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  South Korea survives a dramatic tiebreaker to advance WBC quarterfinals in 17 years SEOUL, March 10 (AJP) - South Korea advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic for the first time in 17 years on Monday, defeating Australia 7–2 in Tokyo through a combination of disciplined execution, mathematical precision — and a measure of luck. The win at Tokyo Dome gave South Korea the exact margin it needed — a victory by at least five runs while allowing no more than two — to edge past Australia and Chinese Taipei in Pool C and secu March 10, 2026
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  BTS Comeback D-12 Seoul to deploy 3,400 personnel for BTS event SEOUL, March 09 (AJP) - The Seoul City will deploy more than 3,400 personnel to manage crowds and ensure safety during the upcoming BTS comeback event scheduled for March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square, the heart of the capital city. City officials said nearby subway stations will bypass stops and bus routes will be temporarily diverted on the day of the event to reduce congestion around the venue. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon hosted a joint safety inspection meeting Monday with officials March 9, 2026
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  Korea and India beef up institutional financing to prepare for expanding business ties SEOUL, March 09 (AJP) - Institutional financing links between South Korea and India are gaining traction as the world's most populous nation accelerates economic expansion and seeks advanced manufacturing capabilities in sectors ranging from small modular nuclear reactors to defense and shipbuilding. A closed-door investor relations conference jointly hosted by SK Securities and India's ICICI Group in Seoul on Monday underscored the growing momentum. The event drew major Kor March 9, 2026
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  S&P Global inspectors arrive in Seoul to conduct annual review SEOUL, March 9 (AJP) - American credit rating agency S&P Global is set to conduct its annual review of South Korea's sovereign credit rating. A delegation led by Kim Eng Tan and Andrew Wood, executive directors responsible for the agency's Asia Pacific region, arrived in Seoul on Monday for a three-day consultation ahead of the upcoming review, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said. They are scheduled to talk with key financial and economic officials including thos March 9, 2026
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  Oil surge causes brutal Black Monday in Seoul SEOUL, March 09 (AJP) - The global energy market plunged into turmoil Monday as fears of a prolonged Middle East conflict sent crude prices soaring. Brent crude had surged 25 percent from the previous session to $116 per barrel, while U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) jumped 27 percent to $115. Dubai crude — the benchmark most relevant for Asian importers — also breached the $100 mark after the March 6 close, marking its sharpest rise in more than two and March 9, 2026
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  Asian stocks tumble as oil surge rattles markets; Korea triggers circuit breaker SEOUL, March 09 (AJP) - Asian stock markets fell sharply Monday as surging oil prices and escalating tensions in the Middle East triggered a broad risk selloff across the region, with Korea and Japan among the hardest hit. Korea’s benchmark KOSPI closed at 5,251.9, down 6 percent, after plunging more than 8 percent throughout the trading session and briefly falling to 5,096.2. The sharp drop triggered a Level-1 circuit breaker, temporarily halting trading for 20 minutes. March 9, 2026
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  Qatar government organizes emergency flight for South Koreans stranded in Doha SEOUL, March 09 (AJP) - An emergency direct flight carrying South Koreans departed Doha on Monday following negotiations between the South Korean Embassy in Qatar and the Qatari government. The Qatar Airways flight, carrying some 300 South Korean nationals, took off at approximately 3:45 p.m. (0645 GMT). According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the aircraft is scheduled to land at Incheon International Airport at 12:21 a.m. on Tuesday. The flight was arranged as the March 9, 2026
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  Mug shots of alleged serial killer released SEOUL, March 9 (AJP) - Prosecutors on Monday released the mug shots of a suspect arrested for allegedly committing a series of killings. The Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office released the suspect's photos along with personal information including her name and age, which will be made public until April 7. Kim So-young is accused of giving drinks containing benzodiazepine-class drugs to three men on separate occasions between mid-December and early February, cau March 9, 2026
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  Travel time suggests USFK assets may join Iran nuclear raid SEOUL, March 09 (AJP) - As Tehran remains defiant with the war entering its second week, intelligence signals suggest the United States and Israel are preparing for a potential special forces raid on Iranian nuclear facilities — an operation that could involve key air defense assets stationed in South Korea. Defense authorities in Seoul and Washington stressed Monday that the combined defense posture on the Korean Peninsula remains “ironclad,” regardless of any tac March 9, 2026
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  Black Monday exposes vulnerabilities of external-reliant Korean economy SEOUL, Mar 09 (AJP) - The Black Monday bombshell in South Korean capital markets has once again laid bare the vulnerabilities of the country’s external-reliant economy, now facing the dreaded triple highs of oil prices, the dollar and interest rates — a classic recipe for stagflation. Crude prices touched above $110 per barrel for the first time since the early months of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, marking one of the fastest climbs since the oil crises March 9, 2026