EU weighs sweeping new trade powers against China before make-or-break October

South China Morning Post - Sep 30, 2026

Brussels and Berlin are steeling themselves for a make-or-break October with China, as the mood towards Beijing hardens in both capitals. The month ahead could help set the course of the increasingly thorny EU-China relationship for years to come, as Europe gears up to present a slew of new tools for countering Beijing’s trade practices, likely to come in December. Before then, EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic travels to Beijing on October 8 and 9 for crucial meetings with Chinese Commerce Minister...

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UN Command says Armistice Agreement violation occurred over DMZ mine blast

UN Command says Armistice Agreement violation occurred over DMZ mine blast

The United Nations Command (UNC) said Wednesday it found a violation of the Armistice Agreement has occurred over last week's mine blast inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). "Based on the findings of the investigation, UNC determined that an Armistice Agreement violation occurred. UNC is addressing the violation through established Armistice mechanisms," it said in an emailed statement. The UNC said a joint investigation team with the South Korean military identified an active North Korean mine on the South Korean side of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). "UNC remains committed to maintaining and enforcing the Armistice Agreement and fulfilling its responsibilities to preserve stability and prevent escalation on the Korean Peninsula," it said. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff released Monday its preliminary findings on the joint investigation with the UNC on the Sept. 21 mine blast. It determined that North Korean resin antipersonnel mines "highly likely" caused the two explosions that injured three South Korean soldiers. Two of them suffered critical injuries. North Korea denied it

US sees OPCON transfer efforts as chance for improvement in S. Korea's warfighting capability: Colby

US sees OPCON transfer efforts as chance for improvement in S. Korea's warfighting capability: Colby

The U.S. Department of Defense is using South Korea's efforts to retake wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States as a chance to drive "generational" improvements in the Asian country's warfighting capability, a senior Pentagon official has said. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby made the remarks in a statement to the Senate Armed Services Committee last Thursday, as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's administration seeks to complete the conditions-based OPCON transition before its term ends in 2030. "As the ROK accelerates efforts to assume wartime operational control over ROK forces, the Department is using this opportunity to incentivize generational improvements in ROK warfighting capability," Colby said in the statement. ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. He also noted that the department is continuing to modernize the Seoul-Washington alliance, strengthening U.S. conventional posture in South Korea "against all regional threats," as Washington seeks to leverage its alliance network to bolster Indo-Pacific secu

Seoul envoy stresses S. Korea's commitment to help US, N. Korea resume dialogue

Seoul envoy stresses S. Korea's commitment to help US, N. Korea resume dialogue

WASHINGTON — South Korea's top envoy to the United States on Tuesday reiterated Seoul's commitment to helping Washington and Pyongyang build confidence and resume dialogue, stressing that maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula is Seoul's "top priority." Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha made the remarks during an event celebrating the Korean National Day and Armed Forces Day in Washington, as U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his hope to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un within the year. "We closely follow President Trump's recent messages, demonstrating his commitment to peace on the Korean Peninsula and his willingness to resume U.S.-North Korea dialogue," Kang said, noting that Seoul continues to coordinate closely with Washington on North Korea policy. "As a party directly concerned, the Republic of Korea government will actively take the role of a pacemaker and seek to create conditions that allow for constructive discussions toward building confidence and resuming dialogue between the United States and North Korea," she added, referring to South Korea by its official name.

Int'l tribunal dismisses Iranian investor's $566 mil. claim against Seoul

Int'l tribunal dismisses Iranian investor's $566 mil. claim against Seoul

An international arbitration body has dismissed a 770 billion-won ($566 million) damages claim by an Iranian investor against Seoul in a case stemming from a failed takeover of a Korean company, the justice ministry said Wednesday. A panel under the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled in favor of Korea in the case brought by six members of Iran's Dayyani family in 2021, seeking compensation for Seoul's delayed transfer of funds over a prior arbitration, according to the ministry. The panel sided with Korea in the case and ordered the Dayyanis to pay about 4 billion won to Korea for legal expenses and around 800 million won in administrative fees, the ministry said. The original case traces back to 2015, when the Dayyanis, a major shareholder of Entekhab Industrial Group, filed for arbitration after Korea's state-run Korea Asset Management Corp. canceled a contract to sell a major stake in Daewoo Electronics to Entekhab in 2011. In a 2018 arbitration, Seoul was ordered to pay 73 billion won plus interest in compensation to the Dayyanis over the failed takeover of Daewoo

