Journalist

김주헌
John Pritchard
  • North Korea condemns Australias nuclear submarine deal with US
    North Korea condemns Australia's nuclear submarine deal with US The leaders of Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. attend a ceremony for the security pact between the three countries, known as AUKUS, at a naval base in San Diego, in this file photo from March 2023. Reuters-Yonhap SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - North Korea has criticized Australia's plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines from Washington through its trilateral security pact with the U.S. and U.K. In a commentary on Thursday, the official Korean Central News Agency condemned Australia's plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines under the pact, known as AUKUS, warning that Washington's nuclear strategy "will not be effective" in the Asia-Pacific region. The North's abrupt condemnation came after Australia's first payment of US$500 million to the U.S. to procure Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines earlier this month. The commentary, also published in the state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun, slammed that Washington should reconsider "the consequences of its military adventurism," calling it a "dangerous attempt" that would threaten security in the Asia-Pacific region. Australia formed the partnership in September 2021 to acquire nuclear-powered submarines after scrapping a similar deal with France. During his visit to Paris in July 2022, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed to pay French shipbuilder Naval Group, which is partly owned by the French government, 555 million euros (US$57.3 million) in compensation. 2025-02-20 11:33:27
  • Actress Kim Sae-ron laid to rest
    Actress Kim Sae-ron laid to rest SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - Actress Kim Sae-ron was buried in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on Wednesday. The 24-year-old, best known for her role in the 2010 hit action thriller "The Man from Nowhere," shocked the nation when she was found dead of apparent suicide at her home in Seongsu-dong, eastern Seoul last Sunday. Police said there is no suspicion of foul play, although no suicide note was found. Earlier in the morning, the young actress' private funeral was held at Asan Medical Center in Seoul, with family members and close friends, including actress Kim Bo-ra and AB6IX member Park Woo-jin, in attendance. Also among those who paid their respects at her wake were Won Bin, who co-starred in "The Man from Nowhere," as well as sibling duo Akdong Musician, also known as AKMU and TV personality Jang Sung-kyu. After debuting as a model for the cover of Enfant magazine in 2002, she began her acting career in 2009 with "A Brand New Life." Kim gained prominence as a child actress in 2010 after starring alongside actor Won Bin in "The Man from Nowhere." She shot to fame with the explosive success of "The Man from Nowhere" and went on to appear in "The Neighbors," "Manhole," and "A Girl at My Door" as well as in TV soaps like "Fashion King" and "The Queen's Classroom." She later took on lead roles in cable channel JTBC's period drama "Mirror of the Witch" and video-streaming platform Kakao TV's mystery series "The Great Shaman Ga Doo-shim." Once seen as one of the most promising starlets, Kim's career came to an abrupt halt in 2022 when she was caught driving under the influence and slapped with a fine of 20 million won ($13,891). The incident coincided just ahead of the release of Netflix's hit series "Bloodhounds," resulting in most of her scenes being cut. Kim, who complained of struggling with financial difficulties after being repeatedly denied roles amid persistent criticism, attempted a screen comeback in April last year but unexpectedly had to withdraw due to dubious health reasons. Kim's sudden death has reignited discussions about malicious rumors and comments online against stars and other celebrities. Several stars including young singers like Sulli, a member of K-pop girl group f(X), and Goo Hara, a former member of Kara, tragically ended their lives after enduring unbearable levels of stress due to online rumors and indiscreet comments. "We plan to come up with various forms of support including taking legal actions," said Kwon Yeong-chan, who runs an association for workers in the entertainment industry to prevent suicides. 2025-02-19 16:03:39
  • Travel agencies in China to resume tours to North Korea
