Former first lady to appear for questioning on Wednesday SEOUL, August 5 (AJP) - While disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol has been stalling questioning, his wife and ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee is expected to appear for questioning on Wednesday over a slew of allegations. Once she does, Kim will become the first former first lady to be publicly summoned in the country's modern history. She has been accused of accepting bribes including a luxury handbag and jewelry, being involved in a stock manipulation scheme, and interfering in candidate nominations during the 2022 by-elections. Some of her charges had previously been dismissed, but fresh evidence uncovered by independent prosecutors has led to the reopening of related probes. Kim earlier said she would faithfully undergo questioning, though it remains to be seen whether she will fully cooperate. Meanwhile, prosecutors, who failed to forcibly bring in Yoon for questioning from a remand prison in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province last week, are expected to make another attempt later this week before a warrant to arrest him, issued by the Seoul Central District Court, expires on Thursday. They had to leave the prison empty-handed, as Yoon reportedly protested vehemently by lying almost bare-naked on the floor of his cell, refusing to comply with prosecutors' repeated requests to respond to questioning. But Yoon claimed he had to do so because of health issues, including difficulty regulating his body temperature, denouncing prosecutors for "publicly shaming" him by inappropriately revealing these personal ailments. 2025-08-05 15:54:31

Tajik teachers attend digital learning program in S. Korea SEOUL, August 5 (AJP) - A seminar on digital education for teachers from Tajikistan kicked off on Monday in a central South Korean city, as part of growing educational cooperation between South Korea and Tajikistan. The two-week program, hosted by the Office of Education in Sejong city, South Korea’s administrative capital, brings together 30 Tajik teachers to explore Korea’s experience with digital tools in classrooms, teacher training, and online learning platforms. The initiative comes as Tajikistan accelerates its efforts to reform the education system through digital transformation. In recent years, the country has introduced a national roadmap for education digitalization and launched a five-year ICT program for schools. The country’s president Emomali Rahmon has also declared 2025 to 2030 the "Years of Digital Economy and Innovation Development." "The knowledge and experience shared through this program will not only enhance the capabilities of teachers but also inspire countless students to become active participants in the digital age," said Salohiddin Kirom, Tajikistan’s ambassador to Seoul, expressing gratitude to the Sejong Office of Education. 2025-08-05 15:52:14

Lee takes summer vacation while preparing for upcoming summit with Trump SEOUL, August 4 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung started his weeklong summer vacation on Monday, about two months after taking office in early June. While staying on a tiny islet off Geoje Island South Gyeongsang Province, Lee is reportedly preparing for his first summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, which is expected to take place in Washington in the coming weeks. According to the presidential office, he is reviewing the agenda for the summit, along with follow-up measures to a tariff deal reached last week, under which both sides agreed to lower reciprocal tariffs from 25 percent to 15 percent. Jeodo, a favored summer retreat for several past presidents, has a nine-hole golf course along a sandy beach stretching 200 meters, one of the reasons Lee chose it for his summer holiday. He is reportedly likely to practice golf there in preparation for a round with Trump, as the two discussed during their first phone call shortly after Lee's inauguration on June 4. While Trump abruptly said the bilateral summit would be held within "the next two weeks," it is expected to take place either before or after a large-scale ceremony in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, slated for Aug. 15 Liberation Day, celebrating Lee's inauguration following the previous low-key ceremony. But it is unlikely to be delayed further. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who returned from Washington last weekend, also told reporters upon his arrival that the summit will take place "within this month." During the upcoming summit, the two leaders are expected to discuss further details of the trade deal, along with a wide range of issues including defense cost-sharing, regional security, and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. 2025-08-04 14:44:28

Torrential downpours return to Korea amid unrelenting heat and tropical nights SEOUL, August 2 (AJP) - With sweltering heat persisting across the country, South Korea is set to see intense rainfall starting Sunday as back-to-back downpours are expected to sweep much of the country. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) on Saturday warned that very heavy rain is forecast from Sunday to Monday, particularly across the Seoul metropolitan area, the central provinces of Chungcheong, the southwestern Jeolla region, and southern coastal parts of South Gyeongsang Province. Some areas could experience torrential downpours of 50 to 80 millimeters per hour, a level of rainfall that could lead to flash floods, road inundation, or landslides, the KMA said. Another round of heavy rain is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, as unstable atmospheric conditions are expected to persist throughout the week. Despite the forecast rain, the blistering heat is unlikely to subside. While temperatures may briefly dip during showers, the KMA said daytime heat indices could rise above 33 degrees Celsius again as soon as the rain stops. High humidity will continue to push up perceived temperatures, and tropical nights, when temperatures remain above 25 degrees Celsius after sunset, are expected in many regions. 2025-08-02 17:12:24

[[K-pop]] 'Golden' from K-pop anime reaches top of UK music chart SEOUL, August 2 (AJP) - "Golden," a track from Netflix’s K-pop Demon Hunters, has become the first K-pop song in over a decade to top the UK’s Official Singles Chart. Released six weeks ago, the song "Golden" by the film’s fictional girl group HUNTR/X topped the UK’s Official Singles Chart. The chart's official website described the song as a "phenomenon," saying it "takes over this week’s Official Chart," as the song became the first K-pop No. 1 in 13 years since PSY’s Gangnam Style. "For the many music fans who have been to their enormous concerts, bought their merch, and streamed their iconic songs, this will forever be the summer of Oasis," said the chart's Chief Executive Officer, Martin Talbot. The song's chart-topping performance comes amid the rising popularity of the K-pop musical fantasy film, which revolves around a fictional girl group called HUNTR/X, who lead double lives as demon hunters to battle evil spirits disguised as a rival boy band. Directed by Korean American Maggie Kang, who reportedly wanted to create a story rooted in her Korean background and heritage by blending traditional mythology with K-pop, the 100-minute film features several South Korean stars, including Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Yun-jin, and Lee Byung-hun, who lent their voices. 2025-08-02 16:16:16

