Tag: KOREA

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North Korean leader calls for “drastic boost” of missile production capacity

The three-day inspection came days after Kim Jong-un attended a massive military parade marking the 70th armistice anniversary of the Korean War on July 27, according to Yonhap News Agency report…reports Asian Lite News

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for a “drastic boost” of the country’s missile production capacity. He made the statement during a two-day visit to major factories that produce strategic missiles, rocket launchers and other military weapons on Friday and Saturday, Yonhap News Agency reported citing the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Kim Jong-un’s visit comes less than a week after the North Korean leader carried out a “field guidance” of major munitions factories. His visit comes at a time when South Korea and the United States plan to hold their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise later this month. North Korea has called the exercise as a reversal of an invasion of the North.

North Korean leader’s visit comes just days after Kim Jong-un presided over an enlarged meeting of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea. During the meeting, he called for boosting the missile production capacity, Yonhap News Agency reported.

“He set forth an important goal to drastically boost the existing missile production capacity… so as to mass-produce missiles as required by the system of the expanded and strengthened frontline units and missile units and by the operational plans,” Yonhap News Agency reported citing the KCNA.

Kim Jong-un further said that the North Korean People’s Army should be equipped with an “overwhelming military force” for “coping with any war at any moment so as to prevent the enemies from daring use their armed forces, and surely annihilate them if they launch an attack.”

During his visit to a factory producing tactical missile transporter-erector-launchers (TELs), the North Korean leader called for the development of “more modern and highly efficient TELs substantially conducive to the army’s perfect war preparations,” Yonhap News Agency reported citing KCNA.

Last week, Kim Jong-un carried out a three-day inspection of major arms factories, including those that develop shells of large-calibre multiple rocket launchers and engines of strategic cruise missiles, Yonhap News Agency reported citing state media.

The three-day inspection came days after Kim Jong-un attended a massive military parade marking the 70th armistice anniversary of the Korean War on July 27, according to Yonhap News Agency report.

North Korean leader made the visit to the factories to “learn about the implementation of the core goal of the party’s policies on munitions industry” and set forth new goals to be conducted like modernizing weapons. (ANI)

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ChatGPT fined for exposing personal info of 687 S. Koreans

A total of 687 users in South Korea have been confirmed to be among those affected by the exposure…reports Asian Lite News

South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) on Thursday imposed a fine of 3.6 million won ($2,829) on OpenAI, the operator of the generative chatbot ChatGPT, for exposing personal information of its 687 citizens.

According to OpenAI, a now-patched bug in an open-source library on ChatGPT created a caching issue in March. It caused an unintentional visibility of payment information of ChatGPT Plus subscribers during a nine-hour window, including first and last names, email addresses, the last four digits of credit card numbers and credit card expiration dates, Yonhap reported.

A total of 687 users in South Korea have been confirmed to be among those affected by the exposure.

The PIPC said it has fined OpenAI for breaching its duty to report a leakage to authorities within 24 hours of finding it. But the privacy watchdog concluded the company cannot be held responsible for lax personal information protection measures.

The watchdog has also recommended OpenAI take measures to prevent a recurrence of the incident, comply with South Korea’s personal information protection law and cooperate actively with the commission’s prior inspection activities, it said.

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Korean dishes for satisfying dinner

Thanks to the delectable foods that appear in K-dramas, Korean food is a rage. The meals, which are well-known for their savoury flavour and thick texture, are simple to make at home. While some do require lengthy and difficult cooking procedures, others do require difficult-to-find ingredients. However, you may prepare these 5 simple dishes at home and enjoy them. Although the majority need some form of non-vegetarian filling to go with them, vegetarian alternatives are available…writes Olivia Sarkar

BIBIMBAP

The Korean dinner in its entirety. This Korean mixed rice contains rice, vegetables, beef, and more. It makes for a delicious and satisfying dinner. Start with making the unique sauce, then marinade and cook the meat. Next, prepare the vegetables and a sunny side up. Then, simply combine everything in a dish of rice. A mixture of rice, meat, and various vegetables is known as bibimbap. The dish can be prepared as you choose because it is so straightforward. It tastes just as good in a vegetarian version.

JAPCHAE

The Korean Glass Noodles, the most popular meal served during the festive Korean holidays, is seasoned with succulent pork and a variety of veggies. It is often served as a side dish, but when combined with rice (Japchae-bap), it becomes a major dish. Similar to Bibimbap in terms of heating and preparation, this dish features firm noodles, crisp vegetables, and a flavour combination of sweet and savoury.

