Two former acting presidents slapped with travel ban SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and former Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok have been slapped with a travel ban over their alleged involvement in former disgraced President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle late last year, policed said on Tuesday. It was revealed a day after investigators summoned them for questioning related to the debacle the previous day. The two briefly served as acting presidents after a motion to impeach Yoon was passed in the National Assembly shortly after the debacle. The similar ban was also extended to former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, who has already been barred from leaving the country since last December. Based on relevant documents and other evidence, investigators reportedly questioned them about their knowledge of Yoon's Dec. 3 overnight gambit, as they gave slightly differing accounts. Han apparently maintained his position that he was not aware of Yoon's martial law plan in advance and strongly opposed it as soon as he learned of it. 2025-05-27 17:56:42

Mt. Kumgang poised for UNESCO World Heritage listing SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - Mt. Kumgang in North Korea is set to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which serve as advisory bodies to the World Heritage Committee, have jointly recommended the North's scenic mountain for inclusion on the list, according to UNESCO's tentative lists released on Tuesday. The recommendation comes after North Korea's application for inscription in 2021, which was delayed mainly due to the coronavirus pandemic. None of their recommendations have been rejected so far. The international body described it as "a strikingly beautiful mountain with numerous peaks and curious rock formations, featuring some 12,000 waterfalls and pools formed by crystal-clear waters flowing through hundreds of gorges, along with a seascape stretching along the coastline." It added, "Mt. Kumgang is permeated with numerous legends and cultural relics handed over down through generations," praising its natural settings with "buildings with long history and unique architectural forms." The listing will be determined at the upcoming session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris, France in July. If listed, it will become North Korea's third World Heritage site, after the Complex of Koguryo Tombs inscribed in 2004 and the Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong in 2013. 2025-05-27 16:07:45

Busan offers free pet insurance to encourage dog adoptions SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - The southern port city of Busan is offering a year of free pet insurance to people who adopt abandoned dogs, hoping the move will ease concerns over veterinary costs and boost adoption rates. The program, announced Monday, applies to anyone who has adopted a stray dog in Busan since Jan. 1. To qualify, the dog must be adopted through one of the city’s six animal protection centers or two adoption agencies and registered with an RFID chip. The insurance covers 70 percent of treatment costs for injuries or illness, whether surgery, hospitalization, or outpatient care, up to 10 million won ($7,323) per year. It also includes up to 10 million won in liability coverage for damages caused by the dog to others or their pets. “A lot of people are hesitant to adopt abandoned dogs as they’re worried the animals may have undiagnosed illnesses,” Busan’s animal welfare bureau official Kwon Na-yeon said. “That’s why we’re offering insurance for the first year, to encourage more people to open up to these animals.” Pet ownership in South Korea has steadily risen. A government survey found that 28.6 percent of households had pets in 2022, up from 17.4 percent in 2010. But the cost of care remains a major concern. Unlike human healthcare, veterinary services aren’t standardized, and fees often vary depending on the animal’s size and species. The pet industry itself is booming. According to a report by KPMG Korea’s Issue Monitor, the market reached $6.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to more than double to $15.2 billion by 2032. “Interest in adopting abandoned dogs still exists, but adoption rates have stagnated these days,” Kwon added. “We hope this support will provide that final push for those who are still undecided.” 2025-05-26 17:07:26

