South Korean military holds artillery drills near border SEOUL, April 22 (AJP) - Live-fire artillery drills were conducted along the inter-Korean border for the first time in several years, military authorities said on Tuesday. To enhance the military's combat readiness, around 60 rounds were fired from more than a dozen self-propelled howitzers, hitting targets at a firing range in Paju, Gyeonggi Province the previous day. The drills came about seven years after Seoul and Pyongyang signed a cross-border pact in 2018 pledging to cease hostile activities near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The military pact signed on Sept 19, 2018 amid a thaw in relations with North Korea under the former President Moon Jae-in halted artillery and other military exercises and reconnaissance operations along the inter-Korean border. But North Korea's continuous provocations, missile launches, and its recent bizarre campaign of sending trash-filled balloons toward the South effectively invalidated the pact, prompting Seoul to decide to resume training and other drills in June last year. "The recent drills have boosted military morale," said a military official, vowing to "remain fully prepared to respond immediately and accurately to any enemy attack." 2025-04-22 15:38:08

Seven dead or injured in suspected arson at Seoul apartment SEOUL, April 21 (AJP) - A suspected arson fire broke out at an apartment building in southern Seoul on Monday, leaving one person dead and six others injured. According to emergency responders, the fire began around 8 a.m. on the fourth floor of a 21-story apartment building in Bongcheon-dong, southern Seoul. Witnesses said smoke and flames quickly spread, with residents seen hanging from balconies and some attempting to escape through windows. Two elderly women suffered serious burns and injuries from falling, while four others were taken to the hospital with various injuries. Police identified a 61-year-old man found dead at the scene as the suspected arsonist. He lived on the third floor and was previously involved in noise-related disputes with neighbors upstairs. One altercation in September reportedly required police intervention. Investigators say he is suspected of deliberately setting the fire. At the scene, authorities recovered a battery-powered device, possibly an electric pesticide sprayer or power washer, along with what appeared to be a suicide note. In the note, the man apologized to his family and asked his daughter to take care of her mother. The letter also contained 50,000 won (approximately $36) in cash. Before the fire at the apartment building, the man is believed to have ignited another fire using the same spray device at a small studio apartment where his mother lived. “We are investigating whether the fire was linked to noise-related disputes and are also reviewing the suspect’s mental health records,” said a police official. 2025-04-21 15:03:55

South Korean tourist killed during robbery in the Philippines SEOUL, April 21 (AJP) - A South Korean tourist was shot and killed during a robbery in the Philippines on Sunday, the Foreign Ministry said Monday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the South Korean Embassy in Manila said a male tourist was attacked in the afternoon near Koreatown in Angeles City, north of Manila, by two armed men on a motorcycle. According to witnesses, the victim was shot when he tried to fend off the robbers who attempted to steal his bag. The tourist was transported to a hospital about 30 minutes after the incident, but later died from the gunshot wounds. The embassy has requested an investigation and is offering support to the victim’s family. Police are working to identify the two Filipino suspects involved in the shooting and to find out what happened during the incident. Sunday’s case is the latest in a string of attacks targeting South Koreans in the Philippines. In early April, a South Korean national was abducted from his home and held for 20 days before being released. Just a month earlier, another South Korean was shot and killed during a robbery in central Manila. According to the foreign ministry, 38 South Korean nationals were killed in the Philippines between 2015 and the first half of 2023, accounting for nearly 44 percent of all South Korean homicide victims in the Asia-Pacific region during that time. The ministry called on South Koreans traveling or staying in the Philippines to "remain alert and take all necessary measures to ensure their safety." 2025-04-21 11:02:03

Unidentified balloons with leaflets discovered south of DMZ A file photo released by North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency on July 14, 2024, shows anti-North Korea leaflets being burned. SEOUL, April 19 (AJP) - South Korean police said Saturday that balloons carrying anti-North Korea leaflets were found near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). More than ten balloons were discovered last week in areas just south of the DMZ. Military and police believe they were launched from two sites nearby, though the sender remains unidentified. “The balloons seem to have fallen short and landed near the DMZ,” a police official said. A civic group is reportedly planning to resume leaflet launches next Wednesday, after canceling a similar attempt last October. The move comes as spring winds, especially southwesterly breezes, make it easier for balloons to travel north. “These campaigns disrupt daily life and make residents feel unsafe,” a police official said. Police and local governments have been keeping watch day and night since last year to stop the launches. 2025-04-19 16:41:53

Apink drops new fan song celebrating 14th anniversary SEOUL, April 19 (AJP) - K-pop girl band Apink released a new digital single on Saturday, celebrating the 14th anniversary of their debut. According to their agency Choi Creative Lab, “Tap Clap” is Apink’s first full-member release in nearly a year and serves as a fan song. Member Kim Nam-joo contributed to the lyrics, expressing gratitude to their fans. With a bright sound and emotional melody, the track is accompanied by a music video that captures the group’s everyday moments Since debuting on April 19, 2011, Apink has continued to release fan-dedicated tracks each year, standing out as one of K-pop’s longest-running girl bands. 2025-04-19 16:07:08

