OPINION: After 1,000 days of Ukraine war, Europe must prepare for Trump-brokered peace deal by asserting its own interests

SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - Since Donald Trump was reelected on Nov. 5, speculation about what his presidency will mean for the war in Ukraine, which has now entered its 1,000th day, has become frenzied. It is easy to be skeptical of Trump's campaign assertion that he would end the war in 24 hours even before taking office in January 2025. But all the signs clearly point in the direction of a serious diplomatic push by Trump to force Moscow and Kyiv to agree on a ceasefire and po

November 19, 2024

BOJ governor hints at further rate hike amid inflation concerns

SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is considering additional interest rate increases to combat inflation risks and ensure sustainable economic growth, as market speculation grows over a potential December rate hike. "I think that gradually adjusting the degree of accommodation in line with the improvement in economic activity and prices will support long-term economic growth," BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda said in a speech on Monday to business leaders in Nagoy

November 19, 2024

PHOTOS: Nexon Foundation holds exhibition at Deoksugung Palace

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - The Nexon Foundation is hosting an exhibition titled "SHAPING TIME: IN SEARCH OF ANOTHER WORLD" at Deoksugung Palace, featuring works by 10 artists including National Intangible Cultural Heritage craftsmen and contemporary artists. The artists have created pieces inspired by Nexon's games. The exhibition runs from Nov. 19 to Dec. 1, 2024. Visitors can participate in on-site events where they can purchase merchandise and receive postcards containing cou

November 19, 2024

PHOTOS: Winning works from the Macau Design Award on display in Seoul

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) launched "Macao Design Award - Seoul (DDP)," a special exhibition celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Macao Design Association and DDP's 10th anniversary, featuring winning works from the Macau Design Award 2023 alongside pieces by Korean and Macanese designers. The exhibition, which runs through Dec. 12 at DDP Design Lab's Jandi Sarangbang, showcases creative poster designs exploring the intersection of typogr

November 18, 2024

Subway workers to go on strike

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Commuters are expected to experience delays and disruptions as unionized subway workers plan to go on strike if their demands are not met. Seoul Metro, which operates subway lines 1 through 8, said Monday that over 70 percent of its 9,450 union members voted in favor of a strike. They are set to announce their detailed strike plans in front of the City Hall in the capital on Tuesday. The union members held several rounds of negotiations with manageme

November 18, 2024

Korea Zinc's high-nickel precursor designated as 'national core technology'

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - The South Korean government designated Korea Zinc's high-nickel precursor technology as a "national core technology" on Monday amid the ongoing management dispute between the world's largest smelter and its major shareholders, Young Poong and MBK Partners. National core technologies are crucial to a nation's economic and security interests. They are subject to strict government oversight to prevent their export and potential misuse

November 18, 2024

Exhibition in Seoul takes visitors into Italy's mosaic art

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - An exhibition showcasing Italy's mosaic art kicked off in central Seoul last Friday, allowing visitors to explore a diverse range of mosaics for both decorative and functional pieces. Hosted by the Italian Embassy to Seoul along with the Korea Foundation and the Italian Cultural Institute in Seoul, the exhibition features the Mediterranean country's artistic heritage and timeless beauty through mosaics displayed on multimedia screens, as the origin

November 18, 2024

Korea, Peru sign deals to strengthen defense ties

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - The governments of Korea and Peru signed a series of memorandums of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation in the land, sea, and air sectors during the summit of their leaders at the Peruvian presidential palace. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte signed a joint declaration during their summit on Saturday, held alongside the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima. Defense Acquisition Program Administrat

November 18, 2024

Naver signs joint venture deal with Saudi housing agency

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Korean tech firm Naver signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Saudi Arabia's National Housing Company (NHC) to establish a joint venture, the company said on Monday. The agreement, signed during the Cityscape Global 2024 event in Riyadh, will focus on operating digital twin platforms within Saudi Arabia. The National Housing Company (NHC), which handles 70 percent of Saudi Arabia's real estate transactions, will partner with Naver to

November 18, 2024

North Korea vows to expand nuclear forces 'without limitation'

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has stressed the importance of enhancing the country's military capabilities and strengthening war preparations, Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Monday. "We will strengthen our self-defense power, centered on nuclear forces, without limitation," KCNA reported quoting Kim as saying. In a two-day gathering of battalion commanders and other military leaders in Pyongyang last wee

November 18, 2024