VISUALS: Opera 'Again 2024 Turandot' will hit South Korean stage

SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - A press call for the opera "Again 2024 Turandot" was held at COEX in Seoul on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. The opera, scheduled to run from Dec. 22 to 31 at COEX, is Italian composer Giacomo Puccini's final masterpiece. This three-act opera tells the love story between Princess Turandot and Prince Calaf, set in ancient China.

December 19, 2024

Lotteria caught in viral storm over martial law meeting

SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Lotteria, a popular South Korean fast-food chain, has unexpectedly found itself at the center of a political storm and social media frenzy after it was revealed that former and current military intelligence commanders secretly discussed martial law plans at one of its franchise locations. According to the National Police Agency, Intelligence Commander Moon Sang-ho and former commander Roh Sang-won met at a Lotteria store near Sangnoksu Station in Ansan o

December 19, 2024

Koreans Zinc's stake battle now depends on shareholder vote

SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest zinc smelter, Korea Zinc, and a rival consortium led by Young Poong and MBK Partners have concluded their respective campaigns to acquire shares in the company. However, neither side has secured a majority stake, setting the stage for a crucial shareholder vote in January. As of Wednesday, Korea Zinc is estimated to hold a 33.83 percent stake, while the Young Poong-MBK alliance holds a 39.83 percent stake. The upcoming extraordi

December 19, 2024

Oxford team promotes Korean language education

SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) -- Researchers at the University of Oxford are expanding efforts to promote Korean language education amid surging worldwide interest in Korean culture. Oxford's Korean studies program has signed memorandums of understanding with South Korea's Pyeongtaek University and Indonesia's Pancasila University to develop and share Korean language curricula, Professor Jieun Kiaer said Wednesday. The initiative responds to growing demand for Korean lang

December 19, 2024

South Korean won hits 15-year high against dollar

SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - The South Korean won surged past 1,450 to the U.S. dollar in early trading Thursday, its highest level in over 15 years, as a stronger dollar emerged in the wake of expectations for delayed interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve. In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won was trading at 1,452.1 per dollar as of 9:10 a.m., up 16.6 won from Wednesday’s close. The rate opened at 1,453.0 won, a rise of 17.5 won, and remained at similar level

December 19, 2024

U.S. Senate passes annual defense bill maintaining current level of USFK upkeep

SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - The U.S. Senate on Wednesday approved a defense bill which includes Washington's commitment to maintaining about 28,500 American troops in South Korea. The annual National Defense Authorization Act, which allocates $895 billion for defense and security for fiscal year 2025, passed the Senate with a decisive 85-14 vote after clearing the House last week. The bill's passage comes amid concerns that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump may seek to red

December 19, 2024

2.7 million workers in South Korea belong to two umbrella unions

SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Approximately 2.7 million workers, or 13 percent of South Korea’s total workforce, are members of the country’s two major labor umbrella groups, according to data released by the Ministry of Employment and Labor on Wednesday. The figures highlight a growing divergence in membership trends between the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). The report revealed that FKTU membership grew by

December 19, 2024

OPINION: How Trump's plan to surround himself with inexperienced loyalists could backfire

SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - The incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is clearly committed to bringing loyal allies into his top team, even if they have little political experience. The most important factor appears to be allegiance to the Trump flag. Examples include Pete Hegseth, a Fox News presenter accused of sexual assault (which he denies), who is nominated to serve as defense secretary, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is critical of U.S. vaccine policy, is nominated for health s

December 19, 2024

CIO takes over martial law probe into Yoon from prosecutors

SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO), an independent agency established to root out corruption in the government, is set to lead an investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol's aborted declaration of martial law earlier this month, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (SPO) said on Wednesday. The SPO said it decided to hand over Yoon's case to the CIO after consulting with it to separate their investigations. The d

December 18, 2024

Constitutional Court asks Yoon to submit documents related to martial law

SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea said Wednesday that it has requested President Yoon Suk Yeol to submit documents related to his abrupt declaration of martial law earlier this month. The court, which is gathering evidence to prepare for Yoon's impeachment trial, also requested him to submit the minutes of Cabinet meetings held before and after the botched martial law attempt. Lee Jin, a court spokesperson, told reporters that the request was made e

December 18, 2024