Trump says Washington and Seoul have 'great' relationship ahead of summit SEOUL, August 2 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the U.S. and South Korea have a "great relationship," ahead of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's visit to the White House within two weeks. "We have a great relationship with South Korea," said Trump, speaking to reporters outside the White House before departing for New Jersey. When asked about the timing of the summit, he added that Lee is expected to visit within two weeks. Trump had previously called the deal with Seoul a "full and complete" trade deal on Wednesday, following South Korea's agreement with the U.S. to lower reciprocal tariffs from 25 percent to 15 percent in exchange for massive investment and wider market opening. The following day, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks in Washington, where they discussed the upcoming summit and broader bilateral cooperation. Lee’s visit will mark his first official trip to Washington since taking office in early June. 2025-08-02 10:57:49

Yoon refuses to comply with arrest in probe involving wife SEOUL, August 1 (AJP) - Independent prosecutors on Friday failed to forcibly bring in disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning, as he refused to cooperate. Prosecutors led by Min Jung-ki, who have been investigating a string of allegations involving Yoon’s wife and former first lady Kim Keon Hee, visited a remand prison in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, in an attempt to arrest Yoon. Yoon reportedly protested vehemently by lying almost bare-naked on the floor of his cell, resisting to comply with prosecutors' repeated requests to respond to an arrest warrant issued by the Seoul Central District Court the previous day. Prosecutors had no choice but to leave due to safety concerns but vowed to try again with stronger measures next time. According to Yoon's lawyers, the impeached president has been suffering from deteriorating health including diabetes, worsening eyesight, and other ailments, making him unable to comply with questioning. However, correctional officers determined that his condition was not severe enough to prevent him from appearing for questioning, prompting prosecutors to attempt to bring him in earlier in the day. Kim, who is embroiled in several allegations including the acceptance of a luxury handbag, involvement in a stock manipulation scheme, election-related meddling in candidate nominations, and other accusations, is also scheduled to appear for questioning next week, although it remains to be seen if she will cooperate. 2025-08-01 17:07:35

Top diplomats from South Korea, US meet ahead of Lee's upcoming summit with Trump SEOUL, August 1 (AJP) - South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Thursday for their first talks since President Lee Jae-myung took office in early June. Stressing the unwavering alliance between the two countries, Cho and Rubio reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and expressed concern over the deepening military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow. They also agreed to strengthen trilateral cooperation with Japan to address various regional issues and challenges. But their meeting drew particular attention here as it came just ahead of Lee's impending trip to the U.S. for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in the coming weeks. After finalizing a tariff-related deal the previous day, Trump said the scope of the agreement would be "announced within the next two weeks when comes to the White House for a bilateral meeting." Given these circumstances, Cho and Rubio are believed to have discussed a possible date for the first biliteral meeting between the two leaders, while fine-tuning the summit's agenda and making other arrangements. 2025-08-01 14:44:51

Powerful earthquake in Russia's far east unlikely to affect South Korea SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) - South Korea is unlikely to be affected by a powerful earthquake that struck off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, the Korea Meteorological Administration said on Wednesday. The 8.7-magnitude earthquake, which struck the area at around 8:30 a.m., prompted multiple tsunami warnings and evacuation orders in Japan and other nearby Pacific countries. "We expect no direct impact on the Korean Peninsula," a KMA official said. "But given the magnitude of the quake, we are closely monitoring the situation." The massive quake is one of the strongest in recent years, but South Korea is far from the epicenter, with Japan in between, reducing direct seismic and tsunami risks. Since 2000, about 27 earthquakes with a magnitude of 8.0 or higher have occurred globally, with at least one per year except during the period from 2022 to 2024, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Seismologists estimate that Wednesday's quake was theoretically 89,000 times stronger than the 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the historic southern city of Gyeongju in 2016, the country's strongest on record. 2025-07-30 17:16:59

Trump says he is ready to talk with 'everyone' for peace in apparent overture to Pyongyang SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump is willing to talk with "everyone" in pursuit of global peace and prosperity, the U.S. State Department said on Tuesday, suggesting once again that it remains open to talks with North Korea. When asked about the possibility of resuming dialogue with the North, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce reiterated during a press briefing on Tuesday Trump's "willingness to talk with everyone in order to achieve peace and prosperity and some semblance of normal life for people around the world." But she declined to elaborate further. Her remark came just a day after Reuters, citing a White House official, reported that Trump "remains open to engaging with to achieve a fully denuclearized North Korea." But North Korea seemingly remains nonchalant, with Kim's sister, Yo-jong, snubbing Trump's repeated overtures for rapprochement earlier this week, though it has hinted at possible dialogue if the U.S. recognizes its "irreversible position" as a "nuclear weapons state." The Foreign Ministry here appears somewhat hopeful about the prospects for inter-Korean dialogue. In a statement the same day, it said Seoul will make efforts to restore ties with the North including some previous conciliatory measures such as halting propaganda broadcasts across the border, which could be seen as partial olive branches to Pyongyang. But it also stressed that Seoul and Washington, which "fully agree on the complete denuclearization of North Korea to ensure peace on the Korean Peninsula," will continue to closely cooperate to achieve that goal. 2025-07-30 15:28:55