As Taiwan received the first two of 66 new F-16V fighter jets purchased from the United States, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its previous position of firmly opposing U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and emphasized that the Taiwan issue is China's internal affair.
North Korea criticized US arms sales to Taiwan and military support, accusing Washington of raising tensions in the Taiwan Strait, while its leader Kim Jong-un pledged continued backing for Russia's war effort in Ukraine, citing a mutual defense pact signed in June 2024.
Yemen's Houthi rebels attacked King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, and struck Jazan and Najran airports in the border area, causing injuries and material damage, Reuters reported. The Houthis are strengthening their counteroffensive against the Saudi-led Yemeni coalition, which claims control of Bab el-Mandeb, a key point in the Red Sea. Rabigh, a city on the Red Sea with strong ties to Korean companies, was also targeted, and Hyundai Motor Company is building a factory in the King Salman Automotive Industrial Complex near Rabigh. Local Korean residents reported seeing smoke and fire at the oil refinery, and a Hyundai Motor Company official said there has been no damage to people or facilities so far.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Jeong Yeon-doo, head of the Foreign Ministry's Diplomatic Strategy and Information Center, met with IAEA Deputy Director-General for Security Measures Massimo Aparo, who is visiting Korea, and discussed ways to cooperate on North Korean nuclear weapons. Director Chung explained the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the government's efforts for peaceful coexistence and common growth, and Deputy Secretary-General Aparo supported Korea's diplomatic efforts and emphasized the North Korean nuclear issue as an important agenda for the IAEA.
Ahead of the second round of economic and trade talks between China and the EU, a war of nerves is escalating as China's Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Foreign Affairs counter with criticism of protectionism and emphasis on interdependence as Germany and France propose the introduction of new trade defense measures.
The Pakistani government approved and began implementing a fuel subsidy program for more than 9 million low-income people in response to the rise in international fuel prices due to the conflict between the United States and Iran. Motorcycle users will receive a discount of 500 rupees per week, vehicle owners will receive a discount of 100 rupees per liter on up to 10 liters of gasoline every 10 days, and the subsidy will be paid in the form of tokens. However, some recipients pointed out that the burden of high market prices remains when traveling long distances.
North Korea defended China's One China policy and accused the United States of supporting Taiwan independence and escalating regional tensions, citing over $39 billion in U.S. arms sales to Taiwan in the past decade and warning of potential confrontation with China.
North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un sent a congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on his birthday, reaffirming the North Korea-Russia alliance and showing off the close relationship between the two leaders. Chairman Kim called Putin "my closest friend" and reaffirmed his unwavering support, and North Korea and Russia have strengthened military cooperation since signing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty in June 2024.
In a speech at a defense shipyard in Maryland, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated that Korea has provided $150 billion to the U.S. shipbuilding industry, claiming that this was in return for tariff cuts. In addition, he put pressure on Hanwha to implement investments in the United States through remarks regarding its investment in the Philadelphia shipyard and Alaska LNG project.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun discussed expanding cooperation in the defense industry, energy, AI, and key minerals fields in a phone call with the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs on the 7th, and announced that they agreed to strengthen substantive cooperation based on the Korea-Canada security and defense cooperation partnership and continue discussions on cutting-edge technologies at the Joint Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation in November.
While Erion Beliai, the mayor of Tirana, Albania, was imprisoned on corruption charges, he re-promised free school meals through an AI deepfake video, linking the case with former leaders in Pakistan and Brazil who communicated with the public in similar ways.
Vlasiuk, an aide to the Ukrainian President, criticized Korea's supply of petroleum products to Russia, arguing that this was offsetting Russia's lack of oil refining capabilities. It is pointed out that this runs counter to Korea's stance on sanctions against Russia.
![[Report] New Yalu River Bridge with about 20 cars on it... Even after the 77th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the opening has not yet been completed (comprehensive)](/api/img?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.yna.co.kr%2Fetc%2Finner%2FKR%2F2026%2F10%2F06%2FAKR20261006142051083_11_i_P2.jpg&w=800&q=72&f=webp)
On the 6th, the 77th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between North Korea and China, the official opening ceremony of the New Yalu Bridge, which was expected to open, was not held. Busy scenes such as vehicle movement were seen at the site, but experts analyzed that it was only a delay in detailed agreement and not a conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that the large-scale student protests in France were due to immigrants, and said that it was not a school issue but an Islamist attempt to take over France. AFP analyzed these remarks as an attempt to unite the global right wing ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
Turkiye and Pakistan agreed to quickly deploy troops to Saudi Arabia, putting into effect the joint defense agreement in Mecca signed in August. At an emergency meeting held in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, the representatives of the three countries reaffirmed their position of resolutely rejecting any attack that threatens Saudi Arabia's security and territorial integrity, and decided to immediately begin substantive implementation of the collective defense promise and quickly deploy the agreed military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia. It said it was paying attention to the Houthi rebels' attacks on Saudi Arabia, especially those targeting Mecca and Medina, but did not disclose the size of the force or its specific role.
The Ukrainian Air Force claimed to have shot down a Russian jet-powered drone using an AI-controlled robotic turret, and said 12 automated turrets were installed in Kiev. However, it was explained that the range is limited to about 1km and that it is part of an integrated air defense system.
It examines Europe's colonial legacy remaining on the African continent from various aspects, including wine, language, institutions, territory, and sports. It analyzes the paradoxical relationship between Africa and Europe, where geographical and cultural proximity coexists with psychological distance due to historical remnants, and suggests ways for Korea to contribute to Africa through an equal and respected win-win partnership.
China and Nepal dispatched a joint investigation team of about 50 people to Nepal to determine the cause of the disaster that left more than 8,000 people dead and missing due to large debris flows and flooding that occurred in the Himalayan border area last August. The investigation team plans to use drones and helicopters to track the entire disaster process and evaluate the risk of secondary disasters.
The Financial Times reported that the European Union (EU) is considering significantly restricting Ukraine's access to regional agricultural markets and annual agricultural subsidies worth 55 billion euros if it becomes a member.
At the beginning of the vote count for the Brazilian presidential election, Senator Bolsonaro is ahead of President Lula's 40.97% with 50.94% of the vote, but the gap is expected to narrow as the vote count progresses in the northeast, where Lula's support is strong. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, a runoff election will be held on the 25th.
NK News reported that Russia will invest about 1 billion won over the next five years to provide education and training programs, including drone operation, to North Korean firefighters and ambulances in Vladivostok. This suggests that the two countries are seeking to develop relations in areas other than the military based on discussions in the field of disaster prevention.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made a surprise visit to Kiev, reaffirming his support for Ukraine and announcing additional support worth a total of 1.3 billion euros, including military and energy support. After the meeting with President Zelenskyy, the amount of support was announced through a joint press conference, and security cooperation and joint technological development between the two countries were emphasized.
A pathogen leak occurred at a plague laboratory in Shelekhov, Irkutsk, Siberia, Russia, and a 28-year-old female researcher died after being diagnosed with pneumonia of unknown cause. Authorities are investigating the type of pathogen, and an aluminum factory near the laboratory has recommended wearing masks as a precaution. According to local media, it is known that there are about 200 people under quarantine and observation surrounding the researcher who was transferred to the hospital.
