Korea shrugs off Trump's tariff threat on foreign-made films

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - South Korea's film industry officials and legal experts largely brush off U.S. President Donald Trump's latest threat about slapping tariffs on movies filmed outside the American soil. Speaking on Monday, Trump said his administration would levy "100 percent tariffs" on films that were not fully produced within the United States, repeating a proposal he first raised in May. South Korea's national film agency, the Korean Film Counci

September 30, 2025

Korea bets on visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists to boost inbound spending

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - Korea, grappling with yawning travel deficit, pins high hopes on the temporary visa waiver for Chinese group tourists to aid the balance sheets of the government as well as domestic retailers. The travel balance of payments in the national current account has been in the red since 2000 as more go out and spend than those coming in. The deficit totaled $7.2 billion as of July this year, slightly eased from $7.9 billion a year earlier on the rise of fore

September 30, 2025

N. Korea returns to UN podium, building up diplomatic portfolio

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - North Korea has returned to the United Nations for the first time in seven years, suggesting renewed confidence after the powerful display of its leader standing alongside the heads of China and Russia earlier this month. Taking the podium at the UN General Assembly on Monday, North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son-gyong openly defied UN resolutions, reiterating that Pyongyang would "never give up nuclear weapons under any circumstances.&q

September 30, 2025

Cabinet approves plans to abolish prosecutors' office

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung approved major government restructuring plans including the abolition of the Prosecutors' Office during a Cabinet meeting in Seoul on Tuesday. It comes after a series of related bills pushed by the ruling Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority, were passed by the National Assembly last week amid a boycott by the main opposition People Power Party. Under the plans, the Prosecutors' Office will be shut down

September 30, 2025

Unequal match between Dunamu and Naver hinges on shareholder blessing

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - South Korea’s internet giant Naver and Dunamu, operator of Upbit—the world’s fourth-largest crypto exchange—are waging a war of nerves ahead of their $14 billion strategic tie-up through a stock swap, as they seek the blessing of their respective shareholders. Naver Financial, the fintech arm of the country’s dominant internet platform, has agreed on a share-for-share merger with Dunamu, which would bring the crypto powerho

September 30, 2025

PHOTOS: Hometown bonds revitalize local market

SANGJU, September 30 (AJP) - The platform at Sangju Station is usually quiet, with a sparse handful of travelers passing through. But on a recent Saturday morning on Sept. 27, the scene was one of jubilant chaos. At 11 a.m., a dedicated train rolled in, and 600 passengers — Sangju natives now living in the bustling Seoul metropolitan area — poured out, instantly filling the normally tranquil space. Their mission was simple, yet profound: a collective shopping trip t

September 30, 2025

Former Prime Minister faces trial over martial law involvement

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo attended the first hearing of his trial on charges related to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle late last year. Upon his arrival at the Seoul Central District Court around 9:30 a.m., Han did not respond to a barrage of questions from reporters. He faces charges of aiding Yoon in his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law, making perjury, and falsifying documents. The court allowed filmin

September 30, 2025

K pop to drum up APEC celebration on Oct. 10

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - South Korea, home to K-pop, is hosting APEC Music Festival on Oct. 10 to drum up celebratory mood toward the 2025 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) held in Gyeongju. The event to stage on Gyeongju Civic Stadium is co-hosted by North Gyeongsang Province and Gyeongju governments with support from the APEC Summit Organizing Committee. KBSN, the main broadcaster. Performers include Billie, NCT Wish, Choi Yena, ONF, ONEUS, WEi, Youth Fear, Izna, J

September 30, 2025

Pop-up stores for popular South Korean time-slip series set to open across Asia

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - Following the huge success of cable channel tvN's period drama "Bon Appétit, Your Majesty," pop-up stores selling merchandise and other goods in three Asian countries are expected to keep captivating fans. The drama's production company, Studio Dragon, said on Tuesday it will open pop-up stores in South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, with the one in Seoul running from Thursday through next week. In Japan, these stores will be av

September 30, 2025

Samsung C&T secures key US certification in nuclear reactor design

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - Samsung C&T said Tuesday its construction division had obtained a coveted nuclear design certification from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a step that could strengthen the South Korean company’s hand in the fast-growing market for small modular reactors. The certification, known as ASME-N, covers nuclear piping system design and is widely regarded as a benchmark for safety and quality in the nuclear industry. It verifies a c

September 30, 2025