South Korean government signals tighter oversight of nuclear exports

SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - South Korea’s trade minister expressed concern on Friday over an escalating dispute between two state-run energy companies, saying the conflict underscored the need for clearer governance in the country’s nuclear export program. The conflict centers on a roughly $1 billion cost adjustment related to the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates — South Korea’s first nuclear export project, which began operations in

October 24, 2025

No-fly zones, strict aerial restrictions set for next week's APEC summit in Gyeongju

SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - Flights and other aerial activities will be restricted near the vicinity of next week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on Friday. To ensure safety during the summit scheduled for Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, the no-fly zone will be in effect from next Monday until Nov. 2 at Gimhae International Airport, applying to all aircraft including drones and ult

October 24, 2025

North Korea breaks ground on memorial for troops killed in Russia

SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - North Korea has begun building a war memorial in Pyongyang to honor soldiers who were dispatched to assist Russia's war in Ukraine and died there, state media reported Friday. According to the KCNA, a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the memorial took place the previous day with its leader Kim Jong-un in attendance, along with Russian Ambassador to North Korea Aleksandr Matsegora and other embassy officials. In his speech, Kim said,

October 24, 2025

South Korea's Rainbow Robotics to make shipbuilding robots for Samsung Heavy

SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - Samsung Heavy Industries said on Friday that it has partnered with Rainbow Robotics to develop artificial intelligence–powered welding robots, part of the shipbuilder’s broader push to automate production and build a “smart shipyard” for the future. Under the agreement, Samsung Heavy will provide operational data and testing environments for the robots, while Rainbow Robotics will handle hardware development and technical support

October 24, 2025

Surge in Cambodian remittances via NH NongHyup Bank spurs crime concerns

SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - Remittances to Cambodia through South Korea’s NH NongHyup Bank have soared in recent years, prompting concerns among lawmakers and regulators about potential links to voice phishing and organized crime. According to data released by Rep. Eo Gi-gu of the Democratic Party, the amount sent to Cambodia has nearly tripled since 2021. Annual remittances rose from 36.8 billion won ($25.7 million) in 2021 to 45.9 billion won in 2022, 94.2 billion won i

October 24, 2025

South Korea's LS Buildwin wins high-voltage power project in Singapore

SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - South Korea's LS Marine Solutions said on Friday that its subsidiary, LS Buildwin, has been awarded a contract worth about $60 million to build a high-voltage underground power network in Singapore. The project, undertaken in partnership with LS Cable, will involve the construction of a 230-kilovolt underground power network designed to strengthen Singapore’s national grid amid surging electricity demand from artificial intelligence and data c

October 24, 2025

Seoul confirms summits with Trump and Xi, Japan's under discussion

SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, host of this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, will hold bilateral talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on Oct. 29 and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Nov. 1, both attending as state guests, the presidential office confirmed Friday. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said a separate meeting with Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is being discussed

October 24, 2025

SM's TVXQ and RIIZE honored with top govt awards for global K-pop impact

SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - SM Entertainment’s veteran duo TVXQ and rising boy group RIIZE have been recognized by the South Korean government for their contributions to the global expansion of K-pop. At the 16th Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards held Thursday, TVXQ — also known as Tohoshinki in Japan — received the Presidential Commendation, the nation’s highest honor in the cultural field. The six-member RIIZE earned the Minister of Culture, Sports

October 24, 2025

TRAVEL: Discover beauty of Mt. Hallasan and hidden gems on volcanic island of Jeju

JEJU, October 24 (AJP) - The beauty of South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju owes much to volcanic activity. The area, now the largest island on the Korean Peninsula, was originally a shallow sea. From deep beneath the earth, molten magma surged upward and collided with seawater in explosive volcanic eruptions, eventually forming land that rose above the sea. As volcanic activity continued, magma kept erupting, forming volcanic formations called "oreum" along

October 24, 2025

Samsung Heavy secures $244 million deal for three oil tankers

SEOUL, October 24 (AJP) - Samsung Heavy Industries said on Friday that it has secured an order worth 341.1 billion won, or about $244 million, to build three oil tankers for a Liberian shipowner. The order brings Samsung Heavy’s total contracts this year to $5.2 billion, about 78 percent of its $5.8 billion goal for the merchant ship sector. The company also aims to reach $4 billion in offshore projects, including work on the Coral and Delfin floating liquefied natural gas

October 24, 2025