Political leaders honor citizens of 1960 pro-democracy uprising SEOUL, April 19 (AJP) - South Korean political leaders on Saturday paid tribute to the citizens who took part in the pro-democracy uprising 65 years ago. Leaders from both major parties, including Democratic Party acting leader Park Chan-dae and People Power Party floor leader Kwon Seong-dong, visited a cemetery in northern Seoul to pay respects to those who died in the 1960 pro-democracy movement. The revolution was triggered by widespread protests against election fraud and authoritarian rule. It saw massive participation from students and citizens, and ultimately led to then-President Syngman Rhee stepping down. In a social media post after the visit, Park vowed, “Let us once again recall the revolution and do all we can to ensure our democracy stands firm.” “On this day 65 years ago, students and citizens rose up against injustice,” Kwon also wrote in a social media post. “We remember their sacrifice with deep respect.” 2025-04-19 14:01:49

Constitutional Court left with seven justices as two retire SEOUL, April 18 (AJP) - Two justices retired from the Constitutional Court of Korea on Friday as their six-year terms came to an end this week. The retirement of justices Moon Hyung-bae and Lee Mi-sun comes just a few weeks after delivering their historic ruling on the impeachment of disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law debacle late last year. The two outgoing justices stressed the need to "respect" the court's rulings in order to uphold the "values of liberal democracy" during an event celebrating their retirement in Seoul. With the departure of Moon and Lee, the court is now left with seven justices on its nine-strong bench. Less than a week after Yoon's impeachment on April 4, Acting President Han Duck-soo nominated two justices reserved for the president's discretion, along with the appointment of justice Ma Eun-hyuk, the then-nominee recommended by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), to fill the vacancy on the bench. But Han's abrupt nomination immediately sparked opposition from the DP, leading to a court injunction disputing whether an acting president can make such decisions. With the injunction granted earlier this week, the appointments of conservative justices Ham Sang-hun and Lee Wan-kyu will remain suspended until a final decision is made. But the case looks likely to fall through, as the June 3 snap election to replace the ousted president is less than two months away, possibly allowing for the incoming president to make a fresh decision. 2025-04-18 16:22:21

Young South Korean filmmaker's animated short to compete at Cannes Film Festival SEOUL, April 18 (AJP) - Director Joung Yu-mi's animated short film has been invited to this year's Cannes Film Festival, which opens in the Mediterranean resort city next month. According to the festival's organizers, "Glasses" will be screened as part of the International Critics' Week section and will compete with about a dozen others for an award recognizing innovative works by emerging filmmakers. No other South Korean films have been invited to compete at the prestigious festival this year, making the 15-minute short the sole South Korean entry in the lineup of the festival, which runs from May 13 to 24. The film revolves around a woman who breaks her glasses and gains a new perspective during an eye exam at an optician's. Joung's work has reportedly drawn attention for her warm and delicate portrayal of everyday life. 2025-04-18 11:33:43

Presidential favorite Lee Jae-myung among TIME magazine's '100 most influential people' SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, considered a front-runner in the upcoming presidential election slated for early June, has been included in the U.S. magazine TIME's "100 Most Influential People" for this year, in its annual list released on Wednesday. The former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) made it onto the list along with Rosé, a member of K-pop girl band BLACKPINK, making them the two South Koreans on the list. Lee was named along with other leaders like U.S. President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The magazine praised his leadership during disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botch martial law debacle late last year. "Lee led the charge for Yoon's impeachment following declaration of martial law in December," it said, describing him as the "clear favorite to win the coming election," scheduled to be held here on June 3. Rosé also earned a spot on the list, with her recent collaboration with American pop star Bruno Mars likely boosting her global recognition, as her hit song "APT." has gone viral worldwide since its release in October last year. "She's able to captivate arenas full of people as both a member of the biggest girl group in the world and also as a solo artist," it said. TIME has released its annual list of people including political figures, business leaders, entertainers, and athletes, who have made a significant impact around the world. This year's list includes figures from 32 countries, split into six categories: Artists, Icons, Leaders, Innovators, Pioneers, and Titans. 2025-04-17 17:48:49

South Korea pledges support for climate action at P4G summit in Hanoi SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul emphasized the importance of international cooperation in tackling climate change at the biennial P4G summit, the Foreign Ministry here said on Thursday. At the summit which opened in Hanoi the previous day, Cho also pledged US$1.8 million to reaffirm South Korea's commitment to global efforts to combat climate change, stressing the need to "restore global momentum" in confronting environmental challenges. P4G, short for Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030, was launched to promote green growth and sustainable development. This year's summit marked the fourth gathering, following previous meetings in Copenhagen in 2018, Seoul in 2021, and Bogotá in 2023. The two-day summit brought together global leaders and officials from around 20 countries including Cambodia, Ethiopia, France, Laos, the Netherlands, and Viet Nam, along with representatives from the UN and other international organizations. 2025-04-17 15:34:03