South Korea's consumer inflation has accelerated to a more than nine-year high in May, reinforcing calls for gradual monetary tightening, though the increase was mainly due to a low base effect and rises in oil and agricultural prices.

World Business Watch: South Korea’s inflation hits 9-year high as commodity prices jump

South Korea asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to pressure Japan to remove a reference to South Korea-controlled islands as Japanese territory on the Tokyo Games website, an official with Seoul's Olympic Committee said on Wednesday. 
 
The Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC) sent a letter late on Tuesday asking the IOC to 'actively mediate' the dispute, which has sparked outrage and protests in South Korea less than two months out from the start of the Games. 
 
The small islands, called Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan, have been at the centre of a decades-long territorial dispute between the two countries. 
 
"Dokdo is South Korean territory and political neutrality must be guaranteed at the Games," Kim Bo-young, public relations director of KSOC, said. 
 
"Japan's behavior can be seen as a political action, so we have sent the letter as we believe such action runs counter to the Olympic spirit." 
 
Japan rejected South Korea's protests. 
 
"Takeshima is a territory inherent to Japan in view of historical facts and international laws. We cannot accept South Korean's protest at all," Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters on Wednesday. 
 
Some South Korean officials have pointed out that Seoul removed the disputed islands from a flag featured at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea after Japan complained. 
 
South Korea said on Tuesday, it had summoned Japan's deputy ambassador to 'strongly protest' the map, which sparked uproar in South Korea and prompted some politicians there to call for a boycott of the Games. 
 
Three South Korean students were arrested on Tuesday after burning Japan's 'Rising Sun' flag in a protest outside the Japanese embassy in Seoul, while live-streaming the act on YouTube. 
 
The three were detained on charges of violating assembly and demonstration laws, according to media reports. 
 
About a dozen other members of the student group protested against the arrests outside the police station on Tuesday. 
 
"South Korean land is being taken away," shouted one protester with a loudspeaker, according to video posted by the group on social media. 
 
The diplomatic spat is the latest headache for organisers of the Tokyo Games, which is due to take place from July 23 to Auguest 8 after being delayed last year due to the COVID-19&nbsp;pandemic. 
 
Opinion polls show most people in Japan want the global sporting showpiece to be cancelled or postponed again as the country battles a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

South Korea asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to pressure Japan to remove a reference to South Korea-controlled islands as Japanese territory on the Tokyo Games website, an official with Seoul's Olympic Committee said on Wednesday.

South Korea asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to pressure Japan to remove a reference to South Korea-controlled islands as Japanese territory on the Tokyo Games website, an official with Seoul's Olympic Committee said on Wednesday. The Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC) sent a letter late on Tuesday asking the IOC to 'actively mediate' the dispute, which has sparked outrage and protests in South Korea less than two months out from the start of the Games. The small islands, called Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan, have been at the centre of a decades-long territorial dispute between the two countries. "Dokdo is South Korean territory and political neutrality must be guaranteed at the Games," Kim Bo-young, public relations director of KSOC, said. "Japan's behavior can be seen as a political action, so we have sent the letter as we believe such action runs counter to the Olympic spirit." Japan rejected South Korea's protests. "Takeshima is a territory inherent to Japan in view of historical facts and international laws. We cannot accept South Korean's protest at all," Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters on Wednesday. Some South Korean officials have pointed out that Seoul removed the disputed islands from a flag featured at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea after Japan complained. South Korea said on Tuesday, it had summoned Japan's deputy ambassador to 'strongly protest' the map, which sparked uproar in South Korea and prompted some politicians there to call for a boycott of the Games. Three South Korean students were arrested on Tuesday after burning Japan's 'Rising Sun' flag in a protest outside the Japanese embassy in Seoul, while live-streaming the act on YouTube. The three were detained on charges of violating assembly and demonstration laws, according to media reports. About a dozen other members of the student group protested against the arrests outside the police station on Tuesday. "South Korean land is being taken away," shouted one protester with a loudspeaker, according to video posted by the group on social media. The diplomatic spat is the latest headache for organisers of the Tokyo Games, which is due to take place from July 23 to Auguest 8 after being delayed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Opinion polls show most people in Japan want the global sporting showpiece to be cancelled or postponed again as the country battles a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections. (With inputs from agencies)

South Korea appeals to IOC over disputed islands on Japan Olympics map

Hidden in a South Korean mountain tunnel designed to withstand a nuclear blast, the seeds of nearly 5,000 wild plant species are stored for safekeeping against climate change, natural disaster and war.

Plant extinction is progressing at an alarming rate, researchers warn, driven by increasing human population, pollution and deforestation, even before many species are catalogued.

The Baekdudaegan National Arboretum Seed Vault Centre preserves nearly 100,000 seeds from 4,751 different wild plant species to ensure they are not lost to 'apocalyptic events', says its head Lee Sang-yong.

It is one of only two such facilities in the world, he said: unlike more commonplace seed banks, where samples are stored and regularly withdrawn for various purposes, deposits in seed vaults are meant to be permanent, with use intended only as a last resort to prevent extinction.

The vault is designated as a security installation by South Korea's National Intelligence Service, surrounded by wire fences and dozens of cameras, with restrictions on filming in place and police patrolling on a regular basis.

Inside, a lift leads about eight floors down to a cavernous concrete tunnel, where two heavy steel doors guard the storage room and its hand-cranked shelving racks, kept at minus 20 degrees Celsius to preserve the seeds and 40 per&nbsp;cent humidity to keep them viable.

The vault's samples are largely of flora from the Korean peninsula, but with a capacity of two million seeds, the South makes its space available to other countries, with Kazakhstan and Tajikistan among those to have taken up the offer.

Depositors retain ownership of their samples and control over withdrawals.

But Lee pointed out: "The seed vault stores seeds to prevent their extinction, so the best scenario would be that the seeds never have to be taken out."

Despite its doomsday-defying role, it was built by a country that in 1950 was invaded by the neighbouring North, and Pyongyang has since developed a nuclear and missile arsenal.

The facility was built in the "safest spot" in South Korea, Lee said, designed to withstand a 6.9-magnitude earthquake and even an atomic strike.

"It's geographically very safe," Lee said. "And we paved a 46 metre-deep underground tunnel to ensure it's safe from war and nuclear threats."

The world's biggest and best-known seed vault is buried deep inside a former coal mine on Svalbard, a remote Arctic Norwegian archipelago around 1,300 kilometres (about 800 miles) from the North Pole.

Dubbed the 'Noah's Ark' of food crops, the Global Seed Vault focuses on agricultural and related plants, storing more than one million seed samples from nearly every country on the planet.

But researchers say preserving the seeds of wild plants,&nbsp;the original source of the crops we eat today, should not be overlooked.

Many crop relatives in the wild that could provide genetic diversity to help long-term food security 'lack effective protection', according to a recent UN report.

It warned that farming was likely to be less resilient against climate change, pests and pathogens as a result, adding: "The biosphere, upon which humanity as a whole depends... is declining faster than at any time in human history."

Wild plants hold promise as future medicines, fuels and food, said the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew in a report last year, but around two-fifths of them are threatened with extinction, largely due to habitat destruction and climate change.

It was a 'race against time' to identify them before they disappeared, it added.

Research on wild plant seeds is 'lacking tremendously', said Na Chae-sun, a senior researcher at the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum.

She and her team collect samples and carry out a meticulous and extensive process including X-ray tests and trial plantations before seeds are catalogued and stored in the seed vault.

"One might ask why is that wild flower on the kerbside important?" she said.&nbsp;

"Our job is to identify these one by one and letting people know how important they are," she went on.&nbsp;

"The crops that we eat today may have come from that nameless flower on the kerbside."

(With inputs from agencies)

Hidden in a South Korean mountain tunnel designed to withstand a nuclear blast, the seeds of nearly 5,000 wild plant species are stored for safekeeping against climate change, natural disaster and war.

Hidden in a South Korean mountain tunnel designed to withstand a nuclear blast, the seeds of nearly 5,000 wild plant species are stored for safekeeping against climate change, natural disaster and war. Plant extinction is progressing at an alarming rate, researchers warn, driven by increasing human population, pollution and deforestation, even before many species are catalogued. The Baekdudaegan National Arboretum Seed Vault Centre preserves nearly 100,000 seeds from 4,751 different wild plant species to ensure they are not lost to 'apocalyptic events', says its head Lee Sang-yong. It is one of only two such facilities in the world, he said: unlike more commonplace seed banks, where samples are stored and regularly withdrawn for various purposes, deposits in seed vaults are meant to be permanent, with use intended only as a last resort to prevent extinction. The vault is designated as a security installation by South Korea's National Intelligence Service, surrounded by wire fences and dozens of cameras, with restrictions on filming in place and police patrolling on a regular basis. Inside, a lift leads about eight floors down to a cavernous concrete tunnel, where two heavy steel doors guard the storage room and its hand-cranked shelving racks, kept at minus 20 degrees Celsius to preserve the seeds and 40 per cent humidity to keep them viable. The vault's samples are largely of flora from the Korean peninsula, but with a capacity of two million seeds, the South makes its space available to other countries, with Kazakhstan and Tajikistan among those to have taken up the offer. Depositors retain ownership of their samples and control over withdrawals. But Lee pointed out: "The seed vault stores seeds to prevent their extinction, so the best scenario would be that the seeds never have to be taken out." Despite its doomsday-defying role, it was built by a country that in 1950 was invaded by the neighbouring North, and Pyongyang has since developed a nuclear and missile arsenal. The facility was built in the "safest spot" in South Korea, Lee said, designed to withstand a 6.9-magnitude earthquake and even an atomic strike. "It's geographically very safe," Lee said. "And we paved a 46 metre-deep underground tunnel to ensure it's safe from war and nuclear threats." The world's biggest and best-known seed vault is buried deep inside a former coal mine on Svalbard, a remote Arctic Norwegian archipelago around 1,300 kilometres (about 800 miles) from the North Pole. Dubbed the 'Noah's Ark' of food crops, the Global Seed Vault focuses on agricultural and related plants, storing more than one million seed samples from nearly every country on the planet. But researchers say preserving the seeds of wild plants, the original source of the crops we eat today, should not be overlooked. Many crop relatives in the wild that could provide genetic diversity to help long-term food security 'lack effective protection', according to a recent UN report. It warned that farming was likely to be less resilient against climate change, pests and pathogens as a result, adding: "The biosphere, upon which humanity as a whole depends... is declining faster than at any time in human history." Wild plants hold promise as future medicines, fuels and food, said the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew in a report last year, but around two-fifths of them are threatened with extinction, largely due to habitat destruction and climate change. It was a 'race against time' to identify them before they disappeared, it added. Research on wild plant seeds is 'lacking tremendously', said Na Chae-sun, a senior researcher at the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum. She and her team collect samples and carry out a meticulous and extensive process including X-ray tests and trial plantations before seeds are catalogued and stored in the seed vault. "One might ask why is that wild flower on the kerbside important?" she said. "Our job is to identify these one by one and letting people know how important they are," she went on. "The crops that we eat today may have come from that nameless flower on the kerbside." (With inputs from agencies)

Last resort: Seeds kept safe in a South Korean mountain

North Korea's state media on Monday criticised the recent termination of a pact between the United States and South Korea that capped the development of South Korea's ballistic missiles, calling it a sign of Washington's 'shameful double-dealing'. 
 
