South Korea, Inter-American Development Bank plan AI cooperation hub SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - South Korea and the Inter-American Development Bank have agreed to establish a cooperation hub focused on artificial intelligence, part of a broader effort to deepen economic and technological partnerships between South Korea and Latin America. The agreement came during the seventh Korea–Latin America Business Summit in Seoul, where Deputy Prime Minister and Economy and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol met with IDB President Ilan Goldfajn October 27, 2025

South Korea, Saudi Arabia deepen ties in shipbuilding, automobiles, AI under Vision 2030 SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - South Korea and Saudi Arabia agreed on Monday to expand cooperation across a range of industries — including shipbuilding, automobiles, and artificial intelligence — as the two nations seek to strengthen ties aligned with Riyadh’s Vision 2030 initiative. Moon Shin-hak, South Korea’s deputy minister of trade, industry and energy, met with Abdullah bin Ali Al-Ahmari, Saudi Arabia’s deputy minister of industry and mineral re October 27, 2025

Korea-France Space Forum highlights growing partnership in space exploration SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Government officials, scientists, and industry leaders from South Korea and France gathered in Seoul on Monday for the fifth Korea-France Space Forum, underscoring the two nations’ expanding collaboration in space exploration and technology. Held at the Four Seasons Hotel, the forum brought together representatives from the Korea Space Agency and France’s National Centre for Space Studies, known as CNES, as well as executives from major aero October 27, 2025

KOSPI breaks 4,000 for first time in 45 yrs, Nikkei also at historic high SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Korean and Japanese stock markets celebrated historic milestones Monday, with both the KOSPI and Nikkei breaking past symbolic thresholds for the first time in their histories. The KOSPI jumped 2.3 percent to 4,032.49 around midday, topping the 4,000 mark for the first time in its 45-year history. Bellwethers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix led the charge, each hitting record levels — 100,000 won ($70) and 500,000 won, respectively. Advancers outn October 27, 2025

Korean crypto platforms under scrutiny for ties to sanctioned Cambodian exchange SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - South Korean cryptocurrency exchanges have been drawn into a widening money-laundering network tied to North Korean hackers, with transactions flowing through a Cambodian exchange under U.S. sanctions surging nearly 1,400-fold in a year, government data show. According to figures submitted to lawmakers by the Financial Supervisory Service, the total volume of cryptocurrency traded between South Korea’s five largest exchanges — Upbit, Bithumb October 27, 2025

South Korean institute to collaborate with University of Missouri on atomic energy SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and the University of Missouri have signed a five-year agreement to deepen cooperation in nuclear research and development, South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT said Monday. The agreement, signed at the institute’s headquarters in Daejeon, establishes a framework for joint research, personnel exchanges, and shared use of facilities. The two institutions will collaborate in six key areas: reacto October 27, 2025

Hyundai Motor expands ties with Japan's Toray to develop future mobility technologies SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group said Monday it has signed an agreement with Japan’s Toray Group to collaborate on the development of advanced materials for next-generation mobility, from high-performance vehicles to lunar rovers and humanoid robots. The agreement was formalized at Hyundai’s headquarters in Seoul, with Kim Heung-soo, Hyundai’s head of global strategy, and Terada Miki, Toray’s senior executive vice president, in attendance. October 27, 2025

OPINION: Restructuring alone won't save Korea's petrochemical industry SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - South Korea’s financial sector has joined the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in urging the petrochemical industry to embark on a voluntary restructuring. The call is ambitious: companies are being asked to reduce naphtha cracking capacity by as much as 3.7 million tons — roughly 25 percent — and pivot toward higher-value specialty products. Creditors have gone so far as to warn that continued support could be withdrawn if com October 27, 2025

S.Korean defense expo hits all-time high as global interest surges SEOUL, October 26 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest defense and aerospace exhibition wrapped up Sunday after an eight-day run, setting new records for business deals and attendance. The biennial Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025 drew 600 companies from 35 countries and generated $44.9 billion (64.6 trillion won) in business consultations — a 53 percent rise from 2023, marking a new record. "The surge in consultations reflects growi October 26, 2025

East Asian markets upbeat before Trump's arrival next week SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - Asian markets ended mostly higher Friday on optimism surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming Asian tour, which includes back-to-back summits with leaders of South Korea, China, and Japan. In Seoul, the KOSPI climbed 2.0 percent to close at 3,921.52, reclaiming the 3,900 threshold as chip bellwethers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix extended gains. Japan’s Nikkei 225 advanced 1.3 percent to 49,282.19, supported by expectations of rene October 24, 2025