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Lee attends G7 summit in Evian, has brief encounter with Trump

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung attended the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, on Tuesday and had a brief encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump during a photo session. Emmanuel Macron, president of host France, welcomed Lee to the summit venue. The South Korean president responded, "I am so happy," after Macron asked, "How are you?" During a subsequent group photo session for leaders of participating countries, Lee had a brief encounter with Trump for about 30 seconds, a livestream of the event showed. Lee and Trump were seen eagerly speaking to each other through who appeared to be an interpreter. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung later said in a briefing that Trump asked Lee about the latest developments in inter-Korean ties during the conversation. Lee asked Trump to spearhead a peaceful resolution of North Korean issues, as he did with the war in the Middle East, to which the U.S. president responded by expressing his intention to work toward such a resolution, according to the spokesperson. This year marks the second cons

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Why do Korean protesters wave American flags?

SEATTLE — As protests over South Korea's ballot shortage controversy continue, many foreign observers are asking an unusual question: Why are American flags being waved at a protest over a Korean election? Images from the demonstrations show participants carrying U.S. flags alongside South Korean national flags, renewing a long-running debate over the symbolism of the Stars and Stripes in Korean politics. The question has surfaced across social media platforms including Reddit, X and Threads, where expatriates and international observers have debated why a foreign flag has become a recurring feature at some Korean political rallies. "It's so bizarre seeing so many American flags," one user wrote. "It's not really about America," one commenter responded, arguing that the flag has come to symbolize anti-communism and conservative political identity in South Korea. Others pointed to the history of the U.S.-South Korea alliance and the Korean War, saying the flag has long been associated with support for the alliance and opposition to North Korea. Several commenters said the symbolism has ev

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Iran says deal to end war with US requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanon

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s top diplomat said Tuesday that the tentative deal to end the war with the United States would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon — a condition Israel has already rejected and that could sink the agreement, leading to the resumption of all-out war. The deal, which is between the U.S. and Iran, has not been made public, and officials have sometimes offered contradictory interpretations of what is in it. While Israel is not party to the agreement, it is part of the war: It joined the U.S. in launching strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, and has since fought the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon and seized large swaths of that country. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israel’s continued occupation of southern Lebanon would violate the deal. “Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war has not fully come to an end,” Araghchi said. A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss outlines of the agreement, has said the deal did not call for an Israeli

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Hormuz shipping muted despite Iran war accord: trackers

PARIS — Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz stayed at a trickle Tuesday, maritime trackers indicated, two days after the U.S. promised to reopen it under an agreement with Iran to end their war. As of 1500 GMT on Tuesday, tracking platform Kpler had detected just four crossings of the strategic waterway that day by vessels carrying raw materials. Five were detected on Monday — a similar rate to traffic during the week before the US-Iran agreement to end the Middle East war, announced late Sunday. "The Strait of Hormuz continues to operate below normal commercial levels, despite signals of diplomatic progress," Kpler said on X. The Iranian government said on Tuesday that the U.S. military's counter-blockade of Iranian ports, imposed on April 13, had been lifted ahead of the formal signing of the agreement. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that ships were starting to come out of the strait. He said it would "completely" reopen as soon as the accord is signed on Friday. Shipping groups have warned however that uncertainty remains about the steps towards reopening and how long

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Prospects of US-Iran deal open door for Korean builders, tech firms

The prospects for a peace deal between the United States and Iran are raising hopes for Korean firms to participate in postwar reconstruction efforts in the Middle Eastern country, with opportunities spanning the construction, energy and consumer electronics sectors. It is said that the Donald Trump administration plans to ease sanctions on Iran and also create a $300 billion investment fund to support the country's economic recovery. Should sanctions be eased, Iran's infrastructure and domestic economy could see renewed growth, creating opportunities for Korean companies to return to a market they once actively served. According to industry officials, major Korean construction companies, energy firms and consumer goods companies are reviewing potential opportunities linked to Iran’s reconstruction. The International Energy Agency said key energy assets had been damaged in more than 40 locations across nine countries, while independent research company Rystad Energy estimated the reconstruction market to be worth as much as $58 billion. Given their extensive track record in the region,

