First lady earns 'Lady Macbeth' tag amid South Korea's marital law turmoil

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - British daily The Times has put its focus on first lady Kim Keon Hee over the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. In an article on Monday headlined "South Koreans blame president's 'Lady Macbeth' for martial law," the daily wrote, "Critics suggest made his disastrous decision in part to protect his wife..... from investigation and potential prosecution." The tag may refer to the ambitious wife in Macbeth, one o

December 17, 2024

Number of foreign workers in South Korea tops 1 million for first time

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - The number of foreign workers in South Korea surpassed 1 million for the first time this year, with many concentrated in mining and manufacturing jobs, according to government data released Tuesday. The Statistics Korea report showed that as of May, the resident foreign population aged 15 and older totaled 1.561 million, a 9.1 percent increase from a year earlier. Among them, 1.01 million were employed, up 9.4 percent year-on-year. The steady rise in fo

December 17, 2024

U.S. confirms North Korean casualties in Russia for first time

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Several U.S. officials have confirmed North Korean casualties for the first time since their deployment to Russia. "We do believe that they have suffered some significant losses, killed and wounded, but it's difficult for me to put an actual number on it. I would say, certainly in the realm of dozens, several dozens," said the White House's national security adviser John Kirby on Monday. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller als

December 17, 2024

'Buldak' maker Samyang to establish plant in China

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Samyang Foods, known for its "Buldak" spicy chicken-flavored instant noodles, is set to establish its plant in China. The Korean food maker announced on Monday its plans to establish its production subsidiary and first overseas plant in China. The Chinese subsidiary will be set up through its Singaporean branch, Samyang Singapore Pte. Ltd. Samyang Foods disclosed an investment plan of about 64.7 billion won (US$45 million) for the Singaporean

December 17, 2024

Hyundai Mobis develops new battery cooling technology for EVs

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - South Korea's leading auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis unveiled a new battery cell cooling material aimed at preventing battery overheating during ultra-fast charging of electric vehicles, the company said on Tuesday. The cooling technology, called pulsating heat pipes (PHP), consists of aluminum alloy and refrigerant positioned between battery cells. It exhausts heat outside the batter cells ten times more efficiently than conventional aluminum material

December 17, 2024

U.S. reaffirms strong alliance with South Korea amid Yoon's impeachment

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - The U.S. on Monday reaffirmed that its alliance with South Korea remains unaffected by President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment last week. "There will be no diminution in the alliance" between the U.S. and South Korea, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. He added, "That alliance is not just an alliance between presidents. It is an alliance between governments and an alliance between peoples. And our commitment to that alli

December 17, 2024

Constitutional Court requests Yoon to submit response to impeachment trial by next week

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea has requested President Yoon Suk Yeol to submit a response to his impeachment trial after his failed martial law gambit early this month, a Constitutional Court justice said on Tuesday. The National Assembly passed a motion to impeach him last week, about 11 days after Yoon abruptly declared martial law on Dec. 3, citing the need to eradicate "pro-North Korean forces and their anti-government activities" to prote

December 17, 2024

South Korean conglomerates make record investment in battery sector

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - South Korean conglomerates have made the largest equity investments in secondary battery companies in the past three years, according to data from a corporate analysis firm on Tuesday. According to a report by Leaders Index, 354 of the top 500 conglomerates by revenue have acquired a total of 1,368 equities, with investments amounting to 12.8 trillion won (US$8.9 billion). Secondary battery investments accounted for 4.7 trillion won, or 36.7 percent of

December 17, 2024

OPINION: FIFA has human rights policy, so how could it award Saudi Arabia 2034 soccer World Cup?

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Last week, FIFA officially awarded Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup. The Gulf Kingdom was the sole bidder after the Asian Football Confederation made it clear it would not support an Australian bid. Supporters of the decision, including respected sports journalist Tracey Holmes, argue a World Cup in the kingdom offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to foster positive change. A range of celebrities and players also congratulated the Saudi Arabian Footbal

December 17, 2024

Two Army commanders arrested over martial law

SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) -- Two Army commanders were arrested Monday for their alleged roles in implementing martial law, which triggered the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol last week. A military court issued arrest warrants for Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, head of the Army Special Warfare Command, and Lt. Gen. Lee Jin-woo, head of the Capital Defense Command, citing concerns about flight risk and possible destruction of evidence. The two commanders are accused of deploying tr

December 16, 2024