South Korean President Moon Jae-in announced the abolishment of the joint missile guidelines that had limited the country's development of ballistic missiles to a range of 800 km (500 miles) after his first summit with US&nbsp;President Joe Biden earlier this month. 
 
North Korea's official KCNA news agency carried an article by Kim Myong Chol, who it described as an 'international affairs critic'," to accuse the United States of applying a double standard as it sought to ban Pyongyang from developing ballistic missiles. 
 
The United States is "engrossed in confrontation despite its lip-service to dialogue," Kim said. "The termination step is a stark reminder of the US&nbsp;hostile policy towards the DPRK and its shameful double-dealing." 
 
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is North Korea's official name. 
 
North Korea's target is the United States, not South Korea's military, and it will counter the States on 'the principle of strength for strength',&nbsp;Kim said. 
 
Kim also criticised Moon for welcoming the termination of the guidelines, calling it 'disgusting, indecent'. 
 
"Now that the US&nbsp;and the South Korean authorities made clear their ambition of aggression, they are left with no reasons whatsoever to fault the DPRK bolstering its capabilities for self-defence," Kim added. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

North Korea's state media on Monday criticised the recent termination of a pact between the United States and South Korea that capped the development of South Korea's ballistic missiles, calling it a sign of Washington's 'shameful double-dealing'.

North Korea's state media on Monday criticised the recent termination of a pact between the United States and South Korea that capped the development of South Korea's ballistic missiles, calling it a sign of Washington's 'shameful double-dealing'. South Korean President Moon Jae-in announced the abolishment of the joint missile guidelines that had limited the country's development of ballistic missiles to a range of 800 km (500 miles) after his first summit with US President Joe Biden earlier this month. North Korea's official KCNA news agency carried an article by Kim Myong Chol, who it described as an 'international affairs critic'," to accuse the United States of applying a double standard as it sought to ban Pyongyang from developing ballistic missiles. The United States is "engrossed in confrontation despite its lip-service to dialogue," Kim said. "The termination step is a stark reminder of the US hostile policy towards the DPRK and its shameful double-dealing." The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is North Korea's official name. North Korea's target is the United States, not South Korea's military, and it will counter the States on 'the principle of strength for strength', Kim said. Kim also criticised Moon for welcoming the termination of the guidelines, calling it 'disgusting, indecent'. "Now that the US and the South Korean authorities made clear their ambition of aggression, they are left with no reasons whatsoever to fault the DPRK bolstering its capabilities for self-defence," Kim added. (With inputs from agencies)

North Korea slams end to US guidelines limiting South Korea missile range

World&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;on Sunday called for more&nbsp;action&nbsp;and&nbsp;inclusion&nbsp;of all countries in the global drive towards a cleaner and greener planet at a&nbsp;climate&nbsp;summit&nbsp;hosted virtually by South Korea.

Climate&nbsp;change is a major threat to global growth, with perils ranging from declines in crop yields, extreme weather that devastates tourist economies, disease outbreaks and other catastrophes that would sap productivity.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/california-already-in-throes-of-drought-as-summer-looms-388370">California already in throes of drought as summer looms</a>

South Korea, which recently announced plans to cut finance for international coal projects, is seeking a bigger role in the global initiative to go green.

"South Korea will play a responsible role as a bridging nation between developing and advanced nations," said President Moon Jae-in as he opened the 2021 Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030, or P4G,&nbsp;summit.

The two-day&nbsp;summit&nbsp;is the second of its kind following the inaugural meeting held in Copenhagen in 2018 and is focused on public-private partnerships, especially in developing countries.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-likely-contributed-to-one-of-the-oldest-examples-of-human-warfare-388094">Climate change likely contributed to one of the oldest examples of human warfare</a>

Advanced nations have laid out ambitious emissions-cutting goals in recent months, as well as plans to ultimately go carbon neutral by 2050.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on the countries to phase out their dependence on fossil fuels, warning&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change is threatening people's lives and the economy as much as the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier this month Germany tightened its targets to reduce CO2 emissions,&nbsp;including a 65 per cent cut in emissions by 2030, after a landmark ruling by the country's top court declared a flagship&nbsp;climate&nbsp;protection law "insufficient".

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-in-nudge-to-us-makes-a-new-promise-to-tackle-global-warming-349485">China, in nudge to US, makes a new promise to tackle global warming</a>

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said countries must now deliver on their green pledges.

"It's a great start, but let's not pat ourselves on the back just yet because our planet and our people need more," he said.

"We need governments that will not just make promises on&nbsp;climate&nbsp;and nature but match those words with deeds."

Falling behind

World&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;committed under the 2015 Paris accord to keeping the global temperature increase to under two degrees Celsius, and ideally closer to 1.5C, by 2050.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/arctic-sea-ice-likely-to-vanish-in-summers-even-if-paris-accord-target-met-study-13113">Arctic sea ice likely to vanish in summers even if Paris accord target met: Study</a>

Yet many of the largest emitters have so far failed to keep up their commitments and countries have not even agreed on a unified rulebook governing how the Paris agreement works in practice.&nbsp;

The UN says that emissions must fall nearly eight per cent annually to keep 1.5C in play, equivalent to the emissions saved during the pandemic every single year through 2030.

World&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;also stressed the importance of making sure that poorer countries are not left out in the global initiative to go green.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/creation-is-groaning-pope-francis-urges-countries-to-follow-paris-climate-agreement-324509">'Creation is groaning': Pope Francis urges countries to follow Paris Climate Agreement</a>

African countries should not be "locked up" in fossil fuels and be able to advance with the rest of the&nbsp;world, said French President Emmanuel Macron, calling for ways to draw large-scale investments in renewable energy.

"It is not a global partnership if some are left struggling to survive," added UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.&nbsp;

"Tackling&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change head-on will help protect the most vulnerable people from the next crisis while sustaining a job-rich recovery from the pandemic," he said.

The&nbsp;World&nbsp;Bank estimates that between 32 million and 132 million additional people could fall into extreme poverty by 2030 due to the effects of&nbsp;climate&nbsp;change.

World leaders on Sunday called for more action and inclusion of all countries in the global drive towards a cleaner and greener planet at a climate summit hosted virtually by South Korea.

World leaders on Sunday called for more action and inclusion of all countries in the global drive towards a cleaner and greener planet at a climate summit hosted virtually by South Korea. Climate change is a major threat to global growth, with perils ranging from declines in crop yields, extreme weather that devastates tourist economies, disease outbreaks and other catastrophes that would sap productivity. Also Read | California already in throes of drought as summer looms South Korea, which recently announced plans to cut finance for international coal projects, is seeking a bigger role in the global initiative to go green. "South Korea will play a responsible role as a bridging nation between developing and advanced nations," said President Moon Jae-in as he opened the 2021 Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030, or P4G, summit. The two-day summit is the second of its kind following the inaugural meeting held in Copenhagen in 2018 and is focused on public-private partnerships, especially in developing countries. Also Read | Climate change likely contributed to one of the oldest examples of human warfare Advanced nations have laid out ambitious emissions-cutting goals in recent months, as well as plans to ultimately go carbon neutral by 2050. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on the countries to phase out their dependence on fossil fuels, warning climate change is threatening people's lives and the economy as much as the Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier this month Germany tightened its targets to reduce CO2 emissions, including a 65 per cent cut in emissions by 2030, after a landmark ruling by the country's top court declared a flagship climate protection law "insufficient". Also Read | China, in nudge to US, makes a new promise to tackle global warming British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said countries must now deliver on their green pledges. "It's a great start, but let's not pat ourselves on the back just yet because our planet and our people need more," he said. "We need governments that will not just make promises on climate and nature but match those words with deeds." Falling behind World leaders committed under the 2015 Paris accord to keeping the global temperature increase to under two degrees Celsius, and ideally closer to 1.5C, by 2050. Also Read | Arctic sea ice likely to vanish in summers even if Paris accord target met: Study Yet many of the largest emitters have so far failed to keep up their commitments and countries have not even agreed on a unified rulebook governing how the Paris agreement works in practice. The UN says that emissions must fall nearly eight per cent annually to keep 1.5C in play, equivalent to the emissions saved during the pandemic every single year through 2030. World leaders also stressed the importance of making sure that poorer countries are not left out in the global initiative to go green. Also Read | 'Creation is groaning': Pope Francis urges countries to follow Paris Climate Agreement African countries should not be "locked up" in fossil fuels and be able to advance with the rest of the world, said French President Emmanuel Macron, calling for ways to draw large-scale investments in renewable energy. "It is not a global partnership if some are left struggling to survive," added UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. "Tackling climate change head-on will help protect the most vulnerable people from the next crisis while sustaining a job-rich recovery from the pandemic," he said. The World Bank estimates that between 32 million and 132 million additional people could fall into extreme poverty by 2030 due to the effects of climate change.

World leaders call for action, inclusion at Seoul climate summit

South Korean researchers say high traces of Viagra and other drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction were found in Seoul's wastewaters, and their presence in the urban area is expected to increase.

The presence of the chemicals used in the drugs -- Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-51) -- were high on weekends and in sewage treatment facilities in Gangnam, which is home to nightclubs, bars and red-light spots, new research showed.

