Turkish ambassador underscores friendship at Seoul screening of war film Ayla

SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Turkish Ambassador to South Korea Salih Murat Tamer underscored the enduring friendship between the two countries at a special screening of the film "Ayla: The Daughter of War" on September 17. "Watching the film Ayla together here in Seoul is not just an opportunity to enjoy a movie. It is a special occasion to reaffirm the brotherly bond forged during the Korean War," he said in his welcome remarks. He added, "The people of T&uum

September 18, 2025

PHOTOS: BIFF 2025

SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has officially commenced its 10-day event, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The festival began with an opening ceremony on the evening of Sept. 17 at the Busan Cinema Center's outdoor theater. The outdoor theater, with its 5,000 seats, was completely filled with enthusiastic spectators. A wave of cheers and applause greeted a host of actors and directors as they made their way down the red carp

September 18, 2025

South Korea pushes for easing US rules on shipbuilding cooperation

SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - South Korea's defense procurement chief said in Washington, Wednesday (local time), that talks are advancing with the United States on shipbuilding and defense industry cooperation, including the long-delayed Reciprocal Defense Procurement Agreement, which would allow Korean companies greater access to U.S. contracts. Seok Jong-geon, head of South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), said he is focusing on addressing

September 18, 2025

Discussions 'underway to bring back South Korean workers' amid calls for US visa overhaul

SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Discussions are reportedly underway to facilitate the return of South Korean workers who opted to "voluntarily" leave the U.S. earlier this month after being detained for about a week in an immigration crackdown in Georgia. Local daily Savannah Morning News reported Wednesday that there are "a lot of discussions about getting them back," quoting Trip Tollison, president and CEO of the Savannah Economic Development Authority, an indepen

September 18, 2025

Naver CEO joins UN Global Compact board

SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Naver Chief Executive Choi Soo-yeon has been appointed to the board of the United Nations Global Compact, becoming the first Korean to join the sustainability initiative's governing body in 17 years, the Korean internet giant said Thursday. The appointment recognizes Choi's pioneering role in shaping international discourse on artificial intelligence governance and establishing ethical frameworks for AI development across the technology sector, it

September 18, 2025

Fed rate cut opens door for Bank of Korea to loosen policy

SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea is widely expected to cut its benchmark interest rate as early as next month, after the U.S. Federal Reserve lowered borrowing costs for the first time in nine months, easing pressure on Korea’s currency and capital markets. The Fed’s decision on Wednesday (local time) to trim its policy rate by 0.25 percentage points to a range of 4 to 4.25 percent narrowed the gap with South Korea’s rate from a record 2 percentage p

September 18, 2025

Belgium highlights business opportunities with S. Korea on biotech, life science innovation

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Belgium and South Korea spotlighted cooperative spirits in joining hands on life sciences during a business forum held Wednesday at the Shilla Seoul in the Jung District. Around 70 diplomats, business leaders, and special guests attended the seminar. Both Belgium Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Agriculture David Clarinval and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation M

September 17, 2025

S.Korean firms hold off action after ICE detentions

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - South Korean major companies with multibillion-dollar ventures in the United States are biding their time or adopting stopgap measures as they assess the fallout from the immigration raid at a Korean battery plant in Georgia. LG Energy Solution has suspended the final-stage construction of a $6 billion joint-venture battery plant with Hyundai Motor following the surprise raid by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and arrest of 475 workers. The b

September 17, 2025

School violence cases hit record high in South Korea

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Bullying and violence in South Korean schools have worsened despite tougher discipline and prevention efforts, with reported cases now affecting 5 percent of elementary school students, a government survey showed. Of the 3.26 million students from fourth grade through high school, 2.5 percent said they experienced school violence this year, up 0.4 percentage points from last year, according to the Education Ministry. The figure has steadily risen from 1

September 17, 2025

POSCO has eyes on HMM despite industry backlash and synergy doubts

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - South Korea’s POSCO Group remains committed to pursuing the country’s sea flag carrier HMM, despite fierce competition for the asset and vocal protests from the maritime industry. POSCO has been reviewing the option of going after state-owned stake in HMM in hopes to cut logistics costs and strengthen resilience against global supply chain disruptions. HMM, formerly Hyundai Merchant Marine, absorbed assets and the Asia–U.S. East Coast

September 17, 2025