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World Cup 26: Korea, Czech Republic goalless at halftime in World Cup opener SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - South Korea went into halftime locked at 0-0 with the Czech Republic on Thursday in its opening Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Korea made a brighter start than it had in recent warm-up matches, but could not turn its early pressure into a goal against a physically strong Czech side at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico. Son Heung-min started up front, with Lee Kang-in and Lee Jae-sung playing just behind him. Hwang In-beom and Paik Seung-ho anchored the midfield, while Lee Tae-seok and Seol Young-woo operated as wing-backs. Lee Ki-hyuk, Kim Min-jae and Lee Han-beom formed the back three, with Kim Seung-gyu starting in goal. The Czech Republic lined up with Patrik Schick as its main striker, supported by Pavel Sulc, Lukas Provod, Tomas Soucek and Alexandr Sojka. Korea carved out the first clear opening in the 12th minute, when Lee Kang-in lifted a pass into the box for Lee Jae-sung’s run. The ball eventually dropped to Son, whose left-footed effort was blocked by a Czech defender. From the resulting corner, Lee Han-beom rose well but headed over the bar. Lee Kang-in then tested goalkeeper Matej Kovar in the 14th minute with a left-footed strike from distance, Korea’s only shot on target of the first half. The Czech Republic responded almost immediately after Korea lost the ball on the right, but Kim Min-jae muscled his way across to break up the danger before Patrik Schick could get a clean look at goal. Korea dictated much of the tempo early on, but the Czech Republic began to settle after the hydration break, using its size and set-piece threat to push Korea back. A Czech set piece caused problems in the 22nd minute, with the ball glancing off Tomas Soucek before drifting wide of the post. Son had two chances late in the half, sending a right-footed shot over the bar in the 37th minute before cutting inside and curling a left-footed effort just wide three minutes later. The Korean captain had one more chance in stoppage time after arriving in the box for a cutback, but he failed to make clean contact as the first half ended scoreless. 2026-06-12 12:36:49 -
World Cup 26: Scenes from first World Cup SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) -South Koreans were united at lunchtime Friday, erupting in cheers, gasps and sighs of relief as they gathered at Gwanghwamun Square, offices, restaurants and homes nationwide to watch the national team's opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 2026-06-12 12:32:35 -
Park Hong-geun: Budget Preparation and Long-term Strategy Development are Key Opportunities Park Hong-geun, Minister of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, emphasized the need to accelerate the preparation of next year’s budget and the identification of long-term national strategic projects to achieve policy outcomes. The Ministry announced that it held the 6th expanded executive meeting on June 12 at the Government Sejong Center, chaired by Minister Park. Prior to the meeting, a ceremony was held to reward employees who identified the largest-ever expenditure restructuring projects through the newly introduced integrated fiscal project performance evaluation this year. Minister Park stated, "June marks a significant turning point in the year, coinciding with the conclusion of local elections, the launch of the 22nd National Assembly's second half, and the one-year anniversary of the government's establishment. Now is the time to begin earnest work on budget preparation and the identification of long-term strategic projects, which presents an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of the Ministry and is a 'golden time' for policy implementation." He also revealed plans to fully integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into all work processes. This initiative aims to reduce the workload of employees and enhance organizational competitiveness by allowing them to focus on core tasks. He urged executives to take the lead in participating in AI training to strengthen their AI capabilities. Additionally, as the selection of proactive administrative officials for the first half of the year is underway, Minister Park highlighted the importance of bold administration in the process of generating policy outcomes. He instructed executives to encourage proactive administration and assured that achievements resulting from such efforts would be adequately rewarded. Furthermore, he directed that detailed strategies and specific action plans be developed for key tasks of the Ministry, including the establishment of long-term national development strategies, expenditure restructuring, and strengthening strategic resource allocation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-12 11:57:00 -
Kim Yoon-ji Appointed Head of Korea Creative Content Agency The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on June 12 that Kim Yoon-ji, a senior researcher at the Korea Export-Import Bank's International Economic Research Institute, has been appointed as the new head of the Korea Creative Content Agency. Her term will last for three years. Kim has worked at the Korea Export-Import Bank for 17 years, participating in numerous studies related to the content industry, including research on the economic impact of K-content exports and strategies for developing financial infrastructure to support global expansion of content companies. She is recognized for her high level of expertise across the content industry. A graduate of Seoul National University with a degree in anthropology, Kim joined the Korea Export-Import Bank in 2009. She has authored works such as "Hallyu Exports," "Hallyunomics," and "Squid Game and the Content Revolution" during her tenure as a senior researcher. In her research, Kim noted, "The reason Korean dramas are trapped in profitability limits is that they have never penetrated distribution networks directly." She emphasized that, similar to K-pop's efforts to explore various revenue sources like merchandise, the content industry must also focus on enhancing profitability. Minister Choi Hwi-young stated, "This is a crucial time for K-content to expand beyond global success into K-culture, laying the groundwork for sustainable growth. I expect the new head to enhance the competitiveness of K-culture and lead a new leap forward based on her expertise and insights into the content industry."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-12 11:57:00 -
