North Korea opens memorial for Ukraine war dead with Russian officials in attendance SEOUL, April 27 (AJP) - North Korea has completed a memorial in Pyongyang dedicated to soldiers killed while fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine, state media reported Monday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, a ceremony marking its completion was held the previous day, attended by the country's leader Kim Jong-un and visiting senior Russian officials including Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russia's S April 27, 2026

Joint research team develops gene scissors speed-based method to identify multiple viruses SEOUL, April 27 (AJP) - Researchers from South Korea and the United States have developed a diagnostic technology that simultaneously identifies various viruses and variants by measuring the reaction speed of gene scissors, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology said Sunday. The method allows for the identification of different pathogens in a single test without the need for complex laboratory procedures or multiple chemical markers. The study was led by Professor April 27, 2026

CJ CheilJedang deepens Vietnam retail partnership to boost K-food reach SEOUL, April 27 (AJP) - CJ CheilJedang is deepening its foothold in Vietnam's fast-growing processed food market through an expanded partnership with Bach Hoa Xanh, the country's largest supermarket chain. The company announced Monday it signed a memorandum of understanding with Bach Hoa Xanh, a subsidiary of Vietnam's largest retail group MWG, on April 23 in Hanoi to jointly develop processed food products, bolster cold-chain infrastructure and broaden consumer reach f April 27, 2026

Golfer Ham Jeong-woo claims maiden Asian Tour title at Singapore Open SEOUL, April 27 (AJP) - Golfer Ham Jeong-woo won the Singapore Open on Sentosa Island on Sunday to secure his maiden Asian Tour title. In the fourth and final round of the championship at Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong course, presented by The Business Times, Ham finished at 16-under 268, beating runner-up Cameron John of Australia by two strokes. With Sunday's victory, he took home US$360,000 in prize money and also secured a spot at The Open, scheduled to be held at Roy April 27, 2026

South Korea's potential growth rate to hit record low next year, OECD forecasts SEOUL, April 26 (AJP) - South Korea's potential growth rate is projected to fall to a record low next year, continuing a downwred trend for over a decade, according to a report released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on Sunday. The country's potential growth rate is projected to slip to 1.71 percent this year from 1.92 percent last year, falling further to 1.57 percent next year before dipping to 1.52 percent in the fourth quarter. Th April 26, 2026

Strike could deal heavy blow to Samsung, academic warns SEOUL, April 26 (AJP) - A looming large-scale strike by unionized Samsung Electronics workers, amid an ongoing compensation dispute, could lead to significant economic losses, disrupting global supply chains if it goes ahead next month, according to an academic analysis. The chip giant's labor union has threatened to stage a three-week strike from May 21 to June 7 if negotiations fail. Speaking at a forum in southern Seoul last week hosted by think tank Ahnmin Institute for P April 26, 2026

Trump evacuated after gunfire at White House correspondents' dinner SEOUL, April 26 (AJP) - A suspected shooter was apprehended after U.S. President Donald Trump and other top officials were evacuated from the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents' Association in Washington, D.C., on Saturday following gunfire. At around 8:40 p.m. EDT, gunshots were fired near the main security screening area of the Washington Hilton while dinner was being served in the main ballroom. In a televised statement at the White House a few hours later, Tr April 26, 2026

K-pop takes Oxford University by storm as Korean culture gains global spotlight SEOUL, April 26 (AJP) - K-pop has taken center stage at one of the world's most prestigious academic institutions, highlighting the growing influence of Korean popular culture in reshaping global education and cultural landscapes. A K-pop performance was held at the University of Oxford's Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities last Saturday, drawing hundreds of visitors including students and local residents, who gathered around a circular stage to watch the unusual April 26, 2026

Talks with Iran fall through again as US cancels planned trip to Pakistan SEOUL, April 26 (AJP) - Anticipated talks to end the conflict between the United States and Iran fell through again after Washington abruptly canceled a planned trip by U.S. officials to Pakistan. Another round of negotiations, following the collapse of the first meeting earlier this month, was expected to take place this week in Islamabad, but U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the trip was called off at the last minute. In a post on his social media platform Tr April 26, 2026

US Treasury weighs permanent dollar swap lines for Gulf, Asian allies SEOUL, April 25 (AJP) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the United States is in discussions to establish currency swap lines with Gulf and Asian partners, pitching the move as a strategic step to bolster the U.S. dollar's global dominance amid regional geopolitical tensions. Bessent stated that several allied nations requested the swap lines to help manage the economic fallout and energy shocks stemming from the Iran conflict. "Additional swap lin April 25, 2026