Lee's nominee for senior post bows out over allegations SEOUL, June 13 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Friday accepted the resignation of a key nominee who had come under fire over several allegations. Oh Kwang-soo, Lee's pick for senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, stepped down less than a week after his nomination, becoming the first top-level government official to resign since Lee took office on June 4. Amid mounting controversy over hidden real estate dealings involving his wife along with a suspicious loan taken out under a borrowed name, Oh tendered his resignation the previous day, expressing regret and embarrassment. Lee's prompt acceptance appears to be intended to prevent any disruption, given that the post is responsible for vetting high-ranking public officials and overseeing law enforcement agencies, which require strict ethics and moral integrity. Kang Yu-jung, a spokesperson for the presidential office, said in a briefing, "Lee is expected to name his successor as soon as possible." 2025-06-13 11:05:15

Kim Jong-un sends message to Putin to coincide with first anniversary of military pact with Russia SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent a congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin as Moscow marked "Russia Day," state media reported on Thursday. The Russian national holiday, which celebrates the 1990 declaration of the country's sovereignty during the Soviet era, is observed annually on June 12. In the message reportedly delivered the previous day by North Korean Ambassador to Russia Sin Hong-chol, Kim called Putin his "dearest comrade" and praised the bilateral ties between the two countries as a "genuine relationship between comrades-in-arms and between allies," according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency. The friendship between Pyongyang and Moscow has been "further cemented" through the comradeship "the two countries have forged at the cost of their blood," Kim was quoted as saying. He also added his country would "always stand with" Moscow. After several months of silence, Pyongyang earlier this year admitted for the first time that it had dispatched troops to Russia to support its prolonged war in Ukraine, following the two countries' signing of a mutual defense treaty during Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June last year. The message was delivered just a week ahead of the first anniversary of the treaty. Meanwhile, railway services linking Pyongyang to Moscow and Khabarovsk, which were suspended due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, are scheduled to resume next week, fueling speculation that Kim could visit the Kremlin sometime later this year. Kim traveled by train to meet Putin in Vladivostok in 2019 and again to Russia's main spaceport Vostochny Cosmodrome in 2023, although he does not appear to have inherited his father's morbid fear of flying. 2025-06-12 15:50:25

Military halts loudspeaker broadcasts along border SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - South Korea suspended its loudspeaker broadcasts along the heavily armed border with North Korea on Wednesday. The halt came about a year after the South Korean military resumed propaganda broadcasts in June last year, in response to a series of North Korean provocations including its bizarre campaign of sending trash-filled balloons toward the South. The latest move also came shortly after the Unification Ministry earlier this week urged North Korean defectors and other activist groups to stop sending leaflets to the North. President Lee Jae-myung, who was sworn in last week, had pledged during his election campaign to halt psychological warfare campaigns as part of efforts to ease tensions between the two Koreas and improve frayed relations with Pyongyang. The latest measures suggest a shift in stance toward North Korea, though broadcasts could resume at any time. 2025-06-11 17:26:14

Two pilots eject as South Korean fighter jet veers off runway during takeoff in Alaska SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - A South Korean KF-16 fighter jet participating in U.S.-led multinational drills in Alaska was damaged during takeoff, Air Force authorities said on Wednesday. But two pilots aboard were confirmed safe as they managed to eject themselves from the double-seat jet when it veered off the runway at Eielson Air Force Base. According to a military source, the two pilots are "safe" and have been reportedly transferred to a nearby hospital there. While the extent of the damage has yet to be determined, the South Korean military is working with the U.S. to identify the exact cause of the incident and assess the damage. Launched in 1975, the annual Red Flag exercise involves the U.S. and its allied air forces in intensive simulated training to enhance combat readiness. South Korea has been participating in the exercise since 2013, with the Air Force deploying about a dozen aircraft this year including KF-16 fighter jets and multi-purpose aerial refueling tankers. 2025-06-11 16:12:41