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JTBC files for court receivership as costly World Cup, Olympics deals push JoongAng Group into crisis

A court froze the assets of five JoongAng Group subsidiaries and affiliates, Monday, after they filed for court receivership amid a financial crisis driven largely by the Korean media conglomerate's costly bids for exclusive broadcasting rights to major international sporting events. The Seoul Bankruptcy Court issued preservative measures and a general prohibition order against JoongAng Holdings, the group's parent company, as well as JTBC, Contentree JoongAng, Megabox JoongAng and JoongAng P&I. The JoongAng, the group's flagship newspaper, is said to pursue a restructuring workout process following the rehabilitation filings by the parent company and its affiliates. The preservative measures bar the companies from disposing of assets or making preferential repayments before formal rehabilitation proceedings, while the general prohibition order freezes creditor claims, blocking enforcement actions, attachments or auctions until then. Last week, JTBC defaulted after failing to repay a 20.6 billion won ($13.6 million) debt coming due, citing a sharp contraction in the television advertisi

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UN secretary-general candidates to speak at Jeju Forum next week

The Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity opens on Jeju Island next week, bringing together candidates for the position of the next United Nations secretary-general alongside policymakers and scholars to debate cooperation in an increasingly divided world. The 21st edition of the annual international security forum runs from June 24-26 at Haevichi Hotel & Resort Jeju and Jeju Stone Park, under the theme "Reinventing Cooperation in a Fragmented World." The three-day program includes up to 68 sessions spanning U.S.-China power games, artificial intelligence (AI) governance, the Korean Peninsula security situation, climate change and the role of local governments in global affairs. A plenary on June 25 titled "Reimagining Multilateralism: A Dialogue with U.N. Secretary-General Candidates" is among the most closely watched events on the agenda. Confirmed participants include Michelle Bachelet, former president of Chile and former U.N. high commissioner for human rights; Maria Fernanda Espinosa, former president of the 73rd U.N. General Assembly and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuad

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Lee grapples with headwinds following local elections as party rift, ballot shortage issues deepen

President Lee Jae Myung is grappling with a difficult political moment at home, as a widening rift with ruling party leadership and a public backlash over ballot shortages in the June 3 local elections are pulling down his approval ratings. These political headwinds prompted Lee to remain focused on developments at home even during his diplomatic tour in Europe, leading to him convening an unprecedented virtual meeting with senior presidential aides in Seoul and commenting on political issues through social media. The unease between Cheong Wa Dae and the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has grown following the party's less-than-satisfactory local election results. The DPK won 12 of the nation's 16 metropolitan mayoral and provincial governorship elections. However, it lost the Seoul mayoral race — widely regarded as the bellwether of national elections. The outcome, coupled with defeats in closely watched battleground districts in the parliamentary by-elections held concurrently with the local elections, fueled criticism of DPK Chairman Jung Chung-rae and trigge

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KOSPI climbs for 4th session on ceasefire optimism, though momentum weakens

KOSPI continued its upward trajectory Tuesday, following news of a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, though the pace of gains slowed compared with the previous session. The country’s benchmark index opened at 8,696.55, up 150.57 points, or 1.76 percent, extending its winning streak to a fourth consecutive session. The rally, however, lost momentum as trading progressed, with the index briefly falling to 8,540.41 around 10 a.m. It later rebounded to close at 8,726.60, up 180.62 points, or 2.11 percent. The gains were notably more modest than Monday’s 5.20 percent surge. Overnight on Wall Street, all three major indexes ended higher as investor sentiment improved after Washington and Tehran agreed to formally sign a peace accord in Geneva on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.92 percent to a record close. The S&P 500 added 1.65 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite jumped 3.07 percent. Oil prices also fell sharply as geopolitical tensions eased. Brent crude and U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures declined 4.9 percent and 4.8 percent, resp

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Rare Bae Yong-joon sighting revives interest in Korea's most reclusive celebrities