"We estimated that the amount of PDE-5i consumption was 31 per cent higher than in areas with fewer nightlife spots," the researchers said in the research paper carried by the Scientific Reports earlier this month.

Experts studied the presence of the chemicals in the influent and effluent of two sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the South Korean capital as well as the receiving water bodies.

Their investigation indicated that the existing sewage treatment plants were "unable to handle" the amounts of the residual chemicals.

"The PDE-5i in domestic wastewater was barely treated by the STPs and, eventually, discharged into the water environment," the research paper said.

"Considering the increasing market size, it is easily expected that more PDE-5i will be discharged in an urban area," it added.

Around 23 per cent of South Korean males aged 30 to 39 are suffering from erectile dysfunction, studies show, and the total PDE-5i sales of the top 20 Korean pharmaceutical companies reached $133 million in 2019.

Due to their effectiveness in improving male sexual performance, the chemical is also often illegally used as an ingredient of tonic medicines, diet supplements, and herbal dietary products in many countries.

A recent study found PDE-5i and their analogues in 80 out of 188 foods and dietary supplements sold in Korea.

Around 322 million patients to suffer from erectile dysfunction in 2025, with the prevalence of the disorder in Asia, projected to jump from 87 million in 1995 to 200 million in 2025 due to the ageing population.

South Korean researchers say high traces of Viagra and other drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction were found in Seoul's wastewaters, and their presence in the urban area is expected to increase.

South Korean researchers say high traces of Viagra and other drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction were found in Seoul's wastewaters, and their presence in the urban area is expected to increase. The presence of the chemicals used in the drugs -- Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-51) -- were high on weekends and in sewage treatment facilities in Gangnam, which is home to nightclubs, bars and red-light spots, new research showed. "We estimated that the amount of PDE-5i consumption was 31 per cent higher than in areas with fewer nightlife spots," the researchers said in the research paper carried by the Scientific Reports earlier this month. Experts studied the presence of the chemicals in the influent and effluent of two sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the South Korean capital as well as the receiving water bodies. Their investigation indicated that the existing sewage treatment plants were "unable to handle" the amounts of the residual chemicals. "The PDE-5i in domestic wastewater was barely treated by the STPs and, eventually, discharged into the water environment," the research paper said. "Considering the increasing market size, it is easily expected that more PDE-5i will be discharged in an urban area," it added. Around 23 per cent of South Korean males aged 30 to 39 are suffering from erectile dysfunction, studies show, and the total PDE-5i sales of the top 20 Korean pharmaceutical companies reached $133 million in 2019. Due to their effectiveness in improving male sexual performance, the chemical is also often illegally used as an ingredient of tonic medicines, diet supplements, and herbal dietary products in many countries. A recent study found PDE-5i and their analogues in 80 out of 188 foods and dietary supplements sold in Korea. Around 322 million patients to suffer from erectile dysfunction in 2025, with the prevalence of the disorder in Asia, projected to jump from 87 million in 1995 to 200 million in 2025 due to the ageing population.

High traces of Viagra, other drugs found in South Korea's Seoul sewers, shows research

People in South Korea flocked to McDonald's outlets on Thursday (May 27) to try out the "BTS meal" inspired by the K-pop sensation.

People flock to McDonald's stores in South Korea to try new 'BTS meal'

US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday injected fresh urgency into attempts to engage North Korea in dialogue over its nuclear weapons, with Biden saying he would meet its leader Kim Jong Un under the right conditions.

Joe Biden appoints a new envoy to Pyongyang

US President Joe Biden has announced the appointment of a special envoy for North Korea after he hosted his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-In at the White House. The two leaders also unveiled a new vaccine partnership to expand manufacturing and scale up global vaccine supply.

Biden appoints a new envoy to North Korea after meeting South Korean President

US&nbsp;President Joe Biden and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday injected fresh urgency into attempts to engage North Korea in dialogue over its nuclear weapons, with Biden saying he would meet its leader Kim Jong Un under the right conditions. 
 
At a joint news conference, Biden and Moon both said the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula is their goal. Biden said he was "under no illusions" about the difficulty of getting North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenals after his predecessors failed. 
 
"We both are deeply concerned about the situation," Biden said, adding that he and Moon shared a willingness to engage diplomatically with the North "to take pragmatic steps to reduce tensions." 
 
North Korea thus far has rebuffed US&nbsp;entreaties for diplomacy since Biden took over from Donald Trump, who had three summits with Kim and the two famously exchanged "beautiful letters." 
 
Kim nonetheless refused to give up his nuclear weapons but did impose a freeze on testing them. He has not tested a nuclear bomb nor launched an inter-continental ballistic missile since 2017, although experts believe his arsenal has steadily grown. 
 
Biden said he would be willing to meet Kim under the right conditions - if he agreed to discuss his nuclear program and that his advisers first met with their North Korean counterparts to lay the groundwork. 
 
Biden said a veteran State Department official, Sung Kim, would serve as special US&nbsp;envoy for North Korea. 
 
South Korea had been pushing for the appointment of an envoy, and Moon, for whom engagement with North Korea is a legacy issue before he leaves office next year, said Sung Kim would help explore whether North Korea is willing to engage diplomatically. He said he expected a positive response. 
 
Sung Kim is a Korean-American diplomat who served as special envoy for North Korea under President Barack Obama and helped set up Trump`s summits with Kim Jong Un. 
 
He has also been ambassador to South Korea, the Philippines and Indonesia and most recently served in an acting capacity as the top US&nbsp;diplomat for East Asia. 
 
Biden said that for him to meet with Kim there would have to be a commitment from the North Korean leader "that there`s discussion about his nuclear arsenal." 
 
"I would not do what had been done in the recent past; I would not give him all he`s looking for - international recognition as legitimate and allow him to move in the direction of appearing to be more ... serious about what he wasn`t at all serious about," he said. 
 
Biden`s comments appeared to reflect a shift in his thinking. The White House had said in March it was not Biden`s intention to meet with Kim. 
 
Jenny Town of 38 North, a Washington-based North Korea-watching project, said Sung Kim`s appointment was positive given the Biden administration had signalled it was in no hurry to fill the post. However, it has given no indication of what concessions it might offer to bring about talks. 
 
"The problem has been that the administration has only talked about denuclearization and continues to characterize any interactions with North Korea as nuclear negotiations," she said. "So it`s still a tough sell to get the North Koreans back to the table, but obviously Moon is going to push very hard." 
 
Moon said Biden had expressed support for intra-Korean dialogue and cooperation, but Town said this would not mean much unless Washington, which has refused to ease sanctions on Pyongyang, allowed Seoul the space to move forward with this. 
 
Biden`s administration undertook a broad review of North Korea policy but has said little about what its new policy actually entails. 
 
US&nbsp;officials have said only that it would not be the approach favoured by Obama of refusing to engage the North, or Trump`s flashy summitry. 
 
In their day of talks, Biden and Moon reaffirmed a strong alliance between the two countries after the strains created by Trump, who badgered Moon as weak and threatened to pull US&nbsp;troops out of South Korea. 
 
Moon was the second foreign leader - after Japan`s prime minister - to visit the White House since Biden took office in January, and Biden said their conversations were those of "old friends." 
 
The two also discussed China and Taiwan. Taiwan has complained of repeated military pressure from Beijing with China’s air force making frequent forays into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. 
 
"We`ve shared the view that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is extremely important, and we agreed to work together on that matter while considering special characteristics in relations between China and Taiwan," Moon said. 
 
In another win for Moon, who has faced pressure at home over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said the United States and South Korea had agreed a vaccine partnership that would combine US&nbsp;expertise and Korean production capacity. 
 
He said this would help supply COVID-19 vaccines in the Indo-Pacific region, while Biden said the United States would provide vaccinations for 550,000 South Korean soldiers.

US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday injected fresh urgency into attempts to engage North Korea in dialogue over its nuclear weapons, with Biden saying he would meet its leader Kim Jong Un under the right conditions. At a joint news conference, Biden and Moon both said the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula is their goal. Biden said he was "under no illusions" about the difficulty of getting North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenals after his predecessors failed. "We both are deeply concerned about the situation," Biden said, adding that he and Moon shared a willingness to engage diplomatically with the North "to take pragmatic steps to reduce tensions." North Korea thus far has rebuffed US entreaties for diplomacy since Biden took over from Donald Trump, who had three summits with Kim and the two famously exchanged "beautiful letters." Kim nonetheless refused to give up his nuclear weapons but did impose a freeze on testing them. He has not tested a nuclear bomb nor launched an inter-continental ballistic missile since 2017, although experts believe his arsenal has steadily grown. Biden said he would be willing to meet Kim under the right conditions - if he agreed to discuss his nuclear program and that his advisers first met with their North Korean counterparts to lay the groundwork. Biden said a veteran State Department official, Sung Kim, would serve as special US envoy for North Korea. South Korea had been pushing for the appointment of an envoy, and Moon, for whom engagement with North Korea is a legacy issue before he leaves office next year, said Sung Kim would help explore whether North Korea is willing to engage diplomatically. He said he expected a positive response. Sung Kim is a Korean-American diplomat who served as special envoy for North Korea under President Barack Obama and helped set up Trump`s summits with Kim Jong Un. He has also been ambassador to South Korea, the Philippines and Indonesia and most recently served in an acting capacity as the top US diplomat for East Asia. Biden said that for him to meet with Kim there would have to be a commitment from the North Korean leader "that there`s discussion about his nuclear arsenal." "I would not do what had been done in the recent past; I would not give him all he`s looking for - international recognition as legitimate and allow him to move in the direction of appearing to be more ... serious about what he wasn`t at all serious about," he said. Biden`s comments appeared to reflect a shift in his thinking. The White House had said in March it was not Biden`s intention to meet with Kim. Jenny Town of 38 North, a Washington-based North Korea-watching project, said Sung Kim`s appointment was positive given the Biden administration had signalled it was in no hurry to fill the post. However, it has given no indication of what concessions it might offer to bring about talks. "The problem has been that the administration has only talked about denuclearization and continues to characterize any interactions with North Korea as nuclear negotiations," she said. "So it`s still a tough sell to get the North Koreans back to the table, but obviously Moon is going to push very hard." Moon said Biden had expressed support for intra-Korean dialogue and cooperation, but Town said this would not mean much unless Washington, which has refused to ease sanctions on Pyongyang, allowed Seoul the space to move forward with this. Biden`s administration undertook a broad review of North Korea policy but has said little about what its new policy actually entails. US officials have said only that it would not be the approach favoured by Obama of refusing to engage the North, or Trump`s flashy summitry. In their day of talks, Biden and Moon reaffirmed a strong alliance between the two countries after the strains created by Trump, who badgered Moon as weak and threatened to pull US troops out of South Korea. Moon was the second foreign leader - after Japan`s prime minister - to visit the White House since Biden took office in January, and Biden said their conversations were those of "old friends." The two also discussed China and Taiwan. Taiwan has complained of repeated military pressure from Beijing with China’s air force making frequent forays into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. "We`ve shared the view that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is extremely important, and we agreed to work together on that matter while considering special characteristics in relations between China and Taiwan," Moon said. In another win for Moon, who has faced pressure at home over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said the United States and South Korea had agreed a vaccine partnership that would combine US expertise and Korean production capacity. He said this would help supply COVID-19 vaccines in the Indo-Pacific region, while Biden said the United States would provide vaccinations for 550,000 South Korean soldiers.

