Asian shares edge lower ahead of U.S.-Iran talks; Samsung Electro-Mechanics hits record SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Asian markets traded lower Friday as recent rally momentum faded, with investors weighing mixed signals from the Gulf over whether the conflict may begin to wind down through renewed U.S.-Iran talks and separate negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.98 percent to 58,937.04, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index lost 0.81 percent to 26,180.23 and China’s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.18 percent to 4,048.38. South Korea& April 17, 2026

A village, a baby — and the limits of Korea's birth incentives SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - It takes a village to raise a child — and in Mungok-ri, a mountain-ringed hamlet in northeastern South Korea, it took a village just to welcome one. For the first time in 20 years, the community of barely 100 residents heard the cry of a newborn. Banners lined the narrow roads to celebrate Seo-yoon, the second child of Kim Hyun-dong and Chang Yoo-jin. Gifts poured in from neighbors and local groups. Even the provincial governor sent his congratulation April 17, 2026

Kpop big 4 unite to launch Coachella-scale Kpop festival  SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - South Korea’s K-pop powerhouses — HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment — are moving to institutionalize a Coachella-style annual K-pop festival, marking a rare joint initiative among the industry’s fiercest rivals. The four agencies have jointly submitted a joint-venture proposal, tentatively titled “Fanomenon” a portmanteau of “fan” and “phenomenon” to the Fair Trade Co April 17, 2026

Seasoned economic expert tapped as South Korea's new ambassador to UK SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Kim Heung-chong, the former head of a state-run think tank was tapped as South Korea's new ambassador to the U.K., the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. Kim, who headed the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) from 2020 to 2023, also served as an adviser in South Korea's negotiations on a free trade agreement with the European Union (EU) and sat on committees under various ministries including the Ministry of Trade, Ind April 17, 2026

South Korea holds talks with Algeria, Libya to secure alternative oil supplies SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - South Korea has discussed energy-related cooperation with Algeria and Libya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. Park Jong-han, a ministry official, visited Algeria and Libya earlier this week to assess the possibility of securing emergency supplies of crude oil and naphtha, according to the ministry. His four-day trip, which began last Monday, was part of efforts to secure alternative supply routes that would remain unaffected by the closure o April 17, 2026

Samyang Foods' Buldak spice brand ventures into reality TV with dating show SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Samyang Foods has launched a reality dating show built around its Buldak spicy noodle brand, marking the company's latest push to embed the product into global youth culture beyond conventional food marketing. The South Korean food company announced Friday that it has partnered with U.S. media platform Nectar to produce "Heat Match," a dating show filmed against the backdrop of a major California music festival. The first episode aired April 11 April 17, 2026

Washington 'very close' to deal with Iran as talks may resume this weekend, Trump says SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - The U.S. is "very close" to reaching a deal with Iran to end the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, with talks between the two sides likely to resume as early as this weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters at the White House before departing for Las Vegas, Trump suggested some progress has been made in negotiations, though Tehran has yet to comment. "The big thing we have to do is we have to make su April 17, 2026

IMF keeps Korea growth view at 1.9% on 'energy buffers' despite Gulf shock SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) -The International Monetary Fund on Thursday maintained its growth outlook for South Korea at 1.9 percent for this year, holding steady from its January projection as it pointed to “sufficient buffers” to withstand energy shocks stemming from the Gulf conflict. The assessment came as the war-driven surge in oil and gas prices adds a fresh layer of uncertainty to the global economy, with Asia seen as particularly exposed due to its heavy reliance o April 17, 2026

Nation honors Sewol victims as 12th anniversary deepens calls for accountability SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - A synchronized silence descended upon the plaza fronting the Seoul City Council building at precisely 4:16 p.m. on Tuesday, as hundreds of citizens bowed their heads to mark twelve years since the Sewol ferry disaster. The gathering was held at the "Memory and Light," a civic space that served as a solemn anchor for a nation still grappling with the loss of 304 lives. The vast majority of victims were Danwon High School students from the city of A April 16, 2026

Sewol families still trapped in that day 12 years ago as closure never arrives SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - The familiar ache — the rage, the self-hate, the gut-wrenching grief, and finally the emptiness — returns every April. It is, for Choi Soon-hwa, the cruelest month. Each night in the days leading up to April 16, she returns to that day, now twelve years ago. “Why did so many people have to die? Why weren’t they saved? Why didn’t anyone tell them to come out, to jump, to escape?” For twelve years, these questions have April 16, 2026