Seoul finds relief from summer heat between bookshelves SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - As record-breaking heat and sudden downpours alternate throughout the summer, people across Seoul are increasingly retreating indoors. Instead of traveling to the mountains or the sea, some are choosing a “bookcation” — a blend of “book” and “vacation” — spending time reading and resting inside the city’s air-conditioned libraries. Upon entering Seoul Metropolitan Library in central Seou July 29, 2026

KOSPI rolls back to April, KOSDAQ to January 2025 levels as AI rally unravels SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - It's only Wednesday, but South Korea's main bourse has already lost nearly 20 percent from its recent high, with the KOSPI retreating to early-April levels and the KOSDAQ to January 2025 as investors interpreted SK hynix's record second-quarter earnings as evidence that the AI-driven semiconductor boom may be maturing. The benchmark KOSPI closed 5.98 percent lower at 5,663.24, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ fell 6.12 percent to 662.68 after both index July 29, 2026

After BTS comeback year, what's next for K-pop? SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - K-pop continues to debut new groups, dominate global streaming platforms and fill concert halls from Los Angeles to Bangkok. The industry's talent pipeline remains as prolific as ever, producing acts not only in South Korea but increasingly through overseas partnerships and local adaptations. Yet beneath the steady flow of new debuts lies a quieter reckoning. While visibility has never been broader, far fewer acts are reaching the commercial sc July 29, 2026

Hanwha Solutions' Q2 profit more than triples on renewable energy strength SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - Hanwha Solutions said Wednesday its second-quarter operating profit more than tripled from the previous quarter, helped by stronger earnings from its renewable energy, chemical and advanced materials businesses. The company posted 4.58 trillion won ($3.2 billion) in consolidated sales and 306.5 billion won in operating profit in the April-June period. Sales rose 18 percent from 3.88 trillion won in the first quarter, while operating profit jumped 231 percent f July 29, 2026

South Korea completes decade-long development of homegrown KF-21 fighter jet SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - South Korea has completed the development of its first homegrown KF-21 fighter jet, dubbed Boramae, marking the completion of a decade-long project launched in December 2015. At a ceremony held at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)'s headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province on Wednesday, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) officially declared the completion of the project, with key officials from government agencies, institution July 29, 2026

Fed, BOJ policy paths may be behind foreign exodus from Korean equities SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - Foreign investors have sold nearly 20 trillion won ($14.5 billion) worth of South Korean equities this month, including about 10 trillion won this week, extending first-half outflows of roughly 170 trillion won as global investors reposition portfolios ahead of diverging monetary paths in the United States and Japan rather than simply locking in profits after Seoul's year-long rally. The sustained selling suggests global liquidity conditions—not dom July 29, 2026

Koreas enter quiet undersea race amid the slow death of denuclearization SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - For more than three decades, denuclearization was the one word that defined every major policy toward North Korea. Every summit, sanctions package and diplomatic initiative ultimately revolved around the goal of dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program. Today, the word is quietly disappearing — not because the objective has been achieved, but because policymakers in Washington and Seoul are increasingly planning for a future in which North Kor July 29, 2026

LG Electronics offers interim dividend and completes buyback SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - LG Electronics said Wednesday its board had approved an interim cash dividend of 500 won per common and preferred share and completed a previously announced 100 billion won share buyback as part of its shareholder return policy. The company set Aug. 13 as the record date for the interim dividend, with payments scheduled for Aug. 28. The total dividend payout amounts to about 89.7 billion won. LG Electronics said it has maintained a minimum annual dividend July 29, 2026

Powerful quake in Japan prompts South Korea to step up preparedness SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - The government convened a meeting of seismological experts to discuss response measures after a powerful earthquake struck Japan the previous day, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said on Wednesday. Participants analyzed the cause of the quake in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture on the southwestern island of Kyushu and its potential impact on South Korea, while reviewing the country's preparedness for earthquakes and tsunamis as well as coordinatio July 29, 2026

Seoul office vacancy hits 5-year high on new downtown supply SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - Seoul's Grade A office vacancy rate rose to 5.8 percent in the second quarter, up 1.8 percentage points from the previous quarter and the highest level since the third quarter of 2021, according to a report released by Cushman & Wakefield Korea, the local arm of the global commercial real estate services firm. The increase was driven by new supply rather than falling demand. Two large towers, G1 Seoul in the Gongpyeong redevelopment zone and Rene Squ July 29, 2026