String of major data breaches raises serious questions about Korea's cybersecurity

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - South Korean officials bowed their heads in apology during a televised press conference Friday but offered little comfort to a highly connected society grappling with yet another string of mass data breaches. "The government is coordinating across agencies to minimize damage and prepare fundamental measures rather than temporary responses," said Vice Minister Ryu Je-myeong of the Ministry of Science and ICT. "In light of these inciden

September 19, 2025

NVIDIA–Intel tie-up to bring opportunities for Korean chipmakers

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - A tie-up between U.S. chip-design giants NVIDIA and Intel is expected to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) computing infrastructure — creating new opportunities for South Korea’s memory and packaging technologies that support advanced AI chips. The $5 billion partnership, under which NVIDIA will acquire a 4 percent stake in Intel, could unite the current and former leaders of global chip design, pending regulatory approval. The announ

September 19, 2025

Lee to head to New York early next week to attend UN General Assembly

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung will embark on his trip to the U.S. next Monday to attend the UN General Assembly's annual high-level session in New York. In a press briefing on Friday, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Lee will begin his week-long itinerary by delivering a keynote speech at the assembly's 80th session on Sept. 23. He will then preside over an artificial intelligence (AI)-themed open debate the following day, making him the fi

September 19, 2025

Resolving visa issues is critical for Korea to act out U.S. investment: FM Cho

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Resolving visa issues is critical for South Korean companies to press forward with their various multi-billion-dollar projects in the United States, Korean foreign minister emphasized Friday. Although visa issues are not a formal precondition for Korean investment in the U.S., foreign minister Cho said they are "an extremely important matter" that should be resolved before major projects move forward. "Protecting our nationals and invest

September 19, 2025

Drugstores rising as must-visit stops in Seoul for foreign visitors

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Drugstores are must-visit stop in Europe, famed for their iconic pharmacy brands — and Korea is fast emerging as a beauty mecca of its own, fueled by a social media-driven reputation for affordable skincare. Tourists are now venturing beyond the ubiquitous Olive Young chain, browsing independent pharmacies where shelves are lined with beauty products labeled in English, Chinese, and Japanese. “I read about this cream on Instagram Threads

September 19, 2025

American business chamber raises alarm over contentious union law

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - The head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea urged the South Korean government on Friday to take industry concerns into account as it prepares to implement the so-called Yellow Envelope Act, a contentious new labor law that has become a flashpoint in the country’s corporate sector. AMCHAM Korea Chairman James Kim said the chamber would soon present policy recommendations to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, which has formed a task

September 19, 2025

Kyung Hee University hosts 44th Peace BAR Festival to mark UN International Day of Peace

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Kyung Hee University System is hosting its 44th Peace BAR Festival from Sept. 19 to 20, bringing together global leaders and intellectuals to address humanity's challenges under the theme "The Moment of Chaos: Planetary Consciousness and Future Politics." The festival, announced by the university system led by Chancellor Choue In-won, commemorates the United Nations' International Day of Peace, which was originally proposed by the univer

September 19, 2025

Hanwha Aerospace to supply 24 more K9 howitzers to Norway

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace said Friday it has signed a new contract with Norway’s defense procurement agency to supply 24 additional K9 self-propelled howitzers. The company did not disclose the value of the deal, citing an agreement with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, known as NDMA. The signing ceremony was held on Sept. 18 in Oslo and attended by Hanwha’s chief executive, Son Jae-il, and Gro Jaere, director general of the NDMA. It is the

September 19, 2025

Tourism Malaysia Seoul concludes successful roadshow event with Batik Air Malaysia

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - The Tourism Malaysia Seoul on Thursday has wrapped up a four-day roadshow across Korea's key metropolitan hubs - Seoul Daejeon, Gwangju, and Busan - to showcase the attractions of Sabah, the northern Borneo state known for its natural beauty and cultural appeal. The promotional campaign co-sponsored by the Sabah Tourism Board and Batik Air Malaysia, is timed with the launch of the airliner's direct route between Incheon and Kota Kinabalu, one of Malaysia&#

September 19, 2025

North Korean leader inspects test of tactical drones

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a test of tactical drones and instructed enhancements to their operational capabilities, state media reported Friday. The test demonstrated the "excellent combat effectiveness of the Kumsong-series tactical attack drones," with Kim expressing his satisfaction with the test results, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. It is the first time that North Korean media has mentioned the &q

September 19, 2025