South Korean Navy training squadron embarks on 130-day voyage SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - A South Korean Navy squadron carrying about 140 cadets on Friday embarked on a roughly 130-day voyage to seven countries across the Pacific Ocean for practical naval training and to strengthen defense cooperation abroad. About 390 people, including cadets, crew members and support personnel, boarded the 4,500-ton training ship Hansando. The ship is scheduled to return to Jinhae, South Gyeongsang Province on Jan. 22 next year after a roughly 50,000-kil September 11, 2026

South Korea begins construction of new Arctic research icebreaker SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - South Korea has begun construction of a next-generation icebreaking research vessel designed to expand the country’s access to the high Arctic and strengthen research capabilities along emerging Arctic shipping routes. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Friday that a keel-laying ceremony for the new vessel was being held at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard in South Gyeongsang Province, with around 40 officials from the ministry, Korea Pola September 11, 2026

Sookmyung team secures 1.16 billion won to build AI skills assessment SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - A research team at Sookmyung Women's University will receive 1.16 billion won in government funding over the next four years to continue building artificial intelligence tools that assess students' skills, after advancing to the final stage of a national research program. The team cleared a stage review with high marks in the Social Science Korea program, which the National Research Foundation of Korea runs to support long-term social science re September 11, 2026

Coast Guard rewards officers for Chinese fishing boat crackdown SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - The Korea Coast Guard said Friday it awarded a record amount in bonuses to officers involved in a crackdown on illegal Chinese fishing near the Northern Limit Line in the Yellow Sea. A total of 18 million won ($13,348) was awarded to six officers who helped seize eight Chinese fishing vessels during a government-wide joint operation near Yeonpyeong Island on Aug. 11. The six officers, members of the West Sea Five Islands Special Guard Unit under the Ce September 11, 2026

Genesis puts its flagship full-size SUV on display ahead of launch SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor's luxury brand Genesis is showcasing its full-size electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), the GV90, giving South Korean customers a closer look at the vehicle ahead of its launch, the automaker said on Friday. During a two-week-long showcase running from Friday through Sept. 27 at its dealership in Suji, Gyeonggi Province, customers will be able to see the vehicle up close after the flagship SUV was first unveiled globally in San Franci September 11, 2026

Seoul and Tokyo retreat nearly 3% on oil price and Treasury jitters SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) – Seoul and Tokyo stocks lost ground on soaring oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields on renewed Gulf tensions. The benchmark KOSPI stood at 6,847.74 as of 10:30 a.m., down 2.63percent from the previous session. The Nikkei 255 was also down 2.66 percent to 63,554.48. The KOSPI opened more than 3 percent lower at 6,802.50 before paring some of its losses in early trading as retail investors stepped in to buy shares. Retail investors bought a net September 11, 2026

South Korea puts SMR law into force SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - South Korea's small modular reactor law took effect, setting up state support to bring the technology to market as artificial intelligence and data centers drive up power demand. Enacted in March, the special act and its enforcement decree require the Ministry of Science and ICT to draw up a basic plan for SMR development every five years, backed by annual implementation plans and regular progress reviews. The plan taking effect Friday must address September 11, 2026

Korea's fiscal red shrinks to a 5-year low on chip boom SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - South Korea's fiscal deficit thinned to a five-year low as of July as chip-driven corporate earnings and bigger employee bonuses along with brisk property and stock-market activity swelled tax receipts. The managed fiscal balance, a gauge of the government's underlying fiscal position that excludes social security funds, posted a deficit of 64.8 trillion won ($48.1 billion) in the January-July period, narrowing by 22 trillion won from an 86.8 September 11, 2026

Korean Air to launch free Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi next week SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Korean Air will begin offering free in-flight Wi-Fi powered by Starlink on select flights starting from next week, the South Korean flag carrier said on Friday. With the launch of the service slated for Sept. 15, Korean Air will become the first major East Asian carrier to adopt Starlink's satellite-based internet, enhancing onboard connectivity. The service will initially be available on four retrofitted aircraft including three Airbus A350-900s September 11, 2026

Korea's Sept. 1-10 exports hit record $35 bn, up 83% on yr SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - South Korea's exports roared on, surging 82.6 percent from a year earlier in the first 10 days of September to a record $35 billion and extending a blistering run that has already lifted this year's shipments past the country's full-year record for 2025. Imports rose 20.7 percent to $24.6 billion, leaving a trade surplus of $10.4 billion, according to preliminary Korea Customs Service data released Friday. The number of working days was unchan September 11, 2026