OPINION: Will Trump renegotiate AUKUS treaty or walk away? That's $368 billion question

SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - Given the United States is Australia's most consequential military ally, it is natural to consider what Donald Trump's return to the White House will mean for the future of Australian defense policy – especially the AUKUS agreement. Judging by the initial comments by one of the most senior members of Australia's government, there certainly appears to be concern that Trump may look to modify – or even scrap – AUKUS. Foreign

November 27, 2024

Japan's new rocket engine explodes in critical test

SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - A rocket engine being developed for Japan's Epsilon S program exploded during a combustion test in Kagoshima Prefecture, marking the second such failure in 16 months, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The incident occurred at the Tanegashima Space Center when the second-stage engine, containing about 18 tons of solid fuel, experienced higher-than-expected combustion pressure 49 seconds into the test, JAXA officials said. No in

November 27, 2024

China extends visa-free stay for Australians to 30 days

SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - China extended its visa-free policy for Australian passport holders from 15 to 30 days on Monday. The updated policy, which starts Saturday, will remain in effect until the end of next year. It covers visits for business, tourism, family gatherings, transit, and exchanges, provided each stay does not exceed 30 days. Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center at East China Normal University, emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchang

November 27, 2024

Seoul expresses regret over Japan's handling of memorial service at Sado mines

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - South Korea has expressed regret to Japan over its handling of a memorial service for forced labor victims during World War II, the Foreign Ministry here said on Tuesday. The ministry said it conveyed Seoul's position on the matter to Tokyo the day after its decision to boycott the Japan-hosted event held last Sunday on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture, a site of imperial Japan's mobilization of South Koreans into forced labor. Seoul held a se

November 26, 2024

Value of North Korean currency has dropped sharply in recent months: report

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - The value of North Korean currency has plummeted significantly in recent months, with the exchange rate against the U.S. dollar soaring to unprecedented levels, a Japanese newspaper reported Tuesday, citing sources involved in trade with North Korea. The Mainichi Shimbun reported that the exchange rate between the North Korean won and the U.S. dollar surged from around 8,000 won per dollar in April to a staggering 32,000 won per dollar in mid-November.

November 26, 2024

BTS' Jungkook nominated for multiple Billboard Music Awards

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - Jungkook, a member of boy band BTS, is vying for awards at this year's Billboard Music Awards to be held in the U.S. in December. According to a list of finalists released by Billboard on Monday, Jungkook received nominations in five categories — Top Song Sales Artist, Top Global K-Pop Artist, Top K-Pop Album, Top Selling Song, and Top Global K-Pop Song — making him the most-nominated South Korean artist this year. Other South Korean nom

November 26, 2024

PHOTOS: Star-studded cast introduces new thriller series 'Family Matters'

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - The cast of Coupang Play's new thriller series "Family Matters" held a press conference Tuesday at Mondrian Seoul Itaewon. The series, starring Bae Doona and Ryoo Seung-bum, follows a mother with special memory-editing abilities who fights against villains alongside her family. The show, set to premiere on Nov. 29, features an ensemble cast including veteran actor Baek Yoon-sik, Lomon, and Lee Su-hyun, under the direction of Kim Gok and Kim Sun.

November 26, 2024

Exports of dried seaweed set new record as global demand soars

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - Exports of dried seaweed hit a new record, driven by the surging popularity of South Korean food and culture overseas, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said on Tuesday. Dried sheets of seaweed, or gim, which are hugely popular here as a side dish, are rapidly gaining traction overseas and occupying supermarket shelves. According to the ministry, outbound shipments of dried seaweed reached US$850 million during the first 10 months of this year, surpa

November 26, 2024

Bank branches, ATMs shrink as digital banking grows

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - South Korea's banking landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with a sharp decline in both physical branches and automated teller machines (ATMs). According to the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), Tuesday, the country lost 1,189 bank branches over the past five years, leaving 5,690 operational as of last month. Additionally, the number of ATMs dwindled by 9,307 during the same period, reaching 27,157. The closure of branches and

November 26, 2024

North Korea cuts power lines to shuttered industrial complex in Kaesong

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - North Korea has severed power lines and cables that once supplied electricity to the cross-border Kaesong Industrial Complex in the North Korean border city of Kaesong, military authorities here said on Tuesday. The South Korean military has detected North Korean soldiers dismantling part of power lines near the now-shuttered industrial complex since last weekend. These lines, part of a network built by South Korea, were connected to transmission towers

November 26, 2024