South Korea president says ‘not ruling out’ direct weapons to Ukraine

South Korea president says ‘not ruling out’ direct weapons to Ukraine
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrives for a press conference at the Presidential Office in Seoul on November 7, 2024. (AFP)
Short Url
Updated 07 November 2024
Follow

South Korea president says ‘not ruling out’ direct weapons to Ukraine

South Korea president says ‘not ruling out’ direct weapons to Ukraine
  • Yoon also revealed he had discussed North Korea with US president-elect Donald Trump

SEOUL: Major arms exporter South Korea is not ruling out providing weapons directly to Ukraine, President Yoon Suk Yeol said Thursday, signalling a possible shift in Seoul’s stance on the issue.
Yoon also revealed he had discussed North Korea with US president-elect Donald Trump in a phone conversation that laid the groundwork for a meeting in the “near future.”
South Korea has a long-standing policy of not providing weapons to countries in conflict but indicated that could change in light of Pyongyang’s deployment of troops to Russia to aid its war efforts in Ukraine.
“Now, depending on the level of North Korean involvement, we will gradually adjust our support strategy in phases,” Yoon said at a press conference in Seoul.
“This means we are not ruling out the possibility of providing weapons.”
North Korea has become one of the most vocal and important backers of Russia’s full-scale offensive in Ukraine.
Seoul and the West have long accused Pyongyang of supplying artillery shells and missiles to Moscow for use in Ukraine.
The latest accusations, based on intelligence reports, indicate the North has deployed around 10,000 troops to Russia, suggesting even deeper involvement in the conflict and triggering an outcry and warnings in Seoul, Kyiv, and Western capitals.
Yoon said his office would monitor unfolding developments related to the operations of North Korean soldiers, and if he decided to provide weapons to Kyiv, the initial batch would be defensive.
“If we proceed with weapons support, we would prioritize defensive weapons as a first consideration,” he said without elaborating further.
US-Korea relations
In a call with Trump that took place before the press briefing, Yoon said the two men had discussed a number of issues surrounding North Korea while agreeing to a face-to-face meeting.
“We agreed to meet in the near future... I believe there will be an opportunity to meet within this year,” Yoon said.
Among the topics discussed were recent moves by the North, including its sending of trash-carrying balloons southward, he said.
“Regarding North Korea, we addressed issues such as the launching of over 7,000 trash balloons, GPS jamming, and their indiscriminate firing of ICBMs, IRBMs and SRBMs,” Yoon said, referring to a recent flurry of missile tests.
Compared with his dovish predecessor Moon Jae-in, Yoon has taken a tough stance with the nuclear-armed North while improving ties with security ally Washington.
Since North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s second summit with then-president Trump collapsed in Hanoi in 2019, Pyongyang has abandoned diplomacy, doubling down on weapons development and rejecting Washington’s offers of talks.
While in office, Trump met with Kim three times, beginning with a landmark summit in Singapore in June 2018, though the pair failed to make much progress on efforts to denuclearise the North.
During the campaign, Trump said: “I think he misses me,” and that it was “nice to get along with somebody that has a lot of nuclear weapons.”
In a commentary released in July, North Korea said that while it was true Trump tried to reflect the “special personal relations” between the heads of states, he “did not bring about any substantial positive change.”


Restored Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens, five years after fire

Restored Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens, five years after fire
Updated 14 sec ago
Follow

Restored Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens, five years after fire

Restored Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens, five years after fire
The 860-year-old medieval building has been meticulously restored, with a new spire and rib vaulting
Tourists, who still cannot go inside the cathedral, snapped pictures with the restored building in the background as final preparations for the event went on inside