Spy agency says Ukraine first requested confidentiality over transfer of N. Korean POWs

Spy agency says Ukraine first requested confidentiality over transfer of N. Korean POWs

Ukraine was the first to ask the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to South Korea be kept a secret, Seoul's spy agency said Wednesday, adding the two countries had a shared understanding to keep the transfer confidential from the beginning of the transfer process. In a briefing to the National Assembly's intelligence committee, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) also said the two North Korean soldiers arrived in South Korea in mid-September and had no major health problems, according to Rep. Youn Kun-young of the ruling Democratic Party and Rep. Yoo Yeong-ha of the main opposition People Power Party. "From the early stages of the talks, Ukraine asked that strict confidentiality be maintained, citing concerns over the potential impact on future negotiations on the exchange of POWs," Rep. Yoo told reporters after the briefing. "The NIS worked with the foreign ministry on their repatriation, and both South Korea and Ukraine held related discussions from the beginning under the shared understanding that the issue would remain confidential," he added. The NIS said the

Honey Jam Sam reflects on foreign experience in Korea in latest album

Honey Jam Sam reflects on foreign experience in Korea in latest album

Seoul is one of the world's largest cities, but when you're in a creative community or other subculture, it can feel almost more like a small town. Right in the center of this metropolis, in a hillside neighborhood that once was a refugee settlement, Rob Nichols, the British frontman of local alt-country band Honey Jam Sam, lives in a rooftop apartment overlooking a two-lane road, where he can encounter people from all walks of life. In his apartment, he has set up his own home recording studio, which he named Sky Cottage Studios. "Somehow we have our own little community, and I have my own little space within that," he told The Korea Times. "Sometimes it doesn’t feel real, disconnected from the larger picture. I guess I’m just carving out my own little niche with my band while I can." He's preparing for the release of Honey Jam Sam's latest album, due out on Saturday, titled "East of Yeadon." The name is a reference to Yeadon Airport, now Leeds Bradford Airport in Yeadon, West Yorkshire, where he began his journey to Korea in 2009. "I was looking for a title that incorporated both el

Korea-born twin pandas to be transferred to China in December

Korea-born twin pandas to be transferred to China in December

Twin pandas born at a Korean amusement park in Yongin, just south of Seoul, will be sent to China in the third week of December, a park official said Wednesday. China has ownership of all pandas, including those born outside of China, and sends them to other countries only on a lease basis. Rui Bao and Hui Bao, who were born in Korea on July 7, 2023, will leave before they turn four, when pandas' reproductive maturity begins, as required. Everland amusement park said the exact travel date and destination will be finalized based on factors including their health. The park plans to host farewell programs for visitors. "We ask for your great interest and warm support for the twin pandas' new start," a park official said. Previously, their older sister, Fu Bao, who triggered a massive fandom craze in Korea, returned to China in April 2024 before reaching her fourth birthday.

Fin.K.L revives legacy of 1st-gen K-pop with its return

Fin.K.L revives legacy of 1st-gen K-pop with its return

Around the turn of the millennium, first generation K-pop girl group Fin.K.L went from a sweet, fairytale image created through songs like "To My Boyfriend" and "Eternal Love" to the hip-hop-driven "Now." Its four members then branched out into separate careers that kept them in the public eye long after the group stopped putting out records. That trajectory is back in focus as the quartet — Lee Hyori, Ock Joo-hyun, Lee Jin and Sung Yu-ri — prepares to work together again for the first time since the 2005 digital single "Forever Fin.K.L." Their agency, Gemstone E&M, has laid out roughly two years of new music and performances leading up to the group's 30th anniversary in 2028. From Blue Rain to Now Fin.K.L debuted in May 1998 with an album that included "Blue Rain" and "To My Boyfriend." The ballad "Ruby" followed as the next single, extending a run of early hits. Launched by DSP Media, then known as Daesung Planning, Fin.K.L arrived a year after SM Entertainment's girl group S.E.S., and the two groups were widely seen as rivals, mirroring the competition between their agencies, which

