Korea's FX reserves hit four-year high in October amid chip boom SEOUL, November 04 (AJP) -South Korea's foreign exchange reserves rose to their highest level in more than four years in October amid a ballooning trade surplus driven by record chip export revenue, central bank data showed Wednesday. Foreign reserves stood at $443.16 billion at the end of October, up $2.60 billion from $440.56 billion a month earlier and reversing September's $1.72 billion decline, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK). The figure was the highest since November 4, 2026

France's teenagers take their anger from classrooms to the streets ZURICH, November 02 (AJP) - High school students in France resumed blocking their schools on Monday, sustaining a youth movement that has joined a wider wave of anger over living costs across Europe. The first day back after a two-week holiday was quieter than organizers had hoped. France’s Education Ministry said 41 of about 3,700 high schools were blocked on Monday morning, around 1 percent, and three-quarters of the country’s regions reported no disruption. The high November 3, 2026

Germany ties AI safety institute to Canada as Merz urges speed ZURICH,November 02 (AJP) - Germany’s new AI safety institute will work with Canada, its digital minister announced Monday. The plan came as Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that Europe is running out of time to catch up in AI. The announcement came at a two-day government summit on AI in Berlin. There, a government task force presented a report warning that the window for Germany to close the gap with the world’s AI leaders “is closing soon.” It set a goal November 3, 2026

Caught between Washington and Beijing, Britain lacks a China plan ZURICH, November 02 (AJP) - Britain is handling its relationship with China without a coherent plan, a committee of British lawmakers warned on Monday, leaving businesses in the dark and the country exposed to economic and security risks as it tries to balance ties with Beijing, Washington and Europe. The criticism carries particular weight because it comes from within the ruling party’s own ranks. The committee is chaired by Liam Byrne, a lawmaker from Prime Minister Andy B November 3, 2026

Indian Film Festival brings cinema beyond Bollywood to Seoul SEOUL, November 03 (AJP) - Indian cinema reaches far beyond Bollywood's familiar mix of music, dance and romance, India's ambassador to South Korea said Tuesday as the 14th Indian Film Festival opened in Seoul. The festival began at the Korean Film Archive with a screening of "Newton," launching a program of six Indian films that will travel across six Korean cities through Nov. 29. "Indian cinema is a microcosm of its 1.4 billion people,&quo November 3, 2026

Korea, Türkiye expand nuclear, defense ties during Erdoğan state visit SEOUL, November 03 (AJP) - South Korea and Türkiye agreed Tuesday to back Korean companies' bid for Türkiye's next nuclear power plant with a dedicated financing framework and to explore joint entry into third-country defense markets, during a state visit to Seoul by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The two governments adopted four memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on energy, nuclear project financing, natural resources and mining, and science and techno November 3, 2026

AJP On-site: Life in a border village where even lunch requires military clearance PAJU, South Korea, November 3 (AJP) — Getting a table at a restaurant in this South Korean village takes more than a reservation. You must first submit your name, the names of everyone traveling with you and your car's license plate number for military clearance. Only after the restaurant confirms that the information has been submitted can the journey begin. Google Maps is of little help. The restaurant sends its own directions because the navigation service does not November 3, 2026

Seoul defends DMZ warning shots in newly released UN letter SEOUL, November 03 (AJP) - South Korea defended its warning shots along the inter-Korean border as legitimate defensive measures in a letter to the United Nations Security Council, accusing North Korea of planting land mines that injured three South Korean soldiers in September. The letter, dated October 22 and signed by South Korean Ambassador to the UN Jihoon Cha, was registered as Security Council document S/2026/836. Seoul said the September 21 explosions occurred south of th November 3, 2026

KOSPI tumbles over 3% as foreign sell-off continues on AI concerns SEOUL, November 3 (AJP) - South Korean stocks plunged more than 3 percent on Tuesday as concerns over returns on massive artificial intelligence (AI)-led spending triggered heavy foreign selling, dragging semiconductor shares lower and wiping out the previous session's gains. The benchmark KOSPI fell 3.59 percent or 210.29 points to close at 5,648.79. Foreign investors sold 1.52 trillion won (US$1.13 billion) worth of shares, while institutions unloaded 511.3 billion won. Ret November 3, 2026

Korea to hold 3rd separate Sado forced-labor memorial in Japan Please check the related infographic article -> AJP Factbox: What happened to Koreans at Sado mine? SEOUL, November 03 (AJP) - South Korea will hold its own memorial on Nov. 13 for Korean laborers forced to work at Japan's Sado mine during World War II. It will be the third straight year Seoul has held a separate ceremony because Tokyo will not acknowledge that the labor was forced. Lee Hyuk, South Korea's ambassador to Japan, will lead government officials and nine November 3, 2026