Journalist

Kim Hee-su
  • Reunited BTS members gear up for new album ahead of return next spring
    Reunited BTS members gear up for new album ahead of return next spring SEOUL, July 2 (AJP) - K-pop boy band BTS will resume group activities next spring with the release of a new album, as all seven members recently reunited after completing their mandatory military service. During a live-streamed event on their platform on Tuesday, the first since their reunion last month, they shared their upcoming plans with fans. "We'll soon start working on the album," said leader RM. "We plan to release it by spring, definitely before summer." He added, "We'll then embark on a world tour to promote the album." The album, expected to be produced in the U.S., will be the band's first release since "Proof," which came out in June 2022. Since their debut in June 2013, BTS have topped the Billboard 200 albums chart six times and achieved six No. 1 hits on the Hot 100 singles chart. 2025-07-02 16:47:54
  • FBI on hunt for disguised North Korean IT workers in crypto theft scheme
    FBI on hunt for disguised North Korean IT workers in crypto theft scheme SEOUL, July 2 (AJP) - U.S. federal investigators have been searching for four North Koreans allegedly involved in an IT scheme to steal cryptocurrency from blockchain firms and launder the illicit proceeds of their thefts. According to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), they were placed on a wanted list on Tuesday with a reward of up to US$5 million for information leading to their capture. "Kim Kwang Jin, Kang Tae Bok, Jong Pong Ju, and Chang Nam Il are wanted for their alleged involvement with a scheme to steal virtual currency from two companies, valued at over $900,000 at the time of the theft, and to launder the proceeds of those thefts in 2022," it said, adding that they "speak English and Korean and have ties to the United Arab Emirates and Laos." The U.S. Department of Justice also indicted them the previous day, accusing them of using "fake and stolen personal identities to conceal their North Korean nationality, pose as remote IT workers, and exploit their victims' trust to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars." Such schemes "target and steal from U.S. companies and are designed to evade sanctions and fund the North Korean regime's illicit programs, including its weapons programs," it added. North Korea-linked hackers are believed to have stolen more than $1.34 billion in cryptocurrency through dozens of separate scams last year alone, according to a report by U.S.-based blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis. 2025-07-02 14:25:57
  • Prosecution chief steps down citing concerns over prosecutorial reform
    Prosecution chief steps down citing concerns over prosecutorial reform SEOUL, July 1 (AJP) - Prosecutor-General Shim Woo-jung tendered his resignation on Tuesday, citing concerns over prosecutorial reform, one of the major priorities expected to be pursued by the new administration. In a brief written statement, Shim said the reform, which would involve a major overhaul of the prosecution, should be implemented through thorough discussions among scholars, experts, and other professionals, as it is directly related to the "fundamental rights of all citizens." Shim, who served about nine months of his two-year term, also warned, "If implemented with a set deadline along with a fixed conclusion, that could lead to many unexpected side effects." He then added that he felt it was the right time to leave his post, citing "various circumstances." His resignation comes shortly after President Lee Jae-myung named his close aide and five-term lawmaker Jung Sung-ho as the new justice minister earlier in the week, who is expected to spearhead the reform. Amid long-held criticism over the prosecution exercising excessive powers, the Lee administration has vowed to implement sweeping prosecutorial reform by separating investigations from indictments. Shim will officially step down at a ceremony scheduled for Wednesday. 2025-07-01 17:32:26
  • Squid Game finale maintains top spot among TV shows on Netflix
    'Squid Game' finale maintains top spot among TV shows on Netflix SEOUL, July 1 (AJP) - The third and final season of Netflix's South Korean series "Squid Game" has remained the most-streamed show, since its release last Friday. The much-anticipated season of the dystopian thriller ranked No. 1 among TV shows in 93 countries worldwide as of Tuesday and maintained the top spot for three consecutive days, according to FlixPatrol, which tracks global streaming rankings. The six-episode finale continues the deadly, high-stakes saga that began with its first season in September 2021, once again revolving around hundreds of cash-strapped players who "accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games" for a tempting prize. Despite some criticism over its repetitive formula, the megahit series continues to draw attention from many viewers. As part of efforts to create buzz for the show, a couple of promotional events — including a parade and a fan meet — were held in central Seoul last weekend, drawing a horde of people. In particular, the parade in Gwanghwamun was live-streamed on YouTube, garnering about 4.4 million views in less than two hours. Meanwhile, also among the top ten on the global chart was rom-com "Our Unwritten Seoul" starring Park Bo-young. 2025-07-01 16:17:29
  • Lee to hold press conference to mark 30 days in office
    Lee to hold press conference to mark 30 days in office SEOUL, June 30 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung will hold his first press conference later this week to mark his first full month in office, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said on Monday. The conference, slated to take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, will allow Lee to outline his key policies while discussing a wide range of issues in a town-hall setting which includes an interactive Q&A session with journalists. Meanwhile, according to a recent survey of over 2,500 voters by pollster Realmeter released earlier in the day, Lee's approval rating stood at nearly 60 percent last week, less than a month into his presidency. The figure rose about 0.4 percentage points from 59.3 percent the previous week, as he appears to still be enjoying a blissful honeymoon period since his inauguration on June 4. Realmeter attributed the robust rating to a series of livelihood-related measures including cash vouchers to boost private consumption and revive the struggling economy, along with stringent restrictions on household loans aimed at curbing real estate speculation. 2025-06-30 17:55:12
