Journalist

·JEONG SE HEE
  • Four injured in explosion during military training in Paju
    Four injured in explosion during military training in Paju SEOUL, December 2 (AJP) - Four people were injured in an explosion at an army training site in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on Tuesday. The accident occurred during anti-aircraft shooting drills when a 30-mm shell became stuck in a launcher. According to military authorities, the injured included three non-commissioned officers and one civilian employee. They were airlifted to the Armed Forces Capital Hospital in the province with injuries such as shoulder wounds and tinnitus, but are reportedly in stable condition. A military official said, "The exact cause of the accident is under investigation." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-02 15:22:28
  • Firefighters struggle to contain wildfire in Inje
    Firefighters struggle to contain wildfire in Inje SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - Firefighters are still battling a wildfire in the mountainous areas of Inje, Gangwon Province, with about 60 percent of the flames contained as of early Friday morning. According to the Korea Forest Service, more than 300 rescue officials were mobilized overnight to extinguish the blaze which broke out at around 5:30 p.m. the previous day, but the rugged mountain ranges made the operation difficult. Additional helicopters were also deployed at sunrise to help fully extinguish the fire. The affected area is estimated at 20 hectares, or roughly 49 acres. No injuries have been reported, but about a dozen villagers have evacuated to a temporary shelter. Once the fire is fully contained, fire authorities will investigate the cause and assess the damage. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-21 10:16:28
  • Lee departs for Johannesburg to attend G20 summit
    Lee departs for Johannesburg to attend G20 summit SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung on Friday headed to Johannesburg to attend the Group of 20 (G20) summit, which will be held in South Africa this weekend, after wrapping up his visit to Egypt. During his stay in Egypt earlier this week, Lee met with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to discuss expanding trade and cultural cooperation as the two countries mark 30 years of diplomatic relations. He also delivered a speech at Cairo University. In a joint press statement following the summit, Lee said, "South Korea and Egypt have agreed to work together to promote international peace in regions including the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East." The leaders also agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation and exchanges under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). After arriving in Johannesburg later in the day, Lee is expected to meet with leaders of the cross-regional consultative group known as MIKTA, which includes Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia, on the sidelines of the G20 gathering. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-21 09:41:22
  • First mate, helmsman held over ferry accident
    First mate, helmsman held over ferry accident SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - The first mate and helmsman of a passenger ferry that ran aground on an uninhabited islet off the southwestern coast overnight were arrested on Thursday over their alleged negligence, according to police. Police detained the first mate in his 40s, and the helmsman, an Indonesian also in his 40s, after both were found to have neglected their duties, causing the 26,000-ton ferry Queen Zenobia II to run aground. Initial investigations revealed that the first mate missed a crucial moment to change the ship's course because he was distracted by his cellphone. The vessel was supposed to alter its direction, but he failed to do so, leading to the accident. The area is known for its narrow and dangerous passages, requiring manual navigation instead of autopilot. However, he allegedly did not switch to manual mode while being distracted. Initially, he claimed a malfunction in the steering gear but later admitted he missed the turn while searching for news on his phone. Police seized their phones to investigate their activities at the time of the accident. The vessel's captain is also under investigation, though he has not been detained. He was not in the steering room at the time, as he was off duty. The vessel carrying 46 passengers and 21 crew members departed from the southern resort island of Jeju at 4:45 p.m. the previous day and ran aground near Sinan in South Jeolla Province at around 8:17 p.m., becoming stranded. All passengers were safely rescued several hours later, although some reported minor injuries or stress and were taken to hospitals. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 16:34:22
  • Ferry runs aground after navigator distracted by phone, initial investigation suggests
    Ferry runs aground after navigator distracted by phone, initial investigation suggests SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - The navigator of a passenger ferry carrying 246 passengers and 21 crew members was distracted by his phone, causing the vessel to run aground on an uninhabited islet off the southwestern coast overnight coastguards said Thursday. Initial investigations revealed that he failed to switch from autopilot to manual control while passing through a narrow passage, leading to the accident. The 26,000-ton ferry Queen Zenobia II departed from the southern resort island of Jeju at 4:45 p.m. the previous day and ran aground near Sinan in South Jeolla Province at around 8:17 p.m., becoming stranded. Preliminary findings indicate that the navigator's negligence caused the ferry to miss a critical turn, leading to its collision with the islet. Vessels usually do not rely on autopilot in the area, as it requires extra caution. Authorities plan to pursue criminal charges against those responsible for the accident. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 10:49:55
