APEC Week: Beyond Trump and Xi, APEC leaders bring diverse agenda

SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - As South Korea prepares to host the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju this week, global attention is fixed on the expected encounter between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. But away from the media spotlight, many of the region's other leaders are arriving with their own priorities — from digital transformation and green energy to demographic change and inclusive growth. According to APEC, this year

October 27, 2025

HD Hyundai chairman signals possible US shipyard acquisition

SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun said Monday the company is considering acquiring a shipyard in the United States, signaling a more assertive global expansion strategy under his new leadership. “We are well-prepared for U.S.-Korea shipbuilding collaboration and are considering acquiring a U.S. shipyard,” Chung told reporters after delivering a keynote address at the APEC CEO Summit’s Future Tech Forum in Gyeongju. His participation

October 27, 2025

Global AI Frontier Symposium brings together world leaders in Seoul

SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - KAIST said Monday that the National AI Research Lab (NAIRL) and the Global AI Frontier Lab jointly hosted the "Global AI Frontier Symposium 2025" at Seoul Dragon City, drawing more than 500 participants from academia, industry, and government. The event was organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning and Evaluation (IITP). Vice Prime Minister and Science and ICT Minister

October 27, 2025

Ferry service along Han River to resume next week after monthlong inspection

SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - A ferry service on the Han River, which was suspended just 10 days after its bombastic launch, will resume next week following a monthlong inspection, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Monday. Starting Nov. 1, the service will begin at 9 a.m., two hours earlier than before, and run until 9:37 p.m., offering 16 daily trips at 90-minute intervals. According to the city, more than 300 trial runs without passengers were conducted to enhance service

October 27, 2025

South Korea, Inter-American Development Bank plan AI cooperation hub

SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - South Korea and the Inter-American Development Bank have agreed to establish a cooperation hub focused on artificial intelligence, part of a broader effort to deepen economic and technological partnerships between South Korea and Latin America. The agreement came during the seventh Korea–Latin America Business Summit in Seoul, where Deputy Prime Minister and Economy and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol met with IDB President Ilan Goldfajn

October 27, 2025

BTS's RM to speak at APEC CEO Summit this week

SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - RM, the leader of K-pop juggernaut BTS, will deliver a keynote speech at the CEO Summit on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju this week. Although specific details remain under wraps, he is scheduled to speak for about 10 minutes on Wednesday, focusing on the country's soft power and how cultural creativity can nurture local industries. Over 1,700 global business leaders, includi

October 27, 2025

South Korea, Saudi Arabia deepen ties in shipbuilding, automobiles, AI under Vision 2030

SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - South Korea and Saudi Arabia agreed on Monday to expand cooperation across a range of industries — including shipbuilding, automobiles, and artificial intelligence — as the two nations seek to strengthen ties aligned with Riyadh’s Vision 2030 initiative. Moon Shin-hak, South Korea’s deputy minister of trade, industry and energy, met with Abdullah bin Ali Al-Ahmari, Saudi Arabia’s deputy minister of industry and mineral re

October 27, 2025

Korea-France Space Forum highlights growing partnership in space exploration

SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Government officials, scientists, and industry leaders from South Korea and France gathered in Seoul on Monday for the fifth Korea-France Space Forum, underscoring the two nations’ expanding collaboration in space exploration and technology. Held at the Four Seasons Hotel, the forum brought together representatives from the Korea Space Agency and France’s National Centre for Space Studies, known as CNES, as well as executives from major aero

October 27, 2025

Kevin Kim appointed acting US envoy to Seoul

SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Kevin Kim, a senior official in the U.S. State Department, "has been appointed Chargé d'Affaires, ad interim," the U.S. Embassy in Seoul said in press release on Monday. Kim "previously served as senior bureau official for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and deputy assistant secretary for Japan, Korea, and Mongolia," it said, adding that he will work with embassy staff and the South Korean government to

October 27, 2025

KOSPI breaks 4,000 for first time in 45 yrs, Nikkei also at historic high

SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Korean and Japanese stock markets celebrated historic milestones Monday, with both the KOSPI and Nikkei breaking past symbolic thresholds for the first time in their histories. The KOSPI jumped 2.3 percent to 4,032.49 around midday, topping the 4,000 mark for the first time in its 45-year history. Bellwethers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix led the charge, each hitting record levels — 100,000 won ($70) and 500,000 won, respectively. Advancers outn

October 27, 2025