Wednesday, Jun 03, 2026
AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY
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  • South Korea makes final all-out push for Canada's submarine bid SEOUL, June 2 (AJP) - South Korea is stepping up efforts to win Canada's next-generation submarine procurement project, as Ottawa is expected to select its preferred bidder by the end of June for a deal estimated to be worth US$40 billion.
    South Korea makes final all-out push for Canadas submarine bid
  • Key battlegrounds in spotlight as South Koreans prepare to go to polls SEOUL, June 2 (AJP) - South Koreans will go to the polls nationwide on Wednesday for this year's local elections to choose more than 4,200 officials including metropolitan mayors, provincial governors, local government heads and education superintendents, as well as fill other vacancies. Polling stations across the country will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Key battlegrounds in spotlight as South Koreans prepare to go to polls
  • WNMC 26: Publishers bet on loyalty as Google reign fades MARSEILLE, June 2 (AJP) - If there was one subject dominating side-stage conversations at the World News Media Congress, it was the future of discovery. Across sessions on search, advertising, content management and audience development, publishers and technology providers wrestled with the same question: what happens if Google can no longer deliver the traffic publishers have relied on for two decades?
    WNMC 26: Publishers bet on loyalty as Google reign fades
  • UPDATE: Korea-Africa Business Forum highlights growing strategic partnership
    UPDATE: Korea-Africa Business Forum highlights growing strategic partnership SEOUL, June 02 (AJP) -South Korea hosted a large-scale business forum with African countries on the sidelines of a summit conference at a time global commodity market is being reshaped from the prolonged conflicts in the Gulf. The 2026 Korea-Africa Business Forum was held Tuesday at Lotte Hotel Seoul in central Seoul, bringing together about 300 government officials, diplomats and business leaders.
  • K-BBQ draws fresh attention as Jensen Huangs Seoul dinner plan puts samgyeopsal in spotlight
    K-BBQ draws fresh attention as Jensen Huang's Seoul dinner plan puts samgyeopsal in spotlight SEOUL, June 02 (AJP) - Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s reported plan to visit a Samgyeopsal (pork belly) restaurant, a staple of Korean barbecue (K-BBQ), during his upcoming trip to Seoul has turned a casual dinner itinerary into a cultural talking point, putting the charcoal-grilled pork menu back in the spotlight as one of South Korea's most visible dining experiences for foreign visitors.
  • UPDATE: Koreas May inflation hits 26-mo high, hastening hike agenda
    UPDATE: Korea's May inflation hits 26-mo high, hastening hike agenda Gas prices are displayed at a gas station in Seoul on March 27, 2026, after the second petroleum price cap was implemented. Yonhap. *Updated with additional information and market response. SEOUL, June 02 (AJP) - South Korea's inflation accelerated by the fastest pace in 26 months to run above 3 percent in May as energy shocks from prolonged Gulf conflicts pushed up prices from fueling to service c
  • Songzio and Heliot Emil reunite for falconry-inspired collection
    Songzio and Heliot Emil reunite for falconry-inspired collection SEOUL, June 02 (AJP) - South Korean designer label Songzio, whose designs recently took center stage during BTS's "ARIRANG" comeback performance in March, has collaborated once again with Copenhagen-based fashion brand Heliot Emil on a new collection inspired by falconry.
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ASIA DEEP INSIGHT: US Defense Chief speech in Singapore brings tough choices for Seoul The world is changing fast, and the recent defense meeting in Singapore proved it. United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke at the Shangri-La Dialogue, and his words carry a heavy message. For South Korea, sitting right between major global powers, his speech is a loud wake up call. The days of relying on a system where America promises to protect everyone without asking for much in return are officially over. Washington wants friends to pay more and do much more on their own. This new by Park Sae-jin
ASIA DEEP INSIGHT: US Defense Chief speech in Singapore brings tough choices for Seoul
Expanded World Cup brings new chances for Asia as South Korea looks beyond 11th straight berth Expanded World Cup brings new chances for Asia as South Korea looks beyond 11th straight berth SEOUL, June 1 (AJP) - This year's World Cup, now just over a week away, will be remembered as special for several reasons. It will be the first hosted by three countries in the quadrennial football extravaganza's history, spread across vast distances in North America and, most notably, the first to expand from 32 to 48 teams. For Asia, the number itself matters almost as much as the tournament. What once felt like a narrow gate to the sport's grandest stage has widened significantly

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How shaved ice tells different stories across East Asia SEOUL, June 1 (AJP) - Shaved ice is a summer staple across Asia, but the same dessert has taken sharply different paths in South Korea, Japan and China. In South Korea, bingsu has become a luxury item, a social media prop and a marker of changing consumer habits. This summer, Four Seasons Hotel Seoul is selling its Jeju apple mango bingsu for 149,000 won, the highest price among major Seoul hotels. The Shilla Seoul charges 130,000 won for its signature apple mango bingsu at its lounge bar The L
How shaved ice tells different stories across East Asia
Early voting for local elections hits record high, but final turnout remains to be seen Early voting for local elections hits record high, but final turnout remains to be seen SEOUL, June 1 (AJP) - Early voting for South Korea's June 3 local elections wrapped up with a record-high turnout, fueling speculation that final turnout could surpass a previous record of 60.2 percent seen in the 2018 local elections, the highest level in nearly three decades. The National Election Commission (NEC) on Sunday said 10.49 million of the country's 44.64 million eligible voters cast ballots during the two-day early voting period held Friday and Saturday, for a turnout rate

Industry>

South Korea makes final all-out push for Canadas submarine bid South Korea makes final all-out push for Canada's submarine bid

Market>

KOSPI ekes out gains as rally extends beyond tech giants KOSPI ekes out gains as rally extends beyond tech giants

North Korea>

North Korea snubs Quads call for denuclearization North Korea snubs Quad's call for denuclearization

Opinion>

OPINION: The Strait of Hormuz OPINION: The Strait of Hormuz

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Technology>

Naver Cloud, Nvidia expand alliance to build global AI factories Naver Cloud, Nvidia expand alliance to build global AI factories

National>

Update: Five killed in South Koreas Hanwha Aerospace factory explosion Update: Five killed in South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace factory explosion

Lifestyle>

Songzio and Heliot Emil reunite for falconry-inspired collection Songzio and Heliot Emil reunite for falconry-inspired collection

World>

Future warfare makes diplomacy harder, but more vital, experts say Future warfare makes diplomacy harder, but more vital, experts say
Entertainment New boy band to hold debut showcase in Tokyo later this month SEOUL, June 2 (AJP) - A new boy band will make a debut, Starship Entertainment said on Tuesday. In partnership with Japanese entertainment agency Amuse, the seven-member rookie band, dubbed AEN, will consist of four Korean and three Japanese members: Bomin, Haru, Haruto, Jiyong, Junseo, Kaira, and Kyuhyun. Their name stands for "a new era of now" and also carries the meaning of "eternity" in Japanese. Six members excluding Haruto, previously appeared on Sta
New boy band to hold debut showcase in Tokyo later this month