'Denuclearisation is the goal': Biden, Moon express willingness for dialogue with North Korea

Gone are the days of roses, chocolates and stuffed toys. Couples in South Korea are now gifting each other blue-chip stocks. Stock gift cards are flying off the shelves, with Tesla cards emerging as the crowd favourite. Palki Sharma has the details.

Gravitas: South Korean couples are gifting stocks to each other

Israel will sign a free trade agreement with South Korea this week, marking the first such arrangement with an Asian market, Israel's economy ministry said on Sunday.

Israel and South Korea to sign free trade pact

South Korea said on Sunday it will strengthen its monitoring system against cryptocurrency-related phishing websites by working with the National Police Agency amid recent surges in prices of virtual money.&nbsp;

The ICT ministry said there have recently been increasing reports of phishing attempts via text messages that lead cryptocurrency users to enter their exchange IDs and passwords on fake websites to steal them and access their accounts.&nbsp;

The ministry said it found and blocked 32 such phishing websites in the past three months, compared with a total of 41 websites detected in the whole of last year, reports Yonhap news agency.&nbsp;

Examples of such websites include www.bithnub.com, compared with the address of local cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb -- www.bithumb.com.&nbsp;

The ministry said it will strengthen its 24-hour monitoring system to swiftly block such phishing websites.&nbsp;

The National Police Agency has also been conducting a crackdown on phishing websites since the start of March this year.&nbsp;

As of May 4, the police were investigating 21 cases, in which individuals accessed other cryptocurrency users' accounts and sold their assets.&nbsp;

Major cryptocurrency Bitcoin topped $72,000 per unit in South Korea for the first time in mid-April. The virtual currency has since fallen, trading at around 67 million won on Friday, according to Bithumb.&nbsp;

Amid rising prices, South Korean financial authorities are also cracking down on illegal activities involving cryptocurrencies, such as money laundering, until June.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

South Korea said on Sunday it will strengthen its monitoring system against cryptocurrency-related phishing websites by working with the National Police Agency amid recent surges in prices of virtual money.

South Korea said on Sunday it will strengthen its monitoring system against cryptocurrency-related phishing websites by working with the National Police Agency amid recent surges in prices of virtual money. The ICT ministry said there have recently been increasing reports of phishing attempts via text messages that lead cryptocurrency users to enter their exchange IDs and passwords on fake websites to steal them and access their accounts. The ministry said it found and blocked 32 such phishing websites in the past three months, compared with a total of 41 websites detected in the whole of last year, reports Yonhap news agency. Examples of such websites include www.bithnub.com, compared with the address of local cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb -- www.bithumb.com. The ministry said it will strengthen its 24-hour monitoring system to swiftly block such phishing websites. The National Police Agency has also been conducting a crackdown on phishing websites since the start of March this year. As of May 4, the police were investigating 21 cases, in which individuals accessed other cryptocurrency users' accounts and sold their assets. Major cryptocurrency Bitcoin topped $72,000 per unit in South Korea for the first time in mid-April. The virtual currency has since fallen, trading at around 67 million won on Friday, according to Bithumb. Amid rising prices, South Korean financial authorities are also cracking down on illegal activities involving cryptocurrencies, such as money laundering, until June. (With inputs from agencies)

South Korea to clamp down on cryptocurrency phishing activity 

North Korea has warned its citizens on Thursday to stay away from leaflets that were sent via balloon from the South, saying they could carry coronavirus.&nbsp;

An anti-North Korea activist group said it had sent balloons into the North last week with dollar bills and leaflets denouncing the government in Pyongyang.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-how-did-north-korea-become-the-worlds-most-isolated-country-375342/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

North Korea's state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper said when a "strange object" comes across through wind, it should be considered as a potential route of the "malicious virus", according to news agency Yonhap.&nbsp;

It advised people to "think and move" as per the coronavirus guidelines.

The warning comes on a day when South Korean police raided the office of the activist group behind the release of balloons.

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/world/kim-jong-uns-sister-warns-south-korea-after-anti-north-korea-leaflets-circulated-382250">Kim Jong Un's sister warns South Korea after anti-North Korea leaflets circulated</a>

Police said they carried a raid on the basis of a search and seizure warrant against the Seoul office of Fighters for Free North Korea.&nbsp;

The group is led by Park Sang-hak, who defected from North Korea in 2000.&nbsp;

"Seven police officers raided my office around 10:10 am," Park told news agency Reuters.

The group claimed that it had released launched 10 advertising balloons from border regions which contain 500,000 leaflets, 500 booklets and 5,000 one-dollar bills.

Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/kim-jong-un">Kim Jong-un</a>, in a statement strongly condemned the move, calling the acts by "human wastes in the South" is a "serious provocation" and warned of a "corresponding action".&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

North Korea has warned its citizens on Thursday to stay away from leaflets that were sent via balloon from the South, saying they could carry coronavirus. An anti-North Korea activist group said it had sent balloons into the North last week with dollar bills and leaflets denouncing the government in Pyongyang.

North Korea has warned its citizens on Thursday to stay away from leaflets that were sent via balloon from the South, saying they could carry coronavirus. An anti-North Korea activist group said it had sent balloons into the North last week with dollar bills and leaflets denouncing the government in Pyongyang. Watch | North Korea's state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper said when a "strange object" comes across through wind, it should be considered as a potential route of the "malicious virus", according to news agency Yonhap. It advised people to "think and move" as per the coronavirus guidelines. The warning comes on a day when South Korean police raided the office of the activist group behind the release of balloons. Also read | Kim Jong Un's sister warns South Korea after anti-North Korea leaflets circulated Police said they carried a raid on the basis of a search and seizure warrant against the Seoul office of Fighters for Free North Korea. The group is led by Park Sang-hak, who defected from North Korea in 2000. "Seven police officers raided my office around 10:10 am," Park told news agency Reuters. The group claimed that it had released launched 10 advertising balloons from border regions which contain 500,000 leaflets, 500 booklets and 5,000 one-dollar bills. Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in a statement strongly condemned the move, calling the acts by "human wastes in the South" is a "serious provocation" and warned of a "corresponding action".

North Korea says propaganda leaflets from South could carry coronavirus

David Hockney's sunrise, a message of hope amid pandemic, lit up Seoul's night on Thursday (May 6) at K-pop square on Gangnam street.

David Hockney's artwork, a message of hope, lights up Seoul

Challenging the North Korean dictator, an activist group in South Korea has released balloons into North Korea denouncing the government led by Kim Jong Un.

Park Sang-hak is an activist who had led a similar campaign in 2000. He has now announced that he launched 10 advertising balloons carrying 500,000 leaflets, 500 mini booklets and nearly 5,000 $1 bills in border provinces. The act took place between Sunday and Thursday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-facing-its-worst-ever-situation-admits-kim-jong-un-375885" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-facing-its-worst-ever-situation-admits-kim-jong-un-375885&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiMmti2j6bwAhW3yjgGHa6iCZkQFjAAegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw00oQB35ncTZJrWfNbeBk81" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-facing-its-worst-ever-situation-admits-kim-jong-un-375885" target="_blank">North Korea facing its 'worst-ever situation', admits&nbsp;Kim Jong Un</a>

In images released by the Fighters For Free North Korea group, Park can be seen launching the said balloons at night.

The group has demanded an end to the "hereditary dictatorship" of Kim Jong Un and his family, through this act.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-uns-sister-kim-yo-jong-slams-south-korea-for-criticising-recent-missile-test-374160">Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong slams South Korea for criticising recent missile test</a>

A video also shows Park holding a large poster of Kim Jong Un’s drawing in which the North Korean leader can be seen holding missiles in both fists. The activist also presented slogans denouncing Kim as a ‘lunatic’ carrying out nuclear missile provocations.

This incident has taken a place almost a year after North Korea had threatened cutting all communication with South Korea in case of any leaflets or other literature material is circulated. Following the threat, the South Korean government had passed a law in December banning distribution or scattering of any printed material, goods, money, and more across the border.

Any violation of the law is punishable by up to three years in prison or 30 million won ($27,500) in fines.

Challenging the North Korean dictator, an activist group in South Korea has released balloons into North Korea denouncing the government led by Kim Jong Un. Park Sang-hak is an activist who had led a similar campaign in 2000.

Challenging the North Korean dictator, an activist group in South Korea has released balloons into North Korea denouncing the government led by Kim Jong Un. Park Sang-hak is an activist who had led a similar campaign in 2000. He has now announced that he launched 10 advertising balloons carrying 500,000 leaflets, 500 mini booklets and nearly 5,000 $1 bills in border provinces. The act took place between Sunday and Thursday. Also read | North Korea facing its 'worst-ever situation', admits Kim Jong Un In images released by the Fighters For Free North Korea group, Park can be seen launching the said balloons at night. The group has demanded an end to the "hereditary dictatorship" of Kim Jong Un and his family, through this act. Also read | Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong slams South Korea for criticising recent missile test A video also shows Park holding a large poster of Kim Jong Un’s drawing in which the North Korean leader can be seen holding missiles in both fists. The activist also presented slogans denouncing Kim as a ‘lunatic’ carrying out nuclear missile provocations. This incident has taken a place almost a year after North Korea had threatened cutting all communication with South Korea in case of any leaflets or other literature material is circulated. Following the threat, the South Korean government had passed a law in December banning distribution or scattering of any printed material, goods, money, and more across the border. Any violation of the law is punishable by up to three years in prison or 30 million won ($27,500) in fines.

