Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Korean Foreign Ministry says 'external strike' caused HMM vessel explosion near Strait of Hormuz, explains result to Iranian envoy

A Korean investigation team concluded that an "external strike" caused the explosion aboard a Korean-operated vessel near the Strait of Hormuz last week, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday, though the perpetrator has yet to be identified.

2026-05-10

Foreign minister frames Lee's criticism of Israel as appeal to human rights

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun downplayed controversy over President Lee Jae Myung's recent criticism of Israel, framing his remarks as a principled appeal to universal values in comments to Korean lawmakers on Wednesday.

2026-04-15

Lee asks Israel to 'reflect' on global criticism following foreign ministry's 'disappointing' response

President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday rebuffed criticism from Israel’s foreign ministry over his recent remarks on anti-human rights, calling the response “disappointing.”

2026-04-11

Passage through Hormuz may take time despite cease-fire, national security chief says

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac assessed that it could take some time for Korean-flagged vessels to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, despite a two-week cease-fire between the United States and Iran.

2026-04-10

President Lee likens video of Israeli soldiers abusing Palestinian child's corpse to comfort women, Holocaust

President Lee on Friday stressed the importance of human rights after sharing a clip on social media that seemingly showed Israeli soldiers abusing a Palestinian child's corpse, likening the scene to Japanese sexual slavery and the Holocaust.

2026-04-10

Iran dismisses cease-fire deal, seeks 'permanent end to the war' instead

Iran rejected a cease-fire in its conflict with the U.S. as Trump threatened severe military actions. Tensions escalated following strikes on Iranian infrastructure, with significant casualties reported across the region.

2026-04-07

Lee considers emergency powers usage amid Iran war concerns

President Lee Jae Myung hinted at using “the emergency financial and economic powers” authorized by the Constitution amid the possible prolonged economic crisis stemming from the Iran war.

2026-03-31

Korea's credit risk rising faster than Israel, Saudi Arabia despite distance from Iran war

Missiles are landing in the Middle East, but the loudest alarm bells are ringing in Korea’s financial markets, as Seoul’s credit risk and currency continue to weaken despite a relative distance from the Iran war.

2026-03-31

BOK governor nominee calls for supplementary budget as Iran war impacts Korean economy

Shin Hyun-song, the nominee for governor of the Bank of Korea (BOK), conveyed that a supplementary budget is needed as the Iran war adds to strains on the Korean economy.

2026-03-31

Kospi opens markedly lower after Trump renews threats against Iran

Korean stocks opened markedly lower on Tuesday as U.S. President Donald Trump renewed threats against Iran, with no end in sight to the monthlong war in the Middle East.

2026-03-31