  • Lee holds phone talks with Singapore PM
    Lee holds phone talks with Singapore PM SEOUL, June 30 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung talked with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong over the phone, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said on Monday. In their first phone conversation since Lee took office early this month, the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues to strengthen bilateral cooperation across various fields. According to Kang, Wong congratulated Lee on his election and expressed hope for closer ties, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The two leaders also agreed to "establish a strategic partnership" in key areas including artificial intelligence (AI), while promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Lee invited Wong to attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, scheduled to take place in the historic southern city of Gyeongju in late October, with Wong expressing confidence in South Korea's successful hosting of the event. 2025-06-30 17:13:33
  • Seasons first heat wave advisory issued in Seoul
    Season's first heat wave advisory issued in Seoul SEOUL, June 30 (AJP) - This summer's first heat wave advisory was issued for Seoul as daytime highs soared to over 30 degrees Celsius on Monday. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued the advisory for the capital at noon, about 11 days later than last year. Such an advisory is issued when daytime highs soared over 33 degrees Celsius and are expected to persist for two days or longer. According to the KMA, the advisory came after the capital sweltered through its first tropical night, when the mercury did not drop below 25 degrees at night. Similar heat advisories were also issued for most parts of the country including neighboring Gyeonggi Province, Gangwon Province, and southern provinces, as sizzling heat gripped the nation, with daytime highs soaring between 27 and 35 degrees. "The scorching heat along with lingering humidity is expected to persist for a while, although sporadic showers will temporarily abate a little in some areas," the KMA warned. 2025-06-30 15:56:22
  • South Korean pair claims maiden LPGA victory at Dow Championship in Michigan
    South Korean pair claims maiden LPGA victory at Dow Championship in Michigan SEOUL, June 30 (AJP) - Golfers Im Jin-hee and Lee So-mi secured their maiden LPGA title by winning the Dow Championship in the U.S. on Sunday. In the fourth and final round of the championship in Midland, Michigan, the South Korean pair finished at 20-under 260, leading to a playoff in which they birdied the first hole to beat the American team of Megan Khang and Lexi Thompson. Another South Korean team, Park Sung-hyun and Yoon Ina, tied for fourth at 11-under. With Sunday's victory, Im and Lee, both in their second year on the LPGA Tour, became the first South Koreans to win the championship, which was first held in 2019 as a unique four-day tournament where players team up in pairs to compete with varied formats. Their feat also brought South Korea's tally of LPGA victories this season to four, after Kim A-lim, who captured the season opener by winning the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Florida in February; Kim Hyo-joo, who won the Ford Championship in Arizona in April; and Ryu Hae-ran, who claimed the Black Desert Championship in Utah the following month. Im and Lee each took home a winning purse of $399,510. 2025-06-30 11:19:10
  • Lee pledges proper compensation for sacrifices of war veterans and other victims
    Lee pledges proper compensation for sacrifices of war veterans and other victims SEOUL, June 27 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung invited some 160 war veterans, decorated individuals, heroes and other guests to a luncheon at Cheong Wa Dae on Friday. Among the attendees were the surviving families of those who lost their lives in a 2002 naval skirmish in the West Sea, as well as victims of North Korea's sinking of the Navy corvette Cheonan in March 2010 and its shelling of Yeonpyeong Island several months later. During the luncheon which was held in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950–53 Korean War, Lee expressed his gratitude for their dedication and sacrifices in defense of the country, which have enabled ordinary people to "live in peace and freedom today." He also offered sympathy for their suffering and honored each by calling them by name, pledging "the highest level of recognition." He added, "Those who sacrifice their lives for the country deserve proper compensation and respect," emphasizing, "We will do our utmost to ensure that none of you feel neglected or unrecognized." 2025-06-27 17:11:30
  • US Senate passes resolution commemorating Korean War anniversary
    US Senate passes resolution commemorating Korean War anniversary SEOUL, June 27 (AJP) - The U.S. on Thursday adopted a resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, reaffirming its alliance with South Korea. According to U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, the Senate unanimously passed the resolution coinciding with the anniversary, which recognizes "important lessons from the war, particularly the imperative of maintaining military readiness in defense of the United States and its allies." The resolution "honors the bravery, sacrifice, and service of the United Armed Forces and allies who fought to depend" of South Korea and defines the country as a "vital treaty ally and linchpin of peace, security, trade, and democratic values for Northeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region." Sullivan, who co-proposed the resolution along with Senators Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, urged that the Korean War be remembered as a "noble war" rather than a "forgotten war," stressing the importance of honoring "the brave Americans who fought, died, and sacrificed to keep another country free," referring to South Korea as one of its "strongest allies today." The two Koreas technically remain at war since the hostilities of the 1950 war ended with an armistice three years later. 2025-06-27 14:20:23