N. Korean balloon detonator suspected of starting warehouse fire near Seoul

SEOUL, September 09 (AJP) - Fire authorities suspect that a timed detonator from a North Korean balloon, designed to disperse waste through a small explosion, may have ignited a warehouse fire in Paju, northwest of Seoul, on Sunday. Since May, North Korea has launched balloons filled with wastepaper, garbage, and human feces into South Korea in retaliation against South Korean activist groups, mainly defectors, who send propaganda leaflets to the North. These balloons have land

September 9, 2024

Samsung SDI unveils new battery solutions at U.S. energy expo

SEOUL, September 9 (AJP) - Samsung SDI is showcasing its latest energy storage system (ESS) battery solutions at Renewable Energy Plus 2024, North America's largest renewable energy exhibition, which opened in Anaheim, U.S., on Monday for a four-day run. The Korean battery maker introduced its Samsung Battery Box (SBB) 1.5, a containerized ESS solution featuring improved energy density and an enhanced fire suppression system. The new model boasts a 37 percent increase in energy

September 9, 2024

Over 1 in 5 Korean workers experience workplace sexual harassment: survey

SEOUL, Sept. 9 (AJP) -- More than one in five South Korean workers have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, according to a survey released Sunday. The poll also found that 15 percent of respondents reported incidents of sexual assault or rape at work. The civic group Gapjil 119 surveyed 1,000 workers nationwide between May 31 and June 10. Among the key findings, 22.6 percent of respondents reported experiencing workplace sexual harassment, with women (26.1 percent)

September 8, 2024

North Korea launches trash-filled balloons toward South for 5th consecutive day

SEOUL, Sept. 8 (AJP) -- North Korea launched trash-filled balloons across the border for the fifth consecutive day on Sunday, South Korea's military said. The Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that North Korea began releasing the balloons around 9 a.m. "We will respond resolutely and calmly according to our response manual, with the utmost priority on public safety," the JCS said. It marks the 17th such incident since May 28, when the North began the launches in ret

September 8, 2024

OPINION: Isn't it time for Christian street protesters to fold up the tent?

SEOUL, Sept. 6 (AJP) - Last weekend, I was driving along Sejong-ro in downtown Seoul and got held up by the Christian protest that dominates the boulevard most Saturdays. I was on my way to meet two friends who had been foreign correspondents here in the 1980s. They were staying at a hotel nearby. The hotels downtown advise guests about protests, so they knew something was going on. Back in their day, a demo meant earnest students hurling broken paving stones and Molotov cockta

September 6, 2024

Kishida supports President Yoon's vision for Korean reunification

SEOUL, Sept. 6 (AJP) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed support for President Yoon Suk Yeol's vision for Korean reunification at their summit held at the South Korean presidential office, Friday. Kishida voiced his hopes for Yoon's "August 15 Unification Doctrine," which outlines three principles: "freedom-based values," "changes in the North Korean populace," and "international solidarity." "I hope that Presid

September 6, 2024

PHOTOS: Waterproofing work on King Sejong statue at Gwanghwamun Plaza

SEOUL, Sept. 6 (AJP) - Waterproofing work was conducted on the pedestal of the statue of King Sejong (1397- 1450) in Gwanghwamun Plaza, Seoul. The fourth monarch of the Joseon Dynasty (1392- 1910) is renowned for creating the Korean alphabet, Hangul.

September 6, 2024

Giant lobster balloon amuses visitors to popular lake in southern Seoul

SEOUL, Sept. 06 (AJP) - A giant red lobster artwork named the "Floating Lobster King" greeted visitors to Seokchon Lake in southern Seoul on Friday to mark the 10th anniversary of Lotte World Mall, an iconic shopping center with a 555-meter (1.820 feet)-tall Lotte Tower. The lobster is the main art piece of "Lobster Wonderland," a public art project by British pop artist Philip Colbert. The project, hosted by Lotte Corp., Korea's confectionery gian

September 6, 2024

PHOTOS: Korea Stage Festa to feature over 140 performances across the nation

SEOUL, Sept. 6 (AJP) - The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism announced plans for the inaugural Korea Stage Festa at a press conference on Friday. The festival is set to run from Oct. 4 to Nov. 10, featuring 140 performances across various venues nationwide, including theater, dance, and classical music events. Minister Yu In-chon expressed hopes that the festival will boost Korea’s performing arts scene and pledged to enhance support for artists and provide marketing assistanc

September 6, 2024

Musinsa hosts beauty festival in Seoul's Seongsu District

SEOUL, Sept. 6 (AJP) - Musinsa, a popular online fashion platform in South Korea, kicked off its first offline beauty event Friday in Seoul's Seongsu district and Seoul Forest area. The three-day Musinsa Beauty Festa In Seongsu showcases 41 rising beauty brands, with about 80 percent being small and medium-sized companies. The main pop-up space, called the Total Zone, is located in the Iron Building near Ttukseom Station, featuring 26 brands covering skincare, makeup and fra

September 6, 2024