TTEOKBOKKI

The most well-liked street food is probably Korean rice cakes, which are hot, spicy, and chewy. There are numerous variations of it that can be tried in order to determine what suits your preferences. While utilising soup stock is a more traditional method of preparation, a non-spicy alternative works just as well if you cannot take spices. Gather some rice cakes, tteokbokki sauce, soup stock, meat, and add sesame seeds and green onions for decoration.

GIMBAP

If Extraordinary Attorney Woo, the most watched K-drama of 2022, has made you crave some gimbaps, fear not—they are simple to prepare. Gimbap, which is frequently mistaken for sushi, is formed with a sheet of dried seaweed (Gim) and rice (Bap). Just cram some meat and vegetables inside, then take off. Simply use some chopped kimchi in place of the filling if you’re in a rush.

GYERAN-JJIM

Popular side dish that goes with any meal of the day is this savoury egg custard. Eggs, anchovy broth, salty prawns and scallion are all you need. One of the simplest and quickest dishes to prepare is this one. All were ready in less than 20 minutes.

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S.Korean carmakers’ market share falls in 2022

Hyundai.

Last year’s drop was led by sinking sales in China and Russia amid escalating geopolitical risks…reports Asian Lite News

South Korean carmakers’ global market share inched down in 2022 from a year earlier due largely to weaker sales in China and Russia, industry data showed.

Local automakers accounted for 7.3 per cent of vehicle sales in the world’s eight major markets last year, down from 7.7 per cent in 2021, according to the data from the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA).

Hyundai Motor and Kia are South Korea’s two biggest carmakers, with three other smaller rivals — GM Korea, Renault Korea Motors and KG Mobility, formerly SsangYong Motors — operating in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.

Their share was the fifth largest in the world. The eight markets are the United States, Europe, China, India, Mexico, Brazil, Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), reports Yonhap news agency.

Last year’s drop was led by sinking sales in China and Russia amid escalating geopolitical risks, KAMA said.

Local carmakers’ share of the Chinese market slumped to 1.6 per cent last year from 2.4 percent a year earlier, with that of the Russian market shrinking to 17.8 per cent from 22.7 per cent.

Their portion of the Indian market also edged down to 21.3 per cent from 22.3 per cent over the cited period.

But they reported gains in other markets, with their share of the American market rising to 10.7 percent from 10 percent.

European companies posted the highest market share of 25.8 per cent, followed by Japanese carmakers with 25.3 per cent, Chinese firms with 19.5 percent and U.S. automakers with 18.4 per cent.

China became the world’s third-largest car seller in 2022 for the first time, overtaking their U.S. rivals.

The data also showed the global electric vehicle market soaring 43.4 per cent in 2022 from a year earlier, despite sluggish overall vehicle sales.

Europe took up the biggest share of the world EV market at 46.3 per cent, followed by China with 31.2 per cent and the U.S. with 12.3 per cent.

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Tory MPs ask £10K a day to work for fake Korean firm

UK Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng(https://twitter.com/KwasiKwarteng)

In a sting operation set up by campaign group led By Donkeys, Hancock and Kwarteng both set out six-figure sums for what they would expect to be paid to advise a non-existent firm in South Korea…reports Asian Lite News

Former cabinet ministers Matt Hancock and Kwasi Kwarteng told a fake overseas company looking for MP advisers their daily rate for consultancy would be £10,000.

In a sting operation set up by campaign group Led By Donkeys, Hancock and Kwarteng both set out six-figure sums for what they would expect to be paid to advise a non-existent firm in South Korea.

There is no accusation of wrongdoing, with MPs permitted to seek employment outside of Parliament. Hancock, asked whether he had a daily rate during an online “interview”, said: “I do, yes. It is 10,000 sterling.”

Led By Donkeys tonight tweeted a seven-minute video titled “MPs FOR HIRE: a Led By Donkeys undercover investigation”.

Matt Hancock claims extra £1,100 a month in expenses to rent love nest after marriage split

A spokesperson from Led By Donkeys said: “This experiment was designed to test if MPs would be willing to work for a fake foreign company during the cost-of-living crisis. We wanted to know if they’d agree to take time away from their actual jobs representing their constituents, including travel to South Korea, and how much money they’d want to be paid. We’ll be releasing the results over the next few days.”

Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the 1922 Committee, also attended an online meeting for the fake company. He made clear he could not advocate on behalf of the interest but may be able to help the company on who to approach in government.

He said a rate of £6,000 “feels about right” and payments would be on the public register. And former minister Stephen Hammond was also approached. He told the Observer he considered he had been a victim of a “scam” and that he thought he was engaged in a preliminary discussion with a firm, but “it turns out this company was fake, with a fake website”.

