S. Korea's fight against coronavirus

People take COVID-19 tests in Seoul on Nov. 24, 2021. South Korea reported 4,116 new coronavirus cases, the first time that the daily count has topped 4,000.

S. Korea's fight against coronavirus

People wait in line to take COVID-19 tests in Seoul on Nov. 24, 2021. South Korea reported 4,116 new coronavirus cases, the first time that the daily count has topped 4,000.

Japan-S. Korea summit talks in 1984

Photo taken in September 1984 shows Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone (R) and South Korean President Chun Doo Hwan shaking hands before their summit talks at the prime minister's office in Tokyo.

Golf: CME Group Tour Championship

South Korea's Ko Jin Young (C) is congratulated by fellow golfers after winning the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship and claiming the points-based LPGA Player of the Year title on Nov. 21, 2021, at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida.

Scene from Pyongyang

People walk in Pyongyang on Nov. 11, 2021.

Citizen shoots partial lunar eclipse with smartphone in Pyongyang, N. Korea

On the night of Nov. 19 when a partial lunar eclipse was observed in Japan, the phenomenon could be seen under a clear night sky in Pyongyang, North Korea, as well, with more than 90% of the moon waned.Date: Nov. 19, 2021Place: Pyongyang, North Korea

Golf: Ito-En Ladies in Japan

Lee Bo Mee of South Korea is pictured after completing her final round of the Ito-En Ladies golf tournament at Great Island Club in the Chiba Prefecture town of Chonan, eastern Japan, on Nov. 14, 2021.

Golf: Ito-En Ladies in Japan

Lee Bo Mee of South Korea is pictured after completing her final round of the Ito-En Ladies golf tournament at Great Island Club in the Chiba Prefecture town of Chonan, eastern Japan, on Nov. 14, 2021.

North Korean abduction issue

Tetsuya Yokota, a younger brother of Megumi Yokota, who was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13, speaks during a rally on the abduction issue on Nov. 14, 2021, in Niigata, Japan.

North Korean abduction issue

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno (far L) walks around the area where Megumi Yokota is believed to have been abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13, in Niigata, Japan, on Nov. 14, 2021.

Gathering to seek return of abductee Megumi

Elementary school students gather at a school gymnasium in Niigata on Nov. 12, 2021, to express their wish that Megumi Yokota, a 13-year-old abducted by North Korea on her way home from school in the Sea of Japan coastal city in 1977, should be returned.

"Flying taxi" in S. Korea

Photo taken on Nov. 11, 2021, shows a "flying taxi" during a test flight at Gimpo airport in Seoul. The South Korean government aims to begin commercial service of the taxi in 2025.

"Flying taxi" in S. Korea

Photo taken on Nov. 11, 2021, shows a "flying taxi" during a test flight at Gimpo airport in Seoul. The South Korean government aims to begin commercial service of the taxi in 2025.

Lee Jae Myung of S. Korea's Democratic Party

Lee Jae Myung, the presidential candidate of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party, speaks during a debate in Seoul on Nov. 10, 2021.

Lee Jun Seok, head of S. Korea's People Power Party

Lee Jun Seok, head of South Korea's main opposition People Power Party, is interviewed by Kyodo News in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2021.

Lee Jun Seok, head of S. Korea's People Power Party

Lee Jun Seok, head of South Korea's main opposition People Power Party, is interviewed by Kyodo News in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2021.

Lee Jun Seok, head of S. Korea's People Power Party

Lee Jun Seok, head of South Korea's main opposition People Power Party, is interviewed by Kyodo News in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2021.

Lee Jun Seok, head of S. Korea's People Power Party

Lee Jun Seok, head of South Korea's main opposition People Power Party, is interviewed by Kyodo News in Seoul on Nov. 9, 2021.

Yoon Suk Yeol

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Suk Yeol, seen in this file photo, was picked by South Korea's main opposition People Power Party as its presidential candidate on Nov. 5, 2021, setting the stage for a contest that will determine the country's next leader in March 2022.

China-North Korea border

Photo taken from the Chinese city of Dandong on Nov. 1, 2021, shows a bridge connecting with the North Korean northern city of Shinuiju.

China-North Korea border

Photo taken from the Chinese city of Dandong on Nov. 1, 2021, shows North Korean soldiers in a border area in their country's Uiju county on Nov. 1, 2021.

China-North Korea border

Photo taken from the Chinese city of Dandong on Nov. 1, 2021, shows North Korean soldiers in a border area in their country's Uiju county on Nov. 1, 2021.

Golf: Hisako Higuchi Ladies

South Korea's Bae Seon Woo plays a shot on the 13th hole during the final round of the Hisako Higuchi Ladies tournament at Musashigaoka Golf Course in the Saitama Prefecture city of Hanno, eastern Japan, on Oct. 31, 2021.

Golf: Hisako Higuchi Ladies

Japan's Hinako Shibuno (R) is congratulated by South Korea's Bae Seon Woo after winning a playoff between the two at the Hisako Higuchi Ladies tournament at Musashigaoka Golf Course in the Saitama Prefecture city of Hanno, eastern Japan, on Oct. 31, 2021.

Golf: Hisako Higuchi Ladies

Hinako Shibuno of Japan makes her winning putt in a playoff against South Korea's Bae Seon Woo at the Hisako Higuchi Ladies tournament at Musashigaoka Golf Course in the Saitama Prefecture city of Hanno, eastern Japan, on Oct. 31, 2021.

Golf: Hisako Higuchi Ladies

Hinako Shibuno of Japan reacts after making her winning putt in a playoff against South Korea's Bae Seon Woo at the Hisako Higuchi Ladies tournament at Musashigaoka Golf Course in the Saitama Prefecture city of Hanno, eastern Japan, on Oct. 31, 2021.

