US envoy reaffirms Washington's commitment to denuclearization of North Korea

SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - Acting U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Kevin Kim on Monday reaffirmed Washington's commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea in collaboration with South Korea. After a closed-door meeting in Seoul earlier in the day with South Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo, Kim said U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung "reiterated their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea,&q

December 8, 2025

PHOTOS: College admissions rush

SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - Following the release of the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) scores, a fierce and highly competitive strategic maneuver is unfolding in South Korea. Students and parents are intensely calculating their optimal university and major applications based on their results. The high-stakes nature of this post-exam period was dramatically illustrated on the afternoon of Dec. 7 when a massive crowd descended upon an admissions briefing session hosted by a

December 8, 2025

South Korea's economy shows gradual recovery as consumption improves: KDI

SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - South Korea’s economy is showing signs of gradual improvement, driven by stronger consumer spending, but risks remain from a prolonged construction downturn and persistent global trade uncertainties, the state-run Korea Development Institute (KDI) said in a report published on Monday. In its December economic assessment, KDI said the delayed effects of interest rate cuts and continued government support were lifting household consumption, helping

December 8, 2025

South Korea and Türkiye to explore common path based on historic ties in Seoul

SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - South Korea and Türkiye will convene a high-level strategic forum in Seoul on Dec. 15 to reflect on their historical ties and chart a roadmap for future comprehensive cooperation across next-generation industries and agenda on the momentum of the 75th year of the outbreak of the Korean War, where Turkey had been second only to Americans in arriving in the country to defend South Korea. Hosted jointly by the Embassy of Türkiye in the Republic of

December 8, 2025

Largest animation and gaming festival wraps up after drawing 100,000 visitors

SEOUL, December 8 (AJP) - South Korea's largest animation and gaming festival, the Anime X Game Festival (AGF), concluded on Sunday after attracting more than 100,000 attendees, making it the festival's most successful year yet. The three-day festival, kicked last Friday at KINTEX in Goyang, drew 40 percent more visitors than last year's 72,081. Despite sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall on the opening day, fans lined up early, with some even waiting overnight.

December 8, 2025

Hyundai Mobis opens second software R&D center in Bengaluru

SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - Hyundai Mobis, the parts-making affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, said Monday it has established a specialized software research and development center in Bengaluru, India, as part of efforts to expand its presence in one of the world's fastest-growing automotive markets. The new facility in the southwestern Indian city, known as a hub for global technology firms and startups, will serve as a specialized base for infotainment software development. The

December 8, 2025

Rosé named Variety's 'Global Hitmaker of the Year' for her viral song

SEOUL, December 8 (AJP) - K-pop girl band BLACKPINK's member Rosé has been included among American weekly magazine Variety's annual "Hitmakers" list, her agency said on Monday. She was awarded "Global Hitmaker of the Year" at the magazine's ninth annual "Hitmakers" gathering in Los Angeles last Saturday, which recognizes the "artists and collaborators behind the year's 25 most popular songs." "Rising star Ros

December 8, 2025

HJ Shipbuilding launches four patrol boats for South Korean Navy

SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - HJ Shipbuilding held a launch ceremony on Monday for four domestically built high-speed patrol boats, strengthening South Korea’s coastal defense capabilities. The vessels were built under a 2022 contract with the Navy as part of the PKX-B Batch-II program. The ceremony took place at the company’s Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan and was attended by senior defense and industry officials, including Rear Adm. Ahn Sang-min, acting head of the ship pr

December 8, 2025

Korea's LGES lands $1.4 bn EV battery deal with Mercedes-Benz

SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - South Korea's top battery maker LG Energy Solution (LGES) has signed a 2.06 trillion won ($1.4 billion) electric-vehicle battery supply contract with Mercedes-Benz AG, extending the company’s streak of securing multi-billion-dollar global deals this year as automakers race to lock in long-term cell capacity. According to LGES’ regulatory filing on Monday, the contract covers battery supply to Mercedes-Benz from March 2028 through June 2035,

December 8, 2025

Korean fried-chicken chain BBQ establishes European headquarters in Spain

SEOUL, December 08 (AJP) - Genesis BBQ Group said Monday it has established a European headquarters in Spain. The South Korean fried-chicken chain said it formed a partnership with BLT F&B Group, a Spain-based operator with businesses in finance and foodservice across Spanish-speaking markets. BLT manages major restaurant brands including Domino’s Pizza and Applebee’s in the Americas, giving BBQ access to existing operational and supply chain networks. The ann

December 8, 2025