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed guests set to include Donald Trump on Saturday at Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral for its reopening ceremony, five-and-a-half years after a huge fire brought the Gothic masterpiece close to collapse.
The 860-year-old medieval building has been meticulously restored, with a new spire and rib vaulting, its flying buttresses and carved stone gargoyles returned to their past glory and white stone and gold decorations shining brightly once again.
Getting US President-elect Trump to attend, and organizing a meeting between him and Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysee Palace ahead of the Notre-Dame ceremony was a coup for Macron as he faces a political crisis at home, after parliament ousted his prime minister.
Zelensky joined Britain’s Prince William, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and former French presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy, who were arriving for the evening ceremony.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, a close adviser in Trump’s transition team, was also set to attend, a French government source said.
Earlier, tourists, who still cannot go inside the cathedral, snapped pictures with the restored building in the background as final preparations for the event went on inside.
“It was very sad to see it burnt down and all black and ashy but amazing to see it rebuilt. Yeah, it’s very special,” said 26-year-old US tourist Amanda Nguyen, from Texas.
Some Parisians were particularly thrilled.
“What does Notre-Dame mean to me? This. Look, it’s here,” said careworker Pascal Tordeux, displaying a tattoo on his arm representing the cathedral. “It means everything.”
“I saw the construction every day from my window, the spire being brought down, being brought back. I saw it burn, I saw it rise again. I followed it day by day,” said Tordeux, who lives across the river from Notre-Dame.
On the evening of April 15, 2019, dismayed Parisians rushed to the scene and TV viewers worldwide watched horrified as the fire raged through the cathedral.
“The planet was shaken on that day,” Macron said ahead of Saturday’s event. “The shock of the reopening will – I believe and I want to believe – be as strong as that of the fire, but it will be a shock of hope.”
THOUSANDS WORKED ON RESTORATION
Forecast strong winds mean the non-religious part of the celebrations, including Macron’s speech, which had been set to be held outside the cathedral, will also be held inside.
Would-be visitors can now book a free ticket online, on the Cathedral’s website. But on Saturday, the first day bookings could be made for the coming days, all tickets were gone, a message on the site said.
Group visits will be allowed next year — from Feb. 1 for religious groups or from June 9 for tourists with guides. The Catholic Church expects the cathedral to welcome 15 million visitors each year.
Thousands of experts — from carpenters and stonemasons to stained glass window artists — worked around the clock for the last five years, using age-old methods to restore, repair or replace everything that was destroyed or damaged.
“Notre-Dame is more than a Parisian or French monument. It’s also a universal monument,” said historian Damien Berne.
“It’s a landmark, an emblem, a point of reference that reassures in a globalized world where everything evolves permanently,” said Berne, a member of the scientific council for the restoration.
The cathedral’s first stone was laid in 1163, and construction continued for much of the next century, with major restoration and additions made in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Victor Hugo helped make the cathedral a symbol of Paris and France when he used it as a setting for his 1831 novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.” Quasimodo, the main character, has been portrayed in Hollywood movies, an animated Disney adaptation and in musicals.
So much money poured in for the renovation from all over the world — more than 840 million euros ($880 million), according to Macron’s office — there are still funds left over for further investment in the building.

Hundreds of thousands in Ireland and UK left without power as Storm Darragh batters the region

Hundreds of thousands in Ireland and UK left without power as Storm Darragh batters the region
Updated 07 December 2024
Follow

Hundreds of thousands in Ireland and UK left without power as Storm Darragh batters the region

Hundreds of thousands in Ireland and UK left without power as Storm Darragh batters the region
  • Officials sent a rare emergency alert by phone to about 3 million households
  • Major highways and bridges across the country were closed

LONDON: Hundreds of thousands of people in Britain and Ireland were left without power and millions were warned to stay indoors Saturday as high winds and heavy rain battered the region.
Gusts of up to 93 miles per hour were recorded as officials sent a rare emergency alert by phone to about 3 million households in Wales and southwest England early Saturday.
The official alert, which came with a loud siren-like sound, warned people to stay indoors and was sent to every compatible mobile phone in the areas impacted by Storm Darragh.
On Friday the UK’s weather forecasters, the Met Office, issued a red weather warning — the most serious type. Thousands of homes, many in Northern Ireland, Wales and western England, were left without power overnight.
Major highways and bridges across the country were closed because of strong winds, and multiple train services were suspended.
In Ireland, almost 400,000 homes, farms or businesses were without power as a result of the storm. Some flights at Dublin Airport were canceled.


South Korea’s Yoon survives impeachment after his party boycotts vote

South Korea’s Yoon survives impeachment after his party boycotts vote
Updated 07 December 2024
Follow

South Korea’s Yoon survives impeachment after his party boycotts vote

South Korea’s Yoon survives impeachment after his party boycotts vote
  • Yoon Suk Yeol stunned the nation and the international community Tuesday night by suspending civilian rule
  • The probable outcome is likely to enrage crowds demonstrating outside parliament for Yoon’s ouster

SEOUL: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol survived an impeachment motion in the opposition-led parliament on Saturday that was prompted by his short-lived attempt to impose martial law this week, after members of his party boycotted the vote.

Only 195 votes were cast, below the threshold of 200 needed for the vote to count.

“The entire nation is watching the decision being made here at the National Assembly today. World is watching,” National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik said with a sigh. “It’s very unfortunate that there wasn’t even a vote.”

The main opposition Democratic Party has said it will revive the impeachment motion next week if it failed on Saturday.

Yoon shocked the nation late on Tuesday when he gave the military sweeping emergency powers in order to root out what he called “anti-state forces” and overcome obstructionist political opponents. He later rescinded the order.

He apologized to the nation in a speech on Saturday morning but resisted calls to resign ahead of the vote.


Festive spirit in full swing as Filipinos observe world’s longest Christmas season

Festive spirit in full swing as Filipinos observe world’s longest Christmas season
Updated 07 December 2024
Follow

Festive spirit in full swing as Filipinos observe world’s longest Christmas season

Festive spirit in full swing as Filipinos observe world’s longest Christmas season
  • Most Filipinos start celebrating the Christmas spirit in September, some even earlier
  • Blend of Catholic, folk, and Western influences creates a unique holiday season

MANILA: In many parts of the world, the holiday rush has just begun, but for Filipinos, it is already in full swing as they embrace local traditions and the festive spirit of what is known as the world’s longest Christmas season.

Christmas songs begin airing on the radio as early as September and continue through October, November, and December — the so-called “ber months,” a time when the northeast monsoon brings cooler weather.

