South Korea offers support as death toll from quakes rises in Venezuela SEOUL, June 28 (AJP) - After powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela last week, the death toll has been rising, with aftershocks hampering rescue efforts. Some 1,430 people have been confirmed dead, with at least 68,900 missing and about 3,200 injured, with the toll expected to rise further as search efforts continue, according to Jorge Rodríguez, the president of Venezuela's National Assembly speaking on state television on Saturday. The two deadly earthquakes, June 28, 2026

South Korea, Japan seek deeper cooperation as defense chiefs meet in Seoul SEOUL, June 28 (AJP) - South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back held talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi in Seoul on Sunday. Their talks came amid efforts to improve ties between the two neighboring countries and strengthen cooperation across defense and other sectors. Koizumi's visit also follows Ahn's trip to Tokyo in January this year, after the two met multiple times in recent months on the sidelines of international gatherings and other occasions. June 28, 2026

Fresh hostilities in Strait of Hormuz raise doubts over shaky Iran deal SEOUL, June 28 (AJP) - Concerns over the safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz have heightened again after Washington launched fresh airstrikes against Iranian military targets in response to drone attacks on vessels, exposing the fragility of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Washington and Tehran as the two sides pursue follow-up talks. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces carried out retaliatory strikes against Iranian military targets on Friday after June 28, 2026

Chinese, Russian military aircraft enter KADIZ, prompting fighter jet response SEOUL, June 27 (AJP) - More than 10 Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered South Korea’s air defense identification zone without prior notice on Saturday, prompting the Air Force to deploy fighter jets, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. The aircraft entered and exited the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone, or KADIZ, over the East and South seas in sequence for about four hours beginning at around 8:30 a.m. None of the aircraft violated South Korean airspace. The June 27, 2026

U.S., Iran clash nine days after MOU, testing fragile Hormuz truce SEOUL, June 27 (AJP) - The United States and Iran exchanged military strikes just nine days after signing a memorandum of understanding to end their war, putting the fragile agreement under its first major test. U.S. Central Command said Friday it carried out airstrikes against Iran in response to a drone attack a day earlier on the Ever Lovely, a Singapore-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. aircraft reportedly struck Iranian missile and drone storage fa June 27, 2026

U.S. eases Mythos 5 curbs as Korean access remains unclear SEOUL, June 27 (AJP) - The U.S. government has eased restrictions on Anthropic’s advanced artificial intelligence model Claude Mythos 5, allowing the company to provide access to more than 100 approved companies and organizations. The Commerce Department authorized Anthropic on Friday to make Mythos 5 available to selected “trusted partners,” according to a letter obtained by Reuters. The approved list includes a number of Fortune 500 companies and institutions, June 27, 2026

More ships run by Korean carriers exit Strait of Hormuz, 3 remain SEOUL, June 27 (AJP) - Two more South Korean-operated ships stranded inside the Strait of Hormuz have passed through the waterway and resumed normal navigation, Seoul’s Oceans Ministry said Saturday. Both vessels were carrying a total of four South Korean crew members, the ministry said. Neither ship is bound for South Korea. Their departure leaves three South Korean-operated vessels inside the strait, including the HMM Namu, which is undergoing repairs at a port in Dubai a June 27, 2026

South Korea pins hopes on luck for World Cup round of 32 SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - South Korea's hopes of reaching the round of 32 at this year's FIFA World Cup remain alive, but their path has become more complicated as key group-stage matches elsewhere have tightened the race for a berth in the next round. With this year's expanded 48-team tournament split into 12 groups hosted by three countries - Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., the top two finishers from each group advance to the knockout stage, along with the eight best third- June 26, 2026

Stocks become family business in Korea SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - From cradle to grave. That's the extent of the stock craze sweeping South Korea. Active trading accounts have increased by more than 10 million this year, with even toddlers joining the market as parents increasingly open brokerage accounts in their children's names as part of long-term financial planning. Economists say the trend reflects a broader shift in how Korean households save and invest for the next generation, although some warn it could al June 26, 2026

K-lifestyle at display at THE MAISON 2026 SEOUL, June 26 (AJP) - Premium living trends on display as THE MAISON 2026 opens at COEX THE MAISON 2026, a premium lifestyle exhibition, is being held at Hall C of COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, from June 25 to 28. Brands across home living, interior design, home décor, kitchen and tableware, and lifestyle categories are showcasing the latest trends in residential and commercial spaces. THE MAISON is a premium living trade fair launched by the June 26, 2026