US reaffirms commitment to alliance with S. Korea under new president SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - The United States has expressed confidence that its alliance with South Korea will continue to "thrive" under President Lee Jae-myung's administration, inaugurated last week, according to a briefing from the State Department on Tuesday (local time). State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce extended her congratulations to President Lee once again, stating, "We are confident under his leadership that our alliance will continue to thrive." However, the U.S. declined to comment on Lee's "pragmatic" foreign policy, which seeks to maintain stable relations with China while strengthening the alliance between the U.S. and South Korea. She suggested contacting the White House for U.S. President Donald Trump's stance on that matter. The State Department's announcement came four days after Lee and Trump's phone call, which lasted about 20 minutes. According to South Korea's Presidential Office, the two leaders agreed to arrange an in-person meeting at the earliest opportunity to pursue a mutually acceptable resolution on tariff-related issues. Trump has decided to double tariffs on steel and aluminum products from 25 percent to 50 percent starting Jun. 4. The Korea Development Institute (KDI) analyzed that trade uncertainty remains elevated due to the tariff hike and renewed concerns over the U.S.-China trade tensions. They will be meeting in the upcoming G7 Summit, scheduled to take place from Jun. 15 to 17 in Canada, where Lee has been invited as a guest. 2025-06-11 11:04:28

South Korea set to face Kuwait in final Asian qualifier after securing World Cup berth SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - South Korea is set to face Kuwait in a home match in Seoul on Tuesday evening, which serves as the final round of Asian qualifiers for next year's FIFA World Cup. After beating Iraq 2-0 in an away match last week, the country has already secured its berth for the quadrennial event, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the U.S. next summer. Grouped with Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman and Palestine, South Korea has secured 19 points from five wins and four draws to advance to the next round as the top finisher, along with second-ranked Jordan, which has earned 16 points with four wins, four draws and one loss. Head coach Hong Myung-bo is expected to experiment with a lineup of younger players to test their skills in Tuesday's match, as the country's advancement to the tournament round won't be affected even if it loses to Kuwait, which has been eliminated after finishing at the bottom of the group with five draws and four losses. "With the match being held in Seoul, South Korean footballers are in high spirits," Hong said, vowing to wrap up the final match with a win. However, Captain Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur, who only warmed the bench in last Thursday's match against Iraq due to a lingering foot injury from April, is unlikely to be in the starting lineup again. In an apparent sign of that, midfielder Lee Jae-sung, wearing the captain's armband instead, attended a press event in Paju, Gyeonggi Province the previous day along with Hong. "Son looks fit enough to play, though it remains to be seen whether he can last the full 90 minutes," Hong said. 2025-06-10 15:00:52

South Korean musical makes for real 'happy ending,' sweeping Tony Awards SEOUL, June 9 (AJP) - South Korean musical "Maybe Happy Ending" took home the top honor along with five other gongs at this year's Tony Awards in the U.S. on Sunday, making for a real happy ending to the night. At an awards ceremony held in New York, the musical, which received ten nominations, won six awards for its Broadway production including "Best Musical," "Best Book of a Musical," "Best Original Score," "Best Scenic Design of a Musical," "Best Direction of a Musical," and "Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical." The futuristic musical revolves around two obsolete robots, created to assist humans, who start with an "awkward encounter" and end up falling in love amid their doomed existence. After premiering here in 2016, the critically-acclaimed show has become a sleeper hit, leading to its Broadway debut in November last year. Thanks to a strong reception, its U.S. run has been extended through January next year. A special performance in celebration of its 10th anniversary is slated for this fall in Seoul. Established in 1947, the annual awards are widely considered the most prestigious honors in the American theater and musical industry. 2025-06-09 10:54:49

