Lee offers condolences to victims of deadly earthquake in Columbia SEOUL, August 12 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung mourned the victims of a strong earthquake in Colombia earlier this week and expressed hope that the missing would still be found safe. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday, Lee said he was saddened by the devastating damage caused by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia, killing more than 100 people and damaging hundreds of buildings. He offered condolences to Colombians who lost family members and ne August 12, 2026

North Korea fires ballistic missile ahead of South Korea-US joint drills SEOUL, August 12 (AJP) - North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Wednesday, military authorities here said. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected a missile launched from Wonsan, Kangwon Province at around 6 a.m. that flew more than 700 kilometers. It is analyzing the launch, including details about the missile, in coordination with U.S. authorities. "South Korea, the U.S. and Japan are closely sharing information on the launch and maintaining August 12, 2026

RIIZE shines at seoul forest photocall Members of K-pop boy group RIIZE pose for photos during a photocall event at Setter House Seoul Forest in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Aug. 11, 2026. August 11, 2026

KOSDAQ roars back as leveraged bets unwind SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) — South Korea's long-neglected KOSDAQ is suddenly outrunning its bigger sibling and major stock markets around the world, gaining 19 percent in the first seven trading sessions of August as investors look beyond the leveraged chip trade that dominated the first half. The junior market closed Tuesday at 857.84, up 19.2 percent from 719.76 at the end of July. The benchmark KOSPI, by contrast, has lost 3.8 percent over the same period to 6,345.53. August 11, 2026

Even Buddhism gets muddled over election in South Korea SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - Elections can get dirty, and even one of South Korea's oldest religious traditions is not immune to the rough edges of politics. Inside Jogyesa Temple in downtown Seoul on Tuesday, 53 members of the Jogye Order's Central Assembly bowed before the Buddha and recited a declaration supporting incumbent chief administrator Ven. Jinwoo for another four-year term. They praised his first term for making Buddhism more "friendly and warm" and s August 11, 2026

KOSPI closes higher as record August exports lift chip stocks SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - South Korean stocks closed higher on Tuesday, buoyed by record exports in early August that lifted semiconductor shares, although lingering uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz limited gains. The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.73 percent to 6,345.53, extending gains for a second straight session. The index opened 0.95 percent lower at 6,240.06 before reversing course, though gains remained limited through much of the session. The turnaround came after stronger e August 11, 2026

100 days to go for 2027 CSAT A student sets a timer while solving problems at Etoos 247 Academy's Daechi branch in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 100 days before the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), August 11, 2026. August 11, 2026

100 days to go for 2027 CSAT A student receives counseling at Etoos 247 Academy's Daechi branch in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 100 days before the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), August 11, 2026. August 11, 2026

100 days to go for 2027 CSAT Students study at Etoos 247 Academy's Daechi branch in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 100 days before the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), August 11, 2026. August 11, 2026

100 days to go for 2027 CSAT Students study at Etoos 247 Academy's Daechi branch in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 100 days before the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), August 11, 2026. August 11, 2026