South Korea slides in global competitiveness ranking SEOUL, June 17 (AJP) - South Korea fell seven notches to 27th place in global competitiveness rankings, according to a report released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) on Tuesday. The annual report by the Swiss business school, which ranks some 69 countries around the world based on four key categories — economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure — placed South Korea at 27th, down from 20th last year. Despite a slight improvement in economic performance, the country's overall standing fell due to drastic declines in other categories. The report pointed out the country need to "address demographic decline with world-lowest birth rates and mounting fiscal pressures." It also stressed the importance of overcoming "regulatory barriers to sustain competitiveness in emerging technologies." Switzerland rose one spot to claim first place, while Singapore slid to second. They were followed by Hong Kong, Denmark, and the UAE. Meanwhile, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung attributed the drop to economic struggles and other disruptions caused by "political turmoil" following former President Yoon Seok Yeol's botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law and his subsequent impeachment. 2025-06-17 14:39:46

Lee embarks on first overseas trip to Canada for G7 summit SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Monday left for Canada along with first lady Kim Hye-kyung to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit. This marks his first overseas trip since taking office earlier this month, making him the fastest among South Korean presidents to do so, unlike his predecessors who usually spent two to three months settling in before traveling abroad. The G7 summit brings together leaders of the G7 countries — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S. — along with leaders invited by host country Canada. South Korea is among the invitees, along with Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa, and Ukraine. By attending the three-day summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, which runs through Tuesday, Lee is set to make his debut in multilateral diplomacy less than two weeks into his single five-year term, as he is expected to hold one-on-one meetings with leaders of major countries on the sidelines of the summit. Anticipation is particularly growing for bilateral meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump amid his sweeping tariff policies, as well as with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. A trilateral summit involving the three leaders is also being discussed, though it has yet to be confirmed. Another possible meeting could be held with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is expected to attend the summit. "Preparations are underway in case the two leaders meet," an official from the presidential office said. The official added, "The summit would have symbolic importance in signaling Seoul's return to the global stage after a period of political turmoil," referring to a roughly six-month diplomatic vacuum following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law last year. Lee is also scheduled to deliver a speech on diversifying global energy supply chains and linking them with artificial intelligence during a session of the summit. 2025-06-16 17:07:43

Lee calls emergency meeting in response to Israel's attack on Iran SEOUL, June 13 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung convened an urgent meeting on Friday to discuss measures in response to Israel's attack on Iran earlier in the day. Lee said, "The most important thing is the lives and safety of South Koreans there," stressing the need to thoroughly assess the situation of South Koreans residing there. He ordered key officials to prepare appropriate safety measures for South Koreans residing in nearby areas while analyzing potential impacts on the domestic economy. "The attack has led to huge fluctuations in oil prices, exchange rates, and the stock market," Lee pointed out, emphasizing the importance of timely economic measures to protect the domestic economy from the fallout. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is estimated that around 100 South Koreans are staying in Iran. Israel launched airstrikes on dozens of military installations including a nuclear facility in Tehran in the early hours of Friday. Iran vowed retaliation after its most powerful military figure General Hossein Salami, along with other military leaders, was killed during the attack, further escalating tensions in the already volatile Middle East region. 2025-06-13 15:35:12

North Korea launches repaired destroyer after initial failed attempt SEOUL, June 13 (AJP) - North Korea has launched a large destroyer, after its initial failed attempt last month, state media reported on Friday. The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the 5,000-ton destroyer, named after North Korea’s historical naval hero Kang Kon, was launched at a shipyard in the northeastern port city of Rajin after weeks of repair work. The country's leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the launch along with his daughter, Ju-ae, who was dressed in a white romper and looked more mature than in her previous public appearances. Kang Kon was an "anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter" who served as North Korea's first army chief until he died during the Korean War. During its initial launch at a facility in the nearby port city of Chongjin on May 21, the warship accidentally capsized, with most of its hull submerged, prompting Kim to order immediate repairs. The incident was a huge embarrassment for Kim as he was there to apparently show off the country's military might. Under Kim's orders to complete repairs by the end of June, the damaged destroyer was raised within just two weeks and fully restored in less than a month. According to KCNA, Kim "awarded commemorative copper coins to major commanding officers of the destroyer and had a photo session" with them, with plans to build more such vessels in the coming years. 2025-06-13 14:52:25

