Seoul expresses regret over Japan's handling of memorial service at Sado mines

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - South Korea has expressed regret to Japan over its handling of a memorial service for forced labor victims during World War II, the Foreign Ministry here said on Tuesday. The ministry said it conveyed Seoul's position on the matter to Tokyo the day after its decision to boycott the Japan-hosted event held last Sunday on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture, a site of imperial Japan's mobilization of South Koreans into forced labor. Seoul held a se

November 26, 2024

Value of North Korean currency has dropped sharply in recent months: report

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - The value of North Korean currency has plummeted significantly in recent months, with the exchange rate against the U.S. dollar soaring to unprecedented levels, a Japanese newspaper reported Tuesday, citing sources involved in trade with North Korea. The Mainichi Shimbun reported that the exchange rate between the North Korean won and the U.S. dollar surged from around 8,000 won per dollar in April to a staggering 32,000 won per dollar in mid-November.

November 26, 2024

BTS' Jungkook nominated for multiple Billboard Music Awards

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - Jungkook, a member of boy band BTS, is vying for awards at this year's Billboard Music Awards to be held in the U.S. in December. According to a list of finalists released by Billboard on Monday, Jungkook received nominations in five categories — Top Song Sales Artist, Top Global K-Pop Artist, Top K-Pop Album, Top Selling Song, and Top Global K-Pop Song — making him the most-nominated South Korean artist this year. Other South Korean nom

November 26, 2024

PHOTOS: Star-studded cast introduces new thriller series 'Family Matters'

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - The cast of Coupang Play's new thriller series "Family Matters" held a press conference Tuesday at Mondrian Seoul Itaewon. The series, starring Bae Doona and Ryoo Seung-bum, follows a mother with special memory-editing abilities who fights against villains alongside her family. The show, set to premiere on Nov. 29, features an ensemble cast including veteran actor Baek Yoon-sik, Lomon, and Lee Su-hyun, under the direction of Kim Gok and Kim Sun.

November 26, 2024

Exports of dried seaweed set new record as global demand soars

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - Exports of dried seaweed hit a new record, driven by the surging popularity of South Korean food and culture overseas, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said on Tuesday. Dried sheets of seaweed, or gim, which are hugely popular here as a side dish, are rapidly gaining traction overseas and occupying supermarket shelves. According to the ministry, outbound shipments of dried seaweed reached US$850 million during the first 10 months of this year, surpa

November 26, 2024

Bank branches, ATMs shrink as digital banking grows

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - South Korea's banking landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with a sharp decline in both physical branches and automated teller machines (ATMs). According to the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), Tuesday, the country lost 1,189 bank branches over the past five years, leaving 5,690 operational as of last month. Additionally, the number of ATMs dwindled by 9,307 during the same period, reaching 27,157. The closure of branches and

November 26, 2024

North Korea cuts power lines to shuttered industrial complex in Kaesong

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - North Korea has severed power lines and cables that once supplied electricity to the cross-border Kaesong Industrial Complex in the North Korean border city of Kaesong, military authorities here said on Tuesday. The South Korean military has detected North Korean soldiers dismantling part of power lines near the now-shuttered industrial complex since last weekend. These lines, part of a network built by South Korea, were connected to transmission towers

November 26, 2024

PHOTOS: Shantytown residents protest for housing rights as redevelopment looms

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - Residents of Guryong Village, the last remaining shantytown in Seoul's affluent Gangnam district, are demanding their housing rights as the village is slated to be redeveloped into an apartment complex, requiring their relocation. They erected a five-story tower in front of their village to demonstrate their resolve and staged a protest over the weekend. They are seeking assistance in finding new homes or moving into a new apartment complex that will be built

November 26, 2024

OPINION: BRICS+ countries are determined to trade in their own currencies – but can it work?

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - BRICS+ countries are exploring how they can foster greater use of local currencies in their trade, instead of relying on a handful of major currencies, primarily the U.S. dollar and the euro. The forum for cooperation among nine leading emerging economies – Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russian Federation, South Africa, United Arab Emirates – emphasized this determination at their 16th summit in October 2024. Economist Lauren

November 26, 2024

Hyundai, Toyota chiefs meet to discuss hydrogen collaboration

SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - The leaders of South Korea's largest automaker Hyundai Motor Co. and Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. met for the second time in a month to discuss potential cooperation in hydrogen vehicle technology, marking a significant shift in the relationship between the world's first and third-largest automakers. Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun and Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda convened at the final round of 2024 World Rally Championship held in Toyo

November 25, 2024