Pilot program for hiring Filipino domestic helpers hits snag

SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - It has been more than a month since around 100 workers from the Philippines who arrived in Seoul in August started working as domestic helpers in South Korean homes after completing a monthlong training here. They were hired as maids or nannies under part of a pilot program initiated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government which aims at relieving difficulties faced by young couples who struggle to balance childcare and household chores. However, their hirin

October 18, 2024

Festival showcasing latest design trends kicks off in Seoul

SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - A festival featuring the latest design trends kicked off at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in central Seoul on Thursday. With a special focus on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the design industry, the festival, hosted by the Seoul Design Foundation, is expected to attract a horde of artists, designers, and industry workers as it showcases a diverse array of exhibitions and other programs. Visitors can explore innovative artworks and crafts

October 18, 2024

BLACKPINK's Rosé releases collaborative song with Bruno Mars

SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - Rosé, a member of K-pop girl band BLACKPINK, released a new single called "APT." in collaboration with American pop star Bruno Mars on Friday. The catchy, upbeat song with a guitar riff will be included in the New Zealand-born star's upcoming album "Rosie," slated for release on Dec. 16. Rosé's 2021 solo song "On The Ground" ranked 70 on the Billboard's main singles chart at the time of its release.

October 18, 2024

Ex-president's daughter appears for questioning in DUI fender-bender

SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - Former President Moon Jae-in's daughter Da-hye appeared for a questioning at a police station in Yongsan, Seoul on Friday. She was caught driving under the influence after hitting a taxi while attempting to change lanes in Itaewon, Seoul in the wee hours of Oct. 5. The 31-year-old's blood alcohol concentration was 0.149 percent, exceeding the legal limit of 0.08 percent for license revocation. The taxi driver, who reportedly settled with her, sus

October 18, 2024

North Korea calls South Korea 'hostile foreign country'

SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has warned that he won't hesitate to use physical force if the North's sovereignty is infringed, calling the South "a foreign and clearly hostile country," state media reported on Friday. Kim's hostile remark during his inspection of a military unit came just two days after the North blew up part of inter-Korean roads and railways across the border earlier this week. The detonation means "not onl

October 18, 2024

OPINION: 'The Apprentice' released so close to polls, this Trump biopic is inevitably political

SEOUL, October 18 (AJP) - "The Apprentice" – a new film dramatizing Donald Trump's business career during the 1970s and 80s – is the latest in a presidential election full of controversy. The movie charts Trump's (Sebastian Stan) professional rise from an awkward nobody to hotshot real-estate tycoon. Trump's Pygmalion-like transformation is credited to his friendship with Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong). Cohn was an infamous prosecutor who worked with Sena

October 18, 2024

Prosecutors drop charges against first lady in stock manipulation case

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - After a four-year investigation, prosecutors decided Thursday not to indict first lady Kim Keon Hee over allegations of involvement in a stock manipulation scheme involving Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealer in South Korea. The allegations first surfaced in February 2020 when news outlet Newstapa, citing a leaked police report, raised suspicions that Kwon Oh-soo, former chairman of Deutsch Motors, conspired with a stock trader identified as Lee to manipulate the

October 17, 2024

K-pop artists' stage outfits recreated as artworks at Seoul festival

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - Stage outfits of SM Entertainment artists are being showcased as recreated artworks at "C.at Work Festa," a cultural event that started on Thursday and will run for four days. The festival, held at the Shinsegae Department Store's Gangnam branch, features artworks that capture the history of SM's K-pop idols aespa and NCT, recreated by designers. The annual event blends fashion, beauty, and performance, focusing on the theme of cre

October 17, 2024

Samsung unveils fastest graphics memory chip to power AI systems

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics announced on Thursday that it has developed the industry's first 24-gigabit GDDR7 (graphics double data rate 7) memory chip, designed to power next-generation artificial intelligence systems. The new chip offers the highest capacity and fastest speed in the graphics memory market, capable of processing data at over 40 gigabits per second. The new DRAM is expected to be used in various applications, including PCs, game consoles, AI

October 17, 2024

PHOTOS: Seoul Library celebrates Han Kang's Nobel win

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - Seoul Library on Thursday unveiled a new message on its exterior, celebrating Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature. The board reads, "Thanks to author Han Kang, we hope more citizens will read books.” The library is displaying 10 of Han's works, including "The Vegetarian" and "Human Acts."

October 17, 2024