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  Kim Jong Un stresses internal unity, honors troops sent to Russia in New Year address SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un used his New Year speech to emphasize domestic cohesion and praise soldiers deployed to Russia, avoiding any direct message toward South Korea or the United States. According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim delivered the remarks late Wednesday at a large celebration held at Pyongyang’s May Day Stadium. He said North Korea’s drive for “comprehensive socialist development” had successfully passe January 1, 2026
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  South Korean defense minister conducts New Year's Day command flight SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) -South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back conducted a command flight on New Year’s Day under escort by domestically produced fighter jets in a symbolic move to demonstrate military readiness across the Korean Peninsula, the Ministry of National Defense said Thursday. Ahn boarded an Air Force E-737 Peace Eye airborne early warning and control aircraft before dawn for what the ministry described as an “airborne command post” operation. January 1, 2026
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  Korea bets on AI-driven productivity as new engine of growth in 2026 SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) -South Korea is entering 2026 with a renewed push to reset its growth model around artificial intelligence, as the government and corporate leaders converge on AI-led productivity and solution-based innovation as the country’s next economic engine, according to New Year's addresses by key officials from the government and private sector. In his New Year’s address Thursday, President Lee Jae Myung raised urgency on a national transition b January 1, 2026
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  INTERVIEW: Korea confident in AI sovereignty - National AI committee vice chair SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) -“The debate over whether sovereign artificial intelligence is even possible has completely shifted. Now the mood is: we can do it. That change in mindset is the most important development so far,” Lim Moon-young, the vice chairman of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Committee, told Aju Business Daily on Dec. 29, 2025. More than 100 days after its launch under President Lee Jae Myung, the National AI Strategy Committee's bi January 1, 2026
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  Korea's exports hit record $709.7 billion in 2025 as chip shipments surge to all-time high SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s exports hit an all-time high in 2025, surpassing $700 billion for the first time, driven by record semiconductor shipments despite weakening demand in key overseas markets. According to data released Thursday by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, exports rose 3.8 percent from a year earlier to $709.7 billion, topping the previous record set in 2024. Average daily exports also reached a historic high of $2.64 billion. Semico January 1, 2026
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  South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok pledges people-driven policies, growth and stability in New Year address SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) - South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok vowed on Thursday to steer national policy based on the will of the people, outlining a government agenda centered on growth, stability and peace in his New Year’s address. Kim said the administration, launched last year “with a heavy heart” amid concerns about a crisis in democracy, is beginning 2026 with renewed confidence in economic recovery. “This year will mark the first step toward a January 1, 2026
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  PHOTOS: South Korea greets 2025 with the first sunrise SEOUL, January 1 (AJP) — The Year of Byeongo (the Year of the Red Horse) has begun, marking the start of 2026. On the first day of the new year, most regions across the country are expecting clear skies and weather, which makes watching the sunrise more enjoyable. However, the morning temperature in Seoul is forecast to plunge to minus 11 degrees Celsius, bringing frigid weather. January 1, 2026
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  Gangnam Media winter festa illuminates Seoul streets SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - The "2025 Gangnam Media Winter Festa" opened on December 19 in the G20 Square and K-POP Square near exits 5 and 6 of Samseong Station in Gangnam District, Seoul. Gangnam District describes the event as "an urban festival combining spectacular media technology with warm winter sentiments." The festival features immersive media shows utilizing 17 large LED displays across seven locations in four buildings, incorporating light, sound, an December 31, 2025
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  SK Group recruits former vice industry minister to head Chinese operations SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) -South Korea's second-largest conglomerate SK Group has appointed Park Sung-taek, former vice minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, to head its Chinese operations. Park, a career bureaucrat with more than 30 years of experience at the, stepped down in June following the launch of the new government under President Lee Jae Myung. Over his career, he held a series of senior posts, including director of the power industry division, chief of staff to the m December 31, 2025
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  Actor Ahn Hyo-seop to appear on US talk show SEOUL, December 31 (AJP) - Actor Ahn Hyo-seop will ring in the new year with an appearance on a popular U.S. talk show. He is set to appear on NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Jan. 12, riding the wave of popularity from Netflix's hit South Korean anime "KPop Demon Hunters," in which he lent his voice. The 100-minute K-pop-themed anime became one of Netflix's most popular films, accumulating 500 million views worldwide within ab December 31, 2025