Defector group launches anti-North Korea leaflets despite ban

Britain's HMS&nbsp;Queen&nbsp;Elizabeth&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;carrier&nbsp;will lead a flotilla of Royal Navy ships through Asian waters on port&nbsp;visits to&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;and South Korea on its&nbsp;maiden&nbsp;deployment, the British embassy in Tokyo said on Monday.

The high-profile&nbsp;visits, aimed at bolstering security ties in East Asia, come amid tensions in the region as concern grows in&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;over any threat posed to neighbouring Taiwan by China.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and US&nbsp;President Joe Biden issued a joint statement this month addressing China's growing assertiveness and the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait following their first face-to-face meeting in Washington since both became leaders of their countries.

Including the&nbsp;Queen&nbsp;Elizabeth&nbsp;with 18 F-35B stealth fighters, two destroyers, two frigates and two support ships, the British&nbsp;carrier&nbsp;strike group will have to sail through the contested South China Sea, parts of which are claimed by China and South East Asian countries, on its way to East Asia. The ships will also stop in India and Singapore.

It will be joined by vessels from the United States and a frigate from the Netherlands and will carry out exercises with forces from&nbsp;Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, the UAE, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Israel, India, Oman and South Korea, the British government said in a news release.

Other foreign ships currently in Asian waters include a French amphibious&nbsp;carrier&nbsp;and two US&nbsp;navy&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;carriers, one of which, the USS Ronald Reagan, is based in&nbsp;Japan. A close Washington ally,&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;hosts the biggest concentration of US&nbsp;military forces outside the United States, including warships, planes and thousands of marines.

The latest, and so far most conspicuous,&nbsp;visit&nbsp;to&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;by British forces follows earlier&nbsp;deployment&nbsp;of warships, jet fighters and troops for joint training exercises as London and Tokyo look to strengthen defence ties.

Britain's HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier will lead a flotilla of Royal Navy ships through Asian waters on port visits to Japan and South Korea on its maiden deployment, the British embassy in Tokyo said on Monday.

Britain's HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier will lead a flotilla of Royal Navy ships through Asian waters on port visits to Japan and South Korea on its maiden deployment, the British embassy in Tokyo said on Monday. The high-profile visits, aimed at bolstering security ties in East Asia, come amid tensions in the region as concern grows in Japan over any threat posed to neighbouring Taiwan by China. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and US President Joe Biden issued a joint statement this month addressing China's growing assertiveness and the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait following their first face-to-face meeting in Washington since both became leaders of their countries. Including the Queen Elizabeth with 18 F-35B stealth fighters, two destroyers, two frigates and two support ships, the British carrier strike group will have to sail through the contested South China Sea, parts of which are claimed by China and South East Asian countries, on its way to East Asia. The ships will also stop in India and Singapore. It will be joined by vessels from the United States and a frigate from the Netherlands and will carry out exercises with forces from Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, the UAE, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Israel, India, Oman and South Korea, the British government said in a news release. Other foreign ships currently in Asian waters include a French amphibious carrier and two US navy aircraft carriers, one of which, the USS Ronald Reagan, is based in Japan. A close Washington ally, Japan hosts the biggest concentration of US military forces outside the United States, including warships, planes and thousands of marines. The latest, and so far most conspicuous, visit to Japan by British forces follows earlier deployment of warships, jet fighters and troops for joint training exercises as London and Tokyo look to strengthen defence ties.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier to visit Japan, South Korea on maiden deployment

The heartfelt Korean immigrant tale in "Minari" resonated with many Asian Americans, but for some in South Korea, the film presented a far too dated view of immigration to the United States. 
 
"Minari", directed by a Korean-American and produced in the United States, was nominated for six Academy Awards, including best picture, best director and best supporting actress for Youn Yuh-jung, a historic first for a Korean actor. 
 
Released in the midst of the pandemic, the film`s Korean elements and its Oscar nominations helped make it a commercial success in South Korea, where the film brought in $7 million of its total $11 million global box office receipts, compared with $2 million from showings in the United States, according to IMDb.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/oscars-2021-heres-a-look-back-at-posthumous-oscar-winners-379235">Oscars 2021: Here's a look back at posthumous Oscar winners</a> 
 
In 'Minari',&nbsp;the tale of a hard-luck immigrant farming family in rural Arkansas in the 1980s highlighted the heyday of immigration from South Korea to the United States. Today, however, it`s a tale that is increasingly foreign to many South Koreans, especially younger people. 
 
"It is true that people are less interested in `Minari` because of its topic, as these days it`s mostly rich people who immigrate to America," said a 35-year-old teacher who only gave her surname, Jeong. 
 
About 350,000 Koreans were estimated to have immigrated to the United States in the 1980s after the liberalisation of overseas travel and studies. The annual tally peaked in 1986, at 30,500, but it slowed to 8,000 a year in the 2000s, and then to about 4,000 after Washington tightened border controls after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, according to South Korea`s foreign ministry. 
 
Most new Korean immigrants to the United States are there for jobs or satisfy an investment requirement of nearly a million dollars, the ministry data showed. 
Racial tensions, highlighted by a recent Atlanta shooting in which four Koreans were killed, and the high numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths in the United States, have also cast a darker shadow on the idea of living there, said Park Soo-hui, 69, who said she has relatives in the United States.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/oscars-2021-nominees-who-broke-records-and-can-make-history-with-their-win-378635">Oscars 2021: Nominees who broke records and can make history with their win</a>

Park said the film reminded of the hardships her relatives suffered after moving to the United States in the early 1990s. But her teenage granddaughter had a different thought. 
 
"They left hoping for a better life as they were not doing well here, and they went through a lot in their early days, including racial discrimination and family disputes," she said. "But as we watched the film together, my granddaughter was just envious, saying not everyone could go there." 
 
"Minari" is the second film in as many years to make history at the Academy Awards with its Korean connections, after the South Korea-produced "Parasite" took the 2020 awards by storm, snagging six nominations and four wins, including "Best Picture." 
 
It attracted more than 10 million viewers in South Korean theatres within two months of its release in 2019, becoming one of the most-watched films in Korean history. 
"Minari," which opened in South Korea on March 3, has drawn about 925,000 viewers as of Wednesday, Korean Film Council (KOFIC) data showed. 
 
More than "Minari" itself, South Koreans expressed more interest in the nomination for Youn, who plays a spunky grandmother who travels to the United States to take care of her grandchildren. 
 
Jung Duk-hyun, a culture critic, said the domestic audience could be more focused on Youn because she not only earned the Oscar nomination but also embodied an "independent, mischievous and cool grandma," an image of women increasingly pursued in Korean society.

The heartfelt Korean immigrant tale in "Minari" resonated with many Asian Americans, but for some in South Korea, the film presented a far too dated view of immigration to the United States.

The heartfelt Korean immigrant tale in "Minari" resonated with many Asian Americans, but for some in South Korea, the film presented a far too dated view of immigration to the United States. "Minari", directed by a Korean-American and produced in the United States, was nominated for six Academy Awards, including best picture, best director and best supporting actress for Youn Yuh-jung, a historic first for a Korean actor. Released in the midst of the pandemic, the film`s Korean elements and its Oscar nominations helped make it a commercial success in South Korea, where the film brought in $7 million of its total $11 million global box office receipts, compared with $2 million from showings in the United States, according to IMDb. Oscars 2021: Here's a look back at posthumous Oscar winners In 'Minari', the tale of a hard-luck immigrant farming family in rural Arkansas in the 1980s highlighted the heyday of immigration from South Korea to the United States. Today, however, it`s a tale that is increasingly foreign to many South Koreans, especially younger people. "It is true that people are less interested in `Minari` because of its topic, as these days it`s mostly rich people who immigrate to America," said a 35-year-old teacher who only gave her surname, Jeong. About 350,000 Koreans were estimated to have immigrated to the United States in the 1980s after the liberalisation of overseas travel and studies. The annual tally peaked in 1986, at 30,500, but it slowed to 8,000 a year in the 2000s, and then to about 4,000 after Washington tightened border controls after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, according to South Korea`s foreign ministry. Most new Korean immigrants to the United States are there for jobs or satisfy an investment requirement of nearly a million dollars, the ministry data showed. Racial tensions, highlighted by a recent Atlanta shooting in which four Koreans were killed, and the high numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths in the United States, have also cast a darker shadow on the idea of living there, said Park Soo-hui, 69, who said she has relatives in the United States. Oscars 2021: Nominees who broke records and can make history with their win Park said the film reminded of the hardships her relatives suffered after moving to the United States in the early 1990s. But her teenage granddaughter had a different thought. "They left hoping for a better life as they were not doing well here, and they went through a lot in their early days, including racial discrimination and family disputes," she said. "But as we watched the film together, my granddaughter was just envious, saying not everyone could go there." "Minari" is the second film in as many years to make history at the Academy Awards with its Korean connections, after the South Korea-produced "Parasite" took the 2020 awards by storm, snagging six nominations and four wins, including "Best Picture." It attracted more than 10 million viewers in South Korean theatres within two months of its release in 2019, becoming one of the most-watched films in Korean history. "Minari," which opened in South Korea on March 3, has drawn about 925,000 viewers as of Wednesday, Korean Film Council (KOFIC) data showed. More than "Minari" itself, South Koreans expressed more interest in the nomination for Youn, who plays a spunky grandmother who travels to the United States to take care of her grandchildren. Jung Duk-hyun, a culture critic, said the domestic audience could be more focused on Youn because she not only earned the Oscar nomination but also embodied an "independent, mischievous and cool grandma," an image of women increasingly pursued in Korean society.

