Sam Kim

Sep 6, 2024 | japantimes.co.jp | Alex Martin |Annelise Giseburt |Sam Kim |Madeleine Lim

The Liberal Democratic Party needs more open debate about nuclear power in its leadership race if it wants to ensure long-term economic prosperity and national security, a former International Energy Agency chief has said. There’s a lack of debate within the LDP ahead of a Sept. 27 vote to choose who will become Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s successor, according to Nobuo Tanaka, former IEA executive director.

Sep 2, 2024 | japantimes.co.jp | Sam Kim

South Korea seeks more flexibility and incentives from the United States to encourage its compliance with additional curbs on advanced semiconductor exports to China that Washington is considering, according to its trade minister. "For countries or companies trying to comply with the U.S. in good faith, there should be some kind of carrots,” South Korean Trade Minister Cheong Inkyo said in his first interview with media since he took office in January.

Feb 28, 2024 | japantimes.co.jp | Sam Kim

South Korea has set a fresh record for the world’s lowest fertility rate as the impact of the nation’s aging demographics looms large for its medical system, social welfare provision and economic growth. The number of babies expected per woman in a lifetime fell to 0.72 last year from 0.78 in 2022, according to data released Wednesday by South Korea’s national statistics office.

Dec 14, 2023 | japantimes.co.jp | Sam Kim

South Korea expects its record-low fertility rate to plumb new depths annually for a few more years, worsening its demographic challenges. The number of babies expected per woman probably dropped this year to 0.72 and will continue to fall through 2025, when it’s expected to reach 0.65, the statistical office said Thursday in its latest population forecasts. South Korea already has the world’s lowest fertility rate at 0.78 as of 2022.

Nov 21, 2023 | japantimes.co.jp | Sam Kim |Lucy White

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was set to arrive in the U.K. on Tuesday to launch negotiations on a new free trade agreement, as both he and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak try to burnish their international credentials ahead of respective general elections. Yoon was to ride with his wife in a carriage to Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles III before delivering an address to the Houses of Parliament on the opening day of his three-day visit.