Crimes by South Koreans abroad rise 45 percent in four years: data

SEOUL, October 08 (AJP) - Crimes committed by South Korean nationals overseas have risen sharply in recent years, climbing by about 45 percent between 2020 and 2024, according to government data. The figures are prompting renewed criticism that the Foreign Ministry has failed to respond to growing risks faced by citizens abroad. Data submitted by lawmaker Kim Gi-hyeon of the main opposition People Power Party showed that the number of South Korean nationals reported as criminal of

October 8, 2025

South Korea scrambles over EU's new steel trade curbs

SEOUL, October 08 (AJP) -South Korea’s government and steelmakers are rushing to respond to the European Union’s latest protectionist move on steel imports, which adds to the heavy tariffs already imposed by the United States on steel and aluminum. The EU has issued a new set of barriers that halve import quotas and double tariffs beyond those limits, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Tuesday. Under the European Commission’s proposed tariff-r

October 8, 2025

Prices of daily necessities rise faster than wages over past five years

SEOUL, October 08 (AJP) - Data shows that the cost of living in South Korea has climbed sharply over the past five years, with food and basic consumer goods becoming noticeably more expensive while wage growth lags behind. Data released by the National Data Office on Wednesday showed that the price index for food and non-alcoholic beverages in September THIS YEAR rose 22.9 percent compared with five years earlier. The increase far exceeds the overall consumer price rise of about 1

October 8, 2025

Korean treasuries set for WGBI entry in April 2026 as planned: FTSE Russell

SEOUL, October 08 (AJP) - South Korean government bonds will join the World Government Bond Index (WGBI) in April 2026 as scheduled, global index provider FTSE Russell confirmed Tuesday. The timeline, originally announced last year, had been revised from November 2025 to April 2026, triggering investor jitters over possible second thoughts about Korea’s sovereign credibility. The adjustment came just days after the Constitutional Court removed former President Yoon Suk

October 8, 2025

K-pop girl bands Hearts2Hearts and Babymonster to make October comebacks

SEOUL, October 08 (AJP) - Two of South Korea's most talked-about girl groups are returning with new albums this month. Super rookie band Hearts2Hearts from SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment's Babymonster are both preparing October comebacks, drawing attention from K-pop fans worldwide. Hearts2Hearts (H2H), which debuted in February this year with the single album "The Chase," will release its first mini-album "FOCUS" on October 20. The six-track album

October 8, 2025

Discount stores crowd Korea's $5 billion health supplement market

SEOUL, October 08 (AJP) - The race for South Korea’s fast-growing health and dietary supplement market is intensifying as bargain retailers and convenience stores challenge traditional drugstores for a share of a wellness-driven, aging society where eight out of 10 households regularly take preventive supplements. According to Expert Market Research, Korea’s health supplement market was valued at $5.45 billion in 2024 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growt

October 8, 2025

Foreign Ownership of Seoul Apartments Surges, Americans Lead

SEOUL, October 07 (AJP) - Americans own the most foreign-held apartments in Seoul, followed by Chinese and Canadians. According to data analyzed by Rep. Jeong Jun-ho of the Democratic Party, as of last December, Americans owned 5,678 apartments, accounting for 45.4% of the 12,516 foreign-owned units in Seoul. Notably, 63% of American-owned apartments are in the 'Han River Belt,' including Gangnam, Seocho, Songpa, Mapo, Yongsan, Seongdong, and Gwangjin. In Gangnam

October 7, 2025

China's No. 2 official to visit Pyongyang for party anniversary as Xi skips trip

SEOUL, October 07 (AJP) - Although Chinese President Xi Jinping will not visit North Korea this week, Beijing's decision to send Premier Li Qiang — the country's No. 2 official — to Pyongyang for the 80th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea is being seen as a clear sign of strengthening ties between the two neighbors. The move marks a noticeable upgrade from the 2015 celebrations, when China sent Liu Yunshan, then fifth in the Communist Party hierarchy.

October 7, 2025

Creativity and farsightedness, key to global IB outreach: SK Securities global chief

SEOUL, October 06 (AJP) - Abundant investment opportunities lie in diverse global markets when matched with Korea’s high-tech, manufacturing, and soft-power competitiveness, said Patrick Han, head of Global Business at SK Securities. "Identifying needs before demand arises and aligning them with Korean capital is the path forward for Korean investment banking," Han told AJP in an exclusive interview, highlighting that Korea’s financial sector lags far behi

October 7, 2025

Hwang You-min rises to world No. 33 after Hawaii LPGA win

SEOUL, October 07 (AJP) - South Korean female golfer Hwang You-min climbed to 33rd in the world rankings after capturing her first Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour title at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii, securing a direct entry to the U.S.-based circuit. In the latest Women's World Golf Rankings released Tuesday, Hwang jumped 20 spots from 53rd to 33rd following her victory at Hoakalei Country Club in Oahu on Sunday. The 22-year-old carded a final-round 5-un

October 7, 2025