North Korea test-fires weapons from new destroyer SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - North Korea has conducted a test of its new 5,000-ton destroyer, state media reported on Wednesday. According to the official state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected the tests of weapons from the destroyer, accompanied by senior military officials and his daughter Ju-ae on Monday and Tuesday. The multipurpose destroyer, named after Choe Hyon, a comrade of nation founder Kim Il-sung during his day as a partisan fighter, is equipped with supersonic strategic cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, and other weaponry. Kim hailed the largest warship ever built by the renegade country as the "most powerful weapon,” urging the navy to enhance naval operations while accelerating its nuclear armament The test firings came after the unveiling of the destroyer last week, which has been deployed and warfare-ready, signaling a major step in Pyongyang's ambitions to develop nuclear-powered submarines. 2025-04-30 14:40:04

PPP's two finalists to compete in runoff for presidential election Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo (left) and Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), pose for a photo at the PPP's headquarters in Yeouido, western Seoul on April 29, 2025. Yonhap SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - Presidential candidates for the ruling People Power Party (PPP) were narrowed down to two on Tuesday ahead of the snap presidential election scheduled for early June. Among four candidates -- IT tycoon-turned-politician Ahn Cheol-soo, former party leader Han Dong-hoon, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo and former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, Kim and Han were selected based on votes with half of which coming from party members and the rest from other voters, as part of the PPP's internal primary process. Out of around 760,000 party members, some 390,000 cast their votes, while about 6,000 voters randomly selected from polling agencies participated in the voting. As neither secured a majority, the two finalists are set to have another televised debate on Wednesday, with a runoff to decide the PPP's final candidate by Saturday, who is widely expected to face Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) in the upcoming June 3 election. But it remains to be seen who will be the PPP's final nominee, as Acting President Han Duck-soo is reportedly expected to declare his presidential bid later this week and eventually join the PPP, with the election just a month away. Under relevant laws, a presidential candidate must resign from any official post at least 30 days before the election, meaning that Han must step down by May 4 to be eligible for the election. The veteran bureaucrat and diplomat would need to either run as an independent candidate or negotiate a unified candidacy with the PPP nominee to consolidate conservative support. With Lee remaining far ahead of other candidates in most opinion polls, many pundits speculate that there will be a broader alliance or affiliation soon with candidates from minor parties including Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the centrist New Reform Party, and ex-Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, who announced his presidential bid earlier this week. The snap comes after the impeachment of disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol early last month over his botched martial law debacle late last year. Meanwhile, shortly after being eliminated from the four-way race, Hong announced his retirement from politics, wrapping up his 30-year political career. "My political journey ends here. Now I will return to a more comfortable life as an ordinary citizen," he said. 2025-04-29 16:33:46

Soo-young of Girls' Generation to make Hollywood debut in action thriller SEOUL, April 28 (AJP) - Singer-turned actress Soo-young is set to make her Hollywood debut in the American action thriller "Ballerina," which is slated for release in June. "Ballerina," a spinoff of the John Wick series, revolves around a young assassin who seeks revenge for the murder of her father. The member of K-pop girl group Girls' Generation has been cast in a supporting role, helping the assassin, played by Ana de Armas, known for her roles in "Knives Out" and "No Time to Die." Directed by Len Wiseman, "Ballerina" will hit theaters in North America on June 6. 2025-04-28 17:06:44

Event in Seoul highlights Central Asia's tourism potential SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - An event to promote tourism to Central Asia and its cultural heritage was held in Seoul on Wednesday. Co-hosted by the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat and the embassies of several Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the event brought together a group of regional experts, diplomats, and other attendees, offering a chance to deepen understanding of the region. The highlight of the event was scholar and writer Kim Ju-yeon's in-depth exploration of the region through her recent book, which traces the intertwined histories of five Central Asian countries that, once part of the Soviet Union, share ancient traditions and more. "In my book, I wanted to shed light on the region's cultural richness and natural beauty," Kim explained, adding that she was "especially fascinated by the Central Asian countries' unique and distinctive literature and other written works, which have been passed down and shared across generations." Promotional leaflets to promote Central Asian countries are displayed at an vent held in central Seoul on April 23, 2025. AJP Im Yoon-seo She also shared her memories of warm hospitality she felt while traveling these countries. "I've traveled to many countries around the world, but the people of Central Asia were by far the warmest," she said. "Central Asia is a region abundant with hidden charms, stunning landscapes, and hearty meals, but what impressed me most was the warmth and kindness of the people there," she recalled. As part of the event, promotional clips and messages from ambassadors of each embassy were presented, helping to further understanding of the region. Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Seoul Nurgali Arystanov thanked Kim for her "insightful" presentation, praising her "compelling stories." Arystanov also expressed hope for further cooperation with South Korea, citing ongoing economic and educational exchanges between the two countries. He introduced Kazakhstan's two major cities, with Astana serving as the current capital and Almaty as the former capital. 2025-04-24 17:34:22

