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Asia

The Korea Times

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Columnists

13. Song Kyung-jin

Korea's steps closer to becoming global pivotal state goal by presence at Hiroshima G7

The 49th G7 summit 2023 is held today in Hiroshima, Japan until May 21. President Yoon Suk Yeol has been invited to this G7 Summit. This is the fourth time for Korea's president to be invited to attend such a meeting after the Hokkaido Toyako G8 2008, L'Aquila G8 2009 and Cornwall G7 2021.

2023-05-18 16:35

Investing in forward-looking Korea-U.S. alliance

A Korean president's visit to Washington, D.C., always draws the heavy attention of the nation and those from all walks of life. The visit of President Yoon Suk Yeol to the United States raised the expectations of the Korean people as it was only the second state visit of the Biden-Harris administration and the first of such in 12 years for a Korean president, especially to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance.

2023-05-02 17:37

Busan committed to transforming our world, navigating toward a better future

The Enquiry Mission of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is in Korea to examine and assess Korea's candidature to organize the World Expo in 2030 in Busan under the theme of Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future. It is a most critical step in the lead-up to the election of the host country by the 171 member nations during the 173rd General Assembly of the BIE.

2023-04-04 16:40

Making the Korean economy more resilient

Last week the International Monetary Fund (IMF) increased its global growth forecast for 2023 slightly from the previous 2.7 percent last October to 2.9 percent on the back of decreasing inflation and China's earlier-than-expected re-opening. The Korean economy seems a misfit to this global growth scenario, being the only major economy whose growth forecast was adjusted downward from 2.0 percent to 1.7 percent during the same period.

2023-02-12 16:50

Korea's Indo-Pacific strategy broadens diplomatic, security, economic horizons

Korean diplomacy wrapped up 2022 with the announcement of its Indo-Pacific strategy just before the year-end, as promised. I welcome the government's effort and its comprehensive Indo-Pacific strategy. It is a strategy for a free, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region with three overt principles of cooperation - inclusiveness, trust and reciprocity - and with nine core lines of effort.

2023-01-03 16:50

Golden jubilee for closer Korea-India ties

Next year marks the golden jubilee of Korea-India diplomatic ties. The golden jubilee could be translated into an opportune moment for bilateral relations to be upgraded to the next level with a set of concrete cooperation projects that are more ambitious and action-oriented in regard to cooperation. Korea and India, two thriving democracies in the Indo-Pacific region, are natural partners for many reasons.

2022-12-06 17:00

Whither Korea's Indo-Pacific strategy?

One question I hear more often than others these days, especially from foreign friends in Seoul and abroad, is, “When can we expect the Korean government to officially announce its Indo-Pacific strategy?” I then answer: “As promised.” But in fact, I, too, am curious myself when it will come out.

2022-10-11 15:06

Unilateralism is no answer to friendshoring

Unilateralism tends to create more problems than solutions. The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is a good case in point. Enacted on Aug. 16, the IRA is meant to deal with challenges the U.S. economy is faced with - to fight high inflation, combat climate change and create a 15 percent minimum corporate tax rate. The causes are noble; however, it is centered on investments and jobs in the U.S. at the expense of its trading partners and friends. Unilateralism imbued in the Act with little concerns for its global impact is hurting carmakers and workers of its friends and partners in global s...

2022-09-13 15:16

Korea's renewed pivot to Africa

Africa was long known as a continent with rich natural resources and potential but largely underdeveloped and forgotten. It is now striving quickly to transform itself into a continent that will play a bigger role in shaping the future of the international order. It has 54 sovereign states with an equal number of voting power in the United Nations system and major international organizations. It is the second most populous continent after Asia, with 1.4 billion people as of 2021, accounting for about 18 percent of the world's population.

2022-08-16 16:12

Reminder of president's promise for better gender representation

One of my lifelong missions I feel is to continue addressing the perennial gender deficit Korea has been suffering from and thus the importance of promoting gender balance across all walks of life in Korea. The World Economic Forum's annual Global Gender Gap Report serves as a regular reminder for me not to forget that mission.

2022-07-26 16:45

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