The MPs have all complied with the relevant rules and referred to their obligations to their constituents during the meetings.

They are not prohibited from these meetings and no arrangements were finalised. However, it comes at a time when politicians’ earnings outside of their role in government are being scrutinised.

Led By Donkeys set up a fake firm Hanseong Consulting and approached 20 MPs about becoming from the Conservative party, Labour and Liberal Democrats after examining the outside earnings of MPs on the parliamentary register of interests.

The company never existed and had a basic website with bogus testimonials.

They sent an email to the MPs saying they were looking for individuals for an international advisory board to “help our clients navigate the shifting political, regulatory and legislative frameworks” in the UK and Europe.

The advisers would be required to attend six board meetings a year. Five MPs agreed to be interviewed on Zoom, but one backed out at the beginning.

The four who went forward with the interview spoke to a woman pretending to be a senior executive in Seoul, South Korea.

Investigative reporter Antony Barnet conducted the experiment with Led By Donkeys to find out if MPs would be willing to work away from their constituents during the cost of living crisis.

The campaign group has said more footage of the interviews will be coming out in the next few days.

A spokesperson for Hancock told Led By Donkeys: “This failed attempt at entrapment in fact shows that Matt acted within the letter and the spirit of the rules, making it crystal clear from the outset that his parliamentary and constituency duties are his primary responsibility now.

“Matt is leaving Parliament at the next election so it is entirely to be expected that he should have exploratory conversations in the meantime.”

Brady said, “Having decided to leave the Commons at the next election, I have received a number of approaches regarding future opportunities. I did have an exploratory discussion with someone purporting to be recruiting an international advisory board for a South Korean investment house. I made it clear any arrangement would have to be completely transparent and that, whilst a member of parliament, I would only act within the terms of the code of conduct. I also made it clear that while I could be flexible in attending international meetings in person, this would be subject to some important votes or commitments in Westminster.”

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India a soft powerhouse, says Korean envoy

Speaking on this, the envoy said PM Modi’s complement is one of the best achievements he can think of as an ambassador of Korea…reports Asian Lite News

India is a powerhouse, both in terms of hard power and soft power, said Chang Jae-bok, the South Korean Ambassador to India while speaking on the viral video of the embassy’s staff dancing their hearts out to Naatu Naatu from RRR — the Oscar-nominated Telugu film making waves globally. The Korean Ambassador also grooved to the chartbusting number along with his staff.

“India is a powerhouse, both in terms of hard power and soft power, but you have to remember that a country cannot have its status as a world leader without possessing soft power. So, people want to know more about India and they would like to visit India, looking and experiencing Indian culture like Indian tradition like Bollywood and Indian cuisines, Indian tradition dress and cricket,” said the Korean Ambassador in an interview with ANI on rising stature of India’s soft power. The viral video caught the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised the staff’s team effort with a thumbs-up emoji. “Lively and adorable team effort,” PM Modi tweeted while sharing the video.

Speaking on this, the envoy said PM Modi’s complement is one of the best achievements he can think of as an ambassador of Korea.

“It was fun for us to make this video clip and my first impression from Prime Minister Modi’s comment on retweeting, it was that we did it and we just nailed it. So, we are very happy that Prime Minister Modi retweeted our dance cover. It was a big encouragement for us. PM Modi’s complement is probably one of the best achievements you can think of as an ambassador of Korea here in India,” said Chang.

Produced as part of celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and India, the envoy hailed the relationship between the two countries saying that with India’s G20 Presidency, Korea looks forward to its achievements, especially in the areas of development and digital economy.

“India now is definitely an emerging global power with immense potential, with its economy rapidly and steadily growing and it’s important as the world’s largest democracy. So, I’m sure that India’s G20 presidency will be successful and I’ll be looking forward to its achievements, especially in the areas of development, and digital economy,” said Chang.

“Korea is committed to the success of the G20 summit under India’s leadership, in September. With the G20, we expect more and more high-level officers exchange visits and also some more special events in our culture and we will try to upgrade our current relationship, which is the special strategic partnership between India and Korea,” he added.

On whether he plans to come up with more dance covers like that, the envoy said he will be coming up with more surprises like this and will continue to understand India’s culture even more.

“Hopefully, yes we would come up with some other forms of surprise, but not another dance, but we will study the Indian culture. We will continue to understand what’s going on in India, and especially culture and also for more people to people contact,” said the envoy. (ANI)

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US, S. Korea, Japan unite against DPRK threat

The three met here earlier in the day for their third trilateral talks since South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol took office in May 2022….reports Asian Lite News

The US, South Korea and Japan will work together to deter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats and to denuclearise the Korean Peninsula, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has said.