Acting President urges swift passage of extra budget SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - Acting President Han Duck-soo on Thursday called for bipartisan support for a supplementary budget aimed at boosting economic recovery. In his speech at the National Assembly, the first of its kind by an acting president in about 46 years, Han urged lawmakers to swiftly pass the 12.2 trillion won (US$8.8 billion) supplementary budget. He stressed the fast approval of the budget is "important" to weather through a crisis as the country "faces major challenges both domestically and externally amid uncertainties caused by the U.S. sweeping tariff policy." The budget will be allocated for disaster relief efforts after massive wildfires ripped through the southeastern region last month, while strengthening trade through investment in key business areas such as artificial intelligence (AI). His speech came amid growing speculation that he may soon announce a presidential bid, just several days after he told the British daily Financial Times in a recent interview that he had "not yet" decided whether to run in the upcoming snap election in June. But Han declined to comment on his possible presidential ambitions when asked by reporters after the address. 2025-04-24 15:53:09

Cardinal You Heung-sik named among contenders for next pope SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, the prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Clergy, has been named one of the top candidates to become the next pope after the death of Pope Francis earlier this week. Italy's largest daily Corriere della Sera on Tuesday listed him 11th among its "12 likely successors to Pope Francis." He was one of two Asians, along with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, among a dozen contenders that included three Italians and nine non-Italians. The College of Cardinals Report, a website run by Catholic experts, also included You the previous day among 41 cardinals to watch in the upcoming papal election. The 72-year-old is eligible to vote and also be elected in the secret ballots for the election of a pope, known as the conclave, becoming the only South Korean among around 120 cardinals under 80 years old to participate in this centuries-old Vatican tradition, since the late Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan did so in 1978. Cardinals have life tenure, but their voting rights in the papal conclave that elects a new pope cease when they turn 80, effectively disqualifying the 81-year-old Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung. Born in Nosan, South Chungcheong Province in 1951, You received a doctoral degree in divinity from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. He was ordained a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022, becoming South Korea's fourth cardinal, following Kim, Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, and Yeom. Meanwhile, the funeral service for Pope Francis is scheduled to take place on Saturday at St. Peter's Basilica, with global leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron expected to attend. From South Korea, Yeom and Bishop Mathias Lee Yong-hoon are set to travel to the Vatican to pay their respects. A memorial altar has also been set up at Myeongdong Cathedral in central Seoul, drawing crowds of mourners. 2025-04-23 17:11:45

