South Korea's construction output sees sharpest decline in decades

SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - South Korea’s construction sector recorded its steepest quarterly contraction since the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, as both public and private projects ground to a halt amid tightening budgets and waning demand. The total value of construction completed in the first quarter fell 21.2 percent year-on-year to 26.87 trillion won (approximately $19.5 billion), according to data released Thursday by the Korea Research Institute for Construction Policy.

June 19, 2025

Older DDR4 memory chips now outprice newer DDR5s

SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - In a rare twist in the global semiconductor market, older-generation DDR4 memory chips are now trading at higher prices than more advanced DDR5s, signaling a short-term disruption in traditional pricing dynamics. According to DRAMeXchange, a market research firm tracking semiconductor prices, 16-gigabit DDR4 chips traded at an average of $7.00 each on Tuesday, surpassing DDR5 chips of the same capacity, which averaged $5.90. The reversal — first obs

June 19, 2025

North Korea to resume int'l film festival this fall after pandemic hiatus

SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - North Korea is expected to resume its only international film festival this fall after a six-year hiatus, amid signs that the isolated country is gradually reopening its borders to the outside world. The Pyongyang International Film Festival (PIFF) will kick off its week-long run on Oct. 22, organizers said on Thursday. Launched in 1987 and held every two to three years, the festival became an annual event in 2018 but was suspended indefinitely after its la

June 19, 2025

Hyundai Card launches 'Black Card' in Korea for ultra-wealthy

SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - Hyundai Card has introduced the American Express Centurion Card — commonly known as the “Black Card” — in South Korea for the first time, marking a bold entry into the ultra-premium credit card segment long dominated by global issuers. Recognized worldwide for its exclusivity and luxury, the Centurion Card represents the pinnacle of the AMEX hierarchy, sitting above the Platinum, Gold, and Green cards. The launch follows Hyundai Ca

June 19, 2025

LS, with eyes on Europe and beyond, builds battery, energy empire

Editor's Note: This article is the 23rd installment in our series on Asia's top 100 companies, exploring the strategies, challenges, and innovations driving the region's most influential corporations. SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - Despite mounting uncertainty in the global electric vehicle market, South Korea’s LS Group is standing firm on its long-term investment plans in battery materials and carbon-free electricity, pledging there will be “no reduction in investm

June 19, 2025

Seoul International Book Fair kicks off, welcoming over 500 exhibitors from 17 countries

SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest book fair kicked off on Wednesday at COEX in southern Seoul, drawing thousands of literature lovers, authors, and publishers from around the world. The Seoul International Book Fair, co-hosted by the Korean Publishers Association (KPA), features over 500 exhibitors from 17 countries. Among the attendees was former South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who took part in an event held during the fair and also delivered a s

June 18, 2025

'Mercy for None' becomes Netflix's No. 1 non-English show less than two weeks after release

SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - Netflix's latest South Korean series has topped the American streaming giant's chart for non-English-language shows, just less than two weeks after its release. "Mercy for None," starring So Ji-sub and Lee Jun-hyuk, has racked up over 7.6 million views since its release on June 6, claiming the top spot for the week ending last Sunday. The adaptation of a popular webtoon, compared by many to actor Keanu Reeves' "John Wick" fra

June 18, 2025

Forum highlights need for economic 'reboot' in face of industrial upheaval

SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - As South Korea faces mounting pressure to stay competitive in an era of rapid technological change, policymakers and industry leaders gathered Wednesday at a technology forum in Seoul to urge sweeping innovation and a reimagining of the country’s growth strategy. The Aju Future Strategy Forum, hosted by Aju News Corporation and held at the FKI Tower in Yeouido, convened government officials, lawmakers, and economic experts to assess the challenges confro

June 18, 2025

Rosé's catchy track becomes longest-running K-pop song on Billboard Hot 100

SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - Rosé, a member of girl group BLACKPINK, has set a new record as her viral hit "APT." becomes the longest-running K-pop song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song remained at No. 24 for the second straight week on the U.S. main singles chart released on Tuesday, extending its streak to 34th consecutive week, breaking the previous record of 33 weeks set by Jimin, a member of K-pop juggernaut BTS with his solo track "Who." "A

June 18, 2025

Iranian Embassy in Seoul condemns Israeli airstrikes, calls for international accountability

SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - Through a statement released Wednesday, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Republic of Korea has condemned Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iranian territory and urged the international community to uphold international law and prevent further escalation. In the statement released on Jun. 18, Iranian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Saeed Koozechi described the Jun. 13 attacks as a large-scale, coordinated assault involving air, missile

June 18, 2025