The US diplomat also insisted that trilateral cooperation among the US and its two allies is only getting stronger, Yonhap news agency reported.

“The DPRK continued to threaten the ROK, Japan and its neighbours and the world with the launch of an unprecedented number of ballistic missiles last year,” Sherman said, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

“Standing united, our nations will deter the DPRK and urge it to give up its nuclear weapons program and abide by its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions,” she said at a joint press conference with her South Korean counterpart, Cho Hyun-dong, and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Takeo Mori.



The three met here earlier in the day for their third trilateral talks since South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol took office in May 2022.

North Korea fired 69 ballistic missiles last year, marking a new record number of ballistic missile launched in a year. Its previous annual record was at 25.

“On North Korea, we shared the recognition that North Korea’s intensified nuclear and missile activities, including ballistic missile launches with an unprecedented frequency in unprecedented manners, pose a clear and serious challenge to the international community,” Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Mori said.

“Against these backdrops, coordination among Japan, the US and the ROK is becoming increasingly important not only in dealing with North Korea but also in maintaining peace and stability of the region and in realising the free and open Indo-Pacific,” he added, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.

Cho said the three countries reaffirmed their efforts to denuclearise the Korean Peninsula.

“We committed ourselves to respond to any North Korean provocation and work toward complete denuclearization of North Korea,” Cho said of the trilateral vice foreign ministerial meeting.

“In response to this threat, (we will) strengthen robust ROK-US combined defense posture, and at the same time enhance our trilateral security cooperation with the US and Japan,” added Cho.

Cho said the three countries have also expressed deep concerns over the human rights situation in North Korea, and committed to working together to raise international awareness on the issue.



“We urge North Korea to return to denuclearisation talks,” he told the press conference.

Sherman said the trilateral cooperation between the US and its allies “remains strong and it is only getting stronger.”

The US official also stressed the importance of the trilateral cooperation in dealing with other regional issues, including “challenges posed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC).”

“Today’s dialogue reiterated our core message — we will remain aligned with the ROK, Japan, other allies and partners worldwide to push back on the PRC behaviour that challenges the rules based regional and international order,” she said.

Cho noted the three agreed on the “urgent need to address common security challenges, “supply chain disruptions and energy crisis”.

“We reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening strategic consultation amongst three countries, including the dialogue on economic security,” he said.

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N Korea slams NATO chief’s visit to Seoul as ‘prelude’ to war

Seoul : This photo, taken Jan. 29, 2023, shows North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaking in a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin at Seoul's foreign ministry. (Yonhap/IANS)

The North’s researcher condemned Stoltenberg as the head of the military organization that turned Ukraine into a “theatre of proxy war”…reports ASian Lite News

North Korea on Monday denounced a visit to Seoul by Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General, as a “prelude” to war, saying the move could bring a “new Cold War” to the Asia-Pacific region.

In an article carried by the Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Tong-myong, a researcher of the North’s organization on international political study, said Stoltenberg’s current trip appears to be aimed at “instigating” the creation of the Asian version of NATO.

“The trip of the NATO secretary general to South Korea and Japan is a prelude to confrontation and war as it brings the dark clouds of a ‘new Cold War’ to the Asia-Pacific region,” Kim said.

Stoltenberg arrived in Seoul on Sunday for a two-day stay, and in a meeting with Foreign Minister Park Jin, he said the North’s support of Russia’s war with Ukraine reinforces the need for the rest of the world to stay “interconnected” in their security efforts.

The NATO chief plans to visit Japan later in the day for a two-day visit.

The North’s researcher condemned Stoltenberg as the head of the military organization that turned Ukraine into a “theatre of proxy war”.

Kim said Stoltenberg will raise the need to build the Asian version of NATO, and put pressure on Seoul and Tokyo for their passive military support to Ukraine at a time when the US has decided to supply tanks to Ukraine.

The North has recently denounced Washington’s decision to send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, a move to help Kiev’s war with Russia.

Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of the country’s leader Kim Jong-un, said last week that Washington is crossing the “red line”.

North Korea formally recognised the independence of the pro-Russian separatist republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in Ukraine, becoming the third country in the world to do so after Russia and Syria.

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S.Korea, China resume dialogue on economic, trade cooperation

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (L) poses for a photo with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, during their bilateral talks at a hotel in Bali, Indonesia, in this file photo taken Nov. 15, 2022. (Photo: Yonhap/IANS)

During the forum, they discussed how to elevate the bilateral economic partnership to the next level…reports Asian Lite News

South Korea and China held a business dialogue on Monday involving business leaders, and former and incumbent government officials, following November’s summit between the leaders of the two countries.

