SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - A Washington-based think tank has proposed cutting the number of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea by more than half, according to a report released on Wednesday. Stressing the need to "revise the U.S. global military posture to be consistent with protecting vital national interests," the report by Defense Priorities argued that the U.S. should cut its military presence in South Korea "by more than 50 percent, leaving about 10,000 personnel a

SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - Krafton, the South Korean game developer best known for the global hit PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), is venturing beyond screens with the launch of a new three-story cultural and gaming complex in Seoul’s Seongsu-dong, a district known for its blend of street culture and creative retail. Set to open to the public on Friday, the “PUBG Seongsu” complex was unveiled to the media on Thursday, offering a first look at Krafton’s

SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - South Korea’s defense industry continued its unprecedented growth trajectory in the second quarter, buoyed by sustained international demand for weapons systems and armored vehicles. The nation’s four leading defense contractors — Hanwha Aerospace, Hyundai Rotem, LIG Nex1, and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) — are projected to report a combined operating profit exceeding 1 trillion won for the first time, according to financial estim

SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - Samsung C&T’s casual fashion brand 8 Seconds made its official debut in Southeast Asia this week, opening its first store in the Philippines through a partnership with local retail powerhouse Suyen Corporation. The 420-square-meter flagship, located on the second floor of SM Mall of Asia in Manila, launched Wednesday with a grand opening event. Founded in 2012, 8 Seconds is positioned as a trend-driven, accessible fashion label aimed at younger

SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - Actress Shim Eun-kyung's latest film has been invited to the upcoming Locarno Film Festival, which opens next month in Switzerland, the film's distributor said Thursday. Based on a Japanese manga by Yoshiharu Tsuge, "Tabi to Hibi" or "Two Seasons, Two Strangers" tells the story of a scriptwriter whose journey leads her to an unexpected encounter with the owner of a remote countryside inn. Directed by Japanese filmmaker Sho Miyake

SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics has introduced its latest flagship foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold7, touting it as the slimmest and lightest model in its Z Fold series to date. Unveiled at the company’s Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event in Brooklyn, the Fold7 represents a significant leap in both design and functionality as the firm continues to bet big on foldables and artificial intelligence. The new device measures just 8.9 millimeters thick when folded and 4.2 millime

SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.5 percent on Thursday, pausing its monetary easing cycle as policymakers contend with a surge in housing prices and rapidly rising household debt. The decision underscores mounting concern within the central bank over asset bubbles forming in the capital region. In recent weeks, apartment prices in Seoul have accelerated at their fastest pace in nearly seven years. “Stabilizing market s

SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - A relentless, record-breaking heat wave is scorching South Korea. Temperatures in Seoul climbed to an unprecedented 37.8 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, the highest ever recorded for early July. The intense heat has sent a dramatic surge of patients to emergency rooms across the country. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 238 individuals sought emergency medical attention for heat-related illnesses on Monday alone. This brings the t

SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - Daboseong Gallery in South Korea has once again opened its doors to reveal a selection of Chinese antiquities rarely seen by the public, even in China itself. For the third year running, the gallery invited top Chinese appraisal experts to assess items from its vast collection, believed to be one of the most extensive private holdings of rare Chinese artifacts in Asia. The appraisal session, held on July 9, was led by Professor Lee Jung-soon of Chung-Ang U