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Pyongyang threatens to declare war

siavash — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 12:31:41 +0000

Pyongyang threatens to declare war

TEHRAN (Iran News) According to Pyongyang’s state-run news agency KCNA, the UAV was likely used to drop leaflets over the capital. Similar drones were spotted scattering leaflets full of “political propaganda and slander” earlier this month, the outlet said. “North Korean ”

“If a violation of the DPRK’s territorial ground, air and waters by ROK’s military means is discovered and confirmed again, it will be regarded as a grave military provocation against the sovereignty of the DPRK and a declaration of war and an immediate retaliatory attack will be launched,” KCNA warned, as quoted by Reuters.

Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and a top government official, claimed on Thursday that Pyongyang had “clear evidence” that the South had violated the North’s airspace.

South Korea has refused to confirm whether its drones have crossed the border. Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman Colonel Lee Sung-jun told reporters this week that the matter was “something that should be clarified by North Korea.”

Pyongyang has engaged in hostile rhetoric in recent months, accusing its southern neighbor of “provocations.” This week, North Korea blew up sections of roads leading to South Korea, and vowed to “completely separate” the two countries and transform the border area into “an eternal fortress.”

In January, Kim Jong-un proposed abandoning the longstanding commitment to reunification, and labeled South Korea a “principal enemy.”

The tensions mark a contrast to a series of friendly gestures in the late 2010s when then US President Donald Trump sought to de-escalate the situation on the Korean peninsula. However, a meeting between Trump and Kim in Hanoi in 2019 ended in failure, with both sides accusing each other of making unrealistic demands. Pyongyang has since ramped up missile tests, while the US has launched more joint military drills with South Korea.

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Iran, North Korea hold talks on developments in Korean peninsula

siavash — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 11:59:04 +0000

Iran, North Korea hold talks on developments in Korean peninsula

TEHRAN (Iran News) Hossein Zanjani discussed the developments related to the Korean peninsula and the crimes of the Zionist regime in Lebanon and Gaza with senior officials of the North Korean Foreign Ministry,

In this meeting, the two sides emphasized condemning the criminal actions of the Zionist regime, which are carried out with the direct support of the United States.

They also discuss the topics of mutual interest and the ways to expand relations between the two countries.

Earlier on Tuesday, North Korea blew up certain sections of two inter-Korean highways on its side of the border.

“North Korea has detonated parts of the Gyeongui and Donghae roads north of the Military Demarcation Line at around noon,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea reported, as quoted by the Yonhap agency.

The South Korean military has stepped up surveillance and readiness, the ministry said.

The North Korean Foreign Ministry said on Friday that South Korea had flown drones over Pyongyang three times since last week — on October 3, 9, and 10 — to distribute leaflets, calling the move a military provocation and a violation of its sovereignty.

The South Korean military has denied the reports of sending drones to North Korea, saying nothing of the sort happened.

Earlier, it was reported that the General Staff of the North Korean Army said that North Korea would carry out work to block and cut off all roads and railways connecting its territory with the “main enemy” South Korea from October 9, and would fortify defensive structures, which it notified the American troops about in order to avoid clashes.

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Major S Korean refiners to import Iranian condensate in Feb.

reporter 1222 — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 06:43:18 +0000

Hyundai Oilbank Company, a major South Korean refiner, plans to import 2 million barrels of Iranian condensate this month, a person familiar with the issue said Monday.

It would be Hyundai Oilbank’s first imports of ultralight crude since September, two months before the United States reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Iran, South Korea Herald reported.

US President Donald Trump abandoned a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran in May. Still, South Korea and seven other countries have been given waivers to continue buying Iranian oil over the next six months.

South Korea is the third-largest buyer of Iranian oil.

Hanwha Total Petrochemical Company – a 50-50 joint-venture between Hanwha General Chemical Company and French energy giant Total – also plans to import condensate from Iran in February, a company official said.

He declined to elaborate on the amount of shipments, citing policy.

The company last imported Iranian condensate in July last year, when it brought in 2 million barrels.

The South Korean refiners and chemical firms had relied heavily on Iranian condensate for production of various petrochemical products thanks to a stable supply and price competitiveness.

Iranian condensate accounted for as much as 59% of South Korea’s imports of the oil in April last year before dropping to the 30% range between May and August.

Naphtha, a key raw material for petrochemicals, is derived from condensate.

SK Trading International Company, a subsidiary of South Korea’s biggest oil refiner, SK Innovation Company, also plans to import Iranian condensate in February, though it did not provide details.

In January, SK Trading International brought 2 million barrels of Iranian condensate. (Yonhap)

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South Korean firms discuss Iran’s market in special session

reporter 1222 — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 13:30:15 +0000

Some South Korean companies and Iranian officials discussed the potentials of Iran’s market after US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in a special session held in Gidong, South Korea.

