North Korea urges loyalty to leader on regime founder's birthday SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - North Korea on Tuesday called for greater loyalty to its leader Kim Jong-un as it marked the birthday of his grandfather and regime founder, Kim Il-sung. In its editorial in celebration of the 113th anniversary of Kim senior's birth, the state-run Rodong Sinmun praised his legacy of "juche (self-reliance) ideology," claiming it continues to evolve under Kim junior's leadership into "scientific implementation doctrines." The newspaper also stressed the importance of achieving the country's revolutionary progress by "more thoroughly consolidating the respected comrade's sole leadership." To celebrate the occasion, a series of massive festivities including a youth rally and several other commemorative events have been underway since last week across the country, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The late leader's birthday, which falls on April 15, is one of the biggest official holidays in the reclusive country, once hailed as the "Day of the Sun." However, state media have refrained from calling it that way in recent years, as Kim junior tries to consolidate his grip on power. 2025-04-15 16:01:32

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo declares presidential bid SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - Hong Joon-pyo, former Daegu mayor and veteran politician on Monday declared his candidacy for South Korea's upcoming presidential election, becoming the latest candidate from the ruling People Power Party (PPP). Vowing sweeping reforms as part of his presidential agenda, Hong said the June 3 election to fill a power vacuum following the impeachment of disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this month will be "not about a change in leadership, but a change in direction." Hong positioned himself as the "most reliable candidate" with proven extensive experience, in contrast to Lee Jae-myung, the former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) and the current frontrunner in the presidential race, who faces "serious legal risks" with a slew of allegations. In particular, he pledged to inject over 50 trillion won into high-tech industries and advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology and semiconductors, while also implementing deregulation and incentives to attract global investment. He also stressed the need for South Korea to develop its own nuclear deterrent in response to North Korea's growing threats. With the bid, Hong now joins a slew of presidential candidates including former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, five-term lawmaker Na Kyung-won, former party leader Han Dong-hoon, IT tycoon-turned-politician Ahn Cheol-soo, and former Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok. With no clear favorite despite a flurry of hopefuls, the PPP plans to select its candidate by early May. Meanwhile, Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who remains cautious amid calls for him to run for president, merely said during a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day that he will "faithfully fulfill my responsibilities." There is widespread speculation that he may step in as a last-minute contender if no strong candidate emerges to compete against Lee. 2025-04-14 16:47:32

Former DP leader maintains lead over rivals in poll ahead of presidential election SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - With the presidential election less than two months away after disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's ouster, Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, remains far ahead of other candidates, a new poll shows. According to a survey of over 1,500 adults conducted last week by pollster Realmeter and released on Monday, 48.8 percent expressed support for Lee as the most suitable presidential candidate. Former Employment and Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, who declared his bid last week, came in a distance second with 10.9 percent, down 5.4 percentage points from the previous week. The former labor activist-turned-politician, who gained sudden popularity among hardline conservatives during Yoon's impeachment trial over his botched martial law debacle late last year, joined an increasingly heated race to select a candidate for the ruling People Power Party (PPP), which has no clear favorite despite a flurry of hopefuls including former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo and former party leader Han Dong-hoon. Despite uncertainty over whether he will run for president, Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo made his first appearance in the survey, garnering 8.6 percent support, probably backed by his recent response to U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff threats. Next was Han Dong-hoon (6.2 percent), the estranged former aide to Yoon, followed by Hong (5.2 percent), who is set to declare his bid later in the day, and Lee Jun-seok, leader of the splinter conservative New Reform Party (3 percent), who turned 40 last month, making him eligible for the presidency. Meanwhile, nearly half of the respondents or 46.7 percent said they support the DP, while around 33.1 percent opted for the PPP. 2025-04-14 11:16:24