Increasing high-level talks and 1.5-track public-private dialogue platforms were among the areas South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on during their first summit in Bali in November, which took place on the sidelines of a Group of 20 meeting.

The business dialogue, co-hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Beijing-based think tank China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), was established in 2018 as a channel to promote bilateral economic cooperation but had been suspended since 2019 over Covid-19. Monday’s session took place virtually.

During the forum, they discussed how to elevate the bilateral economic partnership to the next level.

They adopted a joint statement calling for a swift agreement on the second phase of the Korea-China free trade agreement to stabilise the two-way trade.

Working-level talks have been under way between Seoul and Beijing on expanding the FTA to include the opening up of markets to the service and investment sectors. The Korea-China FTA went into effect in December 2015, with the removal of major tariffs.

They also called for efforts to enhance cooperation in the framework of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a mega trade pact involving the two countries and the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The deal took effect for South Korea in February this year.

Other proposals included expanding international cooperation and policy exchanges in sustainable growth and carbon emissions goals, and normalizing people-to-people exchanges.

Among the participants at the dialogue were SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who doubles as the KCCI chief; Choi Seok-young, former chief FTA negotiator; Bi Jingquan, executive vice chairman of the CCIEE; and Ma Yongsheng, chairman of China Petroleum and Chemical Corp.

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At least 151 killed, 82 injured in Seoul Halloween stampede

Victims in their late teens and 20s accounted for the age group most affected by the accident, the authorities also said. It is not yet known whether the victims included minors….reports Asian Lite News

At least 151 people have been killed while 82 others were injured in a deadly stampede in Seoul’s Itaewon district as huge crowds of partygoers, many in their late teens and 20s, converged in the entertainment district for late-night Halloween celebrations.

The deadliest stampede in South Korea’s history happened on Saturday night in a narrow downhill alley near Hamilton Hotel in the famous nightlife district after tens of thousands of people visited the area for Halloween, Yonhap news agency reported.

As of 9 a.m. Sunday, a total of 151 people, including 19 foreigners, have been killed and 82 others injured, 19 of them seriously, according to Choi Seong-beom, head of the fire department in Yongsan, which includes Itaewon.

Of the deceased, 97 are female and 54 are male, Choi said.

The foreigners killed include those from Iran, Uzbekistan, China and Norway, he added.

It was the first Halloween event in Seoul in three years after the country lifted many Covid-19 restrictions. Most of the people on the streets were wearing Halloween costumes.

Victims in their late teens and 20s accounted for the age group most affected by the accident, the authorities also said. It is not yet known whether the victims included minors.

Video footage showed rescue workers and ordinary people conducting CPR on victims on the streets.

Fire authorities initially received dozens of reports from people in the Itaewon area about patients with breathing difficulties. The first report was made around 10:15 p.m.

Rescuers sent to the scene had administered CPR on dozens of victims on a nearby road.

“As people in the front fell over, those in the back were crushed,” a witness in his 20s told Yonhap news agency.

Rumours at the scene were that a crowd of people had flocked to a place to see a celebrity or candies laced with drugs had been distributed at clubs, but the exact cause of the accident is yet to be known.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol addressed the nation live from the presidential office, saying Saturday’s “tragedy and disaster should never have happened”.

The President also announced a period of national mourning over the stampede.

Before addressing the nation, Yoon also presided over two successive emergency meetings, ordering officials to swiftly administer first aid and treat the injured, the presidential office said.

The President also ordered officials to deploy emergency medical officials to Itaewon and secure emergency beds.

After presiding over an emergency meeting on the stampede, Yoon instructed officials to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident.

Separately, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo instructed officials to make utmost efforts to minimise damages.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who is on a visit to Europe, decided to return home in the wake of the accident, city officials said.

A total of 848 personnel, including 346 firefighters, were mobilised for the area.

As of early Sunday, some 270 missing reports were made in connection with the accident, the Seoul city government said.

Police said they are making utmost efforts in confirming the identity of the victims and then making contacts with their family members.

Police plan to launch an investigation soon into whether bars and clubs in the area were in compliance with safety regulations.

US President Joe Biden expressed his “deepest condolences”.

“Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in Seoul. We grieve with the people of South Korea and send our best wishes for a quick recovery to all those who were injured,” Biden said in a statement, referring to first lady Jill Biden.

“The Alliance between our two countries has never been more vibrant or more vital — and the ties between our people are stronger than ever. The US stands with South Korea during this tragic time,” he added.

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