China and US engage in productive high-level talks

SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) -China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, recently met with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Beijing for two days of strategic discussions from Tuesday to Wednesday. The talks were described as open, meaningful, and productive, with both sides exploring the possibility of a future meeting between their respective heads of state. Analysts suggest that such high-level communication is crucial for effectively managing the complex relationship between Chi

August 29, 2024

OPINION: Away from battlefield, diplomatic wrangling hots up with Modi visit to Kyiv

SEOUL, August 29 (AJP) - Ukraine's three-week incursion has been countered recently by an intensifying Russian drone campaign against Ukrainian infrastructure. Russian troops have also made steady gains in the battle for the strategic logistics hub of Pokrovsk in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, in the background, the diplomatic wrangling in the more than 30-month-long war has also increased. But there's no sign of a breakthrough or an indication that we migh

August 29, 2024

PHOTOS: Forum explores Korea-China economic cooperation

SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - The 4th Korea-China Digital Economy Partnership Summit was held Wednesday at the building of China Construction Bank in central Seoul. The summit, co-hosted by Aju Daily and China Construction Bank, explored ways to strengthen economic and business cooperation between the two countries and their future partnerships.

August 28, 2024

OPINION: Lessons of the Afghanistan Disaster?

KENOSHA, August 28 (AJP) - The terrible disaster of the collapse of the Afghanistan government and sweeping Taliban victory three years ago was a reversal for the United States and the international community and a serious leadership failure by the Biden administration. However, the collapse does not have to be a strategic defeat for the U.S. Let me explain why. The current anniversary of the debacle is an appropriate time to do so. The failure of the administration to adequate

August 28, 2024

Number of students at high risk of suicide rises for second straight year: survey

SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - The number of Korean students at high risk of suicide has increased for two consecutive years, according to data from the Ministry of Education submitted to the National Assembly Research Service (NARS) on Wednesday. The survey, conducted annually, shows a worrying trend among elementary, middle, and high school students. South Korea's youth suicide rate stood at 25.2 per 100,000 people in 2022, more than double the OECD average of 10.7 per 100,000. Go

August 28, 2024

UN aid operations continue in Gaza after forced evacuations

SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - The United Nations continues its aid operations in the Gaza Strip, despite recent complications caused by new Israeli evacuation orders. These orders led to the shutdown of the main UN operations center, temporarily halting humanitarian efforts. However, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric indicated on Tuesday that aid delivery has not completely stopped, even though a senior UN official had earlier suggested otherwise. The UN has been forced to evacuate it

August 28, 2024

Houthi attacks on Greek oil tanker in red sea raise fears of massive oil spill

Reuters-Yonhap SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - A Greek-owned oil tanker attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea last week remains ablaze and could be leaking oil, according to the U.S. Pentagon. Efforts to salvage the MV Sounion have been hindered by the Houthis, who have also issued further threats of attacks. The vessel, which flies the Greek flag, is carrying over 150,000 tonnes (equivalent to one million barrels) of crude oil, and a significant spill could be one of the largest

August 28, 2024

Street in New York to be renamed in honor of Otto Warmbier

SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - A stretch of road in front of the North Korean mission to the United Nations in New York is expected to be renamed in honor of Otto Warmbier, an American college student. Warmbier, a student of the University of Virginia, was imprisoned and tortured in North Korea in 2016 on an unclear charge of subversion. He died shortly after being released in a vegetative state in 2017. The Manhattan Community Board 6, a New York city community board, said on Tuesday

August 28, 2024

NewJeans producer claims she was forced to step down

SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - Min Hee-jin, a producer behind the K-pop sensation NewJeans, claimed on Wednesday that she was forced out of her position as CEO of ADOR without her consent. Min's abrupt removal was decided during a board meeting the previous day, where she was replaced by Kim Joo-young, ADOR's internal director, who is also in charge of human resources at HYBE. ADOR, an affiliate of HYBE, has seen rapid success under Min's leadership. In a statement, law

August 28, 2024

Japan's Coast Guard unveils plan for mammoth patrol ship

SEOUL, August 28 (AJP) - Japan's Coast Guard announced on Tuesday its intention to seek 3.4 billion yen ($23.7 million) in fiscal 2025 funding to initiate the development of its most substantial patrol vessel to date. The proposed 200-meter craft, with an estimated total price tag of 68 billion yen, would significantly surpass the agency's current largest ship, which weighs in at about 6,500 tons. Designed to accommodate roughly 1,000 individuals, the vessel aims to address

August 28, 2024