India successfully test-fires hypersonic missile

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - India has announced that it successfully test-fired an indigenously developed hypersonic missile. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday via X (formerly Twitter) that the test launch had been successfully conducted the previous day from Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha, eastern India. Singh said, "This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations having capabilities of such cri

November 18, 2024

Xi pledges cooperation with Trump at final meeting with Biden  

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed a commitment to work with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump during his last meeting with the outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden last week. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru last Saturday. Xi outlined China's goals, sending a message to Trump and the next U.S. administration. In a statement released afterward, Xi emphasized that "a new Cold War

November 18, 2024

OPINION: Brazilian presidency of G20 is likely to end with limited results

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - The G20 Leaders' Summit takes place on Nov. 18 and 19, in Rio de Janeiro, with the presence of leaders of the member countries, plus the African Union and the European Union. The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, will not attend. Putin faces arrest if he travels abroad on a warrant accusing him of war crimes in Ukraine, issued by the International Criminal Court, and will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. In a simple metaphor, Brazil&#

November 18, 2024

Israeli airstrike in Beirut kills Hezbollah spokesman

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - An Israeli airstrike in Beirut killed Hezbollah's chief spokesman, Mohammed Afif al-Naboulsi, on Sunday. Hezbollah confirmed his death in an attack on the Arab Socialist Baath Party office. Israel's military described him as a key figure in Hezbollah's operations and propaganda. A separate strike on a computer shop in Beirut killed two and wounded 22. Lebanese officials criticized Israel's actions as undermining ceasefire talks led by the U

November 18, 2024

China's first deep-ocean drilling vessel enters operation

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - China commissioned on Sunday its first domestically built deep-ocean drilling vessel which can drill as deep as 11 kilometers. The Meng Xiang, China's largest scientific research ship, measures 179.8 meters long and 32.8 meters wide, with a displacement of 42,600 tons. It has a range of 15,000 nautical miles, operates independently for 120 days, and can house 180 crew members. "The core samples obtained will offer global scientists valuable ins

November 18, 2024

South Korea, Peru to expand cooperation in defense, critical minerals

SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) -- South Korea and Peru agreed Saturday to jointly develop naval vessels and expand cooperation in critical minerals. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte signed a joint declaration during their summit on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Lima. "Defense and defense industry cooperation has become a milestone in developing the comprehensive strategic partnership between our two

November 17, 2024

Yoon, Ishiba express 'strong concern' over North Korean troops in Russia

SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed "strong concern" Saturday over North Korea’s troop deployment to Russia to aid its war against Ukraine, Seoul officials said. The two leaders held their second bilateral meeting in Lima on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. "The leaders expressed strong concerns over military cooperation between North Korea a

November 17, 2024

South Korea, Viet Nam leaders vow to strengthen economic cooperation

SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Viet Nam's new President Luong Cuong agreed Saturday to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in investment, supply chains and defense, Seoul officials said. The two leaders held their first meeting in Lima on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. "As each other's third-largest trading partners, I expect our nations to continue strengthening cooperation to

November 17, 2024

Yoon urges China's 'constructive' role over N. Korea's provocations

SEOUL, November 16 (AJP) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday and urged China to play a "constructive role" in addressing North Korea's growing provocations and military cooperation with Russia, Seoul officials said. In response, Xi expressed China's hopes for regional stability and peaceful resolution of Korean Peninsula issues. During the talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic C

November 16, 2024

South Korea, US, Japan leaders agree to establish trilateral secretariat

SEOUL, November 16 (AJP) -- The leaders of South Korea, the United States and Japan agreed Friday to establish a secretariat for trilateral cooperation during their summit in Peru. President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also condemned North Korea for sending troops to Russia to aid its war against Ukraine and reaffirmed their commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. "Today, we announce the establishment

November 16, 2024