A recent public sighting of actor Bae Yong-joon, one of the biggest figures of the Korean wave's early years, has sparked a wave of online discussion in Korea and renewed interest in celebrities who have largely disappeared from public life. Photos of Bae and his wife, actress Park Soo-jin, surfaced this month after the couple was reportedly spotted traveling in Singapore with actors Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon and their children. Singaporean media outlets reported that the two families arrived at Changi Airport before later boarding the Disney Adventure cruise. The images quickly drew attention because Bae, once known as one of Asia's most recognizable Korean stars, has rarely been seen in public since stepping away from the entertainment industry. In the photos, Bae appears in casual clothing with long hair tied back under a cap, while Park is seen looking after the couple's children. As the images spread online, a netizen who claimed to have seen the families aboard the cruise shared additional impressions of the actor. "Other than his hair turning gray, he looked very well-maintain

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Rival parties agree to launch 45-day parliamentary probe on election ballot shortage

The rival parties agreed Tuesday to conduct a 45-day parliamentary investigation into the National Election Commission over ballot shortages reported during the recent local elections, party officials said. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) agreed to put the plan to a vote at a parliamentary plenary session on Thursday. The special parliamentary committee will be chaired by the PPP, according to the officials from both parties. Ballot shortages were reported at more than a dozen polling stations in Seoul during the June 3 local elections, temporarily disrupting voting and prompting protests. Last week, the DPK and the PPP separately submitted requests for a parliamentary probe, though they differed over the scope of the investigation and the number of seats to be allotted to each party on the committee.

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Korea in consultations with US, Iran on Hormuz transit following peace deal

Korea has begun consultations with the United States, Iran and other relevant countries regarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz following the signing of a preliminary deal aimed at ending the monthslong war in the Middle East, the foreign ministry said Tuesday. According to U.S. officials, President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf inked the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would extend the countries' ceasefire for 60 days, during which negotiations will take place to address nuclear and other issues to reach a final peace deal. A large number of vessels, including two dozen Korea-linked ships, have been stranded in the waterway, which Iran has effectively choked off with threats of missile and drone strikes amid the war. "We are assessing the details related to maritime transit and have begun necessary communication with relevant countries, including the U.S. and Iran," ministry spokesperson Park Il said during a regular press briefing. According to Park, the government is closely monitoring a range of factor

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What makes Netflix's 'Teach You a Lesson' so popular globally

The Netflix original series "Teach You a Lesson" is taking the world by storm. The drama follows the Korean Educational Rights Protection Bureau, a fictional government-sanctioned vigilante squad deployed to reclaim classrooms ruined by out-of-control teenagers and toxic parents. It has firmly established itself as a massive hit, drawing passionate audiences across Asia, Europe and South America alike. According to the global OTT ranking site FlixPatrol, the show claimed the top spot worldwide on Tuesday, ranking No. 1 in 44 countries, including Korea, Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. Highly relatable Many viewers have found the drama relatable. Taking to social media to share the educational realities in their own countries, viewers worldwide noted with a mix of comfort and dismay that Korea's struggles are identical to their own. "I expected this to be just a simple story of bullies getting their comeuppance, but the dialogue, characters and sense of justice are incredibly relatable," wrote one U.K. viewer on Reddit. "Even though it's a Korean sho

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Hanwha raises KAI stake to 9.04%, becomes No. 2 shareholder

Hanwha Group has increased its stake in Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to 9.04 percent, further strengthening its presence in the nation's aerospace and defense sector. Hanwha Aerospace said Tuesday in a regulatory filing that it secured a 6.5 percent stake in KAI, achieving ahead of schedule its previously announced plan to invest 500 billion won ($331 million) in the company by the end of this year. Hanwha Systems also expanded its holdings in KAI to 1.53 percent through an additional 125 billion won investment. Combined with the 1.01 percent stake held by Hanwha Aerospace USA, Hanwha Group now owns a total of 9.04 percent of KAI, making it the company's second-largest shareholder after the state-run Export-Import Bank of Korea, which holds a 26.41 percent stake. Also on Tuesday, Hanwha Aerospace's board approved an additional 500 billion won investment to acquire more KAI shares by year-end. Based on KAI's closing price of 154,900 won, the purchase would raise Hanwha Aerospace's stake to about 9.81 percent, bringing Hanwha Group's combined ownership in KAI to more than 12 percent. H

