Category: South Korea

South Korean PM Endorses Presidential Pardon for Samsung Chief Lee Jae-yong

Some prominent South Korean politicians are endorsing a presidential pardon for Samsung’s chief Lee Jae-yong, citing the company’s crucial role in the national economy and its increasing challenges in the global semiconductor market. Public opinion supports a favorable outcome. Lee, who is currently on parole over a bribery case, is in charge of Samsung Electronics’…


No Comment on Taiwan During Pelosi Meetings With South Korea Leadership

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with political leadership in South Korea Thursday as part of her ongoing tour of Asia. Neither Pelosi’s delegation nor Korean leadership commented on current heightened tensions with communist China over the issue of Taiwan. Pelosi met in person with South Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin Pyo and other…


Pelosi Visits Korean DMZ Amid Escalating Tensions With China Over Taiwan Visit

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) visited the South Korean side of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on Aug 4. as part of her controversial Asia trip. Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan set off alarm bells about a potential conflict with China, which threatened a military response if Pelosi followed through on the trip. After Pelosi’s…


Starbucks Korea Apologizes After Carcinogen Found in Giveaway Bags

Starbuck Korea issued a public apology on Thursday over its summer giveaway bags that contained carcinogenic chemicals and said that it would offer free drinks, or other products, as compensation to customers. “We deeply apologize to our customers who are disappointed in us for the recent issue [surrounding the giveaway bags],” the company said in…


South Korean Series to Be “Made in Australia”

Queensland’s iconic beaches, the Great Barrier Reef, and island escapes will be on the bucket list of millions of people in South Korea as one of the Asian nation’s biggest broadcast stations is set to produce a new TV series in Queensland later this year. Titled ‘Bucket List Travel to Australia’, the show will follow…


South Korea, United States to Resume Joint Military Exercises in August

South Korea and the United States will resume their long-suspended live field training sessions in August, the South Korean defense ministry announced on July 22. The joint drills are scheduled for Aug. 22 to Sept. 1. Exercises will combine computer simulation-based command post training, civil contingency, and field maneuver drills. There will be 11 joint field…


South Korea, US to Resume Joint Military Exercises in August

South Korea and the United States will resume their long-suspended live field training sessions in August, the South Korean Defense Ministry announced on July 22. The joint drills are scheduled for Aug. 22 to Sept. 1. Exercises will combine computer simulation-based command post training, civil contingency, and field maneuver drills. There will be 11 joint field…


Investment From South Korea’s SK Group Will Be ‘Consequential’ to US, Says Biden

SK Group, the second-largest conglomerate in South Korea, said on Tuesday that it would invest an additional $22 billion in semiconductors and other cutting-edge industries in the United States. The plan was unveiled following a virtual meeting between S.K. Group chairman Chey Tae-won and U.S. President Joe Biden, who was quarantining in the White House…


Poland to Bolster Defenses With Purchase of South Korean Armaments

Poland will sign a contract with South Korea to acquire tanks, howitzers, and fighter jets as Warsaw seeks to bolster its military defenses amid the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, said Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak in a July 22 interview with Polish news magazine Sieci. Poland is finalizing negotiations with South Korea to buy 48 FA-50 light…


Hong Kong Passport Ranks 18th Globally for Travel Freedom

The Hong Kong passport ranked 18th among the world’s best travel documents, with hassle-free entry to 171 destinations, according to the latest ranking by London-based immigration consulting firm Henley & Partners. The Japanese passport once again ranked first, providing hassle-free entry to 193 countries. Singapore and South Korea share second place with hassle-free entry to…