“As soon as September rolls around, Christmas songs start playing, and the festive spirit begins to take over. Personally, I love it — it’s such a reflection of our celebratory and joyful nature as a culture. Stretching out the season just gives us more time to embrace the happiness and togetherness that Christmas brings,” Noelle Lejano, 24, a writer and brand strategist, told Arab News.

For her, Christmas is a time that brings people together like no other.

“Christmas in the Philippines stands out because it’s not just a day or even a week — it’s a months-long celebration that showcases our strong sense of community and joy,” she said. “The blend of our festive spirit, the warmth of our traditions, and our love for making every moment count makes Christmas in the Philippines truly one-of-a-kind.”

A blend of the country’s deep-rooted Catholic influences, indigenous folk traditions, and adopted Western commercial practices has created a unique holiday season for Filipinos.

Its significance is especially felt in provinces such as Pampanga, about 80 km north of Manila, where the season also marks a surge in livelihood opportunities.

The province is known as a food capital and a hub for lantern makers, with traces of the holiday spirit season felt even earlier in the year.

Parol, the traditional star-shaped lantern that Filipino households hang in front of their homes each year, is one of the most famous items produced in Pampanga’s capital city, San Fernando. The parol symbolizes the star that guided the Three Wise Men to the manger of Jesus in Bethlehem.

“The festive spirit begins as early as July, when lantern makers start crafting their giant creations for the famous Giant Lantern Festival. By August, streets are adorned with vibrant lanterns of all shapes and sizes. From the food to the atmosphere and various festivities, Pampanga truly embodies the essence of Christmas,” said Gerald Gloton, a Pampanga-based photographer.

Many Filipinos believe in the spirit of the holidays as a time for families to reunite, with Filipinos in the country and abroad traveling to their native towns to be with their loved ones.

“That is the only time we can spend time together as a family. They are staying in Sorsogon while I’m currently working and living in Quezon City,” said Nicca Parico, a government employee.

“It’s magic. It’s also a time for reconciliation. Those who do not speak for months suddenly smile at each other or have small talks.”

While Christmas is marked by traditional delicacies that many Filipinos eat only once a year, what truly matters is not what is on the table, but the time spent reuniting with loved ones and witnessing the joy of children like never before.

“This is the season where kids are anticipating so many things to happen and of course for them to receive gifts,” said Paul Caneda, an executive at a sporting company. “(Christmas for me) is mainly for family gatherings, being with people you love most.”


More Bangladeshis choose to leave Lebanon as Israel violates ceasefire

More Bangladeshis choose to leave Lebanon as Israel violates ceasefire
Updated 07 December 2024
Follow

More Bangladeshis choose to leave Lebanon as Israel violates ceasefire

More Bangladeshis choose to leave Lebanon as Israel violates ceasefire
  • Almost 1,000 Bangladeshis have returned to their country on special flights
  • Bangladeshis in Lebanon are the largest group of migrants from Asia

DHAKA: Bangladeshis living and working in Lebanon continue to return home, saying they fear Israeli attacks that have not stopped despite last week’s ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

There are about 100,000 Bangladeshis in Lebanon — the largest group of migrants from Asia. Thousands have been displaced since the beginning of Israel’s invasion of the country’s south in October and strikes on other cities.

Last month, a Bangladeshi man was killed by an Israeli strike while he stopped at a coffee shop on his way to work in Beirut.

Almost 1,000 Bangladeshis have since returned to their country on special repatriation flights financed by the Bangladeshi government and the International Organization for Migration. The latest flight reached Dhaka on Thursday night.

“The number of intended returnees is increasing,” Mohammad Anwar Hossain, first secretary of the Bangladeshi embassy in Beirut, told Arab News.

“Despite the ceasefire agreement, a tense situation still persists in Lebanon. We have observed Israeli surveillance drones over Beirut.”

Although a US-brokered ceasefire has been in place since last week, it has been repeatedly breached by Israel. A source from the UN’s peacekeeping force told CNN on Monday that Israeli forces had violated the agreement “approximately 100 times.”

Shahnaz Begum, who was among 105 Bangladeshis evacuated on Thursday, decided to leave her domestic helper job behind despite being her family’s sole breadwinner.

“Israel started bombing maybe one or two days after the announcement of the ceasefire,” she said.

“For over two months, we’ve been counting the days until we can return home. I can’t remember the last time I had a good night’s sleep. Every moment felt like it could be the last.”

Israeli air and ground raids, many of which have targeted civilian and medical infrastructure, have killed more than 4,000 people since October, according to Lebanese Health Ministry estimates. More than 16,000 have been injured.

Liton Rahman, who for the past seven years worked as a driver in Jezzine, southern Lebanon, was hopeful that the ceasefire would allow him to stay longer in Lebanon. But the wait was “in vain,” he said.

“I had been considering staying for a few more months if the ceasefire had truly been effective. But, unfortunately, Israel continues its attacks on various parts of southern Lebanon ... I am forced to return home. Otherwise, I might end up being counted as collateral damage.”