INTERVIEW: How Korean culture stole Parisian hearts, devoted advocate explains SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - "France today is completely different from what I once knew," said Lee Il-yeol, chief of the Korean Cultural Center in Paris, as he began his interview with AJP early this month. Reflecting on his time in the late 1980s when he first arrived in the city of light as a student, he said, "Back then, only a small circle of scholars of Asian studies or diplomats had some interest in South Korea, so the center often remained deserted, visited only by a handful of dedicated enthusiasts." "Things have changed greatly these days, with growing interest in the far eastern Asian country on the opposite side of the world, embracing all aspects of South Korea, from traditional cultural heritage to the global phenomenon of K-pop," said Lee, who is now in his third year with the center, which promotes Korean culture in the European country. Located in the heart of Paris, the center has become a cultural hub for Parisians, providing a wealth of information about South Korea through an extensive collection of periodicals, books, and other publications, while also hosting various lectures, exhibitions, and performances. "Just a stone's throw from the splendor of the Élysée Palace, it has become a one-stop destination for everything related to South Korea, turning itself into one of the top tourist spots," Lee boasted. In collaboration with state-run Korea Tourism Organization in 2019, the center further expanded its scope, playing a key role in promoting the "Land of the Morning Calm" in Europe. Boosting cultural awareness through publications and lectures Among the diverse array of publications offered by the center, its in-house periodical "Culture Coréenne" has been instrumental in distributing and sharing information about South Korea, serving as a key resource for those wishing to learn about the country. Long before online media became widespread, the mook-style periodical, published since the 1980s, has served as a major means of raising awareness of the Asian country among Parisians. "Initially just a simple bulletin carrying some introductory tidbits, the periodical was almost the only available source through which French people could learn about Korean culture at the time," Lee recalled, adding that many of the center's early visitors were first drawn to it after reading it. As its readership continues to grow, the periodical now covers a broader range of topics, offering in-depth insights and valuable information through scholarly articles and other writings. "In 2022, we released a story featuring South Korea's southern port city of Busan, which garnered enormous attention from French readers who were only familiar with the capital city of Seoul," Lee recalled. A year-round lineup of lectures and workshops hosted by the center also helps spread Korean culture there. Lee has been one of frequent speakers at these events, often discussing the evolving history of the Korean Wave, from its inception in the 1960s to its global reach today. His fluency in French, combined with his extensive years of study and life in France, makes his lectures stand out, garnering strong reception from attendees whenever he takes the podium at schools and universities across France. "It's not just about simply delivering information," Lee said. "It's a way to share and communicate with those from different cultures, inspiring one another with understanding and respect," he explained. "In fact, I gain new ideas and insights through Q&A sessions after lectures and post-lecture gatherings with French attendees. Sometimes participants were so enthusiastic with a barrage of questions that lasted nearly an hour," he shared. But Lee, who values every single voice and is sincerely dedicated to promoting Korean culture, said, "A one-hour lecture might inspire someone to become a true fan of South Korea ten years from now and play an important role in French society. That's why I believe it is important to engage with the younger generation with a long-term perspective." Nurturing young talent through diverse events Music serves as another bridge of communication with the country of chanson. The center has been striving to nurture promising young musicians and performers through a program called "Jeunes Talents," which means "young talent" in English. As part of the program, the center regularly holds auditions to discover new talent, with participants who perform South Korea's classical genre of vocal music earning additional points. "Our goal through these auditions is to build cultural bridges by blending traditional elements with contemporary trends," he said. Through its extensive networks built over decades of years, the center has also organized concerts and performances in collaboration with world-renowned musicians and artists including prodigy pianist Cho Seong-jin and soprano Jo Sumi. "Thanks to our long-term relationships with institutions like the Louvre Museum and Radio France, these collaborations have become possible," he said, stressing the importance of persistent engagement established over years within French society. Furthermore, year-round cultural programs including film festivals and art exhibitions are not to be missed in a country renowned for its rich art and cultural heritage. Last year alone, the center held film festivals in six cities across France including Montpellier, Nantes, and Toulouse. "These festivals are not limited to Paris, as many local movie buffs across France are eager to participate, a testament to the growing interest in South Korean films there." "French interest in South Korean films didn't emerge overnight, indeed. Some cinephiles here were already drawn to them decades ago," he said. "Long before Oscar-winning filmmaker Bong Joon-ho brought South Korean cinema to global acclaim with his film 'Parasite,' many early enthusiasts of Korean culture were already familiar with Korean films and actors. Some of them have since become editors at major French newspapers," he added. Tailoring to local demand and tastes In French culture which tends to value individual experiences, food often serves as an important means of building intimacy. "Dining together often marks the point where formal relationships begin to evolve into more personal ones," Lee said. With this in mind, the center hosted a series of cooking classes, which quickly sparked interest among the locals. "Many participants especially showed great interest in authentic cuisine including temple food made from fresh seasonal vegetables and roots with natural seasonings," Lee said. To meet this overwhelming response, the center plans to hold more culinary classes to share the country's savory flavors and delights that captivate the Parisian palate. "There's a saying that to make a good friend, you need to share good food. That holds especially true in France," he said. "Food serves as a powerful bridge that opens hearts to unfamiliar or different cultures, creating meaningful connections that can ultimately foster diplomacy and economic cooperation." 2025-04-23 14:50:57

