Journalist
Park Hee-won
heewonb@ajunews.com
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Ex-spy chief arrested over alleged involvement in martial law debacle SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Cho Tae-yong, a former head of South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS), was arrested on charges of allegedly being involved in disgraced ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle last year. The Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for him, citing concerns he could destroy or tamper with evidence. Cho is accused of failing to notify the National Assembly of Yoon's plan to declare martial law, despite being aware of it. Cho faces perjury charges for testifying to the National Assembly and Constitutional Court that he had not seen related documents before the Dec. 3 debacle. But CCTV footage from an emergency meeting with key officials at the presidential office that day showed him pocketing what appeared to be documents related to the debacle. Earlier arrest warrants for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae were denied, but Cho's arrest is expected to give independent investigators probing Yoon's case new momentum. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-12 10:58:34 -
Two rescued, at least seven missing after structure collapse at power plant in Ulsan SEOUL, November 6 (AJP) - A large structure collapsed at a thermal power plant in the southeastern city of Ulsan on Thursday, trapping believed to be seven people under the debris, authorities said. The incident occurred at around 2 p.m. at the state-run utility company Korea East-West Power. According to firefighters, two individuals were rescued shortly after the collapse, while search efforts continue for the remaining victims. Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse and assessing the extent of the damage. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-06 15:45:01 -
South Korean barbecue chain Myeongryun Jinsagalbi expands across Southeast Asia SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - South Korea’s leading charcoal-grilled rib franchise, Myeongryun Jinsagalbi, said Tuesday it has established a local subsidiary in the Philippines, betting on Southeast Asia to turn “K-barbecue” into a global brand. Through a master franchise agreement, it opened eight restaurants there as of October 2025, including one directly operated outlet. The move reflects a deeper commitment to managing brand quality and adapting to local tastes. On Oct. 16, the first directly operated restaurant opened in the Philippines, marking what the company described as a key milestone in its overseas expansion. In Thailand, Myeongryun Jinsagalbi currently operates six outlets under a master franchise agreement, with two more under construction. The company is also negotiating a joint venture with a major Thai retailer, with final terms expected by the end of October. In Malaysia, the company’s first location inside Kuala Lumpur’s 1Mont Kiara Mall has established a strong foothold, leading to plans to expand into premium residential neighborhoods. The brand has also entered Vietnam, China, Laos, and Indonesia, cementing its position as one of the fastest-growing Korean dining chains in Asia. Myeongryun Jinsagalbi’s strategy centers on local adaptation without sacrificing Korean authenticity. In Thailand, for instance, the company has introduced spicy sauces and localized desserts to appeal to younger diners, while in the Philippines, spacious layouts and self-service bars have made the brand a popular destination for families. Founded in 2017 with its first outlet in Yongin, south of Seoul, Myeongryun Jinsagolbi has expanded rapidly to more than 550 domestic locations. The company plans to open 100 stores across 10 Southeast Asian countries by 2026, with longer-term ambitions to enter the Americas and the Middle East. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-28 10:11:37