  • Two more dead, bringing death toll to four in truck crash in Bucheon
    Two more dead, bringing death toll to four in truck crash in Bucheon SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - Two more people have died from a deadly crash at an open-air market in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province last week, bringing the death toll to four. According to police on Wednesday, a man in his 20s and a woman in her 80s, who were seriously injured last Thursday when a pickup truck plowed through the market, died earlier this week. Two women in their 60s and 70s died at the scene, and a number of injured people have since been receiving treatment. The driver, a fish vendor in his 60s at the market, allegedly confused the accelerator with the brake, causing the truck to crash into stalls and shoppers. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-19 14:02:06
  • Samsung, Hanwha chiefs to visit UAE next week for AI, defense collaboration
    Samsung, Hanwha chiefs to visit UAE next week for AI, defense collaboration SEOUL, November 14 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan are among a group of prominent South Korean executives traveling to the United Arab Emirates next week, industry sources said on Friday. The two leaders are expected to attend the Korea-UAE Business Round Table on Nov. 19, an event organized by the Korea Economic Association and KOTRA. The gathering follows last month’s APEC meeting in Gyeongju, where South Korean officials and business chiefs underscored the need for stronger international cooperation amid global geopolitical volatility. Industry officials said roughly 15 top executives will join the delegation. Lee, who has shown growing interest in investments and partnerships in the Gulf region, is expected to raise discussions on artificial intelligence and next-generation technologies. Kim, whose conglomerate has emerged as a major player in aerospace and defense, is likely to focus on expanding defense exports — an area where the UAE has become one of South Korea’s most important customers. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-14 10:01:59
  • Another body recovered at Ulsan power plant with one worker still missing
    Another body recovered at Ulsan power plant with one worker still missing SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Another body was recovered early Thursday morning from the rubble of a thermal power plant in the southeastern city of Ulsan. According to rescue workers, a man in his 30s was retrieved from the debris at the state-run utility Korea East-West Power at around 1:18 a.m. This brings the death toll to six, with one person still missing. The incident occurred when a 60-meter boiler tower suddenly fell during demolition work last Thursday, trapping seven of the nine workers at the site. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-13 09:41:24
  • Seoul reiterates its planned nuclear-fueled submarine fleet built at home
    Seoul reiterates its planned nuclear-fueled submarine fleet built at home SEOUL, November 7 (AJP) — Senior Seoul officials on Thursday reiterated that South Korea’s planned fleet of nuclear-powered submarines must be built domestically, arguing that constructing them in the United States would be “realistically” unfeasible. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac told lawmakers during a parliamentary hearing that Seoul aims to develop “cost-effective nuclear-fueled submarines tailored to our operational needs, rather than adopting the U.S. Virginia-class model,” reaffirming earlier remarks made by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back during recent government audits. Wi said investing in new submarine facilities at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard is impractical. He also dismissed suggestions that General Dynamics, the American defense contractor, could take on construction of the vessels. The series of clarifications followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s social-media post last week claiming he had approved South Korea’s plan to build a nuclear-powered submarine — and that the project would be carried out in Philadelphia. Trump offered his endorsement during his visit to South Korea during last week’s APEC summit, after President Lee Jae Myung stressed the need for conventionally armed submarines powered by stable nuclear propulsion. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-07 07:40:54
  • Actor Yeo Jin-goo to join KATUSA next month
    Actor Yeo Jin-goo to join KATUSA next month SEOUL, November 3 (AJP) - Actor Yeo Jin-goo will begin his mandatory military service with the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA) next month. "Recruited as a member of KATUSA, Yeo will fulfill his 18-month military duty starting Dec. 15," his management agency said on Monday. "We ask for your continued support and encouragement until he returns healthy and more mature after completing his military duty," it added. But the exact time and location of his enlistment have not been revealed. Since his debut with a minor role in "Sad Movie" (2005), Yeo has appeared in various dramas and films including "A Frozen Flower" (2008), "Moon Embracing the Sun" (2012), "The Crowned Clown" (2019) and "Hijack 1971" (2024). * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-03 16:13:44