About: South Korea

Commitment, transparency pay off as South Korea limits COVID-19 spread

Just three weeks after South Korea's coronavirus cases soared to the second-highest number in the world, the Asian nation has managed to bring the contagion largely under control thanks to a response that combines transparency, the latest technology and a responsible approach by institutions and citizens.EURACTIV's media partner EFE reports.

Italy and South Korea virus outbreaks reveal disparity in deaths and tactics

In Italy, millions are locked down and more than 1,000 people have died from the coronavirus. In South Korea, hit by the disease at about the same time, only a few thousand are quarantined and 67 people have died.

Global spread of coronavirus raises pandemic fears

Fears mounted on Monday (24 February) that the coronavirus outbreak in China will grow into a pandemic with disruptive and deadly consequences for countries around the world, after sharp rises in infections in South Korea, Italy and Iran.

UN Climate Fund to make funding green projects easier

The board of the UN Green Climate Fund is meeting from 6 to 8 July in Songdo, South Korea. The board is set on heralding a "paradigm shift" in climate financing and intends to accelerate the decision-making process to boost the fund's replenishment. EURACTIV Germany reports.

UK-South Korea deal seeks to calm Brexit anxiety in oil markets

A UK-South Korea trade deal announced Monday (10 June) guarantees future exemption from oil tariffs following a spate of dry months without crude imports coming from Britain's North Sea fields.

Brussels ministerial paves the way to launching EU Central Asia strategy

The European Union is expected to define its strategy for Central Asia in early 2019. A preparatory meeting between the EU and the foreign ministers of the five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) took place in Brussels on Friday (23 November).

Putting the EU-South Korea partnership to work

The EU-South Korea summit taking place today (18 October) symbolises the EU's close and multifaceted partnership with South Korea. Yet, Brussels and Seoul should take some practical steps to strengthen their relationship, argue Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Linde Desmaele and Maximilian Ernst.

Time for the EU to give Korean peace a chance

A formal end to the Korean War bringing peace to the Korean Peninsula is now firmly on the cards, and the EU should be brave and decisively support this peace process. Otherwise, Brussels risks being on the wrong side of history, warns Dr Ramon Pacheco Pardo.

Political analyst: In Central Asia, the personality factor is very important

A change at the helm of Uzbekistan 18 months ago became a game-changer and greatly improved relations in Central Asia, where the personality factor remains very important. In an interview, researcher Anastassiya Reshetnyak assesses the geopolitical situation, relations in the region and with the EU.

Trump says North Korea’s Kim promises to give up nuclear weapons, plans first-ever meeting

US President Donald Trump said he was prepared to meet North Korea’s Kim Jong Un in what would be the first face-to-face encounter between the two countries’ leaders and potentially mark a major breakthrough in nuclear tensions with Pyongyang. Kim...

Trump signs sweeping tariffs, defying trade war warnings

US President Donald Trump slapped steep trade tariffs on foreign steel and aluminium yesterday (8 March), drawing sharp protests from allies at home and abroad as the contentious move raised the spectre of a global trade war.

The EU is irrelevant in the Korean Peninsula, right? Wrong

Despite having no military presence or alliances, and very modest economic links with North Korea, the EU plays a large role in the Korean Peninsula, argues Ramon Pacheco Pardo.    

EU calls for ‘peaceful, not military’ solution to Korea crisis

The European Union's foreign policy chief on Monday (14 August) called for "peaceful, not military" means to resolve the Korean peninsula crisis, urging Pyongyang to avoid any "further provocative action" that could stoke tensions.

Coal expansion plans up in smoke as Europe realises mistake

Substantial coal power expansion in Europe has been significantly scaled back in recent years after utility companies realised they bet on the wrong horse, according to a new study by the University of Oxford.

EU, NATO condemn North Korea missile test as ‘threat to peace’

North Korea's test-firing of a ballistic missile constitutes a "threat to international peace and security" as Pyongyang ratchets up tensions in the region, the EU and NATO said yesterday (14 May).

Asia wants a stronger global role for Europe

Given the unpredictability surrounding the future of US foreign policy, many Asian countries are beating a path to Brussels to shore up their relations with the EU, which remains the strongest supporter of the multilateral system, writes Fraser Cameron.

Study denounces ‘false belief’ in antibiotics

An unprecedented study carried out by a multinational team shows that antibiotic use among Spanish children is verging on excessive, as they are given twice what their German and American equivalents are. EURACTIV Spain reports.

France orders massive duck cull to contain bird flu

France yesterday (4 January) ordered a massive cull of ducks in three regions most affected by a severe outbreak of bird flu as it tries to contain the virus which has been spreading quickly over the past month, the agriculture ministry said.

Time to deliver on the Digital Single Market

It is high time to deliver on the promises of the Digital Single Market (DSM). It will fuel European economic growth and a way to make the everyday life of businesses and consumers easier, writes Tomasz Poręba.

What leaving the EU would really mean for British trade deals

The impact of staying in or leaving the EU for the UK’s global trade has become one of the most talked about questions of the referendum so far, writes Paul James Cardwell.

Germany is the poster child of an accident waiting to happen

Export-oriented Germany is the poster child for an accident waiting to happen, according to a review of countries most affected by the ongoing global economic slowdown,  George Friedman writes in Geopolitical Futures.

Future carbon market: The Far East

SPECIAL REPORT / While the price of carbon remains low, support for pricing schemes is growing. Asia will soon overtake Europe as the home of the world’s biggest carbon markets. EURACTIV France reports. 

Developed countries agree to cut coal subsidies in 2017

The European Union and eight OECD countries have agreed to reduce state aid for coal-fired power stations in developing countries. But many stations will be exempt from the cuts. EURACTIV France reports. 

Hogan: Empowering women farmers in developing countries is ‘absolutely crucial’

SPECIAL REPORT/ In a wide-ranging exclusive interview, Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan shared his vision of how the EU and developing countries could greatly improve global food security togther, through innovation and sustainable farming practices.