Kazakhstan showcases exports at Korea Import Fair 2025 in Seoul

SEOUL, July 13 (AJP) - Kazakhstan highlighted its national products and services at the Korea Import Fair 2025, held in Seoul from July 7 to 9, as part of efforts to deepen trade relations with South Korea. The Kazakhstan Embassy in the Republic of Korea said that the event was hosted by the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA), with support from South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). More than 200 companies f

July 13, 2025

KAIST team develops microbe for efficient, eco-friendly lutein production

SEOUL, July 13 (AJP) - A research team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed a safe, high-yield microbial strain capable of producing lutein more efficiently than conventional methods. The new approach provides an eco-friendly and scalable alternative to plant or algae-based extraction, which is often slow, costly, and difficult to industrialize. KAIST said in a statement on July 13, that the study led by Distinguished Professor Lee Sang -

July 13, 2025

N. Korean leader meets Russian foreign minister, reaffirms deepening ties with Moscow

SEOUL, July 13 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday in Wonsan, reinforcing a growing partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow amid heightened global tensions, Pyongyang's state media the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Sunday. Lavrov's visit, which followed the second foreign ministerial strategic dialogue between the two countries, was marked by a show of unity on key international and region

July 13, 2025

Naver Webtoon halts popular 'Wind Breaker' series over tracing allegations

SEOUL, July 12 (AJP) - Naver Webtoon has suspended its long-running sports webtoon "Wind Breaker" after the creator admitted to tracing scenes from Japanese manga, ending a 12-year serialization that had become one of the platform's flagship titles. Creator Jo Yong-seok acknowledged the plagiarism allegations in the final episode revealed on Friday, confessing that some scenes in his work bore striking similarities to other comic book images. The webtoon, which foll

July 12, 2025

South Korean companies accelerate China exit amid trade tensions

SEOUL, July 12 (AJP) - South Korean companies are rapidly withdrawing from China as regulatory pressures and trade tensions make operations increasingly unprofitable, with major manufacturers joining what was once limited to retail firms. About 40 major South Korean companies have closed or downsized their Chinese operations since 2017, according to the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy. The trend has expanded beyond retail to encompass key manufacturing sectors incl

July 12, 2025

US tariff revenue hits record high as trade war escalates

SEOUL, July 12 (AJP) - The United States recorded its highest-ever monthly tariff revenue in June, collecting $27.2 billion as the Trump administration's aggressive trade policies continue to reshape federal finances. The figure represents a nearly four-fold increase from the same period last year, according to Treasury Department data released Friday. The surge in tariff income helped push total federal revenue to a record monthly high of $526 billion, up 13 percent from June 2

July 12, 2025

YouTubers shape K-beauty retail in Leferi's latest Select Store pop-up

SEOUL, July 11 (AJP) - South Korean beauty content company Leferi has launched its fourth Select Store pop-up event, showcasing a curated lineup of Korean cosmetics selected through a sweeping analysis of YouTube beauty content. Running through July 13 at Starfield COEX Mall, Hanam, and Suwon, the Select Store – THE KYEA SELECTION features 21 standout products from 13 brands, including Jung Saem Mool, AHC, and TOKO. What sets this edition apart is its methodology: rather th

July 11, 2025

Lee names picks for remaining two ministerial posts

SEOUL, July 11 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Friday tapped candidates to fill the remaining two ministerial posts, completing the nominations for his 19-strong first cabinet. Kim Yun-duk, a three-term lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party (DP), was named to head the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, while Chae Hwi-young, CEO of travel platform Nol Universe, was nominated to lead the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon

July 11, 2025

Korea's top yards post triple-digit profit growth

SEOUL, July 11 (AJP) - South Korea’s top three shipbuilders — HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), Hanwha Ocean, and Samsung Heavy Industries — are projected to post a combined operating profit of more than 2.57 trillion won ($1.86 billion) for the first half of 2025, more than triple the earnings from a year earlier, as the industry rides a wave of high-margin vessel deliveries and growing defense contracts. The projected total marks a 226

July 11, 2025

South Korea, Japan and US conduct aerial drill as defense chiefs meet

SEOUL, July 11 (AJP) - South Korea conducted a large-scale joint aerial drill with Japan and the United States, the Defense Ministry said on Friday. In a show of readiness against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, the exercise was held over waters off the southern resort island of Jeju, involving a U.S. B-52 strategic bomber as well as South Korea's KF-16 and Japan's F-2 fighter jets, according to the ministry. "Through close cooperation, the three count

July 11, 2025