analyst

3-way partnership will work together better against North Korea, RAND's Hornung says

17 March 2023
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attend an honor guard ceremony ahead of their bilateral meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Toky on March 16. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai) 
Japan-South Korea rift

Japan, South Korea rebuild defense ties, with U.S. backing

Yoon tells Kishida that Seoul will normalize intelligence-sharing pact

17 March 2023
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, rear left, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, rear right, and their wives at the Yoshizawa sukiyaki restaurant in Tokyo's Ginza district. (Photo courtesy of Japan's Cabinet Office)
Japan-South Korea rift

Kishida and Yoon bond over sukiyaki, omurice and beer in Ginza

Jackets and ties come off during restaurant-hopping evening after summit

17 March 2023
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on March 16. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai) 
Japan-South Korea rift

Kishida, Yoon agree to boost Japan-South Korea trade, security ties

U.S. allies to normalize military info sharing, launch trade dialogue channel

16 March 2023
The flags of South Korea and Japan are hoisted ahead of the arrival of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on March 16.
Japan-South Korea rift

Japan lifts chipmaking export controls on South Korea

Seoul drops WTO dispute process as Yoon and Kishida seek common ground in Tokyo

16 March 2023
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will seek to improve ties with Japan in a two-day visit to Tokyo this week. (Photo courtesy of South Korea's Presidential Office)
Interview

Yoon seeks to hasten military, supply chain cooperation with Japan

South Korean president says the U.S. allies are in talks to lift export controls

16 March 2023
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, will visit Tokyo for two days from Thursday for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. (Source photos by Reuters)
Japan-South Korea rift

Kishida to woo South Korea's Yoon with after-dinner taste of nostalgia

Omelet rice to follow sukiyaki at Tokyo summit as duo aim for warmer relations

15 March 2023
Protesters hold a candlelight vigil in Seoul on March 6 against the government's proposal to resolve the wartime labor issue with Japan.
Japan-South Korea rift

Wartime labor proposal opposed by 59% of South Koreans: poll

Young, Yoon-skeptical voters largely reject initiative to mend fences with Japan

11 March 2023
The U.S. has welcomed signs of a rapprochement between South Korean and Japan. (Nikkei montage)
International relations

U.S. eyes trilateral deterrence talks with Japan and South Korea

Washington sees warmer Tokyo-Seoul ties as chance to bring allies closer

10 March 2023
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will visit Japan next week.
Japan-South Korea rift

South Korea's Yoon to visit Tokyo next week for Kishida summit

Seoul this week announced a plan to resolve wartime labor issue

9 March 2023
Under President Joe Biden, the U.S. is offering $52.7 billion in subsidies to bolster its domestic semiconductor industry.
Comment

Samsung faces dilemma on tough U.S. chip subsidy rules

China investment ban, fear of technology leaks complicate choice of accepting aid

9 March 2023
 Kim Gi-hyeon, seen here speaking at a campaign meeting on Jeju Island, on Feb. 13, won the leadership contest for South Korea's ruling People Power Party in a March 8 vote.
Politics

Yoon aide elected leader of South Korea's ruling party

Kim Gi-hyeon wins majority, beating Ahn Cheol-soo

8 March 2023
Current President Yoon Suk Yeol celebrates with fellow members of the People Power Party after winning the presidential election in March 2022.
Politics

South Korea ruling party race to test President Yoon's clout

Yoon ally seeks to avoid runoff in four-way election

8 March 2023