INTERVIEW: German envoy reflects on 140 years of ties, calls for deeper green and human connections

SEOUL, March 25 (AJP) - German Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Georg Wilfried Schmidt underscored the depth and resilience of the bilateral relationship as the two countries marked the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2024. Speaking to AJP in Seoul on Mar. 20, Ambassador Schmidt reflected on shared history, mutual values, economic and cultural partnerships, and the future potential for green cooperation. "When I came here as ambassador in 2023, I was already famili

March 25, 2025

Hyundai Motor Group to invest $21 billion in US, aligning with Trump trade push

SEOUL, March 25 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group announced on Tuesday that it will invest $21 billion in the United States over the next four years, significantly expanding its American footprint as it seeks to align with the Trump administration’s industrial and trade policies. The pledge, made by Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun during a joint appearance with President Donald Trump at the White House, brings the South Korean conglomerate’s total U.S. investment

March 25, 2025

Controversy continues to brew over Actor Kim Soo-hyun's relationship with late actress

SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - A sordid saga involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron deepens as fresh evidence surfaces one after another, met with repeated denials and conflicting accounts. The story began to unfold shortly after the 24-year-old actress, who had been in a relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun, was found dead in an apparent suicide at her home in eastern Seoul last month, reportedly struggling with financial difficulties. With the rumor mill grinding even more over what l

March 24, 2025

French singer-songwriters to connect with K-pop at weeklong event in Seoul

SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - A weeklong event blending French music with K-pop kicked off at the French Embassy in Seoul on Monday. Under the theme of "Bridging Cultures, Shaping Futures," the event called "Atelier K-Pop" brought together music experts from France to explore ways to collaborate with K-pop industry professionals and singer-songwriters from both countries. Jointly organized by the Cultural Department of the French Embassy in South Korea and the Fre

March 24, 2025

Reinstated PM vows to devote himself to state affairs

SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - Prime Minister Han Duck-soo returned to his post as acting president on Monday, about three months after being suspended. His return came after the Constitutional Court dismissed his impeachment earlier in the day over several accusations related to President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle late last year. In a televised address from the government complex in Seoul, Han expressed his gratitude for the court's ruling and said he would &q

March 24, 2025

Chinese e-commerce firms eye S. Korea amid US tariff uncertainty

SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - Growing uncertainty over potential changes to U.S. trade policy is fueling concern in South Korea that Chinese e-commerce giants may deepen their foothold in the Korean market, potentially triggering wider economic repercussions. Last month, the Trump administration announced plans to scrap the long-standing “de minimis” exemption for imports from China, Canada and Mexico — a duty-free threshold that currently allows goods valued under $80

March 24, 2025

PHOTOS: KBO season opens with sellout crowds at all parks

SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - The Korean Baseball Organization began season on March 22, with sellout crowds at all five stadiums hosting the initial two-game series. The league, which topped 10 million attendees last year, anticipates another robust season.

March 24, 2025

NewJeans members announce hiatus after court ruling

SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - K-pop girl group NewJeans, now renamed as NJZ, will halt their activities following last Friday's court ruling, which banned them from engaging in independent activities amid a legal dispute with their agency. "We won't be able to perform for a while, as we have been suspended from our own activities," the quintet said during their concert in Hong Kong last Sunday where they revealed their new song "Pit Stop." Despite the court&

March 24, 2025

Chinese premium EV maker Zeekr enters Korean market

SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - Zeekr, a premium electric vehicle brand under China’s Geely Automotive Group, has formally entered the South Korean market, signaling a deeper push into the global EV industry and following in the footsteps of budget rival BYD. According to corporate registration filings with South Korea’s Supreme Court, Zeekr has established a local subsidiary, Zeekr Intelligent Technology Korea. The company's stated objectives include the import, distri

March 24, 2025

LG OLED TVs sweep Consumer Reports rankings

SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - LG Electronics has swept the latest television rankings from Consumer Reports, securing all ten of the top spots with its OLED Evo models — a remarkable feat that underscores the company's growing dominance in the premium TV segment in the United States. According to the firm on Monday, all ten top-rated televisions in the influential consumer guide earned scores of 88 points or higher, with LG’s 55-, 65-, and 77-inch OLED Evo G4 models each

March 24, 2025