OPINION: What is self-coup? South Korean president's attempt ended in failure

SEOUL, December 6 (AJP) - Something unexpected – but hardly unprecedented – happened in South Korea on Dec. 3, 2024. With little warning, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law, citing the threat from "pro-North Korean anti-state forces." The move, which appeared more about curtailing efforts by the main opposition – the center-left Democratic Party – to frustrate Yoon's policy agenda through their control of parliament, left man

December 6, 2024

National Assembly impeaches chief auditor, 3 senior prosecutors

SEOUL, December 5 (AJP) - The National Assembly passed a motion on Thursday to impeach Choi Jae-hae, the head of the Board of Audit and Inspection, marking the first-ever impeachment of a chief auditor in South Korean history. The main opposition Democratic Party accused Choi of allegedly covering up issues for President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration, claiming that he violated political neutrality required for the post. The DP claimed that Choi obstructed a parliamentary aud

December 5, 2024

South Korea to ease regulations on bus terminal facilities to boost revenue

SEOUL, December 5 (AJP) - South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced plans, Thursday, to allow logistics warehouses, large retail stores, and indoor sports facilities to operate within urban planning facilities including bus terminals, in a bid to address financial challenges faced by regional transportation hubs. The regulatory reform will expand the number of urban planning facilities eligible for commercial development from 23 to 40 types, excludin

December 5, 2024

Ambassador to Saudi Arabia named new defense chief

SEOUL, December 5 (AJP) - South Korean Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Choi Byung-hyuk was named as the successor to Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on Thursday. "President Yoon Suk Yeol accepted Kim's resignation and nominated Choi as the new defense minister," said Presidential Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul. Kim tendered his resignation after Yoon's abrupt declaration of martial law ended in a chaotic overnight fiasco e

December 5, 2024

Military pact between North Korea and Russia comes into effect

SEOUL, December 5 (AJP) - A treaty pledging mutual military assistance between North Korea and Russia took effect this week after the two countries exchanged ratification documents, the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Thursday. Initially signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June, the military pact commits both countries to come to each other's aid in the event of an armed attack. Effective Wednes

December 5, 2024

Railway workers go on indefinite strike after last-minute talks break down

SEOUL, December 5 (AJP) - Unionized subway and railway workers went on an indefinite all-out strike on Thursday, demanding higher wages and better working conditions. Labor and management sides sat down for last-minute negotiations but were unable to narrow their differences before the pre-noticed deadline the previous day. But the unionized workers of the Korean Railway Workers' Union said they remain open to further talks to resolve the deadlock over labor negotiations.

December 5, 2024

South Korea will focus R&D spending on chips, robots, AI

SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - The South Korean government announced plans to significantly increase research and development investment in semiconductors, robotics, and artificial intelligence during the third Strategic Planning Investment Council meeting held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce in Seoul. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will expand its "ultra-gap projects" to include new technologies such as battery safety for electric vehicle fire prevention, next-

December 5, 2024

SingCham Korea hosts gala in Seoul to foster ties with Korea

SEOUL, December 05 (AJP) - The Singapore Chamber of Commerce in Korea (SingCham Korea) held its first gala event, bringing together over 200 distinguished guests from the business, diplomatic, and cultural communities. The event, held at the Signiel Seoul hotel on Nov. 29, was a night of celebration, collaboration, and reflection on the chamber's achievements and growing role in fostering ties between Singapore and South Korea. Set against the backdrop of Seoul's city s

December 5, 2024

OPINION: North Korea Provocations Underscore South Korea's Success

KENOSHA, December 05 (AJP) - North Korea’s contribution of combat troops to aid Russia in Ukraine has drawn global attention and headlines, but is only one component of ongoing ominous moves. At the start of this year, Pyongyang fired artillery barrages near a maritime buffer zone. On the west coast, Pyongyang wants to move the maritime border south. Roads and railroads linking North and South have been shut down. The North is jamming GPS signals in the South. South Kor

December 5, 2024

Yoon faces decisive week as impeachment vote looms after martial law debacle

SEOUL, December 5 (AJP) - An impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol, after his abrupt late-night declaration of martial law earlier this week, was referred to the National Assembly's plenary session on Thursday. This procedural step paves the way for a vote on the motion later this week, posing a significant challenge to the embattled president's political future. The motion, proposed by 191 lawmakers from six opposition parties, including the main opposition

December 5, 2024