US State Department's post for North Korean human rights envoy remains vacant again SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - Washington's special envoy in charge of North Korean human rights issues has once again been left vacant since early this year, it was belatedly revealed on Tuesday. According to the U.S. Department of State, Julie Turner who "worked over the past 20 years to strengthen democratic institutions and promote human rights throughout the East Asia and Pacific Region" now serves as the acting deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. With the launch of President Donald Trump's non-consecutive second term in January this year, the seasoned diplomat left the post, ending her brief stint from October 2023 to January 2025. The post had remained vacant for nearly six years during Trump's first term after he declined to nominate a successor to then-envoy Robert King. After the prolonged vacancy, Turner was nominated by former U.S. President Joe Biden in January 2023 and confirmed by the Senate several months later to serve in the position tasked with raising awareness of human rights abuses in North Korea. Pundits are speculating about her sudden departure, alongside other envoys, in what appears to be part of a broader restructuring of U.S. diplomatic and human rights policy under the returning Trump administration. A State Department official said Trump may "name a new envoy or opt to leave the position unfilled once again." 2025-04-23 14:43:22

Festival featuring top New Zealand wines to return next month SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - A festival showcasing premium wines from New Zealand will be held in Seoul and Busan next month. Hosted by the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea, also known as the Kiwi Chamber, the annual festival, first held in 2009, will feature around 25 varieties of wine this year including whites and reds from top wineries across the island country. Among others, Sauvignon Blanc is particularly popular among consumers here, thanks to the crisp white wine's excellent pairing with seafood and light dishes. The festival invites wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike to Seoul on May 3 and Busan on May 24. Dawn Bennet, New Zealand's Ambassador to Seoul, shared her enthusiasm for the festival, saying that it will provide an opportunity to taste wines that represent the country's "distinct cultural heritage and tradition," in a press release this week. Bennet also highlighted the growing partnership between the two countries under the free trade agreement (FTA), effective since 2015, which has mutually benefited them, with South Korea becoming New Zealand's fifth-largest trading partner. "After 10 years of the FTA, the two countries continue to explore ways to further boost partnership," she said. Boasting the "overwhelming success" of the festival over the years, Dr. Tony Garrett, the chamber's chairman, also said, "I expect wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike will enjoy fine reds and whites from our top vineyards, along with an assortment of delightful culinary offerings," he added. 2025-04-23 11:30:23

Recipients of Ramon Magsaysay Award honored in Seoul SEOUL, April 22 (AJP) - An event honoring past South Korean recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Award was held at a hotel in central Seoul on Tuesday, as part of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Seoul and Manila. Co-hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Seoul and the foundation that presents the annual award, the event brought together dozens of attendees including some of past recipients, diplomats, and other officials. Known as the "Nobel Prize of Asia," the annual award recognizes individuals and organizations in Asia who have made significant contributions to their communities and society, creating positive impacts. The event celebrated the achievements of some 353 past recipients from 22 countries across Asia. Along with a photo exhibition showcasing past recipients, a forum, led by Former Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert, was also held. "The award is named after the Philippines' beloved seventh President Ramon Magsaysay. It honors individuals who have made a meaningful impact on humanity through courage, integrity, and unwavering dedication to the common good," said Philippine Ambassador to Seoul Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega in her opening remarks. Stressing the importance of diplomatic relations between Seoul and Manila, she said the event reaffirmed the two countries' enduring bond, which is "rooted in a shared belief in the power of people-to-people connections." Among the participants were Ven. Pomnyun Sunim who received the award in 2002 for his messages of peace and compassion, social worker Kim Im-soon who was honored in 1989 for caring for hundreds of abandoned children in the aftermath of the 1950 Korean War, and Kim Jong-ki, the 2021 recipient, who dedicated his life to protecting youth from school violence following the loss of his son. They shared personal stories, reflecting on how the award influenced their work and strengthened their commitment to society. "South Korea was able to emerge from the ashes of the war and achieve phenomenal economic growth with the support of neighboring countries like the Philippines. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the government of the Philippines and the foundation behind the award," said Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, highlighting the importance of regional support and the meaning of the award. He added that it is now time for South Korea to contribute to fostering peace in Asia. "It's time for us to give back by promoting human rights and regional security. This award has honored countless individuals dedicated to peace, inspiring us to continue to make such efforts together across Asia." 2025-04-22 17:52:05