Changing immigration trends colour 'Minari' reception in South Korea

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga sent a ritual offering on Wednesday to the controversial Yasukuni shrine that honours war dead, including perpetrators of the country's World War II atrocities on its neighbours.&nbsp;

South Korea expressed 'deep disappointment' at Suga's offering to the shrine to mark a spring festival, while China also protested the move.&nbsp;

The Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo honours some 2.5 million war dead, mostly Japanese, who perished in the country's wars since the late 19th century.&nbsp;

But it also honours senior military and political figures convicted of war crimes, and has frequently been a source of sour relations with countries that suffered from Japan's military atrocities, particularly China and South Korea.&nbsp;

Suga's predecessor Shinzo Abe, who stepped down last year for health reasons, visited the shrine in person on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The prime minister sent a sacred tree but was not expected to visit the shrine.&nbsp;

South Korea's foreign ministry expressed 'deep disappointment and regret' over Suga's tribute and urged Japan's leaders to 'face history squarely and humbly and truly reflect on the past'.&nbsp;

"Japan should keep in mind that is the basis of a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship."&nbsp;

Chinese foreign affairs ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin also urged Japan to 'draw a clear line with militarism and take concrete measures to earn the trust of its Asian neighbours and the international community'.&nbsp;

"We firmly oppose Japanese politicians' erroneous practices."&nbsp;

A 2013 visit to the shrine by then-prime minister Abe sparked outcry from Beijing and Seoul, as well as a rare diplomatic rebuke from close ally the United States.&nbsp;

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga sent a ritual offering on Wednesday to the controversial Yasukuni shrine that honours war dead, including perpetrators of the country's World War II atrocities on its neighbours.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga sent a ritual offering on Wednesday to the controversial Yasukuni shrine that honours war dead, including perpetrators of the country's World War II atrocities on its neighbours. South Korea expressed 'deep disappointment' at Suga's offering to the shrine to mark a spring festival, while China also protested the move. The Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo honours some 2.5 million war dead, mostly Japanese, who perished in the country's wars since the late 19th century. But it also honours senior military and political figures convicted of war crimes, and has frequently been a source of sour relations with countries that suffered from Japan's military atrocities, particularly China and South Korea. Suga's predecessor Shinzo Abe, who stepped down last year for health reasons, visited the shrine in person on Wednesday. The prime minister sent a sacred tree but was not expected to visit the shrine. South Korea's foreign ministry expressed 'deep disappointment and regret' over Suga's tribute and urged Japan's leaders to 'face history squarely and humbly and truly reflect on the past'. "Japan should keep in mind that is the basis of a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship." Chinese foreign affairs ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin also urged Japan to 'draw a clear line with militarism and take concrete measures to earn the trust of its Asian neighbours and the international community'. "We firmly oppose Japanese politicians' erroneous practices." A 2013 visit to the shrine by then-prime minister Abe sparked outcry from Beijing and Seoul, as well as a rare diplomatic rebuke from close ally the United States.

Japan PM sends offering to controversial shrine honouring war dead 

South Korea raised concerns over Japan's decision to release contaminated water from its crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea with visiting US climate envoy John Kerry, its foreign ministry said, but Kerry reaffirmed Washington's confidence in the plan's transparency.&nbsp;

Kerry arrived in Seoul on Saturday to discuss international efforts to tackle global warming on a trip that included a stop in China ahead of President Joe Biden's virtual summit with world leaders on climate change on April 22 and 23.&nbsp;

South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong sought to rally support behind the country's protest against the Fukushima plan at a dinner meeting with Kerry, the ministry said. Under the plan, more than one million tonnes of water will be discharged from the plant wrecked by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011 into the nearby sea off Japan's east coast.&nbsp;

Seoul strongly rebuked the decision, with the foreign ministry summoning the Japanese ambassador and President Moon Jae-in ordering officials to explore petitioning an international court. &nbsp;

"Minister Chung conveyed our government and people's serious concerns about Japan's decision, and asked the US side to take interest and cooperate so that Japan will provide information in a more transparent and speedy manner," the ministry said in a statement. &nbsp;

But Kerry, at a media roundtable on Sunday, said Tokyo had made the decision in a transparent manner and will continue following due procedures. &nbsp;

"The United States is confident that the government of Japan is in very full consultations with the IAEA," he said, referring to the International Atomic Energy Agency. &nbsp;

"The IAEA has set up a very rigorous process and I know that Japan has weighed all the options and the effects and they've been very transparent about the decision and the process." &nbsp;

The former US secretary of state added that Washington would closely monitor Japan's implementation "like every country, to make certain there is no public health threat." &nbsp;

The South Korean foreign ministry said Chung and Kerry also agreed to work together to boost international cooperation to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, a goal pledged by South Korea, Europe and others.&nbsp;

Kerry told the roundtable that Biden aims to urge countries to commit to more ambitious greenhouse gas emissions targets, including China, such as by revamping their power initiatives or speeding up transitions to renewable energy.&nbsp;

The United States is expected to announce its own new emissions target for 2030 this week.&nbsp;

"I think Korea has set an ambitious target and Korea is trying to do a lot, it's not easy for any country," Kerry said. "We need to be smarter, so do I think it’s possible for additional steps? I do think there are some things that could happen."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

South Korea raised concerns over Japan's decision to release contaminated water from its crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea with visiting US climate envoy John Kerry, its foreign ministry said, but Kerry reaffirmed Washington's confidence in the plan's transparency.

South Korea raised concerns over Japan's decision to release contaminated water from its crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea with visiting US climate envoy John Kerry, its foreign ministry said, but Kerry reaffirmed Washington's confidence in the plan's transparency. Kerry arrived in Seoul on Saturday to discuss international efforts to tackle global warming on a trip that included a stop in China ahead of President Joe Biden's virtual summit with world leaders on climate change on April 22 and 23. South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong sought to rally support behind the country's protest against the Fukushima plan at a dinner meeting with Kerry, the ministry said. Under the plan, more than one million tonnes of water will be discharged from the plant wrecked by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011 into the nearby sea off Japan's east coast. Seoul strongly rebuked the decision, with the foreign ministry summoning the Japanese ambassador and President Moon Jae-in ordering officials to explore petitioning an international court. "Minister Chung conveyed our government and people's serious concerns about Japan's decision, and asked the US side to take interest and cooperate so that Japan will provide information in a more transparent and speedy manner," the ministry said in a statement. But Kerry, at a media roundtable on Sunday, said Tokyo had made the decision in a transparent manner and will continue following due procedures. "The United States is confident that the government of Japan is in very full consultations with the IAEA," he said, referring to the International Atomic Energy Agency. "The IAEA has set up a very rigorous process and I know that Japan has weighed all the options and the effects and they've been very transparent about the decision and the process." The former US secretary of state added that Washington would closely monitor Japan's implementation "like every country, to make certain there is no public health threat." The South Korean foreign ministry said Chung and Kerry also agreed to work together to boost international cooperation to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, a goal pledged by South Korea, Europe and others. Kerry told the roundtable that Biden aims to urge countries to commit to more ambitious greenhouse gas emissions targets, including China, such as by revamping their power initiatives or speeding up transitions to renewable energy. The United States is expected to announce its own new emissions target for 2030 this week. "I think Korea has set an ambitious target and Korea is trying to do a lot, it's not easy for any country," Kerry said. "We need to be smarter, so do I think it’s possible for additional steps? I do think there are some things that could happen." (With inputs from agencies)

South Korea, US show differences over Japan government's Fukushima plans 

Japan will release 1.25 million tons of treated wastewater contaminated by its Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant into the sea. But the local fishing industry has strongly opposed the move, as have China and South Korea.

Japan to release contaminated Fukushima water into sea

South Korea's Prime Minister arrived in Tehran for talks over $7 billion of Iranian funds trapped in his country by US sanctions.

Iran accused South Korea of holding 'hostage' $7 billion funds

South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun arrived in Iran on Sunday to help try to restore a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, Seoul officials said.

Chung is the first South Korean prime minister to visit Iran in 44 years amid icy relations between the two countries due to Iran's military cooperation with North Korea.

Tension rose after Iran seized a South Korean ship and its sailors in the Strait of Hormuz in January, accusing them of polluting the waters, and demanded South Korea release $7 billion in assets frozen in South Korean banks under U.S. sanctions.

Chung's trip comes days after Iran released the tanker and its captain, the last member of its 20-strong crew, with South Korea vowing to help secure the release of the funds.

Iran and world powers held talks last week aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal that former U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned three years ago.

After talks on Sunday with Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, Chung displayed his willingness to support efforts to revive the deal, aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, formally named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), according to Iranian and South Korean media reports.

A return to the JCPOA would help improve relations between Seoul and Tehran, Chung said, pledging to step up cooperation with Washington and other countries over the Iranian funds.

The Biden administration is trying to find a way to rejoin the accord and lift the sanctions at talks in Vienna with Iran, mediated by European signatories. Seoul officials have said they only can release the Iranian billions with a nod from Washington.

"The JCPOA negotiations are being pursued constructively and it seems ... development of ties and problem resolving are necessary for the wellbeing and advancement of both nations," Chung told a joint news conference, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA.

Chung, who visited Iran in 2017 as the national assembly speaker, invited Jahangiri to South Korea, and promised to provide medical supplies and expand COVID-19 cooperation, IRNA said.

An apparent cyber attack at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility on Sunday was caused by an act of "nuclear terrorism", the country's nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, said, according to state TV, adding that Tehran reserves the right to take action against the perpetrators.

Israel's Kan public radio cited intelligence sources, whose nationality it did not disclose, as saying that Israel's Mossad spy agency had carried out a cyber attack at the site.

Israel, which has accused Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons that could be used against it, has not made an official comment on the incident.

South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun arrived in Iran on Sunday to help try to restore a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, Seoul officials said.

