Journalist

Lim Jaeho, Lee Yongjae
  • Ex-president declines to comment at first public court appearance
    Ex-president declines to comment at first public court appearance SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - Disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday appeared for a trial over charges of insurrection and abuse of power over his botched martial law debacle late last year. During his previous two court appearances last month, Yoon managed to avoid public attention by being whisked into the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul through a secluded passageway from the underground parking lot. Amid controversy over alleged preferential treatment of the impeached president due to his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law, the court denied such an entry this time, so Yoon was seen as he arrived at the court around 9:55 a.m. When asked by reporters with a barrage of questions, he declined to comment and immediately entered the court without saying a word. But Yoon posted a message on Facebook the previous day, urging support for Kim Moon-soo, the presidential nominee of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), who had suddenly gained prominence from fervent conservatives after siding with Yoon and refusing to apologize for the debacle at the National Assembly, which eventually led to his nomination after years of being out of the spotlight. Meanwhile, two high-ranking military officers have also been summoned to testify as witnesses at the trial. 2025-05-12 14:31:31
  • South Korea posts current account surplus for 23rd straight month
    South Korea posts current account surplus for 23rd straight month SEOUL, May 9 (AJP) - South Korea continued its current account surplus streak for the 23rd straight month, the Bank of Korea (BOK) said on Friday. According to preliminary data compiled by the central bank, the surplus reached around US$9.14 billion in March, up $2 billion from the previous month. Exports of goods rose slightly from a year earlier to around $59.31 billion, backed by a recovery in shipments of semiconductors and computer-related devices. Imports also went up more than two percent to $50.82 billion. The service account, which includes tourism and shipping, remained in the red but narrowed its deficit to $2.21 billion, down from $3.21 billion the previous month, as the spring travel season began. By country, exports saw a surplus with Southeast Asian nations and Europe, but posted a shortfall with China. Meanwhile, the BOK raised its gloomy outlook, suggesting that its projection of $75 billion for this year's current account surplus is likely to be revised downward due to the effects of U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff policy. 2025-05-09 17:59:46