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Asian Games goes digital: Virtual taekwondo added for 2026

Virtual taekwondo is officially heading to the Asian Games, marking a major milestone for the digital discipline just days after a high-profile showcase in Italy. World Taekwondo announced Monday that virtual taekwondo has been added to the official program for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. The inclusion was ratified by the Asian Games Organizing Committee Board and approved by the Olympic Council of Asia. The Asian Games competition is scheduled for Oct. 2 at the Toyohashi City General Gymnasium in Japan. It will feature a 16-player, single-elimination bracket open to male and female athletes between the ages of 17 and 35. Unlike traditional taekwondo, the technology-driven format is designed to remove traditional barriers such as weight class, age and gender. By focusing on technique and speed rather than raw physical force, it creates a structure that allows diverse athletes to compete on even terms. Competitors face off in a 4-by-4-meter physical space wearing VR headsets and five motion sensors on their upper bodies, knees and lower legs. Real-time motion-tracking technology t

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US-Iran peace deal unlikely to cool BOK's rate-hike bets

A tentative ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran has fueled hopes of lower oil prices, but expectations for a Bank of Korea (BOK) rate hike remain largely unchanged as inflation risks persist, analysts said Tuesday. The BOK has maintained a hawkish tone in recent months, citing inflationary pressures fueled by the Iran conflict. The U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement, announced Monday and expected to include plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, has eased immediate concerns over energy supply disruptions in the Middle East. Analysts cautioned, however, that the implications for Korea's inflation outlook remain uncertain and will require closer monitoring in the coming months. Even if shipping through the key waterway returns to normal, damaged energy infrastructure in the Middle East could take time to recover, and global supply chains may not immediately return to pre-Iran war conditions, they said. Analysts also noted that changes in oil prices typically take time to feed through to consumer inflation, meaning any easing in price pressures is unlikely to be immediate. Joo Wo

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Slovakia strengthens its position as hub for Korean investment in Europe

As Korean companies accelerate their expansion into Europe, Slovakia is emerging as one of the continent’s most attractive gateways, leveraging its strategic location, advanced manufacturing base and growing cooperation with Korea in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and research. Officials from the Embassy of the Slovak Republic and Slovakia’s investment promotion agency say bilateral ties are entering a new phase, moving beyond traditional manufacturing into high-value sectors such as AI-driven automation, semiconductors, industrial robotics and joint research. “Slovakia’s goal is not simply to attract more factories, but to bring in investment with added value,” Michal Dutko, head of the Slovak Investment Office in Korea under the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO), told The Korea Times at the Slovak Embassy in Seoul. “That is why we are focusing on robotics, AI, semiconductors and cooperation between universities and research institutions,” Dutko said. Robotics has become a strategic priority for Slovakia as the country prepares its workforce fo

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Big Mac shock in Mexico: A reporter's World Cup reality

My first meal in Mexico got off to a rough start. After arriving in Guadalajara on June 8 to cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup, I headed to a nearby shopping mall restaurant with a junior colleague from my company. Because of a long layover during our flight, we had skipped lunch, and I wanted to treat her to a proper meal upon arrival. I still regret that decision. We ordered tacos, a quesadilla, a Coca-Cola and a bottle of Corona beer. When the bill arrived, it totaled 755 pesos (about 73,000 won), not including a 10 percent tip. At that moment, my heart started racing to the rhythm of a salsa beat as a terrifying thought crossed my mind: What if the company refuses to reimburse this expense? Determined to repent for my extravagance, I vowed to survive on the instant noodles and microwavable rice meals I had brought from Korea. Then I found a lifeline. At a traditional market in Zapopan — Zona de Fondas Mercado Municipal de Zapopan — tacos were selling for just 15 pesos (about 1,450 won) each. Delighted, I bought four of them for roughly 5,800 won. A few days later, I went on a quest to c