The session entitled ‘the perspective of Iran-South Korea ties’ was held on Saturday with Iran’s ambassador to Seoul Hassan Taherian and representatives of some South Korean companies in attendance.

The Iranian envoy touched upon the friendly relations between the two countries, adding that South Korean companies’ long-standing presence in Iran has established a fine reputation for them.

The significant rise of trading ties between the two states during the last two months is the result of the efforts made by South Korea’s small and medium-sized companies, he added.

He advised companies to continue their trade with Iran, highlighting that the return of companies after exiting Iran would be difficult.

Elsewhere, he said that China, India, Russia and Turkey are competing to seize a bigger share in Iran’s market.

At the end of the session, problems and issues of trading with Iran was discussed by the attendees.

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Private Iranian, Korean nanotechnology sectors team up

reporter 1222 — Sat, 05 May 2018 11:10:45 +0000

TEHRAN – On Monday, Private sectors from Iran and South Korea discussed joint projects in nanotechnology during a meeting at the venue of Iran’s National Library and Archive.

The sides plan to establish a joint club to expand cooperation in the field of nanotechnology, the Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council announced in a press release, ISNA reported.

The South Korean part – Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) – aims to use potentials of Iranian companies in global market and share knowledge with each other.

KIST has been actively promoting international cooperation through joint research projects, scientist exchange programs, and the sponsorship of international workshops and symposia. Cooperative agreements exist with over 70 research institutes in 27 different countries and this number is expected to expand significantly in coming years.

“Iran is ready for establishment office for joint projects and sharing experience,” Ali Morteza Birang, the deputy vice president for international and technological affairs, said during the meeting.

KIST aims to promote a win-win cooperation between Iranian and Korean companies through this joint project, KIST’s Technology Policy Research Institute chief Kyung-Ho Shin said during the event.

It provides an opportunity for both Iranian and Korean enterprises to render their products in global market, he explained.

He said the two sides will also establish joint investing companies in the near future.

The plan includes organization, development, learning and global marketing, he added.

Nanotechnology enterprises is composed of companies that are involved in producing products that involve nanotechnology or nanomaterials or equipment useful to nano manufacturers.

The Korea Institute of Science and Technology is a multi-disciplinary research institute located in Seoul. Founded in 1966, it was the first multi-disciplinary scientific research institute in Korea and has contributed significantly to the economic development of the country, particularly during the years of accelerated growth in the 1970s and 1980s.

It has a research staff of over 1,800 research scientists, visiting scientists, fellows and trainees, and foreign scientists involved in basic research in various fields of science and technology.

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US, South Korea Begin Largest-Ever Joint Air Drill

reporter 1222 — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 09:35:46 +0000

TEHRAN – The US and South Korea on Monday kicked off their largest ever joint air exercise, an operation North Korea has labelled an “all-out provocation”, days after Pyongyang fired its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile.

The five-day Vigilant Ace drill – involving 230 aircraft, including F-22 Raptor stealth jet fighters, and tens of thousands of troops – began Monday morning, Seoul’s air force said, AFP reported.

Pyongyang over the weekend blasted the drill, accusing US President Donald’s Trump’s administration of “begging for nuclear war”.

The annual exercise comes five days after the nuclear-armed North test-fired a new ICBM, which it says brings the whole of the United States within range.

As tensions surged, US Senator Lindsey Graham, an influential Republican and foreign policy hawk, warned that the US was moving closer to “preemptive war” with the North.

“If there’s an underground nuclear test (by the North), then you need to get ready for a very serious response by the United States,” Graham told the CBS show Face the Nation.

The isolated and impoverished North has staged six increasingly powerful atomic tests since 2006 – most recently in September.

“The preemption is becoming more likely as their technology matures. Every missile test, every underground test of a nuclear weapon, means the marriage is more likely,” he said.

Graham’s remarks echoed those of Trump’s National Security Adviser HR McMaster, who told a security forum on Saturday that the potential for war with the North “is increasing every day”.

The North has boasted that the Hwasong 15 ICBM tested on Wednesday is capable of delivering a “super-large” nuclear warhead anywhere in the US mainland.

Analysts agree that the latest test showed a big improvement in potential range, but say it was likely achieved using a dummy warhead that would have been quite light.

They say a missile carrying a much heavier nuclear warhead would struggle to travel as far.

They are also skeptical that Pyongyang has mastered the sophisticated technology required to protect such a warhead from the extreme temperatures and stresses encountered as the missile hurtles back to Earth.

The North’s widely-condemned nuclear and missile programmes have made significant progress under leader Kim Jong-Un, who has overseen four nuclear tests and dozens of missile launches since taking power in 2011.

The months-long nuclear standoff between Kim and Trump – as well as their trading of personal insults – has fuelled concerns of another conflict, more than six decades after 1950-53 Korean War that left much of the peninsula in ruins.

