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  KOSPI lands above 6,000 less than above 5,000 SEOUL, Feb 25 (AJP) - KOSPI, on a record-setting ride, climbed above the 6,000 mark on Wednesday, less than a month after it tested 5,000, as South Korean retail investors flooded into the red-hot market on bullish forecasts of a further run toward 8,000. As of 9:45 a.m., the KOSPI added 1.07 percent to 6,032.92, with retail buying overwhelming institutional profit-taking. After a stunning 76 percent gain last year, the benchmark has remained unfazed in 2026, soaring 41.66 perc February 25, 2026
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  USFK chief expresses regret over drill 'not shared' with Seoul SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), has expressed "regret" that South Korean defense officials were not briefed on last week's U.S. air drill over the West Sea. In a statement issued late Tuesday, Brunson said he regretted that South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were "not briefed in time," clarifying that he had discussed the drill with Ahn by phone. February 25, 2026
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  Why The King's Warden reigns over Korea's box office SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - The mix of tragedy and humor, family and community affection, and grass-roots patriotism has long been a reliable formula for box-office success in South Korea. Audiences have found that combination in unusually polished form in The King’s Warden. Korean box office is no longer built for monopolies. Streaming platforms fragment attention. Mid-budget films struggle for screens. Audience loyalty has grown increasingly fickle. And yet, for three we February 24, 2026
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  Chipflation (1): Korean memory makers seize pricing power in AI boom Editor’s note: This is the first installment in AJP’s Chipflation series, which examines how explosive demand for artificial intelligence and South Korea’s dominance in memory chips are triggering a ripple effect of price hikes across the global tech supply chain — from Silicon Valley data centers to everyday consumer electronics. This installment looks at how Korean memory makers have gained the upper hand in price-setting. SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - South February 24, 2026
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  The Great Map of the East unfolds SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - On the first floor of the National Museum of Korea, there is a "History Path." On one wall hangs a massive map—the Daedong Yeojido (Great Map of the East) by Gosan Kim Jeong-ho. The exhibition "Unfolding Daedong Yeojido" has been on display since Feb. 12. Originally, the Daedong Yeojido was a folding map divided into 22 volumes for portability. However, to commemorate the 160th anniversary of Gosan's death, the February 24, 2026
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  KOSPI hits record high as Samsung and SK hynix fly SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - Seoul's benchmark KOSPI closed Tuesday, just shy of 6,000 milestone, less than a month after the break above 5,000. Shares of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix also hit historic heights - 200,000 won, up 7,000 won from the previous close and 1,005,000 won, up 54,000 won respectively February 24, 2026
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  Ex-DP lawmaker faces arrest after Nat'l Assembly passes motion over bribery allegations SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - The National Assembly on Tuesday passed a motion allowing the arrest of Kang Sun-woo, a former lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) over alleged bribery and breach of trust. The motion was passed with 164 votes in favor and 87 against, with three abstentions and nine invalid ballots. Kang is accused of receiving 100 million Korean won (US$68,500) from Kim Kyung, a former Seoul city official in return for the DP's candidate nominations for February 24, 2026
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  Chips, KOSPI on fire as institutions bet on more upside SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) — Asian markets traded mostly higher Tuesday, with the exception of Hong Kong, as investors digested the rollout of a blanket 10 percent U.S. import levy that replaced earlier, steeper tariffs under former President Donald Trump following a Supreme Court ruling last week. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI roared higher, pushed by chip titans Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, which hit fresh milestones of 200,000 won and 1 million won, respectivel February 24, 2026
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  Vice FM Kim pledges inter-Korean dialogue on humanitarian issues at UN rights council SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - Seoul will pursue inter-Korean dialogue to address humanitarian issues such as family reunions and the return of detainees, Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-a said Monday at the United Nations Human Rights Council. In a keynote address to the council’s 61st session in Geneva, Kim said the government would work closely with the international community to achieve “practical” improvements in the human rights of North Korean residents. &ldquo February 24, 2026
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  Wildfire in Miryang contained after 20-hour battle SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - A wildfire in the southeastern city of Miryang was contained on Tuesday after firefighters battled flames for more than 20 hours. The fire broke out around 4 p.m. the previous day on a hill in a small town in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, forcing about 150 residents to evacuate. About 1,511 emergency workers, along with 52 helicopters and 318 pieces of equipment, were deployed to combat the fire, but their efforts were hampered by low visibility a February 24, 2026