Two pilots eject as South Korean fighter jet veers off runway during takeoff in Alaska

SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - A South Korean KF-16 fighter jet participating in U.S.-led multinational drills in Alaska was damaged during takeoff, Air Force authorities said on Wednesday. But two pilots aboard were confirmed safe as they managed to eject themselves from the double-seat jet when it veered off the runway at Eielson Air Force Base. According to a military source, the two pilots are "safe" and have been reportedly transferred to a nearby hospital there. While

June 11, 2025

Xiaomi to open its first offline store in Korea

SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi will open its first offline retail store in South Korea later this month, the company said on Wednesday. Branded as the “Mi Store,” the retail space will be located on the second floor of the IFC Mall in Yeouido, Seoul. The store is designed to be more than a traditional retail outlet, offering product experience zones and on-site customer support services. The move signals Xiaomi’s broader ambitions in t

June 11, 2025

OpenAI's top strategist returns to Seoul as Lee ramps up 100 tln won AI push

SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - Just a week after President Lee Jae-myung took office, OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon is back in Seoul. His second visit in less than three weeks signals more than a passing interest -- OpenAI is clearly watching Korea’s AI ambitions with growing seriousness. Kwon is expected to spend Jun. 12 meeting with South Korean corporate partners, continuing the momentum from his late-May visit, when he announced OpenAI’s formal entry int

June 11, 2025

INTERVIEW: How one gamer turned his passion into global console hit

SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - For Lee Jun-ho, it all began with tears. He was a middle school student, clutching a controller as the final scene of Shining Force, a turn-based tactical role-playing game, played out on the screen. "I remember tears streaming down my face as the ending unfolded," he recalled. That moment of revelation would eventually lead Lee to the heart of South Korea's gaming industry. Today, he serves as the creative director behind The First Berserker:

June 11, 2025

Trump trade war to hit US harder than China: World Bank

SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - The World Bank sharply lowered its forecast for U.S. economic growth this year, citing mounting fallout from the Trump administration’s trade policies. In its latest Global Economic Prospects report, released Tuesday, the bank revised its U.S. growth estimate to 1.4 percent for 2025, down from 2.8 percent in 2024. The Washington-based institution attributed the downgrade primarily to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff measures, which it said a

June 11, 2025

PHOTOS: BTS members discharged from military

SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - The final members of the global sensation BTS have completed their mandatory military service, with Jimin and Jungkook concluding their duties on Tuesday, following RM and V who were discharged on Monday. Suga is expected to be the last to return, with his discharge slated for June 21. Their returns follow those of Jin, who was discharged last June, and J-Hope, who completed his service in October. In recognition of the members' return, HYBE, BTS'

June 11, 2025

Rainy season to start early this year with first monsoon rainfall in Jeju

SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - This summer's first monsoon rains will drench the country later this week, starting with the southern resort island of Jeju, which is expected to see up to 40 mm of precipitation, the Korea Meteorological Administration said Wednesday. According to the KMA, the monsoon rain front currently hovering near Japan will move north as a North Pacific high-pressure system approaches, bringing heavy rainfall to Jeju Island on Thursday before spreading to other sout

June 11, 2025

Lee confirms presidential watch plan, puts tradition back on track

SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday addressed recent speculation that he might do away with the time-honored tradition of presidential watches, saying a new edition will be made with an emphasis on value and purpose. “After listening to various suggestions, I decided a meaningful and practical gift would be most appropriate," Lee wrote on Facebook. "I’ve instructed that a cost-effective presidential watch be produced.” The a

June 11, 2025

US reaffirms commitment to alliance with S. Korea under new president

SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - The United States has expressed confidence that its alliance with South Korea will continue to "thrive" under President Lee Jae-myung's administration, inaugurated last week, according to a briefing from the State Department on Tuesday (local time). State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce extended her congratulations to President Lee once again, stating, "We are confident under his leadership that our alliance will continue to thrive."

June 11, 2025

Samsung SDI signs battery supply deal with German energy firm

SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - Battery manufacturer Samsung SDI said on Wednesday that it has signed a new supply agreement with Tesvolt, a leading German energy storage company. While the company did not disclose the value or exact timing of the deal, a Samsung SDI spokesperson confirmed that executives from both firms met on May 8 regarding the agreement. The contract will see Samsung SDI deliver its flagship battery solution, the Samsung Battery Box, to Tesvolt by the end of June. The

June 11, 2025