Tag: Korea

US, South Korean Navies End Key Exercise Amid North Korea Tension

SEOUL, South Korea—The U.S. aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan concluded a naval exercise with South Korea in the Philippine Sea on Saturday, the two militaries said, amid signs that North Korea is possibly preparing to conduct its first nuclear test explosion since 2017. The three-day exercise that began Thursday in international waters off the Japanese island…


US, South Korean Navies Hold Key Exercise Amid North Korea Tension

SEOUL, South Korea—The U.S. aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan concluded a naval exercise with South Korea in the Philippine Sea on Saturday, the two militaries said, amid signs that North Korea is possibly preparing to conduct its first nuclear test explosion since 2017. The three-day exercise that began Thursday in international waters off the Japanese island…


South Korea Fines Mercedes $16.9 Million Over Emission Rules Breach

SEOUL—South Korea’s antitrust regulator said on Monday it decided to fine German carmaker Mercedes-Benz and its Korean unit 20.2 billion won ($16.9 million) for false advertising tied to gas emissions of its diesel passenger vehicles. The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) said Mercedes had tampered with pollution mitigation devices by installing illegal software in its…


US Focused on Existing Metals Talks, Tai Tells South Korean Trade Chief

WASHINGTON—U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai told South Korea’s trade minister on Thursday the United States was focused on “existing conversations” on steel and aluminum access and that domestic industry’s concerns were influencing the Biden administration’s approach, her office said. South Korea is seeking relief from U.S. tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent…


South Korean Rescuers Locate Man at Collapsed Construction Site

SEOUL, South Korea—South Korean rescuers on Thursday located a man under a pile of debris and broken concrete at the construction site of a 39-floor building that partially collapsed three days earlier, leaving six workers missing, officials said. Crews were trying to clear the rubble to reach the man, but have yet to confirm whether…


China, Philippines Halt Canadian Beef Imports After Discovery of ‘Atypical’ BSE Case

CALGARY—A cattle industry group says it is hopeful a newly imposed import ban on Canadian beef by China and two other Asian countries will be temporary. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association confirmed Tuesday that China—which imports approximately $170 million of Canadian beef annually, making it the industry’s third-largest global market—has halted imports of beef from Canada…


South Korean Crosses Armed Border in Rare Defection to North

SEOUL—A South Korean has crossed the heavily fortified border in a rare defection to North Korea, South Korea’s military said on Sunday. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it carried out a search operation after detecting the person around 9:20 p.m. (7:20 ET) on Saturday on the eastern side of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ)…


Australia Opens Border for International Students and Skilled Migrants

International students, skilled workers, humanitarian, working holiday, and provisional family visa holders can return to Australia from Dec. 15 after more than 18 months, as travel bubbles with South Korea and Japan open. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed on Dec. 13 that the two-week delay on the nation’s international reopening will end as scheduled. The pause was…


Japan Seeks Extra Defense Budget Amid China, North Korea Concern

TOKYO—Japan’s Cabinet on Friday approved a 770 billion yen ($6.8 billion) request for an extra defense budget through March to expedite the purchase of missiles, anti-submarine rockets, and other weapons amid rising concern over the escalation of military activities by China, Russia, and North Korea. The request, still pending parliamentary approval, brings Japan’s military spending…


South Korea to Launch Task Force on Banning Dog Meat

SEOUL, South Korea—South Korea on Thursday said it will launch a task force to consider outlawing dog meat consumption after the country’s president offered to look into ending the centuries-old practice. Restaurants that serve dog meat are dwindling in South Korea as younger people find dog meat a less appetizing dining option and pets are…