Kim Moon-soo pushes nuclear option, calls for tighter U.S. alliance

Editor's Note: This article is the first in a series examining the leading presidential candidates and their positions on diplomacy, security, and North Korea. SEOUL, May 15 (AJP) - Presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo is drawing a firm line in South Korea’s snap election, positioning himself as a staunch advocate of military strength and nuclear deterrence. Representing the conservative People Power Party (PPP), Kim has made clear that his foreign and security policy will

May 15, 2025

Tour programs to Panmunjom to resume on limited basis this week

SEOUL, May 15 (AJP) - A tour program to the truce village of Panmunjom and nearby areas is set to resume later this week after a halt of about a year and a half, the Unification Ministry said Thursday. But the program remains restricted, allowing access only to selected groups of visitors on a limited basis. About 20 government officials and executives from state-run companies are scheduled to visit there this Friday, becoming the first group to take part in the revived program a

May 15, 2025

Hyundai Motor to build first Middle East factory, eyes Saudi as regional hub

SEOUL, May 15 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor has begun construction on its first automobile manufacturing plant in the Middle East, part of a strategic push to establish Saudi Arabia as a central base for regional operations. The facility, named Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Middle East, is being built in King Abdullah City, within the King Salman Automotive Cluster. Groundbreaking took place Wednesday, with the start of production scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026. The plant is a jo

May 15, 2025

Hanwha finalizes $637 million acquisition of catering firm Ourhome

SEOUL, May 15 (AJP) - Hanwha Group has completed its acquisition of catering firm Ourhome for 869.5 billion won (approximately $637 million), expanding its presence in the food services sector in one of the country’s most notable recent mergers. The deal, announced Thursday by Hanwha Hotel & Resort, gives the conglomerate a controlling 58.62 percent stake in Ourhome, marking the end of a seven-month negotiation and due diligence process that began in October. The acqu

May 15, 2025

Korea's agricultural giant balances tradition with global ambition

Editor's Note: This article is the 18th installment in our series on Asia's top 100 companies, exploring the strategies, challenges, and innovations driving the region's most influential corporations. SEOUL, May 14 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest agricultural cooperative and financial group, NongHyup (NH), is navigating a volatile landscape in 2025, shaped by climate disruptions, demographic shifts, and rising global tensions. According to a recent report from t

May 15, 2025

PHOTOS: Presidential election posters to appear nationwide

SEOUL, May 14 (AJP) - The National Election Commission has released the official campaign posters of the candidates vying for the 21st presidential election on June 3. These posters are slated for display in prominent public spaces across the nation, beginning on May 15.

May 14, 2025

North Korea remains on list of countries 'not fully cooperating' with US counterterrorism efforts

SEOUL, May 14 (AJP) - North Korea was included in the list of countries that "did not fully cooperate with U.S. counterterrorism efforts," along with Cuba, Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, the U.S. Department of State said in a press release on Tuesday. The designation on the list, updated annually in May, prohibits the "sale or license for export of defense articles and services." North Korea has been on the list of "Not Fully Cooperating Countries (NFCCs)&qu

May 14, 2025

Kim Moon-soo promises science-focused presidency in aerospace hub

SEOUL, May 14 (AJP) - Kim Moon-soo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, pledged Wednesday to become a president who prioritizes science and technology, as he toured Jinju and Sacheon, cities in South Gyeongsang Province known for their concentration of aerospace and defense industries. In a campaign speech in Jinju, Kim urged voters to back his vision of transforming South Korea into a global leader in aerospace. “Let’s raise our aerospace technology

May 14, 2025

North Korean IT workers in China linked to remote work scams overseas

SEOUL, May 14 (AJP) - North Korea has set up dozens of front companies in China, helping its IT workers "trick Western companies into hiring them," the American news website Axios reported on Tuesday. Citing a fresh report released by strategic intelligence platform Strider Technologies, the website revealed details of a vast network of China-based companies allegedly involved in facilitating North Korea's clandestine IT operations overseas, evading international sanct

May 14, 2025

Container ship orders surge, defying global shipping slowdown

SEOUL, May 14 (AJP) - Global orders for container ships surged in early 2025, defying broader trends in the maritime industry and signaling a shift driven by environmental regulations and geopolitical trade tensions. As of the first week of May, new container ship orders reached approximately 1.65 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), nearly equaling the 20-year annual average of 1.71 million TEUs, according to industry data released Wednesday. That figure represents a 285 pe

May 14, 2025