Opposition leader cleared of perjury charges, but legal battles continue

SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was cleared on Monday of charges that he had pressured a witness to provide false testimony in his favor. The Seoul Central District Court found Lee not guilty as there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations that the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party had coerced a former mayoral secretary into committing perjury on his behalf. In a series of legal battles that could threaten his

November 25, 2024

ATEEZ's latest album debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200

SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - K-pop boy band ATEEZ topped the Billboard 200 albums chart with their latest album, the U.S. music chart said on Sunday. Their 11th mini-album "Golden Hour: Part.2" took the top spot for the week ending on Nov. 21, with over 179,000 copies sold in its first week of release. The album is "the 26th mostly non-English-language album to hit No. 1, and the third of 2024," Billboard said. The album explores themes of love and self-disco

November 25, 2024

First Korean-style industrial complex will open in northern Viet Nam

SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - South Korea has completed its first Korean-style industrial complex in northern Viet Nam, covering about 1.43 million square meters. The complex will serve as an export hub for Korean firms. The project was developed through a joint venture, with South Korean entities, including Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) and Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Corporation (KIND), holding a 75 percent stake, and Viet Nam's TDH EcoLand hol

November 25, 2024

Russia warns South Korea against possible supply of lethal weapons to Ukraine

SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Russia warned that South Korea's supply of lethal weapons to Ukraine would "fully destroy relations" with Moscow, a senior Russian official said Sunday. "Seoul must realize that the possible use of South Korean weapons to kill Russian citizens will fully destroy relations" between the two countries, Moscow's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told the country's state-run news agency TASS. "We will respond in every

November 25, 2024

OPINION: Russia needs peace deal soon as it is running out of soldiers

SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - For Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump's win couldn't come soon enough. Putin may reportedly accept a deal where Moscow gains significant territory in Ukraine (about the size of the U.S. state of Virginia) and Ukraine remains neutral and forgets about any plans to join NATO or the EU. Though Ukraine is experiencing war fatigue, so is Russia. Russia is making steady advances in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, but the Kremlin is still struggling to recruit

November 25, 2024

South Korea rejects Japan's forced labor memorial

SEOUL, November 24 (AJP) - South Korea has pulled out of a memorial ceremony in Japan honoring forced labor victims, including Koreans, from an old Japanese mine complex. The decision came after Tokyo announced that Akiko Ikuina, a parliamentary vice minister with a history of visiting the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, would represent the government at the event. Seoul expressed concerns about Ikuina's appointment, citing her association with the shrine, which honors conv

November 24, 2024

North Korea given missiles in return for troops, South Korean security adviser says

SEOUL, November 22 (AJP) - Russia has supplied anti-aircraft missiles and air defense equipment to North Korea in return for its troop deployment to support Moscow's war in Ukraine, South Korea's top security adviser said on Friday. "Russia is believed to have provided Pyongyang with missiles and other equipment to bolster its air defense capabilities," said National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik during his appearance on an SBS TV program. Shin also speculated t

November 22, 2024

LG Innotek to spend $270 million to boost production lines in Viet Nam

SEOUL, November 22 (AJP) - South Korea's LG Innotek, the supplier of camera modules to Apple iPhones, announced on Thursday it will make 375.9 billion won (US$270 million) additional investment in Viet Nam. This is part of a plan the company unveiled last year to invest 1.3 trillion won to expand its production subsidiary in Hai Phong. The Hai Phong production subsidiary mainly manufactures camera modules, and the additional production lines are scheduled for completion in

November 22, 2024

Virtual reality brings Colombia's rich history and culture to life in Seoul

Colombian Ambassador to Seoul Alejandro Pelaez Rodriguez (fifth from right), embassy officials and other visitors pose for a group photo at an exhibition in Seoul on Nov. 21, 2024. AJP Han Jun-gu SEOUL, November 22 (AJP) - An exhibition showcasing a diverse collection of Colombian artworks through virtual reality is currently underway in central Seoul. Hosted by the Colombian Embassy in Seoul in collaboration with the Korea Foundation, the exhibition presents a range of artworks from h

November 22, 2024

PHOTOS: Forum in Seoul sheds light on future global challenges

SEOUL, November 22 (AJP) - The annual conference hosted by the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) was held in central Seoul on Friday, bringing together political and business leaders from across Asia. Participants discussed diverse global challenges under the theme of "Towards a Shared Future" at the conference, chaired by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Also on the agenda were artificial intelligence, sustainable development, and the roles of women and youth in shaping the futu

November 22, 2024