But even some Trump advisers say US military options are limited when Pyongyang could launch an artillery barrage on the South Korean capital Seoul – only around 50km from the heavily-fortified border and home to 10 million people.

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Korean actress Lee Young-ae backs quake relief efforts in Iran

reporter 1222 — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 12:47:38 +0000

TEHRAN – South Korean actress Lee Young-ae has donated 50,000,000 Korean won (about $45,000) to earthquake relief efforts in Iran, where she is hugely popular.

The donation was made via check handed over to Iranian Ambassador Hassan Taherian in Seoul by Korea Foundation for Persons with Disabilities Chairman Lee Seong-gyu, the Embassy of Iran in Seoul announced on Monday.

Lee Young-ae is known for her appearances in the Korean historical drama “Dae Jang Geum” (2003), which was also aired on Iranian television.

The massive earthquake in the Kermanshah region in western Iran killed hundreds and injured thousands last week.

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Korean ambassador: home ready to host Iranian art exhibits

reporter 1222 — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 07:16:47 +0000

TEHRAN – South Korean Ambassador Kim Seung-ho said on Sunday that he would eagerly welcome any offer from Iranian artists to showcase their works in exhibitions at his residence in Tehran.

“I would like to offer any Iranian artists who are interested to display works in my residence,” the ambassador told the Tehran Times in an interview held at the 23rd Press Exhibition on Sunday.

The ambassador visited the Tehran Times pavilion and talked about his interest in Persian art and the future exhibits to be held in Tehran and Seoul.

So far several exhibits have been held at the residence of the ambassador in Tehran including an exhibition of Persian calligraphy works by Iranian artist Javad Bakhtiari and an exhibition of a collection of Iranian marquetry works.

Kim said that he does not have any professional advisor for choosing artworks for exhibits, and that his interest in Persian art varies from calligraphy to painting. He is interested in Persian calligraphy since there is calligraphy in Korea and that shows commonality in the art of the two countries.

He also talked about the next exhibit due to be held at his residence.

“We are organizing an exhibition of fashions to display a number of Iranian and Korean costumes in my residence. But we have not decided about the exact date yet,” he said.

Kim next explained about his interest in Persian art.

“Iranian ancient culture is the cradle of humanity, and as humans we enjoy ancient Persian culture. This Persian culture has long affected European culture, and was also taken to China via the Silk Road and then through China, Korea was also affected. That is, Iranian culture is deeply rooted and widespread in Korea, but many people do not know that,” he explained.

“The world is very dependent on your culture. That is why I am very interested in your culture too,” he added.

Kim also announced that an exhibition of Iranian metal works will open in Seoul on November 15.

“The weeklong exhibit will be held in the central hall of the Korea Foundation. The artifacts have been selected by Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization and 10 Iranian artists will be visiting Korea during the exhibit,” he concluded.

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New Korean Ships to Reduce Average Age of Iran’s Fleet of Freighters

reporter 1222 — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 13:00:26 +0000

TEHRAN – The ten container ships Iran has purchased from South Korea will pull down the average age of the country’s fleet of cargo ships by four years, an official announced.

CEO of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) Mohammad Saeedi said Iran will take delivery of the first South Korean container ship in the first month of the next Iranian year (March-April 2018).

He also noted that the new freighters will bring down the average age of Iran’s fleet of merchant ships from 16 to 12.

The IRISL signed a deal with South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. (HHI) to buy 10 ships from the world’s largest shipbuilding company in December 2016. The contract has been financed by Korean banks.

Under the contract, valued at $650 million, Hyundai will build 14,500 TEU container ships and 50,000 DWT product tankers.

It was signed as part of the IRISL’s plans to renovate its fleet through a total investment of $2.5 billion.

The company operates about 115 oceangoing vessels, but some of the ships are old, have been deemed unsafe to travel and cannot be insured.

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S. Korean company signs airport system sales contract with Iran

reporter 1222 — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 06:11:31 +0000

TEHRAN- Korea Airports Corp. said Thursday that it signed a contract with an Iranian company for selling navigational aid systems and airport equipment in Iran.

The contract with Iranian construction company Tolid Malzomat Bargh was signed Tuesday at the Inter Airport Europe (IAE) trade fair in Germany, the Korea Herald reported.

TMB Co., which designs and manufactures electrical equipment in Iran, will promote sales of instrument landing systems and signal analyzers on behalf of KAC. In particular, KAC hopes to promote sales of the new portable signal analyzer, which uses Wi-Fi to remotely monitor signals.

At Inter Airport Europe, KAC showcased its latest developments in airport equipment including passenger boarding bridges and baggage handling systems.

IAE was held at the Munich Trade Centre in Germany from Tuesday to Friday.

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