Italian National Day celebrated in Seoul with focus on cultural and people-to-people ties

SEOUL, June 04 (AJP) - The Embassy of Italy in Seoul hosted a National Day reception on Jun. 2 at the Italian Ambassador’s Residence in Hannam-dong, bringing together around 1,500 guests, including diplomats, government officials, celebrities, and members of the public and private sectors. The event celebrated the 79th anniversary of the Italian Republic, which was established through a nationwide referendum in 1946. This year’s gathering followed the 140th anniversary

June 4, 2025

Business groups urge new president to focus on economic recovery

SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - South Korean business groups called on President Lee Jae-myung to revitalize the country’s flagging economy and position it as a global economic heavyweight amid mounting domestic and international challenges. In a series of statements issued Tuesday, business leaders asked the new administration to prioritize economic stability, bolster industrial competitiveness, and enact reforms aimed at restoring growth in a nation grappling with sluggish consumption

June 4, 2025

SK hynix overtakes Samsung to claim top spot in global DRAM market

SEOUL, June 04 (AJP) - SK hynix surpassed Samsung Electronics in the first quarter of 2025 to become the world’s largest supplier of DRAM chips, according to data released Tuesday by market research firm TrendForce. It marks the first time the memory chipmaker has claimed the top position in the global DRAM market, long dominated by its larger domestic rival. The global DRAM industry recorded $27.01 billion in revenue for the quarter ending in March, a 5.5 percent decline f

June 4, 2025

South Korea inaugurates new president

SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - South Korea's newly-elected President Lee Jae-myung was sworn in on Wednesday with a low-key inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly in Seoul. Lee's tenure as the country's 21st president already began when he was briefed about military readiness, following the National Election Committee's formal approval of his victory at the previous day's presidential election. He began the day by leaving his home in Gyeyang, Inc

June 4, 2025

Lee Jae-myung's resounding win paves way for strong leadership and bold policy drive

SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - Tuesday's presidential election was a decisive win for the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), as its candidate Lee Jae-myung secured a record 49.42 percent, defeating Kim Moon-soo of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) by 2.89 million votes or 8.27 percentage points. With a record turnout of 79.4 percent, the highest since the 1997 presidential election's 80.7 percent, Lee took the lead soon after votes were counted and maintained it, finishing firs

June 4, 2025

PHOTOS: President Lee Jae-myung's five-year term begins

SEOUL, June 04 (AJP) - The National Election Commission officially confirmed Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea as South Korea's new president early Wednesday in accordance with the results of the 21st presidential election. Lee's five-year term officially began at 6:21 a.m. Lee secured the presidency with a final vote share of 49.42 percent.

June 4, 2025

Kim Moon-soo concedes presidential race, congratulates Lee Jae-myung in early-morning remarks

SEOUL, June 04 (AJP) - People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo acknowledged his projected defeat early Wednesday morning, offering congratulations to rival Lee Jae-myung and expressing gratitude to his supporters. Speaking around 1:30 a.m. on Jun. 4 at party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Kim appeared before reporters and campaign staff following a night of sobering exit poll results and early vote counts. His remarks came shortly after major broadcasters projected

June 4, 2025

Lee Jae-myung declares intent to lead as president in early morning address amid projected victory

SEOUL, June 04 (AJP) - Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung addressed supporters in the early hours of Wednesday, Jun. 4, delivering what sounded like a de facto victory speech, even as final vote counts in South Korea’s 21st presidential election were still underway. Speaking shortly after 1:15 a.m. in front of the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Lee acknowledged that he had not yet been officially confirmed as president-elect but said he felt a strong

June 4, 2025

Lee Jae-myung projected to win S. Korea's snap presidential election, signals end of conservative rule

SEOUL, June 04 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party is projected to win South Korea’s 21st presidential election, setting the stage for a return to liberal leadership just three years after conservatives took office. The Jun. 3 snap election was triggered by the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law on December 3, 2024. Citing unspecified threats to national stability, Yoon ordered the military and police into emergency re

June 4, 2025

Conservative party officials in somber mood as exit polls show 12-point gap

SEOUL, June 3 (AJP) - South Korea's main opposition People Power Party officials watched in somber silence as exit polls showed their candidate trailing the ruling Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung by about 12.4 percentage points in Tuesday's presidential election. The party's election headquarters at the National Assembly Library fell into heavy silence when broadcasters announced the results at 8 p.m., immediately after voting concluded across the nation. Officia

June 3, 2025