FMs of South Korea, Iran hold phone talks as Hormuz deployment debate grows SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - The foreign ministers of South Korea and Iran talked over the phone on Friday as Seoul considers how to help ensure maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun spoke with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi at the latter's request to discuss the situation in the Middle East, bilateral relations and the protection of South Korean nationals, according to the Ministry of Foreign Ministry here. The government has yet to deci September 11, 2026

Central Asian leaders to gather in Seoul for inaugural summit SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung will host the inaugural South Korea-Central Asia Summit in Seoul next week, bringing together the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to discuss critical minerals, energy, artificial intelligence (AI), digital technology and infrastructure cooperation, Cheong Wa Dae said on Friday. In a written statement, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said the three-day summit will kick off next W September 11, 2026

In Korea's delivery republic, gratitude comes without the tip SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Any homebody knows the small thrill — the doorbell, footsteps outside and finally the arrival of dinner, groceries or the sneakers you have been waiting weeks for. In South Korea's delivery republic, that moment is woven deeply into everyday life. Increasingly, some customers are finding small ways to acknowledge the people who make it possible, whether through an iced drink, a snack, an extra meal or simply a note saying thank you and ride safe September 11, 2026

PM Han rejects claims Korea discriminates against U.S. firms SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Prime Minister Han Seong-sook on Friday rejected claims that South Korea discriminates against U.S. companies, saying the country's laws and regulations apply equally to domestic and foreign businesses. “I can say clearly that we do not discriminate against companies based on nationality,” Han told foreign business executives in her first appearance as prime minister at an American Chamber of Commerce in Korea event at The Shilla Seoul. September 11, 2026

AI comes at a price: $3,000 for a phone SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Apple is ready for a strong comeback after losing loyal Korean consumers to Samsung's foldables, with the iPhone's first foldable form rolling out across Korea on Oct. 23. The appeal to lure back long-term iPhone users is apparent, if form had been the sole put-off. The sole damper is the starting price tag of 3.29 million won for the entry-level 256-gigabyte model and 5.09 million won for the top-end 2-terabyte iPhone Duo. Apple has again se September 11, 2026

Lee's approval rating drops to new low of 38% SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating continued to slide, hitting a new low, according to a survey released by Gallup Korea on Friday. The survey of about 1,000 adults nationwide conducted earlier this week found that 38 percent of respondents said Lee was doing a good job, down 2 percentage points from the previous week and the lowest level since he took office in July last year. Some 51 percent of respondents held negative views, unchanged September 11, 2026

Japan looks to introduce Korea's AI-backed copyright system SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Japan has secured budget funding to introduce a system modeled on South Korea's AI-backed response to online copyright infringement, Seoul's culture ministry said Friday. Japanese officials saw a demonstration of the Korea Copyright Protection Agency's integrated response system at a bilateral seminar in 2024 and later secured funding to consider a similar system in Japan, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The dis September 11, 2026

aespa to release 4 solo tracks as digital single SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - K-pop girl group aespa will release four solo tracks first performed at its Seoul concert last month as a special digital single, the group's agency SM Entertainment said Friday. The tracks will be released at 6 p.m. on Sept. 14 through major music streaming platforms under the title "SYNK : COMPLaeXITY - 2026 Special Digital Single." All four songs were performed as solo stages during aespa's fourth solo concert at Gocheok Sky Dome September 11, 2026

NiziU's receives platinum certificate in Japan SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - K-pop girl group NiziU's second Japanese EP has earned platinum certification in Japan, JYP Entertainment said Friday. "GOOD GIRL BUT NOT FOR YOU," released in Japan on April 1, received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan. The industry body awards platinum status to albums that reach cumulative shipments of 250,000 copies. The EP is led by "Too Bad," a title track built around the them September 11, 2026

Samsung E&A lands $3.5 billion Saudi fertilizer plant deal SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) -Samsung E&A has won a $3.5 billion contract to build a major fertilizer complex in Saudi Arabia, extending its run of large overseas orders and deepening its foothold in one of its most important Middle Eastern markets. The South Korean engineering company said Friday it signed an engineering, procurement and construction contract with SABIC Agri-Nutrients for the SAN-7 project, worth about 4.7 trillion won ($3.5 billion). Samsung E&A will ca September 11, 2026