President Lee to meet corporate leaders this week

SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung is set to hold his first meeting with the heads of largest conglomerates this week. The meetings are expected to take place Thursday or Friday at the presidential office in Yongsan, ahead of Lee’s departure for the Group of Seven summit in Canada, scheduled for June 15 to 17. The agenda is expected to focus on current economic challenges and the administration’s policy priorities. According to business people briefed on

June 10, 2025

Bank of Korea sounds alarm as won-backed stablecoin momentum builds

SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - As interest in won-denominated stablecoins intensifies, the Bank of Korea is cautioning that a premature rollout could jeopardize the nation’s monetary stability. Central bank officials say that without carefully designed regulations, stablecoins could pose systemic risks and weaken the South Korean currency's status as legal tender. In response, the Bank of Korea will host a high-profile conference on July 1 to address the implications of stablec

June 10, 2025

Photographer condemns 'Rooftop Koreans' meme by Trump Jr. as offensive, unauthorized

SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - A Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist is speaking out against Donald Trump Jr. for the unauthorized use of his photo from the 1992 Los Angeles riots — a move critics say distorts history and inflames racial tensions. Hyungwon Kang, a former photo editor for the Los Angeles Times, said Trump Jr. posted one of his most recognizable photographs on social media without his permission with the caption, “Make Rooftop Koreans Great Again!” I

June 10, 2025

Firefighters extinguish blaze near Jogyesa Temple in central Seoul

SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - A fire that broke out at a building next to Jogyesa Temple in central Seoul on Tuesday morning was fully extinguished about two hours later. According to firefighters, the blaze started at around 10:20 a.m. and was put out around noon. About 300 people were evacuated, and over 30 artifacts on display at the building were moved to the nearby National Palace Museum of Korea due to concerns over possible damage. No casualties have been reported so far. F

June 10, 2025

Doosan Enerbility signs $650 million deal to build gas-fired power plant in Vietnam

SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - South Korean energy company Doosan Enerbility has secured a contract valued at approximately 900 billion Korean won, or $650 million, to build a major gas-fired power plant in southern Vietnam, in partnership with the state-owned Petrovietnam. The agreement, signed on June 6 in Hanoi, marks one of the largest foreign energy infrastructure deals in Vietnam this year. The project involves construction of a combined cycle gas turbine power plant, located rou

June 10, 2025

President Lee invites public to help select top government officials

SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung has invited Tuesday South Koreans to help select key members of his new administration, opening a one-week nomination period for senior government posts including ministers, vice ministers, and heads of public institutions. The initiative announced on Jun. 10 is part of the president’s broader push to build what he calls a “citizen-led government.” The public can submit recommendations through a dedicated website run

June 10, 2025

Shinsegae scion to debut in K-pop group

SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - Moon Seo-yoon, the eldest daughter of Shinsegae International President Chung Yoo-kyung and a scion of one of South Korea’s most prominent retail dynasties, is set to debut as a K-pop idol later this month. Moon, 22, will perform under the stage name Annie as a member of ALLDAY PROJECT, a five-member co-ed group managed by The Black Label, a prominent music agency known for representing artists such as Taeyang of Big Bang and Rose of Blackpink. The group

June 9, 2025

Daiso's budget cosmetics find devoted following

Editor's Note: This is the fourth article in our series exploring the evolving landscape of the Korean beauty industry and the products that captivate international visitors. SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - In South Korea’s bustling beauty market, a surprising contender has quietly become a cultural force: Daiso, the ultra-low-cost retailer known more for household goods than cosmetics. The chain, beloved by locals and tourists alike, is defying expectations — and industry

June 9, 2025

President Lee agrees with Japanese PM to strengthen bilateral ties through phone call

SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung has agreed Monday with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru through their first-ever phone call that it is important for South Korea and Japan to strengthen bilateral ties and accelerate cooperation. The 25-minute call, held around noon, marks the two leaders’ first official conversation since Lee’s inauguration five days earlier. The Presidential Office’s spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung said that Lee thanked Ishiba f

June 9, 2025

Lee aims for diplomatic reboot at upcoming G7 summit in Canada

SEOUL, June 9 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung is set to embark on his first overseas trip just over a week after taking office earlier this month, as he heads to Canada to attend the G7 summit this weekend. Just about ten days into his single, five-year term, Lee will make his debut in multilateral diplomacy, as he meets leaders of major countries at the three-day summit in Alberta, which kicks off on Sunday. Lee's upcoming visit will be the fifth by a South Korean president

June 9, 2025