South Korea sees fewer foreign workers as Viet Nam overtakes China in arrivals SEOUL, July 9 (AJP) - A slowdown in the construction and manufacturing sectors reduced the number of foreign workers, particularly E-9 visa holders, for the second consecutive year, while arrivals from Viet Nam surpassed those from China for the first time. According to data released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics on Wednesday, about 428,000 foreigners entered South Korea for long-term stays of more than 90 days last year, down 23,000 from a year earlier, while abo July 9, 2026

Foreign language press association marks 11 years in Seoul SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - South Korea's foreign-language newspapers marked 11 years of working under a single banner on Thursday, with their association pledging to expand international exchanges and prepare member outlets for an era reshaped by artificial intelligence. The Foreign Language Newspapers Association of Korea held its 11th anniversary ceremony at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul, drawing guests including Chinese Ambassador Dai Bing, Reform Party floor leader C July 9, 2026

Türkiye's NATO moment arrives, but the price of trust remains unpaid SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - For years, Türkiye occupied an uncomfortable place inside NATO: too important to expel, too difficult to embrace. It was the ally that bought a Russian air defense system over Washington’s objections. The country that refused to join Western sanctions against Moscow after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The state that could sell drones to Kyiv while keeping open channels to the Kremlin. The government whose president, Recep Tayyip July 9, 2026

ABC launch forum puts spotlight on Korea's AI ecosystem SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - Aju Media Group's new AI-focused business channel ABC held the AI Ecosystem Innovation Forum in Seoul on Thursday, bringing together government officials, technology executives and industry experts to discuss South Korea's next steps in artificial intelligence. The forum, held at The Plaza Seoul, followed the official launch of ABC, or AI Business Channel, a day earlier as Aju Media Group expands into television broadcasting with a channel dedicated to July 9, 2026

Police raid Kakao Pay over alleged leak of 40 million users' data to Alipay SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - South Korean police have raided the headquarters of Kakao Pay over allegations that the fintech firm handed the personal data of about 40 million customers to Chinese payment service Alipay without their consent, escalating a probe that began in March. The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police's anti-corruption and economic crime unit searched Kakao Pay's offices in the Bundang district of Seongnam over two days on Monday and Tuesday, seizing digital record July 9, 2026

Hanwha Systems begins sea trials for self-developed unmanned vessel SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - Hanwha Systems seeks to expand its presence in the global maritime unmanned systems market. A 30-ton unmanned surface vessel, developed with the company’s own investment, was successfully launched near Gadeok Bridge in Busan early last month and has begun sea trials while operating between Busan and Jangmok Port in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, the company said Thursday. Hanwha Systems said it is investing about 70 billion won ($46.5 million) to d July 9, 2026

NCT's Jaehyun previews new solo single '99 Degrees' with music video teaser SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - NCT's Jaehyun released a music video teaser Thursday for his new solo single "99 Degrees," ahead of the song's release on Friday, SM Entertainment said. The teaser was posted on the SMTOWN YouTube channel at midnight. It shows Jaehyun moving between a brightly lit stage, an empty street where he appears to wander alone, and quieter everyday moments, with his soft vocals giving a brief preview of the ballad. The music video follows Jaehyu July 9, 2026

RIIZE's 'II' tops Korea's monthly album chart three weeks after release SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - K-pop boy group RIIZE's second EP, "II," released June 15, is still adding to its chart tally nearly a month later, topping Circle Chart's monthly album ranking for June and reaching No. 1 on Japan's Oricon daily album chart this week, SM Entertainment said Thursday. Most K-pop comebacks peak in their first week and taper off from there. "II" has instead kept climbing: the EP already led Circle Chart's weekly a July 9, 2026

Unionized workers at Hyundai Motor to stage three-day partial strike next week SEOUL, July 9 (AJP) - Unionized workers at Hyundai Motor are expected to stage a three-day partial strike next week unless they reach a deal in ongoing wage negotiations. The union on Wednesday voted to hold a two-hour strike each day from next Monday through Wednesday before joining a nationwide general strike led by the Korean Metal Workers' Union on the final day. The move came after the collapse of their 15th round of talks earlier in the day, during which the c July 9, 2026

Starbucks Korea resumes promotions after 'Tank Day' backlash SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - Starbucks Korea is relaunching customer promotions after a marketing controversy over the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising forced the company to close every store in the country simultaneously for staff training, something it had never done in its 27 years in Korea. The coffee chain said Tuesday it will give free drink coupons and food discount coupons to all Starbucks Rewards members through Aug. 14. Existing members received the coupo July 9, 2026