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Mirae Asset Securities considers compensation over failed SpaceX share allocation

Mirae Asset Securities has officially apologized to domestic investors who participated in pre-subscription for SpaceX shares, and said it is considering monetary compensation. According to sources, Mirae Asset Securities Vice Chairmen Kim Mi-seob and Heo Sun-ho sent messages to investors Monday, explaining that the company proceeded with the subscription process after meeting all legal qualifications and requirements to offer IPO shares to domestic clients. Mirae Asset Securities was listed as an underwriter in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's Form S-1 filing. “We made every effort to secure an allocation until the very end, but due to the final decision made at the discretion of the lead U.S. underwriter, no shares were allocated,” the message read. “We once again offer our deepest apologies for having to deliver such a disappointing outcome to the customers who participated in this subscription,” it added. Mirae Asset Securities had participated as a global co-underwriter for SpaceX, which was listed on the U.S. stock market Friday. The brokerage had initially pla

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Weak won fuels demand for dollar-denominated insurance, but FX risks persist

When a life insurance agent recommended a dollar-denominated annuity earlier this month as a way to benefit from strong U.S. currency, a Seoul office worker immediately signed up, attracted by the prospect of tax-free returns and potential foreign exchange gains. Soon after, however, the worker found himself scouring online forums, questioning whether undisclosed fees and future currency swings could erode the promised benefits. “Since the first premium has not yet been collected, I’d like to cancel the policy if there are major drawbacks that weren’t fully explained to me," he wrote on Blind, an anonymous community app. His concerns highlight the double-edged nature of dollar-denominated insurance products: A stronger greenback can enhance returns, but currency fluctuations can also magnify costs and reduce eventual payouts. Demand for U.S. dollar-denominated insurance products has jumped this year as the Korean won continues to trade at historically weak levels against the dollar. Under these policies, both premiums and payouts are made in dollars. They typically offer higher retu

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Editor's Pick

[EXPLAINER] Institutions jockey for position in Korea's crypto market

EXPLAINER Institutions jockey for position in Korea's crypto market

Korea's crypto market was long defined by retail-led speculation. Now, the center of gravity is shifting to banks, brokerages and tech platforms as they race to secure an early foothold in the institutionalized market before the regulatory framework is finalized. According to Tiger Research, which tracked 196 partnerships across 150 institutions, the Korean market is seeing competition intensify on three key fronts: stablecoins, security token offerings (STOs) and custody. "The current race for partnerships is less about gaining a first mover advantage and more about shaping the regulatory landscape," said Kim Jeong-ho, a research analyst at Tiger Research. "Companies are trying to position themselves before the framework is finalized, so that the structures they establish now can influence future regulatory standards." Stablecoins: high on agenda, but stalled in National Assembly Stablecoins dominated last year's legislative agenda, but none of the related bills passed the National Assembly. Key issues remain unresolved, including issuer eligibility and a proposed 20 percent cap on majo

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Life in Korea

How far back does 'Hipdang-dong' go?

How far back does 'Hipdang-dong' go?

For years, a sign above a side street next to Exit 1 of Sindang Station on Seoul Metro lines 2 and 6 announced that visitors were entering the “Seoul Central Market Furniture District.” Then, in 2023, this was replaced by a new sign reading “1946 Hwanghak Furniture Street.” The sign raises several questions, particularly as an accompanying information board outlining the history of the area's furniture and rice markets fails to explain why it bears the date 1946. It explains that in 1950s and 1960s the area was known as the "largest grain wholesale and retail market in the country" which “prospered to the extent that it distributed over 70% of the rice consumed by Seoul citizens at the time,” and also notes that it was at a rice shop there in 1938 that Hyundai founder Chung Yu-yung first honed his business skills. It also notes that the area was once known for “specializing in furniture for newlyweds,” though now it “primarily deals in commercial furniture,” particularly for the food service industry, but makes no mention of the fact that furniture stores and factor

