Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Korea considers joining Britain, France in Hormuz navigation talks

Korea has been positively considering joining talks led by Britain and France over freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Blue House announced Thursday.

2026-04-16

Senior diplomat to attend conference in Turkey, sideline talks with Middle East leaders expected

A senior Korean diplomat will travel to Turkey later this week to attend a high-level conference, where he is expected to hold sideline talks with top officials from the Middle East and elsewhere about the ongoing crisis.

2026-04-16

Finance chief says exchange rate will stabilize once Middle East risk eases

Korea's foreign exchange market will stabilize once tensions in the Middle East are resolved, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said.

2026-04-16

Lee urges 'bold and transformative' innovation to improve manufacturing industry

President Lee Jae Myung called for bold innovations in manufacturing and structural reforms Thursday to address changes in the geopolitical landscape brought about by the Iran war.

2026-04-16

Kospi opens higher on hopes for second round of U.S.-Iran peace talks

Korean stocks opened higher on Thursday on hopes for a second round of U.S.-Iran peace talks.

2026-04-16

Indo-Pacific, USFK commanders to attend Senate, House hearings amid Iran war concerns

Top U.S. commanders in the Indo-Pacific will attend Senate and House committee hearings at the U.S. Capitol next week amid concerns that the Iran war could affect the United States' focus on countering threats from China and North Korea.

2026-04-16

White House denies U.S. requested Iran cease-fire extension, says next talks 'very likely' in Pakistan

The White House denied reports Wednesday that the United States requested an extension of a two-week cease-fire with Iran, set to expire next week, while striking a positive note on the prospects of a deal with the Islamic Republic.

2026-04-16

Trump says war with Iran 'very close to over'

U.S. President Donald Trump has said the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran is "very close to over," a report said Wednesday, amid speculation that peace talks between Washington and Tehran could resume in the near future.

2026-04-16

Surging import costs put businesses, consumers in almost unprecedented inflation squeeze

The cost of imports is surging on the back of an oil shock and a weakening won, raising concerns about a broadening inflation squeeze on businesses and households — even if the conflict in the Middle East eases.

2026-04-15

No plans to pay to get ships out of Hormuz, foreign minister says

Korea has no plans to pay Iran to get its stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz, Seoul's top diplomat said Wednesday, noting that it does not intend to take any action that would run counter to the U.S.-led blockade of the shipping lane.

2026-04-15