Canada's sub project tests viability of 12-vessel fleet SEOUL, June 24 (AJP) - Canada's multibillion-dollar plan to acquire 12 advanced submarines is increasingly becoming a test of workforce capacity as much as military procurement, with the country's marine industry projected to face a shortage of more than 8,000 skilled workers by the end of the decade. The emerging labor crunch is raising questions over how Ottawa will staff two specialized submarine maintenance hubs planned for the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, just as it prepares to cho June 24, 2026

Cart before the horse: Seoul is moving SOX SEOUL, June 24 (AJP) - The cart has come before the horse. Tuesday's 12 percent crash in Korean chip bellwethers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix reverberated across the Pacific, dragging the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) down more than 7 percent and pushing the Nasdaq more than 2 percent lower. It was a reversal of the traditional order in which Wall Street dictated sentiment in Seoul. This time, Seoul exported volatility to New York. The shift reflects how deeply South Korea h June 24, 2026

Central banks recalibrate post-rate messaging SEOUL, June 23 (AJP) - The dot plot, long one of the U.S. Federal Reserve's most influential communication tools, is undergoing a rethink just as South Korea's central bank is embracing it, highlighting a broader dilemma confronting policymakers worldwide: how to guide markets without locking themselves into a path they may later regret. The divergence underscores a new reality for central banks. Inflation, exchange rates and interest-rate expectations have become harder to manage in an June 23, 2026

Sorry isn't enough: When corporate apologies fail to save a brand SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) - "It is a management error, but the entire staff has to pay the price. It's like the whole family being forced to attend an alcohol awareness class after the father gets caught drinking and driving," one Starbucks Korea employee grumbled. More than 2,000 Starbucks Korea stores closed early at 3 p.m. Monday for a crash course in democracy history to make amends for last month's "Tank Day" blunder. The self-imposed remedial measure suspended oper June 22, 2026

World Cup 26: Home magic as Mexico makes knockouts, Canada first win SEOUL, June 19 (AJP) - The second round of group matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup began to sharpen the picture in Groups A and B on Thursday local time, or Friday in Korea. Mexico became the first of the tournament’s 48 teams to secure a place in the knockout stage, while Canada earned the first World Cup win in its history and Switzerland also surged in Group B. South Korea, meanwhile, lost 1-0 to Mexico and pushed their knockout-stage fate to the final group match against South Afric June 19, 2026

World Cup 26: Korea seek win over Mexico to tighten grip on Group A SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - South Korea face Mexico on Friday morning in Korea with a chance to move closer to the Round of 32, though the calculation will first be shaped by the result between Czechia and South Africa. South Korea and Mexico both opened Group A with wins. Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener, while South Korea defeated Czechia 2-1. That left the two sides level on three points, with Mexico ahead on goal difference. The match kicks off at Guadalajara Stadium in Za June 18, 2026

Beyond 'Teach You a Lesson': Why Korean teachers say real life can be more tragic SEOUL, June 17 (AJP) - Netflix's hit K-drama "Teach You a Lesson" may depict elite inspectors restoring order in dysfunctional schools, but teachers in South Korea say the most unsettling aspect of the series is not its violence. It is how accurately it captures their sense of abandonment. The methods may be exaggerated. The stakes, they argue, are not. In fact, real life is often more tragic. Unlike television, there is rarely a dramatic resolution when schools fail. Conflicts June 17, 2026

World Cup 26: Asia holds firm, New Zealand shine, and South America winless SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - Asian teams extended their unbeaten start to this year's FIFA World Cup on Monday, while New Zealand marked its return to the tournament with a spirited draw. South America's wait for a first win continued as Uruguay fell short of victory. Four matches played across the U.S. produced no wins for the traditional favorites. Spain was held to a 0-0 draw by Cape Verde in Atlanta, Georgia, as the World Cup debutants frustrated one of Europe's strongest teams. Cap June 16, 2026

Samsung foundry gains major traction amid AI bottlenecks SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics has reportedly secured a string of AI-related chip projects from Alphabet's Google and Elon Musk's Neuralink by exploiting manufacturing bottlenecks at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), giving fresh momentum to a foundry business that has long struggled to close the gap with its Taiwanese rival. According to sources familiar with the matter, the South Korean tech giant has won several high-profile silicon design projects from Googl June 16, 2026

World Cup 26: Asia stays unbeaten, Africa makes early mark SEOUL, June 15 (AJP) - The opening week of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered an early message: the gap between traditional soccer powers and emerging nations is narrowing. Teams from the Asia-Pacific region remain unbeaten, while several African sides have shown they can challenge higher-ranked opponents, suggesting the tournament may no longer be dominated exclusively by Europe and South America. Japan produced the biggest statement so far, fighting back twice to secure a 2-2 draw against June 15, 2026