Italian ambassador opens 'Italy at Frieze: The Golden Trace' in Seoul Italian Ambassador to South Korea Emilia Gatto delivers remarks at the opening reception for "Italy at Frieze: The Golden Trace" at the Italian ambassador's residence in Seoul, on Sep. 1, 2026. Held in conjunction with Frieze Seoul, the exhibition features works by Korean artist Yeesookyung and Italian artist Andrea Francolino and runs through Sept. 5. September 1, 2026

Kookmin signs Qatar deal on carbon market training for students SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - Students from five South Korean universities will train inside the international carbon market under an agreement signed Tuesday in Seoul, opening a route into a Qatari crediting program whose credits airlines buy to meet United Nations emissions obligations. That program, the Global Carbon Council, won full approval from the International Civil Aviation Organization in October 2024 to supply credits under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for September 1, 2026

Samsung, SK buybacks keep KOSPI afloat despite broad selling SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - South Korea's benchmark stock index eked out a gain Tuesday as massive share buybacks by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix absorbed heavy selling by foreign, institutional and retail investors, while record chip exports helped steady sentiment despite a sharp rise in bond yields. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 6,835.80, up 0.23 percent from the previous session. The index fell as low as 6,732.47 in early trading before recovering to an intraday high of September 1, 2026

K-defense gains traction amid localization push SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - If the AI boom has delivered a windfall for South Korean chipmakers, rising geopolitical risks along Russia’s borders and across the Middle East have pushed Korean weapons makers into the spotlight. Growing pressure for greater self-reliance, fueled by America-first policies and strains among traditional allies, is driving governments across Europe, Asia and the Middle East to sharply increase defense spending and modernize their arsenals. The ru September 1, 2026

Airbility raises 6.5 billion won to shoot down drones with drones SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - A Seoul aerospace startup has closed a Series A round to build small aircraft that hunt other aircraft, betting that the cheapest way to stop an incoming attack drone is another drone rather than a missile. Airbility said Tuesday that the 6.5 billion won ($4.7 million) round was led by Sazze Partners, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm, with existing backer Stonebridge Ventures returning and the Industrial Bank of Korea joining as a new shareholder. September 1, 2026

Hyundai Motor's August sales fall sharply due to strikes SEOUL, September 1 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor's sales fell sharply in August as production was disrupted by labor strikes, the automaker said on Tuesday. It sold 288,574 vehicles worldwide in August, down 14.2 percent from a year earlier, as domestic sales plunged 41.1 percent to 34,333 and overseas sales fell 8.5 percent to 254,241. Sedans led domestic sales with 10,922 units including 5,931 Grandeurs, 3,105 Sonatas and 1,462 Avantes. It also sold 10,810 recreational vehicles September 1, 2026

Korean jobseekers face an AI test with no rulebook SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - AI literacy is becoming the latest addition to the long list of so-called "specs" young South Koreans need to compete for already-scarce entry-level jobs. The problem is that employers themselves are still figuring out what they want. SK hynix is removing its traditional personal-statement questions from applications in the second half of this year. Instead, applicants will be asked to describe how they have used AI in projects, r September 1, 2026

Daughter seen as North Korea's Kim successor, spy agency SEOUL, September 1 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's daughter Ju-ae appears to be moving closer to formally becoming his successor, South Korea's spy agency said Tuesday, citing her increasing frequency and prominence in state media. During a closed-door briefing to the National Assembly's intelligence committee, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) offered the assessment amid growing speculation over North Korea's succession plans, fueled by Ju-ae's i September 1, 2026

L.A. in 'BTS Week' to celebrate this week's sold-out shows SEOUL, September 1 (AJP) - Los Angeles has declared Sept. 1-8 as "BTS Week" to celebrate the K-pop juggernaut' s return to the city for four sold-out concerts, their agency BigHit Music said on Tuesday. The septet's "Arirang" world tour concerts are set to be held at SoFi Stadium on the outskirts of La La Land on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday this week. All four shows sold out early. The City of Angels designated the eight-day observance to w September 1, 2026

Asiana Airlines launches daily flights to Kobe SEOUL, September 1 (AJP) - Asiana Airlines launched a new route connecting Incheon to Kobe, Japan, on Tuesday as part of efforts to expand its services to meet demand for travel between the neighboring countries. The route operates daily using the airline's short-haul Airbus A321neo aircraft, with flights departing Incheon International Airport at noon and arriving at Kobe Airport, located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay in western Japan, at 2 p.m. The return flight depar September 1, 2026