Trump 'remains receptive' to talks with North Korea, White House says SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump "remains receptive" to engaging in talks with North Korea, the White House said Wednesday. When asked to clarify whether North Korean diplomats had refused to accept a letter Trump sent to Kim, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing, "The president remains receptive to correspondence with Kim Jong-un, and he'd like to see the progress that was made at that summit in Singapore, which I know you covered in 2018 during his first term." Earlier, North Korea-focused media outlet NK News reported that Trump had written a personal letter intended for Kim, but North Korean diplomats at the isolated country's UN mission in New York reportedly declined to accept it. The letter was said to be part of Trump's efforts to reengage in talks with Pyongyang following his previous photo ops with Kim during his first term. Leavitt declined to elaborate further, merely saying, "As for specific correspondence, I'll leave that to the president to answer." Regarding that, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here said on Thursday, "The South Korean government is currently checking further details through a channel with Washington," with a ministry spokesman adding that the two countries "remain open for dialogue with the North." During his first term, Trump met with Kim three times and exchanged personal "love letters" multiple times, which often led him to brag about his "romance" with the North Korean leader. Since taking office earlier this year, Trump has made conciliatory gestures toward North Korea, referring to it as a "nuclear power," suggesting a possible shift from his predecessor's stance on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. But Pyongyang has shown little interest in U.S. overtures so far, strengthening military ties with Russia instead. 2025-06-12 16:38:14

Lee invites Xi to APEC summit in first phone talks SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping over the phone on Tuesday. It was Lee's first conversation with Xi and his third with a foreign leader since taking office, after he talked with U.S. President Donald Trump last week and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba the previous day. In their phone conversation which lasted about 30 minutes, Xi congratulated Lee on his election earlier this month while expressing his hopes for "improved relations between the two countries." "Lee and Xi discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation," presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said. According to Kang, Lee asked Xi for Beijing to play a "constructive role" in North Korea's denuclearization to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, while Xi urged Seoul to cooperate in upholding free trade to ensure the stability of global supply chains, in an apparent effort to counter U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff policies. Lee also invited Xi to attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, scheduled for November in the historic southern city of Gyeongju. The two leaders agreed to work together to ensure the summit's success and to promote exchanges between the two countries. If Xi attends the summit, it will be his first visit to South Korea in about 11 years. 2025-06-10 17:12:50

Firefighters extinguish blaze near Jogyesa Temple in central Seoul SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - A fire that broke out at a building next to Jogyesa Temple in central Seoul on Tuesday morning was fully extinguished about two hours later. According to firefighters, the blaze started at around 10:20 a.m. and was put out around noon. About 300 people were evacuated, and over 30 artifacts on display at the building were moved to the nearby National Palace Museum of Korea due to concerns over possible damage. No casualties have been reported so far. Fire authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the fire. 2025-06-10 11:23:33

North Korea experiences nationwide internet shutdown SEOUL, June 7 (AJP) - North Korea experienced a nationwide internet outage on Friday, affecting all routes of online access into the country, according to a British researcher cited by Reuters. Junade Ali, a UK-based analyst monitoring North Korea’s online activities, told Reuters the disruption likely resulted from internal technical issues rather than a cyberattack. Ali said the outage appeared similar to a network overload, suggesting internal problems such as power outages or equipment failures. He noted that North Korea's internet infrastructure disappeared completely from monitoring systems, including connections through China and Russia. Several North Korean state-run websites, including the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Rodong Sinmun newspaper, and the foreign ministry, remained inaccessible as of Friday afternoon. Internet access in North Korea is heavily restricted, available to roughly 1% of the population. Most North Koreans use a closed domestic network called Kwangmyong. North Korea has faced similar outages in the past. In January 2022, the country's internet was disrupted for about six hours due to a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. 2025-06-07 18:12:51

