Propaganda leaflets floated to North Korea months before martial law fiasco, Defense Ministry reveals SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - South Korea floated propaganda leaflets into North Korea at least 23 times under the former Yoon Suk Yeol administration, the Ministry of Defense said Wednesday. According to the ministry's recent internal investigation, the leaflet drops, halted in July 2017 under Yoon's predecessor, resumed from February to November last year after a decision was made at a security meeting in October 2023, attended by then-Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, then-Unification Minister Kim Young-ho, and then-National Intelligence Service Director Kim Kyu-hyun. Specific reasons for the resumption remain undisclosed, as the meeting records are classified as presidential documents. Whether it was a calculated move to provoke the North or not, leaflets targeting around 35 locations in North Korea including Pyongyang and Wonsan, were floated for about a year just before Yoon's botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law. In response, North Korea launched its bizarre campaign of seeing trash-filled balloons toward the South about 32 times from May to November last year. The latest revelation comes after independent prosecutors wrapped up their investigation earlier this week, concluding that Yoon prepared for his martial law fiasco as early as October 2023, more than a year before. 2025-12-17 16:05:26

South Korea deploys new tactical missiles capable of countering North Korean long-range artillery SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - South Korea's new tactical surface-to-surface missiles have been deployed and are combat-ready, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said on Tuesday. The missiles, known as KTSSM, are a crucial part of the country's defense strategy designed to precisely counter North Korean artillery and strike command facilities including underground bunkers in the event of conflict. A ceremony marking the deployment was held at a military command in Wonju, Gangwon Province, with officials from DAPA and the Joint Chiefs of Staff in attendance. Also called "Thunder" or "artillery killer," the homegrown precision-guided missiles are capable of destroying an enemy's long-range artillery positions. DAPA also announced plans to complete the development of an improved version with enhanced range and penetration capabilities by 2027. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 17:13:20

Tiffany and Byun Yo-han make latest K-pop superstar couple SEOUL, December 13 (AJP) - Korean-American singer-actress Tiffany Young may become the first member of 18-year-old K-pop girl group, to get married after actor Byun Yo-han confirmed the two were dating with marriage in mind. Byun’s agency, Team Hope, said Monday that “the two actors are currently dating with marriage in mind.” While no wedding date has been finalized, the agency added that the couple wishes to share the news with fans first once plans are decided. “We ask for your warm support and blessings for their future together,” the agency said. The confirmation follows earlier media reports suggesting the couple may be planning a wedding as early as next year. Team Hope clarified that there is no fixed schedule at this stage. The two are believed to have grown close while working together on Disney+’s Korean original series Uncle Samsik, which was released last year. Their professional collaboration reportedly developed into a private romantic relationship. Byun, born in 1986, made his acting debut in 2011 and has since established himself as one of Korea’s most respected character actors. His notable works include the hit drama Misaeng (2014), the historical series Mr. Sunshine (2018), and films such as The Book of Fish (2021), Voice (2021), and Hansan: Rising Dragon. Tiffany Young, born in 1989, debuted in 2007 as a member of Girls’ Generation, one of K-pop’s most influential girl groups. After ending her contract with SM Entertainment in 2017, she expanded her career into acting, appearing in dramas such as Reborn Rich (2022) and Uncle Samsik (2024), while also earning acclaim in musical theater, including her role in Chicago. If the marriage goes ahead, Tiffany would become the first member of Girls’ Generation to marry, marking a significant milestone for the group, which has had no married members throughout its 18-year history. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-13 12:01:49

South Korea lodges protests against China, Russia over aircraft incursions SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - The Ministry of National Defense on Wednesday lodged a strong protest with China and Russia after their military aircraft buzzed South Korea's air defense identification zone (KADIZ) the previous day. The ministry said it protested through a phone call to the defense attachés of China and Russia and vowed, "We will actively respond to any flybys in KADIZ in line with international law." The protest comes just a day after two Chinese and seven Russian aircraft entered the KADIZ at around 10 a.m. the previous day and left about an hour later. They were bombers and fighter jets involved in the two big powers' regular military maneuvers in the region. The air defense identification zone does not constitute territorial airspace but is established in order to identify air traffic. It is common protocol for aircraft to obtain prior permission before entering another country's air defense identification zone. But Russia does not recognize South Korea's KADIZ, citing a lack of international legal basis. The KADIZ over the submerged shelf of Ieodo overlaps with the airspaces of both South Korea and China. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-10 15:19:43