    Travel agencies in China to resume tours to North Korea SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - Travel agencies in China have begun selling group tours to North Korea this month. If realized, it would mark the first such trips in five years, though it remains to be seen whether the isolated country will fully reopen its borders. Zhixing Heyi, a Beijing-based travel agency, is currently offering a three-night, four-day tour to Rason, North Korea's easternmost border region, departing on Feb. 24. The agency said it had received an official notice from North Korea's tourism authority stating that the country will "soon begin welcoming overseas travelers" starting with Rason as part of a pilot tour program. "Travelers can sign up for the tour, but spots are limited to about 10," said a staffer from the agency. The packaged group tour, led by a Chinese-speaking guide, includes transportation, accommodations at a three-star hotel, meals, and other processing fees for visas and insurance. According to the agency, tourists will gather in the border town of Hunchun on Feb. 24 before crossing into North Korea via a bridge over the Yalu or Amnok River. After about an hour of customs clearance, they will take a bus for another hour to reach Rajin, a city in the Rason Special Economic Zone. The itinerary includes a taekwondo demonstration, visits to a foreign-language bookstore, the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia greenhouse, a facility dedicated to cultivating flowers, an art museum, and the Rason Schoolchildren's Palace, as well as tours of food processing factories, a rock island and a duck farm. Other China-based agencies, such as Koryo Tours and Young Pioneer Tours, are also accepting bookings for travel programs to North Korea. After shutting its borders in January 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, North Korea has recently begun allowing limited tourism, starting with visitors from Russia. 2025-02-19 13:53:36
  • Actor Yoo Ah-in released with suspended sentence for habitual drug use by appellate court
    Actor Yoo Ah-in released with suspended sentence for habitual drug use by appellate court SEOUL, February 18 (AJP) - Actor Yoo Ah-in was released on Tuesday after an appellate court handed down a suspended sentence for habitual drug use. The 39-year-old had been sentenced to one year in prison at his first trial and had been detained. The Seoul High Court sentenced Yoo to one year in prison on Tuesday, with a two-year suspension, along with a fine of two million won ($1,385). The court explained that the severity of the sentence in the first trial was excessive and unjust, considering all the circumstances related to the charges. The court also sentenced a 34-year-old man, surnamed Choi, who was charged with smoking marijuana with Yoo, to an 8-month prison term with a two-year suspension, upholding the initial ruling. Yoo was charged with the habitual use of propofol and other substances at hospitals in Seoul between September 2020 and March 2022, citing cosmetic procedures as the reason, with a total of 181 instances. Meanwhile, "The Match," co-starring Yoo and Lee Byung-hun, is scheduled for release at the end of next month. The film revolves around two professionals playing Go, known as "baduk" in Korean. Yoo has appeared in several hit films including "Veteran" (2015), where he gained widespread popularity for ironically portraying a drug-addicted wealthy heir. The same year, he also starred in director Lee Joon-ik’s historical film "The Throne," playing an ill-fated royal prince who was starved to death by his father, King Yeongjo (1694–1776). 2025-02-18 17:41:31
  • South Korean firms showcase cutting-edge military solutions at defense expo in Abu Dhabi
    South Korean firms showcase cutting-edge military solutions at defense expo in Abu Dhabi SEOUL, February 18 (AJP) - South Korean firms are showcasing their advanced solutions at the largest defense exhibition in the Middle East, which kicked off in Abu Dhabi earlier this week. The week-long event, IDEX 2025, which kicked off on Monday, features 1,350 defense firms from 65 countries, bringing together more than 130,000 defense officials. Hyundai Rotem is showcasing a K2 tank variant tailored for the desert climate and terrain of the Middle East. Equipped with a fully South Korean-made power pack, the tank is capable of withstanding extreme heat. It also features an enhanced cooling system and an Active Protection System (APS) that detects and intercepts incoming anti-tank missiles in real time. Hancom Lifecare, a defense and safety equipment subsidiary of Hancom, participated in the exhibition. The K3 and K10 gas masks were primarily showcased to target the UAE military, while the K11 gas mask was introduced to cater to the needs of law enforcement officials and police agencies. Hancom Lifecare will also promote general gas masks and CBRN-compatible fire evacuation masks targeting government agencies. The South Korean firm aims to solidify its presence in the Middle Eastern market through joint marketing efforts with UAE's defense conglomerate EDGE Group. Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems are showcasing their key products and technologies related to domestically developed, integrated multi-layered air defense solutions such as the K9 self-propelled howitzer, one of South Korea's best-selling weapons. Kia presented three vehicles suitable for military tactics: the KMTV, a medium-sized truck, and the KLTV, a small tactical vehicle. The KMTV is designed to replace the South Korean Army's 2.5-ton and 5-ton vehicles and will be supplied starting in June. The KLTV is a two-seater cargo vehicle with capabilities for extreme conditions like crossing rivers and starting in temperatures as low as minus 32 degrees Celsius. South Korean entrepreneurs including Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan of Hanwha Group, Chairman Koo Bon-sang of LIG Nex1, and CEO Kang Goo-young of Korea Aerospace Industries, are also attending the event to seek business expansion. 2025-02-18 15:37:43