Brazilian artists donate works to Seoul embassy before Biennale SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - Thirteen Brazilian artists have donated works to the permanent collection of the Brazilian Embassy in Seoul, the embassy announced at a closing reception Friday evening, just over two weeks before their country opens its first national pavilion at the Gwangju Biennale. The pavilion, "Devorações do Amanhã – Brasil em rebento," or "Devouring Tomorrow," opens Sept. 5 at the Gwangju History and Folk Museum and run August 22, 2026

Trump claims Hormuz as 'American territory' as Iran seeks deal SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump has again claimed the Strait of Hormuz as American territory, while saying Iran is desperate to reach an agreement to end the nearly six-month conflict. Speaking at a campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Friday, Trump said Tehran badly wanted a deal but questioned whether Washington was still interested in reaching one. “I view the Strait of Hormuz as an American territory right now. It’s an American t August 22, 2026

China's YMTC moves toward $4.9 billion IPO as memory chip push accelerates SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - Chinese NAND flash memory maker Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. is moving closer to a major Shanghai listing, following the blockbuster market debut of its DRAM counterpart CXMT as China accelerates its push to challenge South Korean and U.S. dominance in memory chips. The Shanghai Stock Exchange accepted an initial public offering application Friday from CCSH Corporation, the parent company of YMTC, for a listing on the STAR Market, China's Nasdaq-style August 22, 2026

In Busan, Overwatch stops visiting and moves in BUSAN, August 22 (AJP) - A row of Overwatch's heroes had stepped off the screen onto a strip of astroturf — D.Va flashing her decorated pistol, Reaper looming under his hood, while Genji meditated on an orange beanbag, eyes shut tight in ease. All around the packed halls of BEXCO, thousands of fans of Blizzard's tactical shooter Overwatch buzzed with hype, clutching tote bags branded with the iconic circular pattern and the stamp-rally cards that would soon be creased August 22, 2026

North Korea deploys drone operators among 8,500 troops in Russia, Ukraine says SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - North Korea has deployed about 8,500 troops to Russia, including hundreds of drone operators who could conduct reconnaissance and strikes against targets inside Ukraine, according to a senior Ukrainian intelligence official. Maj. Gen. Vadym Skibitskiy, deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency, told CNN that the North Korean contingent is deployed mainly in Russia's Kursk region and includes about 1,000 engineers and demining personnel as August 22, 2026

PanStar container ship to depart Busan for Korea's first Arctic route trial SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - PanStar Group's container ship is set to depart Busan on Saturday afternoon for South Korea's first trial container voyage through the Northern Sea Route, marking a key step in Seoul's push to establish a new shipping corridor between Asia and Europe. The 2,758-TEU PanStar Acro, operated by Busan-based PanStar Line Dot Com, will leave Busan New Port and head toward Europe through Arctic waters north of Russia. The vessel was purchased from HMM, w August 22, 2026

US approves possible $125 million sale of AIM-9X missiles to South Korea SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - The United States has approved a possible $125 million sale of more than 100 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II air-to-air missiles to South Korea, a move Washington says will strengthen Seoul's air defense capability and deterrence against regional threats. The U.S. State Department said Friday that it had approved the possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS), of 103 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles and 10 AIM-9X Block II tactical guidance units, along August 22, 2026

Samsung workers take protest to Seocho as record shareholder payout raises stakes SEOUL, August 21 (AJP) - "Seocho is next!" That was the promise Samsung Electronics workers made on July 16, when thousands gathered outside the company's Suwon campus for the first rally organized by the newly formed Donghaeng union. A little over a month later, they made good on it. Thousands of workers descended on Samsung's Seocho headquarters in southern Seoul on Friday, demanding answers over the deteriorating fortunes of the company's consumer-el August 21, 2026

Samsung expects up to 110 trillion won in shareholder returns this year SEOUL, August 21 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics expects to return as much as 110 trillion won ($79.5 billion) to shareholders this year, setting up the largest shareholder return in the company's history as strong cash generation boosts funds available for dividends and share buybacks. The South Korean technology giant said Friday its board approved a plan for total shareholder returns of between 90 trillion won and 110 trillion won in 2026, roughly five times its previous annual August 21, 2026

KOSPI rises on hopes for Samsung's huge shareholder return package SEOUL, August 21 (AJP) - South Korean stocks extended their gains on Friday, with the benchmark KOSPI closing above 6,900 points. The index recovered from a sharp drop in morning trading as expectations for higher shareholder returns at Samsung Electronics and SK hynix helped offset pressure from rising U.S. Treasury yields. The KOSPI closed at 6,912.95, up 0.88 percent or 60.37 points from the previous session. It marked a second straight day of gains after the index surged 5.89 pe August 21, 2026