Disgraced ex-president sentenced to 30 yrs in prison over drone-related charges SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Friday over one of several charges related to his botched martial law debacle in 2024. In a televised verdict, the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul found him guilty of ordering the dispatch of drones to North Korea several times in October 2024, about two months before his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law. The court determined that the drone dispatches were intended to escalate military tensions along the inter-Korean border in order to justify the declaration of martial law. Prosecutors had earlier sought a 10-year prison sentence for Yoon, and the court handed down the same sentence. The court also sentenced former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to 30 years in prison for carrying out Yoon's orders to send drones into the North, higher than the 25 years sought by prosecutors. The court criticized Yoon for "betraying expectations" that a president should protect citizens' safety, saying his use of the military for personal purposes was "illegitimate" and heightened military tensions that could have led to military clashes and a security crisis on the Korean Peninsula. The court also said that he wasted military resources and weakened military readiness that should have been available for immediate deployment in an emergency. Yoon's lawyers, however, argued that the drone dispatches were a "legitimate" military response to North Korea's trash-carrying balloons sent into the South at the time, and vowed to appeal. Yoon, who was ousted from the presidency on April 4 last year after the Constitutional Court of Korea unanimously upheld his impeachment, was sentenced to life imprisonment last February on his main charges of insurrection and abuse of power but has also faced a string of separate trials related to the debacle. 2026-06-12 11:49:11 -
Moon Jeong-bok Criticizes Kim Min-seok: 'The Democratic Party Is Not a Factional Party' Moon Jeong-bok, a senior member of the Democratic Party, criticized Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who is expected to compete with party leader Jung Cheong-rae in the upcoming August convention, stating, "The unity of the party must come before individual political stability." In contrast, Jung emphasized unity by referencing President Lee Jae-myung. During a Supreme Council meeting held in Gwangju on June 12, Moon urged caution, saying, "As we approach the convention, we must be more prudent. Concerns for the party should be expressed through vision, not division." He pointed out, "In the current situation where President Lee is on an overseas trip, it is not urgent for the acting prime minister to attend a party workshop." Moon further stated, "Governance should be handled appropriately, and party competition should be left to the party's procedures and judgments, which is fundamental to democracy. Any remarks or actions should not be misinterpreted as burdensome to party duties." He asserted, "The Democratic Party is not a factional party. It is a party of its members and is responsible for the lives of the people, and we will steadfastly uphold the sovereignty of our members." Amid internal conflicts over Jung's proposal for a one-member, one-vote system, Moon's comments appear to address these tensions. He explained, "The one-member, one-vote system is not a mechanism for any one person or specific faction; it is established on the principle that the party belongs to its members." However, Jung responded at the meeting, stating, "President Lee often mentioned that our party's small differences are greater than those of our opponents, emphasizing unity." He added, "Different does not mean wrong. We should not claim that differences are wrong, and I hope we can become a more inclusive Democratic Party that acknowledges each other's differences." The day before, some lawmakers reportedly called for Jung's resignation during a party meeting, highlighting accountability for the results of the June 3 local elections and by-elections, indicating a need for damage control. Jung's remark that "the people are eternal, and power is short-lived" has also stirred controversy. 2026-06-12 11:48:00 -
Daewoo Engineering Completes Indorama Fertilizer Plant No. 3 in Nigeria Daewoo Engineering has completed the construction of Indorama Fertilizer Plant No. 3 in Nigeria on schedule. This project follows the successful completion of Plants No. 1 and 2, reaffirming the company's strong track record in the local plant market. The company announced on June 12 that it has finished the construction of the "Indorama Fertilizer Plant No. 3" near Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Nigeria. This project was commissioned by IFFZE, the Nigerian subsidiary of the global petrochemical group Indorama. Daewoo Engineering established an ammonia production facility with a capacity of 2,300 tons per day and a urea fertilizer production facility with a capacity of 4,000 tons per day. The contract value is approximately $265 million, with a construction period spanning 32 months from October 2023 to May 2026. Daewoo Engineering also accelerated key production readiness stages. The introduction of natural gas occurred 14 days ahead of schedule, with ammonia production starting 16 days early and urea production beginning 19 days ahead of plan. Both the ammonia and urea plants achieved 100% operational capacity 13 days earlier than expected. Plant No. 3 represents a continuation of Daewoo Engineering's fertilizer plant projects with Indorama. The company previously secured the contract for Indorama Fertilizer Plant No. 1 in 2012, completing it in March 2018, and subsequently won the contract for Plant No. 2 in the same year. The experience gained from the first two plants has facilitated the successful execution of Plant No. 3, demonstrating a pattern of repeat contracts rather than one-off projects. The industrial significance of this project is notable. Plant No. 3 adds an additional production line near the existing Plants No. 1 and 2. According to related business data, the operation of Plant No. 3 is expected to increase Indorama's urea fertilizer production capacity from 2.8 million tons to 4.2 million tons annually. This enhancement of Nigeria's fertilizer production capabilities, based on natural gas, is also significant for local industrial infrastructure development. Since entering Nigeria in 1983, Daewoo Engineering has completed approximately 75 projects worth around $10.8 billion. The company has established a strong local business foundation by participating in key national infrastructure projects, including the Indorama Fertilizer Plants No. 1 and 2, natural gas pre-treatment facilities, and urea fertilizer production facilities. With the completion of Plant No. 3, Daewoo Engineering aims to continue its expansion in the African plant market, including Nigeria. A company representative stated, "We successfully completed the project ahead of schedule based on the experience and local network we have built in Nigeria. We will actively pursue further projects and expand our presence in the African market, leveraging our trust-based relationships with clients."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-12 11:45:00 -