Turkish House reopens in Seoul as symbol of friendship with Türkiye SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - After years of quiet during the pandemic, the Turkish House in Seoul’s Yeouido, the center of finance and politics, reopened on May 21, renewing its role as a space for cultural exchange between South Korea and Türkiye. The two-story building, nestled inside Ankara Park, has stood since 1995 as a small but visible reminder of the ties between the two countries. That bond dates back to the Korean War, when Türkiye was one of the first nations to send troops to support South Korea under the United Nations flag. More than 15,000 Turkish soldiers fought in the conflict, and over 700 lost their lives. Their sacrifice laid the foundation for what many in South Korea still refer to as a “brotherhood” between the two nations, an emotional and historical connection that continues to shape diplomatic and cultural relations today. Turkish Ambassador Salih Murat Tamer led the reopening ceremony alongside officials from Ankara Metropolitan Municipality and Yeongdeungpo District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon. The event followed a memorandum of understanding signed last June between the Turkish Embassy and the Yeongdeungpo District Office, paving the way for new renovations. In his remarks, Ambassador Tamer spoke of the building’s deeper meaning. “Our bonds began since the Korean War in 1950 have now grown into a close friendship between our peoples over nations,” he said. “The Turkish House is a tangible symbol of that bond, a bridge for Turkish culture in the heart of Seoul, and a hope for our future.” Since its original opening nearly 30 years ago, the Turkish House has served as a cultural outpost representing Türkiye’s connection to South Korea. Modeled after a traditional vineyard house, its interior features over 800 folk items donated by Türkiye, including hand-crafted tools, traditional garments, and rural household goods. The site will now be used for exhibitions, performances, and educational programs, open to the public throughout the year. “It was a great pleasure to have everyone at the reopening of the Turkish House, a place of friendship between Seoul and Ankara,” said Yeongdeungpo District Mayor Choi. “After a protocol signed with the Ambassador, we newly built crescent moon-shaped fountains around the house, like patterns in a Turkish flag.” As the Turkish House resumes its role as a cultural hub, Ambassador Tamer said he hopes it will continue to deepen people-to-people ties and reflect the spirit of a friendship that began on the battlefield and continues through shared heritage. 2025-05-23 18:01:17

Girl band TWICE to drop new full-length album in July SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - K-pop girl band TWICE will release a new album in July. More than a month ahead of the album's release slated for July 11, their management agency JYP Entertainment teased fans with a video on social media earlier this week. The 14-minute teaser clip shows all nine members in blue outfits, with clues hinting at the impending release of their fourth full-length album "This Is For." The upcoming album comes nearly four years after their last full-length album, which was released in November 2021. Since their debut in 2015, TWICE have remained popular with hit songs like "Cheer Up," "TT," and "Likey," and are now expanding their reach to global fans. As part of such efforts, they are gearing up to perform at the annual Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago this summer, one of the biggest in the U.S. along with Coachella in California. The nonet will headline the festival on Aug. 2. 2025-05-22 15:03:17

Boy band RIIZE to embark on world tour to promote first full-length album SEOUL, May 20 (AJP) - K-pop boy band RIIZE will embark on their first world tour in July, riding the momentum of their new album released earlier this week. Starting with a three-day concert in southern Seoul in early July, the sextet will tour about a dozen cities around the world including Bangkok in Thailand, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Hyogo, Saitama, and Tokyo in Japan, Jakarta in Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and Manila in the Philippines until February next year. The tour will also take them to Hong Kong and Singapore before wrapping up in Macau, with more stops to be added later. Tickets for their concerts in Seoul from July 4 to 6 will be available for booking starting Wednesday. The six members, who have expanded their fan base since their debut in September 2023, are hoping to build on their success with the release of their first full-length album, "Odyssey," which includes 10 tracks. 2025-05-20 15:19:45

US extends ban on travel to North Korea for another year SEOUL, May 16 (AJP) - The U.S. has extended its travel ban on North Korea for another year. In a notice on the Federal Register on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of State said, "All U.S. passports shall remain invalid for travel to, in, or through unless specially validated for such travel under the authority of the Secretary of State." The department said it "has determined there continues to be serious risk to U.S. citizens and nationals of arrest and long-term detention constituting imminent danger to their physical safety." The extension of the travel restriction to the reclusive country, which will now remain in effect until August next year, comes as the current ban is set to expire on Aug. 31. The ban was first implemented in September 2017 following the death of Otto Warmbier, an American college student who was imprisoned and tortured in North Korea in 2016 on an unclear charge of subversion. He died a year later after being released in a vegetative state. The ban has been renewed annually since then. 2025-05-16 10:47:56

