Somali pirates have released a Singapore-owned hijacked chemical tanker, but continue to hold four South Korean sailors as hostages. The Singapore-based firm Glory Ship Management, which owns the ship, said Thursday that the pirates had promised to release all 25 crew members, but instead took the remaining four “ashore at the last moment.” The company […]
Somali Pirates Release Singaporean Tanker, Keep 4 Hostages
South Korea Holds Live-Fire Drills in Yellow Sea
South Korean warships have carried out live-fire drills in the Yellow Sea, less than a week after holding a large-scale exercise to mark the anniversary of a North Korean attack. South Korean naval officials say the live-fire drills involved destroyers, frigates, patrol boats and high-speed boats. Last week’s show of force came on the one-year […]
South Korean President Signs Laws Clearing US Trade Deal
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has signed a package of laws needed to implement a free trade agreement with the United States. At a ceremony Tuesday in the capital, Seoul, Mr. Lee signed the 14 bills revising various regulations to conform with the trade deal. Among them are revisions to copyright, patent, customs and other […]
South Korea Military Drill on Anniversary of Island Attack
The South Korean military conducted a large-scale exercise Wednesday on its tense maritime border with North Korea in a show of force to mark the one-year anniversary of the North’s deadly shelling of Yeonpyeong island. Helicopters, fighter jets and artillery were used in the drill, which was meant to simulate a response to a North […]
South Korea Vows to ‘Never Compromise’ on Attacks by North
South Korea is holding a day of ceremonies and military drills on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of a deadly North Korean shelling of an island just south of the contested Yellow Sea border. Hundreds gathered at a national cemetery in the central city of Daejeon to remember two marines and two civilians who […]
South Korea Passes Trade Agreement With The US
South Korea’s parliament has ratified a free trade agreement with the United States, in a contentious vote that erupted in violence in the parliament chamber and on the streets of the capital. The bill passed on a vote of 151-7 during a special parliamentary session Tuesday. Outnumbered opposition lawmakers reacted angrily to the move to […]
South Korea Passes Trade Agreement With The US
South Korea’s parliament has ratified a free trade agreement with the United States, in a contentious vote that erupted in violence in the parliament chamber. The bill passed on a vote of 151 to seven during a special parliamentary session Tuesday. Outnumbered opposition lawmakers reacted angrily to the move to force a vote, shouting protests […]
South Korea to Hold Military Exercise on Anniversary of North’s Attack
South Korea says it plans to hold a military exercise near the tense sea border with North Korea on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of North’s deadly artillery attack on the border island of Yeongpyeong. The South Korean military says it will conduct land, sea and air exercises to simulate a response to a […]
US Soldier Suspected of Arson in South Korea
South Korean police investigators say they will question a U.S. soldier suspected of setting fire to a bar in Seoul Tuesday morning. The soldier is suspected of pouring oil on a stove in a bar located in Itaewon, an area popular with foreign tourists. Crimes committed by U.S. forces stationed in South Korea have angered […]
US, South Korea to Increase Defense Posture Against North Korea
The U.S. and South Korea have pledged to “advance combat readiness capabilities” near the disputed sea border with North Korea, warning that any aggression by Pyongyang “is not to be tolerated.” U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and his South Korean counterpart, Kim Kwan-jin, issued a statement Friday in Seoul. Panetta told reporters North Korea has […]