North Korea unveils upgraded solid-fuel ICBM engine, signaling push toward multiple-warhead capability SEOUL, March 29 (AJP) - North Korea disclosed a ground test of a new carbon-fiber solid-fuel engine designed for an intercontinental ballistic missile, showcasing a 26 percent leap in thrust as Pyongyang seeks to sharpen its nuclear deterrent amid widening U.S. military operations in the Middle East. The engine revealed Sunday generated a maximum thrust of 2,500 kilonewtons (kN), up from 1,971 kN recorded in a September 2024 test, the Korean Central News Agency reported. The upgrade March 29, 2026

Kim Jong-un reaffirms closer ties with Beijing in message to Xi SEOUL, March 28 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a message to Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirming Pyongyang’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, state media reported Saturday. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim sent a reply on Friday to Xi, who had congratulated him on his reappointment as chairman of North Korea’s State Affairs Commission. Kim expressed “deep thanks,” saying he felt the “invariable supp March 28, 2026

EDITORIAL: Tokenized securities are reshaping U.S. markets — Is Korea ready? SEOUL, March 28 (AJP) - The U.S. capital market is once again attempting to reshape the backbone of financial infrastructure. This time, the catalyst is not artificial intelligence, but tokenized securities — asset tokenization built on blockchain technology. The Financial Times recently observed that tokenized stocks may succeed precisely because investors hardly notice the transition. In an opinion piece titled “Tokenised stocks are coming, and ideally nobody will noti March 28, 2026

BTS sets Latin America tour across five cities in October SEOUL, March 28 (AJP) - BTS will embark on a Latin America leg of its world tour in October, performing across five cities, the group’s agency said Saturday. Big Hit Music released detailed schedules for the “Arirang” world tour in Latin America, with concerts set to begin in Bogotá on Oct. 2–3. The tour will then continue to Lima on Oct. 9–10, Santiago on Oct. 16–17, Buenos Aires on Oct. 23–24, and São Paulo on Oct. 28 and 30& March 28, 2026

Fuel prices near 1,900 won in Seoul as price cap raised SEOUL, March 28 (AJP) - Fuel prices at gas stations across South Korea continued to rise for a second consecutive day after the government raised oil price caps. According to Opinet, the state-run fuel price information system, the nationwide average price of gasoline stood at 1,849.7 won ($1.23) per liter as of 9 a.m. on Saturday, up 10.9 won from the previous day. Diesel prices also climbed 9.6 won to 1,844.1 won per liter, extending the upward trend in fuel costs. The increase March 28, 2026

S. Korea considering participation after France invites Lee to June G7 summit SEOUL, March 28 (AJP) - South Korea is considering whether President Lee Jae Myung will attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit in June hosted by France, the presidential office said Friday. A presidential official said Seoul is “considering participation while taking into account diplomatic schedules and domestic and international circumstances.” “France conveyed its intention to invite South Korea to this year’s G7 summit during close consultations between March 28, 2026

Trump hints at NATO split over Hormuz deployment, says 'Cuba could be next' SEOUL, March 28 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday suggested the possibility of withdrawing from NATO after criticizing member states for failing to send naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz, warning that future military action could target Cuba. Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute hosted by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund in Miami, Florida, Trump expressed frustration with NATO allies’ reluctance to respond to Washington’ March 28, 2026

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan cement alliance during presidential summit SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - The President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, hosted President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan for a landmark state visit on March 26 and 27, 2026, marking a significant transition in regional diplomacy, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul said Friday. The visit featured the first meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council, a new high-level body designed to move the relationship beyond occasional cooperation and into a permanent, systemic alliance. During the March 27, 2026

Lee's approval rating slightly dips to 65% but still remains high SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating fell slightly after reaching its highest level for three consecutive weeks, a poll showed on Friday. Pollster Gallup Korea surveyed 1,000 adults nationwide earlier this week and found that about 65 percent of respondents said Lee was doing well in his job, down 2 percentage points from the previous week. About 24 percent disapproved of his performance, while 10 percent remained undecided. The ruling Democrat March 27, 2026

Asian stocks drift lower as Iran conflict drags on, AI memory jitters weigh SEOUL, March 27 (AJP) - Asian equities ended the week on a subdued note as the Iran conflict stretched into a month-long standoff, while fresh concerns over AI-driven memory demand added another layer of uncertainty for investors. Brent crude rose 1.5 percent to $109.5 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate gained 0.9 percent to $95.3, keeping pressure on energy-importing economies already strained by prolonged geopolitical risks. Regional markets moved in mixed directions. Jap March 27, 2026