N. Korea threatens 'new level of deterrence' over S. Korea-led RIMPAC role SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - North Korea on Tuesday condemned South Korea and Japan’s leadership roles in this year’s Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) claiming that trilateral military cooperation with the United States has become a “new security crisis” in the Asia-Pacific region and threatening to respond with a stronger deterrent. The Korean Central News Agency carried a commentary issued Monday by a North Korean military commentator under the title, &ldqu August 4, 2026

TSMC's Kumamoto chip hub returns to full speed after quake SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) has restored normal operations at its first semiconductor plant in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture after a powerful earthquake temporarily halted production last week, easing concerns over potential supply disruptions in one of Japan's key chipmaking hubs. TSMC said its Kumamoto Fab 1 resumed full production on Sunday after suspending manufacturing on July 28 to inspect and recalibrate equipment following August 4, 2026

Samsung chief receives highest stock dividends in South Korea in 1st half SEOUL, August 4 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong received the largest dividends in the first half of this year, according to data released by corporate tracker Leaders Index on Tuesday. Lee topped the list with 72.8 billion South Korean won (about US$50 million), followed by Hyundai Motor Group's honorary chairman Chung Mong-koo with 67.1 billion won and tycoon-turned-former politician Chung Mong-joon, the current chairman of the Asan Foundation, with 54.6 billi August 4, 2026

North Korea slams US and allies for spreading 'false information' over IT workers SEOUL, August 4 (AJP) - North Korea on Tuesday criticized a joint alert issued by about a dozen countries including Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. over its alleged illegal earning of foreign currency through computer and technology workers, dismissing it as "false information." In a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a spokesperson for North Korea's Foreign Ministry said the alert by the U.S. and its allied countries was a August 4, 2026

Korea's Lee risks losing the rich after stock retailers with property tax SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) -South Korean President Lee Jae Myung risks alienating both wealthy homeowners on top of retail investors as he pushes ahead with higher property taxes to curb housing speculation, following an earlier capital-market policy that fueled a speculative frenzy through leveraged single-stock exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Wealthier property owners face sharply higher tax bills under the latest overhaul, while millions of retail investors are still reeling from the c August 3, 2026

Drone scare costs Korean frontline chief post SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - South Korea’s Defense Ministry on Monday relieved the commander of the Army’s I Corps from duty after the unit came under scrutiny over two separate controversies involving front-line readiness, including a near-miss incident in which a U.S. drone was mistaken for an unidentified aerial object. The ministry said Lt. Gen. Han Ki-sung, commander of I Corps, was removed from his post as an investigation continues into recent incidents involving the August 3, 2026

AI becomes K-drama ingredient as soaring costs reshape filmmaking SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - A recent K-drama hit, Agent Kim: Reactivated, had all the ingredients of a blockbuster action sequence — North Korean agents, a former security-service commando, gangsters, explosions and a high-speed chase through a snow-covered tunnel ending in a plunge into icy water. None of it was filmed. The roughly three-minute sequence that fooled audience as an expensive location shoot was generated entirely with artificial intelligence. Described by its cr August 3, 2026

KOSPI slides after historic rally as chip stocks plunge SEOUL, August 3 (AJP) - South Korea's stock market tumbled on Monday, with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix both sinking more than 8 percent, sending the country's benchmark KOSPI back below 6,300 points. The decline erased much of Friday's historic rebound, which proved short-lived. The index closed 5.12 percent lower at 6,257.45 as foreign and institutional investors extended heavy selling despite aggressive buying by retail investors. Individuals snapped up a net 4.65 August 3, 2026

Won pares early losses after U.S. yen buying; Korean bond yields little changed SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - The South Korean won recovered most of its early losses on Monday as the impact of U.S. yen buying carried into Asian currency markets, while Korean government bond yields were little changed ahead of inflation data. The won stood at 1,431.1 per dollar at 3:30 p.m., remaining 7.1 won weaker than Friday’s corresponding level. The exchange rate climbed into the 1,440 range after trading resumed on Monday morning as weekend developments and renewed w August 3, 2026

aespa to launch world tour with global cinema livestream from Seoul SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - K-pop girl group aespa will kick off its new world tour this week, with the opening concert simultaneously screened in movie theaters across 11 regions worldwide. SM Entertainment said Monday that the first show of "2026-27 aespa LIVE TOUR – SYNK : COMPLaeXITY" on Aug. 7 will be broadcast live in 146 cinemas across 11 markets, including South Korea, allowing fans around the world to watch the group's world tour opene August 3, 2026