South Korea maintains support for UN resolution on North Korean human rights abuses

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - South Korea will continue to support a UN General Assembly resolution condemning North Korea's human rights abuses and violations. According to the resolution disclosed on Wednesday, South Korea remains a co-sponsor, dispelling speculation that Seoul would soften its stance toward North Korea to avoid provoking Pyongyang under President Lee Jae Myung's rapprochement. After co-sponsoring the resolution from 2008 to 2018, South Korea withdrew un

November 12, 2025

Korea's G-Star 2025 loses earlier glow and star names as industry falls into doldrums

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - G-Star 2025, South Korea's annual expo once celebrated for showcasing the country's global gaming prowess, opens Thursday in Busan in a visibly downscaled form that reflects a stagnating blockbuster pipeline and weakening earnings across the industry. The event at Bexco will feature about 3,010 booths, down from 3,359 last year, and will notably miss major players such as Nexon, Pearl Abyss and Smilegate. The subdued tone follows the game indust

November 12, 2025

Mercedes-Benz chief visits Seoul to discuss deepening ties with LG, Samsung

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Ola Källenius, chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group, is set to meet with top South Korean corporate leaders in Seoul this week as the German automaker looks to expand partnerships in next-generation automotive technologies. Källenius’s visit highlights Mercedes-Benz’s strategic push to strengthen its supply chain and technology partnerships in Asia — particularly in South Korea, home to some of the world’s leading

November 12, 2025

Wedding costs fully disclosed in Korea as marriage aversion among 30s deepens

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Bulging wedding costs stand as a growing reason for South Koreans in their late 20s and 30s to put off tying the knot, deepening the country’s demographic woes and prompting antitrust authorities to enforce full disclosure on wedding charges. Starting Wednesday, wedding service providers in South Korea — including studios, dress rental shops and makeup salons — must disclose all pricing terms, including refund policies, before signing a

November 12, 2025

Seoul's bike-sharing service marks 10 years with 250 million cumulative rides

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Marking its 10th year, bicycle-sharing app Seoul Bike has accumulated more than 250 million rides, or 25 per resident of the capital, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Wednesday. Launched amid much skepticism in October 2015 with some 2,000 bicycles at 150 locations, the app, also known as "Ddareungi," has grown to around 37,500 bikes across more than 3,000 stations in the city. According to the city government, during weekdays, more t

November 12, 2025

KAIST develops flexible ultrasound sensor that can diagnose and treat without surgery

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - KAIST researchers have developed a new flexible ultrasound sensor that can both capture medical images and deliver noninvasive therapy without the need for surgery or external beamforming. The breakthrough could open new possibilities for wearable medical devices and home-based treatment systems. The team led by Professor Hyunjoo Lee of the KAIST School of Electrical Engineering announced on November 12 that it has created a flex-to-rigid (FTR) capacitiv

November 12, 2025

Hanwha Aerospace earns top global certification for R&D excellence

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace said on Wednesday that it has received the highest possible rating in a global assessment of research and development capabilities. The company earned a Level 5 certification under Version 3.0 of the Capability Maturity Model Integration, or CMMI, a global standard developed by Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute at the request of the U.S. Department of Defense. The designation represents

November 12, 2025

PHOTOS: Ancient ginkgo trees enduring centuries

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - In Jangsu-dong, Incheon, and Banggye-ri, Gangwon Province, two ancient ginkgo trees stand as witnesses to time. Their vast canopies cast golden shadows across the ground, glowing under the thin autumn light. The ginkgo in Jangsu-dong grows in the middle of the city. An overpass runs beside it, yet the tree holds its ground as if untouched by concrete and steel. The bark is coarse and timeworn, its surface cracked and uneven. Wooden pillars n

November 12, 2025

Kakao Mobility launches autonomous ride service in Seoul

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Kakao Mobility, the transportation arm of South Korea’s internet giant Kakao, has introduced a new autonomous ride service in Seoul’s Sangam area, integrating self-driving technology into everyday transportation. The service, part of the Kakao T platform, offers what is known as Demand Responsive Transport, or DRT — a flexible form of public transit that adjusts its routes and schedules based on passenger demand. Unlike traditional

November 12, 2025

Asian stocks mixed early Wed amid conflicting US factors, USD/KRW near 1,470

SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Asian stocks were mixed in early Wednesday trading as investors sidelined for a breakthrough in the U.S. fiscal standoff. In Seoul, the KOSPI swung the positive and negative before settling 0.6 percent higher at 4,133.36 by midday. The KOSDAQ rose 1.8 percent to reclaim the 900 level. Foreign investors continued to sell, pushing the Korean won down to near 1,470 per U.S. dollar. Analysts cited conflicting forces — hopes for a U.S. fiscal settlement a

November 12, 2025