'Squid Game' director to receive gong at Gotham Awards in June

SEOUL, April 25 (AJP) - Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who has been in the global spotlight for his hit Netflix series "Squid Game," will be honored with an award at the annual Gotham Television Awards in June. Hwang will be feted with the Creator Tribute at the American film awards, which recognize "the iconic artists and creators who have enriched the landscape and pushed the boundaries of TV," with this year's ceremony scheduled to take place in New York on Jun

April 25, 2025

As Trump targets pharma, Korean biotech firms reassess US strategies

Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a series of stories examining how the Trump administration's economic policies affect South Korea's key industries. SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - South Korean pharmaceutical companies are bracing for the fallout from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and drug price reforms that could reshape the global pharmaceutical landscape and disrupt overseas supply chains. The Trump administration has launched a national security investigat

April 25, 2025

Event in Seoul highlights Central Asia's tourism potential

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - An event to promote tourism to Central Asia and its cultural heritage was held in Seoul on Wednesday. Co-hosted by the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat and the embassies of several Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the event brought together a group of regional experts, diplomats, and other attendees, offering a chance to deepen understanding of the region.

April 24, 2025

INTERVIEW: Farmtastica CEO brings smart farming vision to Latin America's urban centers

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - For Maricruz Larrea, CEO of Chilean smart farm Startup Farmtastica, farming does not involve long stretches of countryside. With the startup’s technology, crops can be grown inside closets, rooms, and small spaces. “We’re not just growing leafy greens, We’re building a more sustainable, localized food supply chain,” Larrea, the CEO and co-founder of Farmtastica, a Chilean startup focused on controlled environment agriculture, t

April 24, 2025

PHOTOS: Spring hues sweep South Korea

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - A vibrant tapestry of spring color is unfolding across South Korea, drawing residents and visitors alike to witness nature's annual spectacle. In Nowon-gu, Seoul, the slopes of Mount Bulam have erupted in a riot of pink as the azalea gardens reach their peak bloom. The expansive display offers a striking vista. Farther south, in Daegu, the Tulip Garden at the E-World amusement park has become a magnet for flower enthusiasts. In Incheon, an innovative approach

April 24, 2025

Acting President urges swift passage of extra budget

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - Acting President Han Duck-soo on Thursday called for bipartisan support for a supplementary budget aimed at boosting economic recovery. In his speech at the National Assembly, the first of its kind by an acting president in about 46 years, Han urged lawmakers to swiftly pass the 12.2 trillion won (US$8.8 billion) supplementary budget. He stressed the fast approval of the budget is "important" to weather through a crisis as the country "faces

April 24, 2025

Harmful chemicals detected in children's toys from Chinese e-commerce platforms

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - Several children’s toys sold on major Chinese e-commerce platforms contain toxic substances at levels far exceeding safety standards, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Thursday. City officials said they tested 25 toys purchased from global platforms including Temu, Shein, and AliExpress. Four products failed to meet domestic safety regulations, with one “keyring doll” found to contain phthalate plasticizer (DEHP) at concentratio

April 24, 2025

US auto tariffs to reduce Korean car production by 315,000 units

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - South Korea’s passenger vehicle production is projected to fall by more than 300,000 units over the next two years as a result of newly imposed U.S. automotive tariffs, according to a report released Thursday by S&P Global Mobility. The research firm estimates that South Korean output will drop by 112,000 vehicles in 2025 and a further 203,000 in 2026, as a 25 percent tariff introduced by the Trump administration begins to take its toll. S&P c

April 24, 2025

INTERVIEW: Start-Up Chile CEO says real startups solve real problems through technology

Javiera Araneda, CEO of Start-Up Chile, speaks during an interview with AJP at the Global Startup Center on Apr. 23. AJP Han Jun-gu SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - To Javiera Araneda, CEO of Start-Up Chile, a startup isn't just a trendy business idea or a sleek new app. At its core, she says, a real startup is about purpose—and that purpose starts with solving a problem. “In our view, a startup should be tech-based,” Araneda said in an interview with AJP at a startup pit

April 24, 2025

VISUALS: Lanterns, festivities herald Buddha's Birthday

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - Jogyesa Temple, a prominent Buddhist center in the heart of Seoul, is abuzz with preparations for Buddha’s Birthday on May 5, 2025. The temple grounds are currently festooned with a multitude of colorful lanterns, each inscribed with the names of devotees, creating a vibrant canopy overhead. This spectacle has drawn an increased number of visitors and tourists, who come to offer prayers or simply find respite in the dappled shade cast by the illuminated decora

April 24, 2025