Special Prosecutor Reinvestigates Jo Tae-yong Over CIA Martial Law Allegations The second comprehensive special prosecutor team, led by Kwon Chang-young, has summoned Jo Tae-yong, the former head of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), for further questioning regarding allegations that he was involved in explaining the background of martial law to allied countries, including the CIA, shortly after its declaration on December 3, 2024. The special prosecutor's team began questioning Jo at 10 a.m. on June 12, marking the second time he has been interrogated since June 1. Jo is being investigated on charges of engaging in important insurrection duties and violating the National Intelligence Service Act. Jo is accused of being involved in the process of explaining the martial law's background to allied nations at the request of the National Security Office on December 4, 2024, the day after the martial law was declared. The special prosecutor's team believes that the NIS received a request from the Security Office to provide a document in Korean explaining the reasons for the martial law. The team suspects that, under Jo's direction, the NIS's overseas department, which was under Hong Jang-won, translated the document into English and subsequently explained its contents to the CIA. Key issues in this investigation include how the request from the Security Office was communicated within the NIS and whether Jo issued any directives regarding it. The special prosecutor's team has previously questioned former Security Office chief Shin Won-sik and former Deputy Chief Hong to verify the details of the request and the document's transmission. The special prosecutor is also examining the contents of a political meeting and department head meeting held at the NIS shortly after the martial law was declared. Jo is reported to have chaired a political meeting at 11:30 p.m. on the day of the declaration, attended by the first and third deputy chiefs and the planning coordination office head. The team is investigating whether discussions regarding the martial law took place during that meeting. Hong, who was questioned the previous day, is scheduled to return for further questioning on June 22. The special prosecutor plans to reconstruct the overall allegations regarding the CIA explanations based on the testimonies of Hong and Jo. Additionally, the special prosecutor has charged three NIS officials involved in the allegations with insurrection preparation, which refers to those who did not directly lead insurrection activities but assisted or participated in them. The handling of Shin and former Deputy Chief Kim Tae-hyo is also reportedly under review.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-12 11:39:00 -
Italy honors Lee with highest state decoration SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - Italy rolled out a red carpet and gave some of its highest state honors to President Lee Jae Myung during his state visit on Thursday, highlighting deepening ties as the two countries upgraded their relationship to a special strategic partnership and expanded cooperation in technology, defense, and trade. Lee received the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, Italy's highest-ranking state decoration, typically awarded to foreign heads of state and individuals deemed to have made exceptional contributions to Italy. It marked the first time since taking office that Lee has received such a state honor from a foreign government. The ceremonial welcoming event began even before Lee landed in Rome. Two Italian fighter jets escorted South Korea's presidential aircraft after it entered Italian airspace, a gesture reserved for visiting heads of state. "This was not a courtesy extended to will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to clearly convey our position on the NTE Report and non-tariff barriers, and reaffirm South Korea's commitment to implementing bilateral cooperation initiatives, including the implementation of the Joint Fact Sheet." 2026-06-12 11:34:03 -
Kim Mi-ae Appointed as Policy Chief of the People Power Party Jung Jeom-sik, the floor leader of the People Power Party, announced on June 12 that Kim Mi-ae, a lawmaker from Busan's Haeundae-eul district, has been appointed as the policy chief deputy leader. The new leadership team will operate under a dual leadership structure with Kim Seung-soo, who has been appointed as the chief deputy floor leader.According to the People Power Party, Choi Soo-jin and Choi Eun-seok will serve as the floor spokespersons, while Kim Tae-kyu, who was elected in the June 3 by-elections, will join the spokesperson team.Yoon Yong-geun, a lawmaker who entered the National Assembly through the recent by-elections, has been appointed as the floor leader's secretary.The new leadership team is noted for its relatively neutral factional affiliations, with a focus on promoting individuals elected in the by-elections. However, lawmakers associated with the reformist faction and the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction were not included in the appointments. During the press conference, Jung emphasized that the selection process for the deputy floor leaders is still ongoing and reiterated his commitment to appointing individuals regardless of their factional ties, as he had promised during the floor leader election process.The appointments to the leadership team will be officially confirmed following a vote at a future general assembly of lawmakers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-12 11:33:00