Hanwha Ocean ramps up Canada submarine bid with Halifax talks SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - Hanwha Ocean is ramping up its bid for Canada’s $40 billion submarine program, as its chief executive met with government and shipbuilding officials in Halifax. According to Hanwha Ocean on Tuesday, CEO Kim Hee-cheol recently visited Halifax, Canada, where he met with Premier of Nova Scotia Tim Houston and other provincial officials to explore potential collaboration for the submarine program. The talks covered defense readiness, MRO capabilities, wo April 14, 2026

Early adopters but slow system: Korea's AI gap widens SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - South Koreans are among the world's fastest adopters of artificial intelligence and among the most prolific in patenting the technology, yet government and corporate support remains strikingly behind, a global comparative study found. The 2026 AI Index Report, released Tuesday by Stanford University's Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, is a 423-page annual assessment widely regarded as one of the most authoritative gauges of global April 14, 2026

KOSPI tests 6,000 on Iran deal hopes; Asia stocks broadly higher SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - Asian markets were broadly upbeat Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at renewed negotiations with Iran, raising hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough before the two-week ceasefire ends next Tuesday. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI led the gains, rising 3.2 percent to 5,993.59 after flirting with 6,000. The KOSDAQ gained 2.3 percent to 1,125.03 as of 11:15 a.m. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 2.55 percent to 57,943.50, while Hong Kong’ April 14, 2026

North Korean leader again oversees test-firing of missiles from naval destroyer SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected again the test-firing of missiles from a naval destroyer, state media reported Tuesday. "Two strategic cruise missiles and three anti-warship missiles were test-fired" last Sunday from the 5,000-ton multipurpose destroyer Choe Hyun to assess its "operational efficiency," with Kim observing it, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency. Kim's latest inspection of the April 14, 2026

Seoul shares details of Korean vessels with Iran amid Hormuz transit talks SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - South Korea has shared information on its vessels stranded near the Strait of Hormuz with Iran as part of ongoing negotiations over maritime transit, government sources said Tuesday. Jeong Byeong-ha, special envoy of the foreign minister, reportedly provided details about South Korean ships and crew members during talks with senior Iranian officials, focusing on the safety of vessels currently unable to pass through the strategic waterway. Iran had previou April 14, 2026

South Korea shares information with Iran on stranded vessels in Strait of Hormuz SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - South Korea has reportedly shared information on its vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz with Iran, multiple government sources said on Tuesday. The development comes just a day after special envoy Chung Byung-ha arrived in Tehran the previous day to request that some 173 crew members aboard about a dozen South Korean vessels stranded in the strait, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply, be allowed to pass through th April 14, 2026

Moral stance, strategic risk: Lee's remarks test Korea's diplomatic balance SEOUL, April 13 (AJP) - South Korea’s entry into the widening global debate over the Middle East conflict has exposed the delicate balance between values-based diplomacy and strategic restraint, after President Lee Jae Myung’s remarks on civilian casualties triggered an unusually sharp backlash from Israel. Over 1,700 civilians, including 254 children, were reported killed in Iran before the ceasefire, while more than 600 were killed in Israeli air raids in Lebanon, acco April 13, 2026

Soaring fuel costs squeeze fishermen amid prolong Middle East crisis INCHEON, April 13 (AJP) - South Korea's average diesel price soared to 1,986 won (about US$1.34) on Monday amid the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. Diesel for fishing trawlers now costs around 280,000 won per drum (or 200 liters), up about 60 percent from a month earlier, adding to the financial burden on fishermen. April 13, 2026

South Korea gears up for local elections SUWON, April 13 (AJP) - With just two months left until local elections, large banners have begun appearing across the country, urging voters to cast their ballots. This year's local elections to elect about 4,000 metropolitan mayors, provincial governors and other heads of local governments nationwide are slated for June 3. April 13, 2026

Finance chief to attend series of key financial meetings in US this week SEOUL, April 13 (AJP) - Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol is set to depart for the U.S. on Monday to attend a series of international meetings and other events, the Ministry of Finance and Economy said on Monday. Koo is scheduled to host an investor blitz in New York on Tuesday for major global investment banks, outlining South Korea's economic fundamentals and key policy priorities to attract investment in the country. He will also meet top executives of global asset managers April 13, 2026