South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun arrived in Iran on Sunday to help try to restore a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, Seoul officials said. Chung is the first South Korean prime minister to visit Iran in 44 years amid icy relations between the two countries due to Iran's military cooperation with North Korea. Tension rose after Iran seized a South Korean ship and its sailors in the Strait of Hormuz in January, accusing them of polluting the waters, and demanded South Korea release $7 billion in assets frozen in South Korean banks under U.S. sanctions. Chung's trip comes days after Iran released the tanker and its captain, the last member of its 20-strong crew, with South Korea vowing to help secure the release of the funds. Iran and world powers held talks last week aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal that former U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned three years ago. After talks on Sunday with Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, Chung displayed his willingness to support efforts to revive the deal, aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, formally named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), according to Iranian and South Korean media reports. A return to the JCPOA would help improve relations between Seoul and Tehran, Chung said, pledging to step up cooperation with Washington and other countries over the Iranian funds. The Biden administration is trying to find a way to rejoin the accord and lift the sanctions at talks in Vienna with Iran, mediated by European signatories. Seoul officials have said they only can release the Iranian billions with a nod from Washington. "The JCPOA negotiations are being pursued constructively and it seems ... development of ties and problem resolving are necessary for the wellbeing and advancement of both nations," Chung told a joint news conference, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA. Chung, who visited Iran in 2017 as the national assembly speaker, invited Jahangiri to South Korea, and promised to provide medical supplies and expand COVID-19 cooperation, IRNA said. An apparent cyber attack at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility on Sunday was caused by an act of "nuclear terrorism", the country's nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, said, according to state TV, adding that Tehran reserves the right to take action against the perpetrators. Israel's Kan public radio cited intelligence sources, whose nationality it did not disclose, as saying that Israel's Mossad spy agency had carried out a cyber attack at the site. Israel, which has accused Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons that could be used against it, has not made an official comment on the incident.

South Korean PM arrives in Iran to help try to revive nuclear deal

South Korea on Friday unveiled a prototype of its first domestically developed fighter jet. South Korean President Moon Jae-in hailed the KF-X to be the future backbone of the South Korean air force. He also said that this was a step towards South Korea's greater military independence. With unveiling of KF-21 fighter jet, South Korea has joined elite group of countries that have domestically developed supersonic fighter jet.

The next-generation aircraft has been developed by Korea Aerospace Industries Limited (KAI). It is designed to be a cheaper, less stealthy alternative to USA's F-35. South Korea heavily relies on US-built F-35 fighter jets.

The display at the KAI headquarters in the southern city of Sacheon was attended by Moon and representatives from Indonesia, which partnered with South Korea on the project.

"A new era of independent defence has begun," Moon said, according to a transcript of his comments released by his office.

<img alt="South Korean President Moon Jae-In" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32b5bb9a-bf55-45b0-a349-0c9f564cd5be" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/mOON%20JAE%20IN.JPG" />

The advantages of having a domestically produced fighter could not be overstated, he added.

"Whenever we need it, we can make it."

Moon has sought to boost the defence industry, both as a way to spur economic growth through exports, as well as to chart a more independent path in a country that has relied heavily on its major ally, the United States.

South Korea continues to buy large amounts of military hardware from the United States but under Moon the military announced its "acquisition policy will change to centre around domestic R&amp;D rather than overseas purchases".

KAI plans to carry out ground testing this year, with first flights expected in 2022. The plan is to eventually replace most of South Korea’s older, U.S.-made F-4 and F-5 fighter jets, and produce more for export.

Moon said South Korea would have at least 40 of the new jets combat-ready by 2028, and 120 by 2032.

When deployed by the South Korean military, the aircraft will be known as the KF-21 Boramae.

South Korea and Indonesia agreed in 2014 to jointly develop the fighter in a project worth 7.5 trillion won ($6.3 billion), with Indonesia paying 20% of the cost. But in 2018, Jakarta sought to renegotiate to take pressure off its foreign reserves, later seeking to barter for its share of the cost.

(With AFP inputs)

South Korea on Friday unveiled a prototype of its first domestically developed fighter jet. South Korean President Moon Jae-in hailed the KF-X to be the future backbone of the South Korean air force.

South Korea on Friday unveiled a prototype of its first domestically developed fighter jet. South Korean President Moon Jae-in hailed the KF-X to be the future backbone of the South Korean air force. He also said that this was a step towards South Korea's greater military independence. With unveiling of KF-21 fighter jet, South Korea has joined elite group of countries that have domestically developed supersonic fighter jet. The next-generation aircraft has been developed by Korea Aerospace Industries Limited (KAI). It is designed to be a cheaper, less stealthy alternative to USA's F-35. South Korea heavily relies on US-built F-35 fighter jets. The display at the KAI headquarters in the southern city of Sacheon was attended by Moon and representatives from Indonesia, which partnered with South Korea on the project. "A new era of independent defence has begun," Moon said, according to a transcript of his comments released by his office. The advantages of having a domestically produced fighter could not be overstated, he added. "Whenever we need it, we can make it." Moon has sought to boost the defence industry, both as a way to spur economic growth through exports, as well as to chart a more independent path in a country that has relied heavily on its major ally, the United States. South Korea continues to buy large amounts of military hardware from the United States but under Moon the military announced its "acquisition policy will change to centre around domestic R&D rather than overseas purchases". KAI plans to carry out ground testing this year, with first flights expected in 2022. The plan is to eventually replace most of South Korea’s older, U.S.-made F-4 and F-5 fighter jets, and produce more for export. Moon said South Korea would have at least 40 of the new jets combat-ready by 2028, and 120 by 2032. When deployed by the South Korean military, the aircraft will be known as the KF-21 Boramae. South Korea and Indonesia agreed in 2014 to jointly develop the fighter in a project worth 7.5 trillion won ($6.3 billion), with Indonesia paying 20% of the cost. But in 2018, Jakarta sought to renegotiate to take pressure off its foreign reserves, later seeking to barter for its share of the cost. (With AFP inputs)

South Korea unveils KF-21 fighter jet, joins global elite group of countries

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Iran released the tanker and its captain after seizing the vessel in January.

Iran frees South Korean Ship it seized on January

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has admitted that his country is facing its 'worst-ever situation' as its crumbling economy is battered by the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

Kim made the comments during an opening speech at a meeting of the Workers' Party's cell secretaries on Tuesday. He addressed thousands of grassroots members in the course of the important political convention in Pyongyang. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-blasts-us-attempt-to-initiate-contact-as-cheap-trick-371398">Also read: North Korea blasts US attempt to initiate contact as 'cheap trick'</a>

Experts say Kim is dealing with probably his toughest moment as he finishes 10 years in rule, with North Korea’s coronavirus lockdown unleashing even further shock on a financial system devastated by a long time of mismanagement and crippling US-led sanctions over his nuclear weapons programme.

“Improving the people's living standards ... even in the worst-ever situation in which we have to overcome unprecedentedly numerous challenges depends on the role played by the cells, the grassroots organisations of the party,” Kim said. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/inside-assassins-a-documentary-that-talks-about-the-strange-murder-of-kim-jong-uns-half-brother-360088">Inside 'Assassins': A documentary that talks about the strange murder of Kim Jong Un's half-brother</a>

He urged party members to carry out the decisions made at a party congress in January when he vowed to bolster his nuclear deterrent in face of US pressure and announced a new five-year national development plan. The congress took place months after Kim, during another political conference, showed unusual candor by acknowledging that his plans to improve the economy weren't succeeding.

During Tuesday's speech, Kim also criticised the party's grassroots units for unspecified “shortcomings” that should be immediately corrected to ensure the “healthy and sustainable” development of the party.

Party cells, which consist of five to 30 members, are the smallest units of party authority that oversee the works and lives at factories and other places. The network is an important tool for the Workers' Party to perpetuate its power. The previous conference of cell secretaries was held in 2017.

The economic setbacks have left Kim with nothing to show for his ambitious diplomacy with former President Donald Trump, which collapsed over disagreements in lifting sanctions for the North's denuclearisation steps.

The North has so far rejected the Biden administration's overture for talks, saying that Washington must discard its “hostile” policies first, and dialled up the pressure by resuming tests of ballistic missiles last month after a yearlong pause.

(With inputs from agencies)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has admitted that his country is facing its 'worst-ever situation' as its crumbling economy is battered by the coronavirus pandemic.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has admitted that his country is facing its 'worst-ever situation' as its crumbling economy is battered by the coronavirus pandemic. Kim made the comments during an opening speech at a meeting of the Workers' Party's cell secretaries on Tuesday. He addressed thousands of grassroots members in the course of the important political convention in Pyongyang. Also read: North Korea blasts US attempt to initiate contact as 'cheap trick' Experts say Kim is dealing with probably his toughest moment as he finishes 10 years in rule, with North Korea’s coronavirus lockdown unleashing even further shock on a financial system devastated by a long time of mismanagement and crippling US-led sanctions over his nuclear weapons programme. “Improving the people's living standards ... even in the worst-ever situation in which we have to overcome unprecedentedly numerous challenges depends on the role played by the cells, the grassroots organisations of the party,” Kim said. Inside 'Assassins': A documentary that talks about the strange murder of Kim Jong Un's half-brother He urged party members to carry out the decisions made at a party congress in January when he vowed to bolster his nuclear deterrent in face of US pressure and announced a new five-year national development plan. The congress took place months after Kim, during another political conference, showed unusual candor by acknowledging that his plans to improve the economy weren't succeeding. During Tuesday's speech, Kim also criticised the party's grassroots units for unspecified “shortcomings” that should be immediately corrected to ensure the “healthy and sustainable” development of the party. Party cells, which consist of five to 30 members, are the smallest units of party authority that oversee the works and lives at factories and other places. The network is an important tool for the Workers' Party to perpetuate its power. The previous conference of cell secretaries was held in 2017. The economic setbacks have left Kim with nothing to show for his ambitious diplomacy with former President Donald Trump, which collapsed over disagreements in lifting sanctions for the North's denuclearisation steps. The North has so far rejected the Biden administration's overture for talks, saying that Washington must discard its “hostile” policies first, and dialled up the pressure by resuming tests of ballistic missiles last month after a yearlong pause. (With inputs from agencies)

North Korea facing its 'worst-ever situation', admits Kim Jong Un

Top security officials of the United States, Japan and South Korea are set to meet on Friday to discuss next steps on North Korea.

The highly anticipated meeting comes in the wake of US President Joe Biden completing a policy review.

Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security advisor, will huddle with his counterparts from South Korea and Japan, Suh Hoon and Shigeru Kitamura, at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

The Annapolis talks mark rare in-person diplomacy for the Biden administration amid the pandemic and Sullivan's first trilateral since taking office. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin last month jointly visited both Tokyo and Seoul on their first foreign trips.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-accuses-biden-admin-of-provocation-after-missile-test-373537">Also read |&nbsp;North Korea accuses Biden admin of 'provocation' after missile test</a>

"Denuclearisation will remain at the center of American policy towards North Korea. We also know that any approach to North Korea, in order to be effective, will be one that we will have to execute in lockstep with our close allies," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters on Thursday.