CJ ENM takes K-content push to London with new partnership

CJ ENM takes K-content push to London with new partnership

Korean entertainment powerhouse CJ ENM — the media giant behind global hits like "Parasite" and "Crash Landing on You" — has partnered with the Korean Cultural Centre UK and the Korea Creative Content Agency to bring Korean dramas and cultural programming to audiences across London. The three organizations signed a memorandum of understanding to expand opportunities for Korean content in the United Kingdom and deepen exchanges among content and cultural-industry professionals. Their first joint project, Curated Korea 2026, runs from Oct. 1- 21 at venues including the Korean Cultural Centre UK, Foyles Charing Cross Road and the Garden Cinema. The program brings together contemporary Korean culture through drama screenings, literature, food and networking events. The drama lineup opens Oct. 1 with “The Ordinary Jackpot,” about an office worker whose 1.3 billion won ($890,000) lottery win prompts him to reconsider what gives life meaning, followed by a question-and-answer session. “Study Group” will be screened Oct. 8 at Foyles Charing Cross Road, followed by a conversation about

Cravity releases 9th EP 'sonorous' featuring member-written songs

Cravity releases 9th EP 'sonorous' featuring member-written songs

Boy band Cravity returns on Wednesday with the release of its ninth EP, "sonorous," with several members writing lyrics and composing songs for the record. The album will go live on major music streaming platforms at 6 p.m., according to the group's agency, Starship Entertainment. Cravity consists of nine members — Serim, Allen, Jungmo, Woobin, Wonjin, Minhee, Hyeongjun, Taeyoung and Seongmin — and debuted under Starship in 2020. The seven-track EP is led by the track "LOUDER." The agency described the song as an electronic dance track with a dreamy yet dark sound, marked by a delicate melody, an unexpected shift in its structure and a catchy chorus. The album also includes "Pulse," "Lucky Charm," "LOVE ME," "Seize The Night," "Fantasy" and "Odd One Out." According to the agency, the album aims to bring different sounds together into a single, larger resonance, building on themes of wavering, longing and recovery that the group has explored in earlier releases. The word "sonorous" describes a deep, full sound. Members took an active role in making the album. Wonjin, Allen, Serim, Hyeon

IVE member Jang Wonyoung's first Dior show — and a meeting with BLACKPINK's Jisoo

IVE member Jang Wonyoung's first Dior show — and a meeting with BLACKPINK's Jisoo

IVE member Jang Wonyoung drew attention with a noticeably softer look at her first Dior fashion show, where an encounter with fellow K-pop star and longtime Dior ambassador Jisoo of BLACKPINK also generated online buzz. On Wednesday, Jang shared a series of photos on her personal social media account with the caption, "My first show day." The appearance marked Jang's first fashion show since recently being named an ambassador for French luxury house Dior. Her debut at the show drew additional attention after photos and clips circulated online showing her greeting Jisoo, who has represented Dior since the early years of BLACKPINK's career. Jang paired a white lace top with a black skirt and wore her long, straight hair down, creating an elegant and understated look. The styling also marked a shift from some of her recent looks, which emphasized a more glamorous and sensual image. This time, rosy blush and luminous, natural-looking makeup highlighted a softer aesthetic. Jang completed the look with playful poses for the camera, drawing attention to her doll-like visuals. Beyond fashion, Jang

Winter of K-pop girl group aespa will sit out group's concert in Dallas due to health issues

Winter of K-pop girl group aespa will sit out group's concert in Dallas due to health issues

SM Entertainment said Wednesday through aespa's fan platform that Winter will not participate in the group's Dallas concert or the accompanying greeting and send-off events. "Winter recently experienced health issues ahead of the Miami concert, but she took the stage out of her strong desire to perform alongside the other members and continue with the show," the agency said. "However, her condition did not improve sufficiently afterward, so she visited a hospital following the Miami concert for a thorough examination and was diagnosed with shingles." "Even after the diagnosis, Winter showed a strong determination to participate in the scheduled concert as much as possible and did her best to recover until just before the show while continuing to assess whether she would be able to take the stage," it said. However, following medical advice that sufficient recovery should be the top priority, Winter and the agency decided after discussions that she would sit out the Dallas concert and take time to rest. The concert and related events will therefore proceed with the group's three other mem

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