Event promotes tourism to Georgia amid growing interest among South Korean travelers SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - An event promoting tours to Georgia was held at a hotel in central Seoul on Wednesday, bringing together tourism officials, representatives from travel agencies and other participants. Riding the wave of increasing number of visitors to the South Caucasus country in Eastern Europe, the event, hosted by the Georgian Embassy in Seoul, offered them an opportunity to learn about the country's historic and cultural heritage, tourist attractions, and authentic cuisine along with travel tips and other useful information. Under the banner of "Emotions Are Georgia," the event highlighted Georgia's long-standing tradition of hospitality, known for its warm welcome and hearty meals. "It's about infinite hospitality with a genuine smile, and treating every guest as if they were sent by God," said Georgian Ambassador to Seoul Tarash Papaskua. "In 2024 alone, we welcomed more than 27,000 visitors from South Korea — a whopping 80 percent increase from the previous year ," he said, adding that this reflects "growing curiosity" about the country's hidden tourist gems and also suggest strong potential for further exchanges between the two countries. Maia Omiadze, head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration, also expressed hope for stronger collaboration with Seoul, pledging to bring more participants from the private sector to next year's event. When asked what he particularly wanted to share with South Koreans interested in traveling to Georgia, Papaskua quipped with a warm smile. "One practical tip for visiting Georgia? Bring clothes one size bigger. Travelers often end up gaining weight somehow, even after just a few days," he said. "Everything is so delicious, and every occasion turns into a big fat feast," he added. "We always gather around the table to share wine and food, tell stories, and raise toasts with our guests. That's our tradition." Meanwhile, as part of its efforts to promote the country, the embassy is also taking part in the annual Seoul International Tourism Fair, which runs until this weekend at COEX in southern Seoul, with a booth providing travel information. 2025-06-05 16:53:56

US congratulates Lee on election win SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - The U.S. congratulated South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on his election as the country's 21st president and reaffirmed Washington's commitment to its bilateral alliance with Seoul. In a statement released on Tuesday, the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "We congratulate to bolster regional security, enhance economic resilience, and defend our shared democratic principles," the statement said. Lee is soon expected to talk with U.S. President Donald Trump over the phone on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the two could meet in person if Lee decides to attend the upcoming G7 summit in Canada slated for later this month, though it remains uncertain with the multilateral gathering less than two weeks away. 2025-06-04 17:13:51

Canadian orchestra and S. Korean pianist collaborate to display friendship and partnership SEOUL, June 02 (AJP) - The grandeur of the Seoul Arts Center came alive last Saturday night as Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra and acclaimed South Korean pianist Son Yeol-eum delivered an evening of musical collaboration. The performance, part of the NAC Orchestra's first-ever tour to South Korea, marked a highlight in the yearlong celebration of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Under the baton of Music Director Alexander Shelley, the NAC Orchestra presented a wide-ranging program, from the lush romanticism of Richard Strauss's Don Juan to the cosmic modernity of Canadian composer Kelly-Marie Murphy's Dark Nights, Bright Stars, Vast Universe. Specially commissioned by the NAC Orchestra, Murphy's piece was performed in Korea for the first time, conceived as a contemporary response to Don Juan. "Tonight, we present to you music which brings us together and inspires us across time and across culture," Shelley said in his opening remarks. "We are very privileged to be working with one of your great artists, Son Yeol-eum." Son performed Maurice Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major with precision and dazzling flair, capturing the emotional heart of the evening. Composed in 1929 and inspired by Ravel's trip to the U.S., the piece reflects the rapid cultural shifts of the era, delivered here through Son’s interpretation. The concert concluded with a thunderous performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, capping a two-hour musical journey spanning from the 1800s to 2025, featuring Canadian and South Korean musicians. Canadian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Tamara Mawhinney reflected on the evening's resonance. "What we saw tonight, the symbiosis between a Canadian orchestra and a remarkable Korean pianist, was a beautiful image for us all to take away of the bilateral warmth between our two countries. I felt tonight the strength of our friendship and partnership." "Canada's National Arts Center is our nation's home for the performing arts, located in the country's capital city of Ottawa. Despite our long history of touring, this is our very first tour to Korea, and we are delighted to finally meet the Korean audience," said Christopher Deacon, President and CEO of the National Arts Centre. Adding a historical dimension to the celebration, former South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin reminded attendees of Canada's sacrifice during the Korean War. "Seventy-five years ago, Canada sent more than 26,000 young men and women to defend Korea's peace and democracy during the Korean War. It was a sacrifice we Koreans will never forget," he said. As the evening came to a close, the music served not only as entertainment but also as a bridge across continents, affirming that art, like diplomacy, resonates most deeply when shared. 2025-06-02 15:20:25