Latest news
-
North Korea's rubber-stamp parliament convenes amid Trump's return to power
SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - North Korea's rubber-stamp Supreme People's Assembly is reportedly convening on Wednesday for the first time this year. The gathering comes in coincidence with the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who was sworn in earlier this week. North Korea's state media, which had disclosed the gathering last month, briefly covered Trump's inauguration early in the morning, without any commentary, marking the first time it reported on him si
January 22, 2025 -
Korea Zinc hostile takeover bid likely to succeed
SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - A Seoul court ruling has dealt a significant blow to Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yoon-bum’s efforts to retain control of the world’s largest zinc smelter, paving the way for rival Young Poong and private equity firm MBK Partners to seize management control. The Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday rejected Korea Zinc’s plan to introduce a cumulative voting system for board appointments, a move that would have allowed minority shareholders
January 22, 2025 -
Agency behind BLACKPINK to search for new K-pop talent next month
SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - YG Entertainment, a talent mill behind K-pop icons like 2NE1, Big Bang and BLACKPINK, will search for the next K-pop stars through a nationwide audition tour that kicks off early next month. The auditions will begin in Gwangju on Feb. 7 and will make stops in several other cities including Daejeon on Feb. 8, Jeonju on Feb. 9, Daegu on Feb. 15, Busan on Feb. 16, and Seoul on Feb. 22 and 23. Open to young K-pop wannabes born between 2007 and 2014, the audi
January 22, 2025 -
Song Hye-kyo ready to impress viewers with unconventional role in horror film
SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - Actress Song Hye-kyo is expected to show a new side of herself in her upcoming film "The Dark Nuns" slated for release this week. Directed by Kwon Hyeok-jae, the exorcism-themed film marks Song's return to the silver screen about a decade after her appearance in "The Crossing," the 2014 Chinese epic drama directed by acclaimed Hong Kong filmmaker John Woo. It is also her first venture into the horror genre in her acting career spanni
January 22, 2025 -
Korean automakers, battery firms brace for fallout from Trump's trade policies
SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - South Korea’s automakers and battery manufacturers are bracing for challenges after President Donald Trump announced sweeping policy reversals, including the termination of federal electric vehicle (EV) mandates and the imposition of a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico beginning next month. Trump’s rollback of Biden-era clean energy initiatives, notably the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), threatens to upend subsidies critical to
January 22, 2025 -
PHOTOS: Kazakhstan envoy, AJP chairman explore cooperation opportunities
SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to South Korea, Nurgali A. Arystanov, visited Aju News Corporation in Seoul on Tuesday to explore avenues for future collaboration with Aju Chairman Kwak Young-kil. Aju News Corporation, a leading South Korean media group, operates the AJP news agency, Aju Business Daily, Aju TV, and other media outlets. During the meeting, Ambassador Arystanov and Chairman Kwak discussed joint initiatives to strengthen media partnerships, promote cul
January 21, 2025 -
Over 30 million people expected to travel during Lunar New Year holiday
SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - More than 30 million people are expected to travel during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, which begins this weekend. According to a survey from the Korea Transport Institute, about 34.84 million people plan to visit their ancestral hometowns or travel overseas for the weeklong holiday, up 29 percent from last year. The annual Lunar New Year exodus is forecast to peak on next Tuesday with some 6 million hitting the road to their hometowns, but their
January 21, 2025 -
PHOTO: Yoon appears for hearing in impeachment trial
SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol, detained in a solitary cell on charges of insurrection and abuse of power, appeared for a hearing in his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court of Korea in central Seoul on Tuesday
January 21, 2025 -
Lee Jae-myung meets bank CEOs, calls for increased support for small businesses
SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - South Korea's opposition leader Lee Jae-myung convened a meeting with the heads of the country’s major banks on Tuesday, urging them to provide stronger financial support for small business owners and self-employed workers. The gathering drew criticism from Lee's political rivals, who questioned the appropriateness of the meeting, suggesting it could be an attempt to bolster his profile ahead of a potential presidential bid. Lee, widely reg
January 21, 2025 -
Major Korean banks to shed over 2,000 jobs through early retirement programs
SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - South Korea's five largest banks are set to shed more than 2,000 jobs this year through voluntary retirement programs, a 20 percent increase from the 1,967 departures recorded in 2024, as they accelerate digital transformation and reduce physical branch networks. KB Kookmin has already approved 647 voluntary retirements as of Jan. 17, while Shinhan confirmed 541 departures - more than double the 234 recorded last year. Woori anticipates around 500 emp
January 21, 2025
-
Netflix's hit dating show to return for fifth season
-
Constitutional Court sets additional hearing date for Yoon's impeachment trial
-
North Korea 'begins dismantling inter-Korean facility at Mt. Kumgang'
-
Acting president signals willingness to discuss extra budget
-
South Korean teen snowboarder wins gold in men's halfpipe at Winter Asiad in Harbin
-
Trump's tariff war threatens South Korea's economic backbone
-
Slasher gets 15 years in prison for attacking opposition leader
-
INTERVIEW: AI translation startup aims for further growth with global expansion
-
Foreign Ministers of South Korea, China, and Japan to meet in Tokyo next month
-
White House touts Hyundai Steel's potential US investment in levying steel tariffs