The Biden administration is looking at how to move forward after former president Donald Trump's unusually personal diplomacy with North Korea which included three meetings with strongman Kim Jong-un.

Biden has sharply criticised Trump's meetings, saying he legitimised one of the world's most ruthless leaders, but has also said he is open to diplomacy.

Biden has also warned North Korea of consequences for violations of Security Council resolutions after Pyongyang recently tested what US officials judged to be ballistic missiles.

Top security officials of the United States, Japan and South Korea are set to meet on Friday to discuss next steps on North Korea. The highly anticipated meeting comes in the wake of US President Joe Biden completing a policy review.

Top security officials of the United States, Japan and South Korea are set to meet on Friday to discuss next steps on North Korea. The highly anticipated meeting comes in the wake of US President Joe Biden completing a policy review. Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security advisor, will huddle with his counterparts from South Korea and Japan, Suh Hoon and Shigeru Kitamura, at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The Annapolis talks mark rare in-person diplomacy for the Biden administration amid the pandemic and Sullivan's first trilateral since taking office. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin last month jointly visited both Tokyo and Seoul on their first foreign trips. Also read | North Korea accuses Biden admin of 'provocation' after missile test "Denuclearisation will remain at the center of American policy towards North Korea. We also know that any approach to North Korea, in order to be effective, will be one that we will have to execute in lockstep with our close allies," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters on Thursday. The Biden administration is looking at how to move forward after former president Donald Trump's unusually personal diplomacy with North Korea which included three meetings with strongman Kim Jong-un. Biden has sharply criticised Trump's meetings, saying he legitimised one of the world's most ruthless leaders, but has also said he is open to diplomacy. Biden has also warned North Korea of consequences for violations of Security Council resolutions after Pyongyang recently tested what US officials judged to be ballistic missiles.

Biden aide to meet Japan, South Korea on next steps on the North

South Korean capital Seoul said on Thursday it has sent a proposal for co-hosting the 2032 Olympics with the North`s Pyongyang to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in a bid to keep its hopes alive despite Brisbane being the front-runner. 
 
The IOC has already picked the Australian city as the preferred partner for hosting the Games. 
 
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed to pursue the joint Olympics bid at their summit in Pyongyang in late 2018. 
 
But relations have soured since a summit between Kim and then US&nbsp;President Donald Trump in 2019 failed to reach agreement on North Korea`s denuclearisation, in which Moon had offered to play a mediating role. 
 
Seoul city said the host has not been finalised and it submitted the proposal with a vision titled "Beyond the Line, Toward the Future." 
 
"The city government conveyed its legitimacy and need to co-host the Olympics, stressing that it will realise the IOC`s vision of world peace through sports," it said in a statement. 
 
When asked about whether the idea was shared with Pyongyang, a city official told Reuters the proposal was the result of intra-agency meetings and the Unification Ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs would seek discussions with the North. 
 
A Unification Ministry official said the proposal was a move by the city to highlight the significance of the two Koreas in hosting the event. 
 
The Moon administration is seeking to build on the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics it hosted in 2018, during which athletes from both Koreas marched under a unified flag at the opening ceremony and fielded a combined women`s ice hockey team. 
 
South Korea has expressed hopes of reviving the momentum for ties at this year`s Tokyo Olympics. But Pyongyang has been deriding Moon in recent weeks, dismissing the possibility of a restart of talks.

South Korean capital Seoul said on Thursday it has sent a proposal for co-hosting the 2032 Olympics with the North`s Pyongyang to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in a bid to keep its hopes alive despite Brisbane being the front-runner.

South Korean capital Seoul said on Thursday it has sent a proposal for co-hosting the 2032 Olympics with the North`s Pyongyang to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in a bid to keep its hopes alive despite Brisbane being the front-runner. The IOC has already picked the Australian city as the preferred partner for hosting the Games. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed to pursue the joint Olympics bid at their summit in Pyongyang in late 2018. But relations have soured since a summit between Kim and then US President Donald Trump in 2019 failed to reach agreement on North Korea`s denuclearisation, in which Moon had offered to play a mediating role. Seoul city said the host has not been finalised and it submitted the proposal with a vision titled "Beyond the Line, Toward the Future." "The city government conveyed its legitimacy and need to co-host the Olympics, stressing that it will realise the IOC`s vision of world peace through sports," it said in a statement. When asked about whether the idea was shared with Pyongyang, a city official told Reuters the proposal was the result of intra-agency meetings and the Unification Ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs would seek discussions with the North. A Unification Ministry official said the proposal was a move by the city to highlight the significance of the two Koreas in hosting the event. The Moon administration is seeking to build on the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics it hosted in 2018, during which athletes from both Koreas marched under a unified flag at the opening ceremony and fielded a combined women`s ice hockey team. South Korea has expressed hopes of reviving the momentum for ties at this year`s Tokyo Olympics. But Pyongyang has been deriding Moon in recent weeks, dismissing the possibility of a restart of talks.

Seoul sends bid for co-hosting 2032 Olympics with North Korea despite frosty ties

South Korea has announced that it will issue COVID-19 vaccine passports to immunized citizens, joining other nations to revive cross-border travel while keeping infection risks under control.

South Korea to issue digital COVID-19 vaccine passport

A South Korean foreign minister will visit China this week for the first time in three years, looking for ways to improve ties even as tensions are running high between Beijing and the United States, the South`s most important ally.

Chung Eui-Yong will go to China on Friday, and on Saturday will meet with the Chinese government’s top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, South Korea`s foreign ministry said in a statement.

"This meeting of the diplomatic ministers of Korea and China will serve as an opportunity to explore ways to develop bilateral relations between Korea and China and to exchange in-depth opinions on the Korean Peninsula, regional and international issues," the statement said.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a briefing in Beijing said relations with South Korea were "enjoying sound development" and the coming year will be one of cultural exchanges ahead of 2022, which will mark the 30th anniversary of the two countries` ties.

"China is ready to work with the Republic of Korea to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen communication and practical cooperation so as to move forward the strategic cooperative partnership," she said.

South Korea has been seeking to mend ties with China after a row broke out in 2016 over a U.S. anti-missile system placed in South Korea resulted in a sharp slump in its tourism, cosmetics and entertainment industries, which had prospered thanks to Chinese demand. China is South Korea’s biggest trading partner.

Relations have improved since then, and political leaders from both countries have visited, including most recently, a visit to South Korea by Yi in November. The last time a South Korean foreign minister visited China was in 2017.

Neither side elaborated on the agenda, but one diplomatic source said that Chung would like to persuade Beijing to ease an informal boycott of Korean entertainment in place since the missile dispute.

A main priority is an easing of restrictions on Korean movies and TV dramas, which are currently facing difficulty being screened in cinemas or broadcast online, the source said.

A South Korean foreign ministry official said that Seoul is seeking to ensure that through the "ambitious" plans for exchanges the private sector can continue economic cooperation.

The official said Seoul was encouraged, for example, by China`s recent decision to approve licenses for some South Korean video game makers.

Besides economic issues, South Korea sees China as instrumental in reviving stalled denuclearisation talks between the United States and North Korea, a longtime ally of Beijing.

The new U.S. administration of President Joe Biden, however, has gotten off to a confrontational start with China, while South Korea has to balance its interests.

"Our basic stance is clear and not at all ambiguous: Based on the solid South Korea-U.S. alliance, the government`s firm position is to harmoniously improve South Korea-China relations," Chung told a briefing on Wednesday.

Chung met with Russia`s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov last week, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in mid March.

A South Korean foreign minister will visit China this week for the first time in three years, looking for ways to improve ties even as tensions are running high between Beijing and the United States, the South`s most important ally.

A South Korean foreign minister will visit China this week for the first time in three years, looking for ways to improve ties even as tensions are running high between Beijing and the United States, the South`s most important ally. Chung Eui-Yong will go to China on Friday, and on Saturday will meet with the Chinese government’s top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, South Korea`s foreign ministry said in a statement. "This meeting of the diplomatic ministers of Korea and China will serve as an opportunity to explore ways to develop bilateral relations between Korea and China and to exchange in-depth opinions on the Korean Peninsula, regional and international issues," the statement said. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a briefing in Beijing said relations with South Korea were "enjoying sound development" and the coming year will be one of cultural exchanges ahead of 2022, which will mark the 30th anniversary of the two countries` ties. "China is ready to work with the Republic of Korea to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen communication and practical cooperation so as to move forward the strategic cooperative partnership," she said. South Korea has been seeking to mend ties with China after a row broke out in 2016 over a U.S. anti-missile system placed in South Korea resulted in a sharp slump in its tourism, cosmetics and entertainment industries, which had prospered thanks to Chinese demand. China is South Korea’s biggest trading partner. Relations have improved since then, and political leaders from both countries have visited, including most recently, a visit to South Korea by Yi in November. The last time a South Korean foreign minister visited China was in 2017. Neither side elaborated on the agenda, but one diplomatic source said that Chung would like to persuade Beijing to ease an informal boycott of Korean entertainment in place since the missile dispute. A main priority is an easing of restrictions on Korean movies and TV dramas, which are currently facing difficulty being screened in cinemas or broadcast online, the source said. A South Korean foreign ministry official said that Seoul is seeking to ensure that through the "ambitious" plans for exchanges the private sector can continue economic cooperation. The official said Seoul was encouraged, for example, by China`s recent decision to approve licenses for some South Korean video game makers. Besides economic issues, South Korea sees China as instrumental in reviving stalled denuclearisation talks between the United States and North Korea, a longtime ally of Beijing. The new U.S. administration of President Joe Biden, however, has gotten off to a confrontational start with China, while South Korea has to balance its interests. "Our basic stance is clear and not at all ambiguous: Based on the solid South Korea-U.S. alliance, the government`s firm position is to harmoniously improve South Korea-China relations," Chung told a briefing on Wednesday. Chung met with Russia`s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov last week, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in mid March.

South Korean foreign minister going to China for first time in 3 years

Hyundai of South Korea plans to temporarily suspend production at Ulsan No.1 plant due to chip shortage between April 5 and April 13. The affected Ulsan factory produces 311,000 vehicles annually including the Kona Electric and Ioniq 5.

World Business Watch: Hyundai to suspend production in South Korea due to chip shortage

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