Foreign job seekers explore new opportunities at networking event in Seoul SEOUL, April 12 (AJP) - Nearly 100 foreigners gathered in Seoul’s trendy Seongsu-dong on Saturday for a networking event aimed at helping international students and jobseekers explore career opportunities in Korea. Hosted by Exprivé, a company that connects over 10,000 foreign influencers to promote Korean culture worldwide, the event brought together participants and businesses from various industries. Exprivé CEO Baek Min shared the company’s vision. “We collaborate with many companies across different fields to create meaningful events that connect foreign influencers living in Korea,” he said. “Korea has become a popular destination for foreigners. Many foreign students studying in Korea would like to stay after graduation. But just as I saw in other countries, it can be very difficult for foreigners to find a job abroad, and Korea is no exception.” Baek noted that around 200,000 international students are currently studying in Korea, but many face challenges when trying to find jobs after graduation. “Our mission is to provide a platform where foreigners can connect with opportunities,” he emphasized. “By opening doors for foreign talent, Korea can become more globally competitive.” Former Ambassador to Malaysia Cho Byung-jae delivered a congratulatory message, drawing on his international experience and highlighting the significance of the event. “This is more than just a conference,” he said. “There’s a strong lineup of speakers, and someone you meet here could become your mentor, future colleague, or even someone who changes your life. Today’s opportunity may lead you to a place you never imagined.” About 30 foreign professionals currently working at major companies like Alibaba, Kakao, Samsung, and SM Entertainment were also present to share their personal career stories. Many offered practical tips and spoke candidly about the difficulties they faced when first settling in Korea. Shen Jing, General Manager of Overseas Business at Kakao Entertainment and one of the event’s speakers, shared his thoughts. “Life and work in Korea can be quite different from China, and it takes time to get used to. However, if you stay confident and keep pushing forward, your efforts will guide you in the right direction,” Jing said. “Seize the opportunity when it comes, because you never know when the next one will appear.” 2025-04-12 18:40:08

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon exits presidential race ahead of expected bid SEOUL, April 12 (AJP) - Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said Saturday that he will not run in the upcoming presidential election, a surprise decision that is expected to reshape the race. The snap election, scheduled for June 3, follows the Constitutional Court of Korea's unanimous decision last week to impeach Yoon over his botched martial law debacle late last year. Oh made the announcement just one day before he was expected to declare his presidential bid. Speaking at the People Power Party (PPP) headquarters in western Seoul, he said he “will not join” the race and called on his party to transform into one that can “win the hearts of the people.” “I will support a candidate who shares my values and help restore strong conservative leadership,” Oh added. Oh’s decision is expected to shake up the PPP, where he had been seen as one of the most competitive contenders, particularly among moderates and swing voters. Following his withdrawal, some have begun calling for acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to consider running, which could further expand the list of candidates. Former party leader Han Dong-hoon and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo have already declared their candidacies, and both released brief statements showing respect for Oh’s decision. Meanwhile, the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) is also gearing up for the race, with former party leader Lee Jae-myung, former Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon, and former DP lawmaker Kim Du-kwan have all declared their presidential bids. 2025-04-12 16:33:39

Rescue efforts underway after tunnel collapse southwest of Seoul SEOUL, April 12 (AJP) - Rescue operations continued Saturday following a tunnel collapse at a construction site on the southwestern outskirts of Seoul that left one worker missing and another rescued. The tunnel under construction partially collapsed around 3 p.m. Friday in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province. Two workers, a man in his 20s and another in his 50s, were working inside the tunnel at the time. The younger worker was pulled out alive after nearly 13 hours of rescue efforts and was transported to a hospital with no major injuries. The older worker remained missing as of Saturday afternoon, while seven search dogs, cranes, drones, and other equipment were deployed in the ongoing search. A colleague said, "He may have been inside a container at the time of the collapse." Rescue efforts have been hampered by rain and strong winds, which caused water to flow into the tunnel and raised concerns about the worker’s safety. Roughly 2,400 residents in the nearby area were evacuated immediately after the collapse Friday afternoon. They were allowed to return home around midnight after safety inspections confirmed no risk to surrounding buildings. Police and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport are investigating the cause of the collapse and working to prevent further incidents in the area. 2025-04-12 15:34:47