North Korea remains on list of countries 'not fully cooperating' with US counterterrorism efforts SEOUL, May 14 (AJP) - North Korea was included in the list of countries that "did not fully cooperate with U.S. counterterrorism efforts," along with Cuba, Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, the U.S. Department of State said in a press release on Tuesday. The designation on the list, updated annually in May, prohibits the "sale or license for export of defense articles and services." North Korea has been on the list of "Not Fully Cooperating Countries (NFCCs)" for 29 consecutive years since 1997, while Cuba was placed back on the list this year after being briefly removed last year. Separately, North Korea has also been on the U.S.' list of state sponsors of terrorism since 2017, when it was redesignated. The U.S. will "continue to promote international cooperation on counterterrorism issues. We also continue to promote accountability for countries that do not stand against terrorism," the department said. 2025-05-14 15:56:53

Kang Ha-neul's crime thriller draws over 3 million viewers SEOUL, May 13 (AJP) - Filmmaker Hwang Byeong-guk's latest crime thriller has attracted over 3 million moviegoers in about a month since its release in mid-April, according to its distributor, Plus M Entertainment. "YADANG: The Snitch," starring Kang Ha-neul and Yoo Hae-jin, became the first R-rated South Korean film to reach the milestone in about six years, following the 2019 action thriller "The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil," which was released shortly before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. With the overall absence of hit domestic films, the crime thriller's box-office feat was boosted by a surge in theater attendance during its third week of release, as many viewers flocked to cinemas during the long holiday weekend, which included Children's Day, Buddha's Birthday, and the makeup holiday earlier this month. The film, which revolves around a broker who profits by providing drug-related intelligence to investigative agencies, is soon expected to become the most-watched film of this year, surpassing award-winning director Bong Joon-ho's sci-fi blockbuster "Mickey 17," which has drawn 3.1 million viewers so far since its release in late February. 2025-05-13 16:11:28

Experts debate diplomatic strategies amid shifting global landscape at seminar in Seoul SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - A number of lawmakers and experts gathered in Seoul on Monday for a seminar to discuss diplomatic strategies and security measures amid a rapidly shifting global political landscape. Hosted by Aju Business Daily, the seminar was held in Yeouido, where participants engaged in a heated debate over strengthening the alliance with the U.S. in response to North Korea's continuous development of its nuclear weapons program as well as other global challenges since President Donald Trump began his second non-consecutive term in January this year. Kim Geon of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) called for an even stronger alliance with the U.S. "In an era where global uncertainty grows and competition deepens, it is crucial to clearly analyze where we stand and where we are headed, and to establish strategies to swiftly cope with challenges," he said, adding, "At the core of this should be our alliance with Washington." The diplomat-turned-lawmaker also emphasized the importance of "concerted diplomacy" in collaboration with the government, businesses, academics, and citizens. Another PPP lawmaker, Yoo Yong-won, suggested tactics for approaching Trump. "Some call Trump a 'rugby ball' because he often takes unpredictable bounces. But as these cases accumulate, we may be able to anticipate some of his moves." Stressing the need for a strategic approach when dealing with Trump, the military reporter-turned-lawmaker also shared his past experience covering the American president's first photo-op with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore in 2018, where the former real estate tycoon persuaded Kim with his vision of turning the isolated country's Wonsan into an international tourist spot. Veteran lawmaker Park Jie-won of the main opposition Democratic Party, who opened the seminar, pointed out that the country is facing a major crisis across all areas. "Both internally and externally, a strong tempest is expected to bring a sea of change, but we will turn this crisis into an opportunity," he said. Kim Jun-hyung, a lawmaker from the minor Rebuilding Korea Party founded by disgraced former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, said he has been working closely with Park and other fellow lawmakers to devise measures to effectively respond to the challenges posed by the new Trump administration. "Given the unprecedented nature of the current U.S. administration, we should come up with innovative strategies, rather than simply reiterating the importance of the bilateral alliance as we did in the past, since that approach is no longer effective," he warned. 2025-05-12 17:40:08