French novelist Bernard Werber meets Korean readers at Seoul event

SEOUL, September 1 (AJP) - A book event with French novelist Bernard Werber was held at the French Embassy in central Seoul on Monday. Co-hosted by the online bookseller platform Yes24 Corp. and publisher The Open Books Co., the event brought together dozens of Korean book lovers through a competitive selection. The event was part of Werber’s visit to Seoul to celebrate the Korean publication of his 2023 novel “Le Temps des Chimères” (“The Age o

September 1, 2025

INTERVIEW: Thai envoy speaks about deepening ties on security, economy and culture

SEOUL, August 31 (AJP) - Thailand and South Korea share a long friendship built on history and sacrifice. Ambassador Tanee Sangrat reminded that the foundation of trust goes back to the Korean War, when Thai troops fought alongside South Koreans. "Thailand is an old friend," he said during an interview with AJP on August 28. "Our cooperation began with sacrifice during the Korean War, and it remains the base for everything we can achieve together." Thailand was

August 31, 2025

Seoul brushes off Trump's call for ownership of Pyeongtaek base land

SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - President Donald Trump startled Seoul Tuesday by suggesting the United States should own the land currently occupied by Camp Humphreys, the massive United States military base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, that serves as the largest overseas American installation. During his summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House on August 25, Trump said, "Maybe one of the things I'd like to do is ask them to give us ownership of the

August 27, 2025

President Lee eases Trump's pre-summit doubts after sharp remarks on South Korea

SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - Hours before his first summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, United States President Donald Trump unsettled Seoul on Monday (local time) with blunt social media remarks about the political situation in South Korea. Posting on American social media platform Truth Social about two and a half hours before the meeting in Washington, Trump wrote, "WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? Seems like a Purge or Revolution. We can’t have that and do

August 26, 2025

Lee and Ishiba share hometown dishes at Tokyo dinner while emphasizing cooperation

SEOUL, August 24 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru shared hometown dishes at a dinner in Tokyo on Saturday, shortly after their summit, underscoring a cooperative tone, South Korea's Presidential Office said Sunday. National Security Director Wi Seong-rak said on August 24 that the meal was held in a friendly atmosphere at the prime minister’s residence. The leaders were joined by their spouses. From South Korea, Wi

August 24, 2025

Lee heads to Washington with clear agenda on tariffs, security and nuclear fuel pact talks

SEOUL, August 24 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung left Japan on August 24 after his summit with Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and is now en route to Washington for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday. According to South Korean diplomatic sources on August 23, Seoul and Washington are drafting a joint statement that would say the two sides will begin discussions and technical studies on amending the bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement. The draft tex

August 24, 2025

S. Korea and Japan put hydrogen and AI cooperation at center of first joint statement in 17 years

SEOUL, August 24 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru wrapped up their Tokyo summit on August 23 with a joint statement, the first released by the two neighbors in 17 years. The document commits both governments to closer coordination on security and to new cooperation in future industries, with hydrogen and artificial intelligence singled out as priority fields. The talks at the prime minister's office ran longer than planned

August 24, 2025

Forum marks first year of formalizing South Korea's diplomatic relations with Cuba

Participants pose for a photo at a forum at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul on Aug. 11, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu SEOUL, August 12 (AJP) - Academic scholars, diplomats and other government officials gathered for a forum at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul on Monday. Hosted by the university's Institute of Latin American Studies, the forum was held to celebrate the formalization of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Cuba about a year ago, with participa

August 12, 2025

Tajik teachers attend digital learning program in S. Korea

SEOUL, August 5 (AJP) - A seminar on digital education for teachers from Tajikistan kicked off on Monday in a central South Korean city, as part of growing educational cooperation between South Korea and Tajikistan. The two-week program, hosted by the Office of Education in Sejong city, South Korea’s administrative capital, brings together 30 Tajik teachers to explore Korea’s experience with digital tools in classrooms, teacher training, and online learning platform

August 5, 2025

Peru celebrates independence in Seoul, spotlighting shared values with S. Korea

SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) – Peru marked the 203rd anniversary of its independence on Monday with a diplomatic reception in central Seoul. Hosted by the Peruvian Embassy at the Four Seasons Hotel, the event brought together a diverse crowd of diplomats, academics, business leaders, and media representatives. Peru and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1963. Over the past six decades, the two countries have steadily expanded cooperation across trade, investment, educ

July 30, 2025