The United States said Friday (May 17) it had approved more than US$600 million in sales of air defense missiles to South Korea and Japan as tensions return with North Korea. The USS Winston S. Churchill fires SM-2 missiles in the Atlantic Ocean in April 2018. (Photo: AFP/Jared HALLAHAN) The State Department said it had approved 94 SM-2 missiles used by ships against air threats, along with 12 guidance systems for a total cost of US$313.9 million. It separately gave the green light to sell 160 anti-air AMRAAM missiles and related guidance equipment to Japan for US$317 million. The sales "will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States" by assisting key allies and "will not alter the basic military balance in the region," a State Department statement said. North Korea last week tested what the South Korean military said appeared to be two short-range missiles in its second launch in less than a week. The tests come amid a standstill in … [Read more...] about US approves missile sales to South Korea, Japan
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High demand from Korea, Japan for Vietnamese fruits, vegetables
With their high demand for agricultural products, South Korea and Japan offer opportunities for Viet Nam to boost export of farm produce, especially fruits and vegetables, Do Quoc Hung, deputy director general of the Asia-Africa Market Department, has said. South Korea’s farm produce import revenue has soared in recent years, reaching US$35.2 billion last year. He noted, however, that exports of Viet Nam’s farm produce to the South Korean market remained very modest at about $2.14 billion, he said. Hung spoke at an Export Forum held on the sidelines of the second International Exhibition & Conference for Horticultural and Floricultural Production and Processing Technology (Hortex Vietnam), which opened in HCM City on Wednesday. Viet Nam’s main agricultural and aquaculture products exported to the market include coffee beans, banana, chili, garlic, dragon fruit, mango, rice, shrimp and fish filets. “Currently, the South Korean market has allowed the import of … [Read more...] about High demand from Korea, Japan for Vietnamese fruits, vegetables
South Korea, Japan halt imports of Canadian wheat
South Korea announced on June 18 that it has suspended imports of wheat and flour from Canada after Canadian officials revealed last week the discovery of genetically modified wheat in southern Alberta. This follows Japan’s announcement on June 15 that it has suspended its tenders and sales of wheat from Canada. No GM wheat has been approved for commercialization anywhere in the world. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on June 14 released a statement indicating it has discovered genetically modified wheat in southern Alberta. “The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recently completed testing of a few wheat plants found on an access road in Alberta that survived a spraying treatment for weeds,” the CFIA said. “When the CFIA was notified of this finding, CFIA scientists conducted tests to determine why the wheat survived. The CFIA’s tests confirmed that the wheat found was genetically modified and herbicide-tolerant. Since GM wheat is not … [Read more...] about South Korea, Japan halt imports of Canadian wheat
Defeating South Korea a must for World Cup berth
Viet Nam News Football HÀ NỘI — Moving on from their two huge defeats in the Asian Women’s Cup, the Vietnamese players are positive for their last Group B match against South Korea today in Amman, Jordan. After two rounds, Việt Nam, world No 35, are at the bottom of the ranking table. Although their previous defeats eliminated them from the final four, they can still reach the playoffs for the fifth place and earn a ticket to FIFA Women’s World Cup if they defeat South Korea, who are world No 16. Despite the challenge, coach Mai Đức Chung allowed his players to spend Wednesday afternoon shopping and sightseeing. Speaking about their rivals, Chung said the South Koreans were a team of physical players, who also owned good technique. He said their playing style was simple but effective, adding their performance improved with their matches against reigning champions Japan and runners-up Australia. He was impressed with at least four … [Read more...] about Defeating South Korea a must for World Cup berth
Moon urges efforts to improve S. Korea-Japan ties
"I believe now is when close communication and cooperation between South Korea and Japan are more important than ever as we have the South-North Korea summit and the North-U.S. summit ahead, as well as the South Korea-Japan and China summit," the president said while meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono at his office Cheong Wa Dae. Moon is set to meet the North Korean leader on April 27, which is expected to be followed by a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim in May or early June. The Moon-Kim summit, if held, will mark the third inter-Korean summit. The U.S.-North Korea summit will be the first of its kind in history. Kono expressed his respect for what he called Moon's personal efforts to realize the upcoming summits with the reclusive North Korean leader. "I pay my respect to the South Korean government's efforts toward the South-North summit and the U.S.-North Korea summit. I hope to work to increase cooperation between Japan and South Korea, as well … [Read more...] about Moon urges efforts to improve S. Korea-Japan ties