INTERVIEW: Taman Safari Indonesia introduces attractive tours for Korean tourists as bilateral tourism flourishes SEOUL, June 7 (AJP) - At the bustling Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF) this week, a booth showcasing lush jungles, exotic wildlife, and vibrant imagery stood out. At the center of this was Alexander Zulkarnain, Chief Marketing Officer of Taman Safari Indonesia, eager to introduce South Korean visitors to Indonesia's hidden travel gems. "Indonesia and South Korea have enjoyed strong diplomatic ties for 52 years," Zulkarnain said in an interview with AJP. "Now, tourism is emerging as a cornerstone of this relationship." Indonesia has become increasingly popular among South Korean travelers, with approximately 436,000 Koreans visiting in 2024 alone, especially during the summer holidays. While Bali's beaches traditionally attracted the majority, Korean visitors now venture beyond, exploring diverse cities such as Jakarta and Yogyakarta. "Korean travelers today seek more than just sightseeing," Zulkarnain noted. "They crave meaningful experiences and emotional connections." During the fair, Zulkarnain highlighted a relatively unknown destination perfect for Korean visitors : the Jakarta Aquarium & Safari (JAQS), situated in Neo Soho at Central Park Jakarta. Although beloved by local residents, it remains largely unknown among Korean tourists. "JAQS offers something truly unique," he explained. "Visitors can interact closely with over 3,500 aquatic and terrestrial animals, attend live feeding sessions, and enjoy performances inspired by traditional Indonesian mythology." Another distinctive attraction is the aquarium's Pingoo restaurant, where diners enjoy Indonesian fusion cuisine right beside Humboldt penguins. Throughout the event, Zulkarnain actively engaged with Korean media, influencers, and travel agencies, gaining fresh insights into current travel preferences. "Three key trends stood out clearly," he said. "Firstly, Koreans value convenience. Korean travelers expect easy online booking, multilingual support, clear information, and reliable transportation." Secondly, Korean travelers seek engaging experiences rather than just sightseeing. "I believe our programs align perfectly with these demands," he said. Lastly, sustainability seems to be becoming increasingly important among Korean tourists. "As Indonesia’s leading wildlife conservation institution, Taman Safari is also perfect for Korean visitors who value ethical and eco-friendly tourism," Zulkarnain emphasized. In response to these insights, Taman Safari plans to enhance Korean-language services, simplify digital bookings, and partner closely with popular Korean travel platforms. "We will also introduce specialized itineraries tailored for Korean visitors, including educational family tours, adventurous youth programs, and romantic wellness retreats," he added. Looking ahead toward the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Indonesia and Korea, Zulkarnain emphasized the initiative’s long-term vision. "Our ultimate goal is to gradually strengthen tourism links between Korea and Indonesia, introducing Koreans to the remarkable yet undiscovered attractions of Indonesia," he concluded. "We believe these ongoing efforts will foster lasting relationships and stronger bonds for many years to come." 2025-06-07 17:17:52

S.Korean President Lee to attend G7 summit, Trump meeting expected SEOUL, June 7 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will attend the G7 summit scheduled for mid-June in Canada, according to the presidential office on Saturday. "Lee was invited to the summit and has accepted the invitation," said a presidential office official. South Korea is not a member of the G7, but has attended previous summits as a guest. Former President Moon Jae-in attended the summit held in the United Kingdom in 2021, and former President Yoon Suk Yeol joined the summit hosted by Japan in 2023. Lee is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time at the summit, following their phone conversation on Friday. A separate bilateral discussion between Lee and Trump is also being expected, according to the presidential office. "We will prepare for a possible meeting between two presidents either during or immediately following the G7 summit," a presidential spokesperson said. The summit comes amid South Korea's efforts to resume active diplomacy after nearly six months of diplomatic stagnation following former President Yoon's botched martial law debacle last December. The spokesperson also said discussions are underway regarding the possible summits with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. 2025-06-07 15:42:49