Impeachment trial stalled as Yoon refuses to accept court documents

SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) - The impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol has stalled even before its formal proceedings could begin, as Yoon has repeatedly refused to accept legal documents from the Constitutional Court and has not submitted a notice of attorney appointment. The president was suspended from his duties after the impeachment vote passed 204 to 85, citing allegations of rebellion and abuse of power. The impeachment was triggered by Yoon’s sudden declaration

December 22, 2024

Protesters split over Yoon's impeachment in downtown Seoul

SEOUL, December 21 (AJP) - Tens of thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Seoul again on Saturday, holding rival protests either supporting or opposing President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. The fierce protests came a week after a motion to impeach the president over his short-lived declaration of martial law earlier this month was passed at the National Assembly last Saturday. Police estimated that around 15,000 anti-Yoon protesters gathered in and aro

December 21, 2024

S.Korea, U.S. top diplomats agree to hold talks

SEOUL, December 21 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the phone on Saturday. The call took place following South Korea's transition to an acting presidency under Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. During their telephone conversation about arranging an in-person meeting, Blinken expressed strong confidence in South Korea's current interim leadership, calling Han "a capable and respected leader." Blinken reaffirme

December 21, 2024

South Korea's third spy satellite set for liftoff in US

SEOUL, December 21 (AJP) - South Korea is set to launch its homegrown spy satellite from a U.S. space center on Saturday, according to the Ministry of Defense. The country's third military reconnaissance satellite will be launched into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 reusable rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. If successful, the satellite, part of the country's project dubbed the "425 Project," would mark a significant advancement in the milit

December 21, 2024

Investigators to question Yoon on Christmas Day

SEOUL, December 21 (AJP) - Investigators looking into President Yoon Suk Yeol's aborted declaration of martial law earlier this month have issued a fresh summons for him. According to an official from a joint task force under the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), an independent agency established to root out corruption in the government, the request was made on Friday for Yoon to appear for questioning next Wednesday. This is the second summons is

December 21, 2024

Samsung Electronics secures $4.7 billion in US chip subsidy

SEOUL, December 21 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics has agreed to receive $4.7 billion in direct subsidies from the U.S. government for its semiconductor investment in Taylor, Texas, becoming the latest major chip company to secure funding under U.S. President Joe Biden's CHIPS and Science Act. The subsidy package, announced on Friday by the U.S. Department of Commerce, accounts for 12.7 percent of Samsung's planned U.S. investment of over $37 billion, a higher percentage compare

December 21, 2024

Netflix, SBS join hands on expanding K-content

SEOUL, December 20 (AJP) - Starting next year, TV series, variety shows, and educational programs from major Korean broadcaster SBS will be available on Netflix. SBS signed a memorandum of understanding with the global streaming giant on Friday to provide content over six years, with the agreement commencing in January. Popular SBS variety and educational programs such as Running Man, Unanswered Questions, and Kick a Goal, along with hit dramas like The Penthouse: Wa

December 20, 2024

Voice actress behind Baby Shark nominated for award

SEOUL, December 20 (AJP) - American actress Kimiko Glenn has been nominated by an annual children's and family TV awards ceremony for her voice role as Baby Shark, according to South Korea's The Pinkfong Company. The Children's and Family Emmys, organized by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), recognize achievements in American children's and family TV shows since 2022. Glenn has been nominated for the third Children's and Family Emmy

December 20, 2024

Convicted rape victim in 'tongue-biting' case wins retrial after 60 years

SEOUL, December 20 (AJP) - Nearly 60 years after being convicted for biting off the tongue of a man who tried to assault her, Choi Mal-ja, now 78, has won the right to a retrial in a case that has long symbolized systemic injustice in South Korea’s legal treatment of sexual violence. At 18 in 1964, Choi resisted an attempted sexual assault by a 21-year-old man, identified only by his surname, Noh. During the struggle, she bit off approximately 1.5 centimeters of his tongue.

December 20, 2024

AI emerges as killer app for next-generation smart glasses

SEOUL, December 20 (AJP) - Artificial Intelligence will become the killer application for XR (extended reality) devices, with Google's Gemini AI model expected to be the cornerstone of its upcoming Android XR operating system, according to a Counterpoint Research note published on Friday. Google recently unveiled Android XR alongside Samsung's "Project Moohan" device, set for release next year. The platform will enable real-time translation, schedule management,

December 20, 2024