Top 3 finishers in cello division of Geneva music competition

(From) Winner Michiaki Ueno of Japan, second-place Bryan Cheng of Canada and third-place Jaemin Han of South Korea pose for photos after the cello division of the Geneva International Music Competition on Oct. 28, 2021, in Geneva, Switzerland.

U.S.-S. Korea talks on N. Korea

U.S. special representative for North Korea Sung Kim (R) and his South Korean counterpart Noh Kyu Duk meet the press after holding talks in Seoul on Oct. 24, 2021, wearing masks for protection against the coronavirus.

S. Korea launches first homegrown space rocket

South Korea's first domestically developed space rocket, Nuri, lifts off from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, a county on the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, on Oct. 21, 2021. (Pool photo)

S. Korea launches first homegrown space rocket

South Korea's first domestically developed space rocket, Nuri, lifts off from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, a county on the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, on Oct. 21, 2021. (Pool photo)

Scene in Pyongyang

People walk in Pyongyang on July 6, 2021, wearing a face mask to prevent coronavirus infection.

Japanese Defense Minister Kishi

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi meets the press after a National Security Council meeting in Tokyo on Oct. 19, 2021. Japanese authorities said North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan the same day, while South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said only one missile was fired.

Japanese Defense Minister Kishi

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi (C) meets the press after a National Security Council meeting in Tokyo on Oct. 19, 2021. Japanese authorities said North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan the same day, while South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said only one missile was fired.

Japanese Defense Minister Kishi

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi (C) meets the press after a National Security Council meeting in Tokyo on Oct. 19, 2021. Japanese authorities said North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan the same day, while South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said only one missile was fired.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters after a National Security Council meeting in Tokyo on Oct. 19, 2021. Japanese authorities said North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan the same day, while South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said only one missile was fired.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters after a National Security Council meeting in Tokyo on Oct. 19, 2021. Japanese authorities said North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan the same day, while South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said only one missile was fired.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters after a National Security Council meeting in Tokyo on Oct. 19, 2021. Japanese authorities said North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan the same day, while South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said only one missile was fired.

Japanese Defense Minister Kishi

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Oct. 19, 2021. Japanese authorities said North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan the same day, while South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said only one missile was fired.

Kin of N. Korea abductees meet Japan PM Kishida

Family members (R) of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (2nd from L) at his office in Tokyo on Oct. 18, 2021.

Kin of N. Korea abductees meet Japan PM Kishida

Sakie Yokota (C), whose daughter Megumi was abducted at the age of 13 in 1977, attends a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at his office in Tokyo on Oct. 18, 2021, along with other family members of victims of North Korean abductions.

South Korea's ruling Democratic Party leader Song Young Gil

Song Young Gil, the leader of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party, gives an interview at the National Assembly in Seoul on Oct. 18, 2021.

South Korea's ruling Democratic Party leader Song Young Gil

Song Young Gil, the leader of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party, gives an interview at the National Assembly in Seoul on Oct. 18, 2021.

South Korea's ruling Democratic Party leader Song Young Gil

Song Young Gil, the leader of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party, gives an interview at the National Assembly in Seoul on Oct. 18, 2021.

Ex-Japan PM Suga visits war-linked Yasukuni shrine

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga visits Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine, seen by China and South Korea as a symbol of Japan's past militarism, on Oct. 17, 2021. Suga visited the Shinto shrine, which honors convicted war criminals along with more than 2.4 million war dead, during the shrine's biannual festival held in the spring and autumn.

Ex-Japan PM Suga visits war-linked Yasukuni shrine

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga visits Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine, seen by China and South Korea as a symbol of Japan's past militarism, on Oct. 17, 2021. Suga visited the Shinto shrine, which honors convicted war criminals along with more than 2.4 million war dead, during the shrine's biannual festival held in the spring and autumn.

Japan's new PM sends ritual offering to war-linked Yasukuni shrine

Photo taken at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine on Oct. 17, 2021, shows a ritual offering sent by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida earlier in the day. Kishida offered the "masakaki" tree offering during a biannual festival held in the spring and autumn at the Shinto shrine, seen by China and South Korea as a symbol of Japan's past militarism as it honors convicted war criminals along with more than 2.4 million war dead.

Japan's new PM sends ritual offering to war-linked Yasukuni shrine

Photo taken at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine on Oct. 17, 2021, shows a ritual offering sent by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida earlier in the day. Kishida offered the "masakaki" tree offering during a biannual festival held in the spring and autumn at the Shinto shrine, seen by China and South Korea as a symbol of Japan's past militarism as it honors convicted war criminals along with more than 2.4 million war dead.

Japan's new PM sends ritual offering to war-linked Yasukuni shrine

Photo taken at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine on Oct. 17, 2021, shows a ritual offering sent by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida earlier in the day. Kishida offered the "masakaki" tree offering during a biannual festival held in the spring and autumn at the Shinto shrine, seen by China and South Korea as a symbol of Japan's past militarism as it honors convicted war criminals along with more than 2.4 million war dead.

Scene from Pyongyang

People walk in Pyongyang on Oct. 14, 2021, wearing a face mask to prevent coronavirus infection.

Afghans evacuees in S. Korea

Afghan evacuees take a walk at a temporary housing facility in Jincheon, central South Korea, on Oct. 13, 2021. They are part of the 391 Afghans who evacuated to South Korea in August in the so-called Operation Miracle following the Taliban takeover of the war-torn country.