Extended hours at museums and cultural spots allow Seoulites to unwind on Fridays SEOUL, April 11 (AJP) - Many Seoulites are now able to let their hair down late into the night at the end of the week, as the capital's hottest spots and cultural spaces extend their operating hours every Friday. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, several historical sites and libraries such as Unhyeong Palace, the Seoul Museum of History, the Seoul Museum of Art, and Namsangol Hanok Village will stay open until 9 p.m. on Fridays, as the city's annual program that allows busy city dwellers to enjoy nighttime cultural activities returns this week. This year's program, which runs through December, is expected to delight visitors with a variety of events and fun activities that reflect each venue's unique character including quiz raffles, photo zones, and craft workshops to encourage longer stays and active participation. Some informative lectures, exhibitions, music concerts, magic shows, and other performances are also planned to help both locals and tourists discover the hidden charm of the city. 2025-04-11 17:22:48

Conference calls for stronger ICC role to address crimes of aggression SEOUL, April 11 (AJP) -International activists and other participants called for global action against crimes of aggression at a conference in central Seoul on Thursday. Hosted by the German Embassy in Seoul, the conference took place under a global initiative spearheaded by the German Federal Foreign Office and co-sponsored by the foreign ministries of Estonia and Poland. Nearly 100 participants including diplomats, legal experts, and students gathered for the conference, which was part of a series of regional meetings, ahead of the upcoming Review Conference of the Rome Statute, which is slated to be held in New York in July. Main discussions at the conference were focused on building international support to strengthen the International Criminal Court's (ICC) role in holding perpetrators of acts of aggression accountable. Key speakers discussed ways to reinforce the ICC's jurisdictional framework and promote legal accountability for acts of aggression. "If I look at today, I think the very existence of the ICC is under threat, and not just the ICC but also other international organizations like the WHO," said German Ambassador Georg Schmidt in his welcoming address. "It is troubling to see tendencies to return to the rule of the strongest. This matters particularly for middle-sized and smaller countries." Estonian Ambassador Sten Schwede also emphasized the importance of international cooperation. "Estonia highly values the role the ICC plays in upholding the rules-based order and ensuring accountability for international crimes," Schwede said. He pointed out, "We have seen the consequences of jurisdictional limitations, as we seen in case of Russia's war in Ukraine," adding "All ICC member countries have a role to play." 2025-04-11 16:34:35

South Korea establishes diplomatic ties with Syria SEOUL, April 11 (AJP) - Korea has established formal bilateral relations with Syria, completing diplomatic outreach to some 110 UN member countries, leaving North Korea as the only exception. With the latest addition of the Levantine country, South Korea now has diplomatic arrangements with some 194 countries including non-UN entities such as the Cook Islands, Niue, and the Vatican, the Foreign Ministry here said on Friday. The ministry hailed it as a "diplomatic milestone" for Seoul, saying it would open a "new chapter for bilateral cooperation with Syria," a country that had long remained out of reach due to its close ties with North Korea. The diplomatic breakthrough came amid a major political shift in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime in December, paving the way for a South Korean delegation to visit the country in February, the first such visit in over two decades. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul traveled to Damascus earlier this week, where he met with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaybani to formalize procedures for diplomatic ties between the two countries. During the meeting, Cho said that South Korea will help support Syria's regional stability and facilitate reconstruction efforts in cooperation with major businesses, while sharing its experiences in economic growth and development. Expressing his gratitude, Shaybani proposed enhancing cooperation and supporting efforts to lift international sanctions. Later, Cho also met with interim President Ahmed al-Shara, who emphasized the importance of Seoul's support in the new Syrian government's recovery process and reconstruction projects. 2025-04-11 14:43:28

Constitutional Court rejects Justice Minister's impeachment over alleged martial law involvement SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea on Thursday unanimously dismissed the impeachment of Justice Minister Park Sung-jae over his alleged involvement in disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle late last year. The court said it found "no evidence or other objective records" showing that Park aided Yoon's Dec. 3 declaration of martial law or tacitly supported it. With the ruling, Park was immediately reinstated, nearly four months after the National Assembly impeached him over his alleged involvement in the debacle on Dec. 12. Park had denied the charges, saying he actively tried to stop Yoon from declaring martial law during a Cabinet meeting and did not participate in follow-up discussions such as plans to arrest a slew of lawmakers. 2025-04-10 16:20:55