North Korea launches multiple artillery shells into West Sea SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Wednesday that North Korea fired about a dozen projectiles into the West Sea the previous day. "We detected around 10 artillery shells launched toward the West Sea at around 3 p.m. the previous day. The launch is presumed to be part of Pyongyang's regular artillery exercises," the JCS said, adding that it is conducting a thorough analysis of the launch. The launch comes as North Korea continues its winter military training, which typically begins in December. The North also fired a similar barrage of more than 10 artillery rounds early last month into the West Sea, which are believed to have sufficient range to hit targets in Seoul and nearby areas. "We are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to respond to any provocation," a JCS official said. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-10 09:55:32

Remains of 25 Korean War soldiers recovered in DMZ SEOUL, December 1 (AJP) - Some 25 remains and 1,962 belongings from the Korean War (1950-193) were recovered in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the Ministry of Defense said on Monday. According to the ministry, the monthlong excavation, conducted by over 100 South Korean and UN troops from mid-October to late November, recovered the remains, many of which are believed to be South Korean soldiers, with precise identification pending further analysis and DNA testing. The project was resumed in October as part of efforts to ease military tensions between the two Koreas under the 2018 inter-Korean military pact, but North Korea has not participated, leaving South Korea to carry out the work alone. Previously, South Korea recovered 424 remains between April 2019 and June 2021, and an additional 67 remains between September 2021 and November 2022. The ministry said, "This effort aims to return the fallen heroes of the war to their families and fulfill the government's commitment to peace in the DMZ." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-01 14:05:45

US envoy urges allies to address 'common challenges' in Indo-Pacific SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - Acting U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Kevin Kim on Friday stressed the importance of addressing shared challenges on the Korean Peninsula as well as in the Indo-Pacific region. "First and foremost, addressing the common challenges on the Korean Peninsula, as well as the Indo-Pacific region, first starts with having a shared assessment of the threats that we face," Kim said at a forum in Seoul. "Ultimately what matters is that we strengthen deterrence on the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region," he added. Describing South Korea as a "model ally," Kim highlighted the strong bilateral alliance, citing a recently signed joint fact sheet covering a wide range of cooperation in defense, economy, and trade, as well as a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific region. Calling U.S. President Donald Trump a "peacemaker," Kim said Trump has pursued approaches to engaging with North Korea and that no option should be ruled out. The comments suggest Trump could enlist Chinese President Xi Jinping's support in facilitating dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his planned visit to Beijing in April next year. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-28 16:08:47

Defense Ministry forms task force to investigate those involved in martial law debacle SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - A task force has been formed to investigate any illegal activities by military personnel and officials during disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle late last year, the Ministry of Defense said on Friday. Minister Ahn Kyu-back will lead the task force consisting of some 50 members from various military branches and civilian advisers, in coordination with a separate task force headed by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok to conduct relevant investigations. "The task force will review all internal and externally-obtained data including those currently under investigation by independent prosecutors, and also accept tipoffs," the ministry said. Since August, the ministry has been conducting an internal audit to identify those involved in the Dec. 3 declaration of martial law. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-21 14:31:42

North Korean leader attends ceremony for new hydropower plant SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended a ceremony marking the completion of a hydropower plant in Kangwon Province, state media reported on Friday. According to the state-run Rodong Sinmun, Kim visited the plant the previous day, the sixth to be built in the region amid the country's chronic electricity shortage. In his speech, Kim described the plant's completion as a significant achievement, praising the collaboration between the military and civilians in its construction and calling it a "fortress of socialist belief." The visit came just a few days after Kim attended the grand opening of a hospital near Pyongyang earlier in the week. These visits appear to be part of efforts to boast his key projects aimed at boosting the local economy ahead of the country's Party Congress, slated for early next year. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-21 11:07:37

South Korea's first submarine sets sail on final voyage SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - South Korea's first submarine Jang Bogo embarked on its final voyage on Wednesday, ahead of its retirement later this year. The 1,200-ton vessel, named after a legendary captain and maritime trader from the ancient kingdom of Silla, will retire at the end of this year, concluding its 34-year mission to protect the country's maritime sovereignty. The submarine set off from a naval base in Jinhae for the two-hour farewell cruise with its first captain Ahn Byung-gu, and other crew members on board, returning to the base to the salute of whistles from fellow submarines. Built in Germany in 1988 and officially commissioned in 1993, the submarine has sailed over 342,000 miles during its service. The vessel participated in major international maritime exercises including the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) and Silent Shark, a biennial drill conducted by South Korea and the U.S. Since last year, the submarine has been used primarily for training crew members. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-19 14:59:32