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Lifestyle

North Gyeongsang designates 6 new wellness destinations for rest, healing

North Gyeongsang Province said Monday that it had newly designated six wellness tourism destinations in response to growing demand for travel that promotes both physical and mental well-being. The new additions are Sono Calm Gyeongju Wellness Pool & Spa in Gyeongju, Seonseonghyeon Cultural Complex in Andong, Sadamjae Stay in Mungyeong, St. Benedict Cultural and Spirituality Center in Chilgok, the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum in Bonghwa and the Uljin Yacht School. The latest designations bring the number of wellness tourism destinations in North Gyeongsang Province to 30. Sono Calm Gyeongju Wellness Pool & Spa, located in the heart of the Bomun Tourist Complex, offers running routes around Bomun Lake, a 1.65 million-square-meter artificial lake, as well as body balance classes, spa treatments and tea ceremony programs. The Seonseonghyeon Cultural Complex in Dosan-myeon of Andong, allows visitors to experience “Hwarinsimbang,” a health guide written by Joseon-era scholar Yi Hwang, and enjoy foot baths under the night sky. Another newly designated site, Sadamjae Stay in Mungyeong, fea

2 MIN READ
North Gyeongsang designates 6 new wellness destinations for rest, healing

K-Culture

Conflicting recordings bring new twist to Kim Soo-hyun controversy

A new television report has added another twist to the controversy surrounding actor Kim Soo-hyun, claiming that the same informant provided conflicting audio recordings to different parties before allegations against the actor gained widespread attention. MBC's investigative program "Straight" reported Sunday that an informant who later supplied an audio file to YouTube channel HoverLab, also known as Garo Sero Institute, had previously approached Kim Soo-hyun's agency with a recording that allegedly contained the opposite account. The report focused on police findings related to materials that were publicly released as evidence supporting allegations that Kim Soo-hyun had dated Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor. The allegations became a major topic in South Korea last year after HoverLab head Kim Se-ui released what he said was an audio recording of late actor Kim Sae-ron discussing a past relationship with Kim Soo-hyun. The recording was widely circulated online and cited by some as a key piece of evidence supporting claims that the relationship began while she was underage. According

2 MIN READ
Conflicting recordings bring new twist to Kim Soo-hyun controversy

Celebrities

Jang Wonyoung airport footage: IVE star's behavior fuels debate over politeness in Korea

A short video of IVE member Jang Wonyoung has sparked debate online over her conduct at Gimpo International Airport, with critics questioning her interaction with airport staff and supporters saying footage from another angle showed more context. Videos of Jang at the airport circulated widely online after she left Korea on May 30 with other IVE members for a scheduled event in Shanghai, China. The debate began after footage appeared to show Jang standing in front of an airport employee with her arms crossed and receiving her passport with one hand, a gesture considered impolite in Korea. Some online users also criticized her because the footage seemed to show her wearing a hat and not lowering her mask all the way during an ID check, a mandatory part of departure procedures. Some critics said the airport employee had asked Jang to remove her mask and hat for identity verification, but that she did not appear to fully comply. Comments on YouTube and other platforms included "Why is she acting like that when they are checking her identity?" and "How would she feel if she were that employ

2 MIN READ
Jang Wonyoung airport footage: IVE star's behavior fuels debate over politeness in Korea

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Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. JTBC files for court receivership as costly World Cup, Olympics deals push JoongAng Group into crisis

  2. Prospects of US-Iran deal open door for Korean builders, tech firms

  3. Why do Korean protesters wave American flags?

  4. Toyota Motor Korea launches RAV4 with bolstered hybrid lineup

  5. Big Mac shock in Mexico: A reporter's World Cup reality

  6. Lee attends G7 summit in Evian, has brief encounter with Trump

  7. Lee grapples with headwinds following local elections as party rift, ballot shortage issues deepen

  8. UN secretary-general candidates to speak at Jeju Forum next week

  9. Iran says deal to end war with US requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanon

  10. Jeju’s ‘Vitamin C diplomacy’ revives dormant model of North Korea engagement

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