South Korean leader warns US demands could risk crisis without currency safeguards SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung said he is determined to resolve long-standing tariff and trade frictions with the United States as quickly as possible, framing the issue as central to the viability of South Korea’s massive investment push in the American economy. In an interview with Reuters published Monday, Lee highlighted differences between Seoul and Washington over how to guarantee the commercial feasibility of a planned $350 billi September 22, 2025

Korea's tariffs on US exports soar, marking world's fastest growth SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - South Korea's tariffs on U.S. exports surged to nearly 5 trillion won ($3.3 billion) in the second quarter, marking the fastest growth among the top 10 exporting countries to the U.S. The finding was released in a report Monday by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). The report highlights a significant financial burden on South Korean exporters, with tariffs growing 46 times compared to the fourth quarter of last year — the September 22, 2025

South Korea hit hardest by US tariffs in 2nd quarter SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - South Korea was hit hardest by tariffs on its exports among major U.S. trading partners in the second quarter of this year, an analysis suggests. The Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) said Sunday that tariffs on the country's exports to the U.S. increased by US$3.23 billion during the period between April and June, ranking sixth behind China ($25.93 billion), Mexico ($5.52 billion), Japan ($4.78 billion), Germany ($3.57 billion), and Vie September 21, 2025

Data breaches affect more KT subscribers than initially reported SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - Additional data breaches at mobile telecom provider KT have affected more subscribers in broader areas than initially reported. According to a report submitted Sunday by the country's second-largest mobile carrier to Hwang Jung-ah, a lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party, such cases also occurred in Dongjak and Seocho in southern Seoul and other areas, not just the previously reported locations of Gwangmyeong and Geumcheon in southwestern Seoul and September 21, 2025

String of major data breaches raises serious questions about Korea's cybersecurity SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - South Korean officials bowed their heads in apology during a televised press conference Friday but offered little comfort to a highly connected society grappling with yet another string of mass data breaches. "The government is coordinating across agencies to minimize damage and prepare fundamental measures rather than temporary responses," said Vice Minister Ryu Je-myeong of the Ministry of Science and ICT. "In light of these inciden September 19, 2025

NVIDIA–Intel tie-up to bring opportunities for Korean chipmakers SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - A tie-up between U.S. chip-design giants NVIDIA and Intel is expected to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) computing infrastructure — creating new opportunities for South Korea’s memory and packaging technologies that support advanced AI chips. The $5 billion partnership, under which NVIDIA will acquire a 4 percent stake in Intel, could unite the current and former leaders of global chip design, pending regulatory approval. The announ September 19, 2025

Drugstores rising as must-visit stops in Seoul for foreign visitors SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Drugstores are must-visit stop in Europe, famed for their iconic pharmacy brands — and Korea is fast emerging as a beauty mecca of its own, fueled by a social media-driven reputation for affordable skincare. Tourists are now venturing beyond the ubiquitous Olive Young chain, browsing independent pharmacies where shelves are lined with beauty products labeled in English, Chinese, and Japanese. “I read about this cream on Instagram Threads September 19, 2025

American business chamber raises alarm over contentious union law SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - The head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea urged the South Korean government on Friday to take industry concerns into account as it prepares to implement the so-called Yellow Envelope Act, a contentious new labor law that has become a flashpoint in the country’s corporate sector. AMCHAM Korea Chairman James Kim said the chamber would soon present policy recommendations to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, which has formed a task September 19, 2025

Hanwha Aerospace to supply 24 more K9 howitzers to Norway SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace said Friday it has signed a new contract with Norway’s defense procurement agency to supply 24 additional K9 self-propelled howitzers. The company did not disclose the value of the deal, citing an agreement with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, known as NDMA. The signing ceremony was held on Sept. 18 in Oslo and attended by Hanwha’s chief executive, Son Jae-il, and Gro Jaere, director general of the NDMA. It is the September 19, 2025

Hyosung Heavy secures $150 million US power grid contract SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Hyosung Heavy Industries, a South Korean power equipment maker, said Friday it has secured a $150 million contract to supply ultra–high-voltage transformers and circuit breakers to a U.S. firm. The deal will provide a package of 765-kilovolt transformers, reactors and 800-kilovolt circuit breakers. It is the first time a Korean company has delivered a complete solution for America’s 765-kilovolt transmission network — the backbone of September 19, 2025