South Korea eases travel advisory for parts of Israel

SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - South Korea lowered its travel advisory for parts of Israel starting Wednesday, according to the Foreign Ministry. With the adjustment, which came about a year after improved security conditions following last year's Middle East escalation, residents and other South Korean expats in Israel are no longer advised to leave the country. However, travelers are still recommended to refrain from visiting the region. Travel bans also remain in place for Gaz

February 12, 2025

South Korea launches tax probe into wedding studios, postnatal centers

SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - The National Tax Service has opened investigations into 46 businesses suspected of tax evasion, including 24 wedding service providers, 12 postnatal care centers, and 10 English-language kindergartens, the office said Tuesday. The probe targets businesses that allegedly concealed income by directing customers to make additional payments beyond basic contract fees through multiple accounts held under borrowed names. One prominent photo studio was found to

February 12, 2025

South Korea-Cuba diplomatic relations mark one year, but trade remains stagnant

SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - Nearly a year after establishing diplomatic relations, South Korea and Cuba have yet to see a significant expansion in trade, with annual commerce hovering around $20 million. The primary hurdle remains the longstanding U.S. sanctions on Cuba, which continue to constrain the Caribbean nation’s access to global markets. Trade volumes between South Korea and Cuba have shown little improvement since they formalized ties on Feb. 14 last year. The econ

February 12, 2025

LocknLock showcases innovative products at trade fair in Germany

SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - Utensil maker LocknLock showcased its key products at Ambiente, a weeklong trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany, which kicked off last Friday. The world's largest fair for consumer goods annually attracts participants from 176 countries, serving as a global stage for emerging industry trends. LocknLock's booth featured its latest trendy products including airtight containers, fridge organizers, lunchboxes, and drinkware such as tumblers and coffee m

February 12, 2025

Yoon's former close aide denies allegations in botched martial law debacle

SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - Former Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min broke his silence to side with President Yoon Suk Yeol during a hearing for his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court of Korea on Tuesday. Lee, a close aide to Yoon, had previously refused to answer, citing his right to remain silent over Yoon's botched martial law debacle last December. But Lee, who appeared at the hearing as a witness, changed his stance this time, giving detailed explanations

February 11, 2025

PHOTOS: Jeju Island - where spring begins

SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - Jeju Island is the first place in South Korea to welcome spring. While the cold wave still lingers, the island presents a striking contrast of green landscapes interwoven with patches of snow. As Jeju eagerly awaits the full bloom of the season, its transition from winter to spring offers a picturesque view of nature’s renewal.

February 11, 2025

VISUALS: Exquisite jewels on display at exhibition in Seoul

SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - An exhibition showcasing more than 200 sparkling jewelry pieces including accessories and other charms is currently underway at the Lotte Museum of Art in southern Seoul, drawing hordes of visitors since late last year. The months-long exhibition, dubbed "The Art of Jewellery," runs until March 16 at the contemporary art museum on the seventh floor of the 123-story Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, the tallest building in the country. Highlights among some 2

February 11, 2025

Hanwha Aerospace becomes first Korean defense firm to surpass 10 trillion won revenue

SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - South Korean defense contractor Hanwha Aerospace posted record annual revenue of 11.2 trillion won ($7.71 billion) in 2024, becoming the first domestic firm in the sector to surpass the 10 trillion won milestone. The company’s operating profit soared 190.2 percent year-over-year to 1.7 trillion won, while net profit climbed 160.5 percent to 2.5 trillion won, according to a regulatory filing on Tuesday. Hanwha’s fourth-quarter performance rem

February 11, 2025

South Korea faces worst job market slump in decades

SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - South Korea’s job market is experiencing its sharpest downturn since the Asian financial crisis more than two decades ago, with only three job openings available for every 10 job seekers in January. According to data released Tuesday by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, new job postings fell 42.7 percent year-over-year to 135,000 last month, while the number of job seekers declined 6.5 percent to 479,000. The job-to-applicant ratio sank to 0.28 &

February 11, 2025

South Korea wins first-ever gold medal in biathlon at Harbin Winter Asian Games

SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - South Korea on Tuesday won gold in biathlon at this year's Winter Asian Games currently underway in Harbin, China. Ekaterina Avvakumova, a Russian-born biathlete who obtained South Korean citizenship in 2016, won the women's 7.5-km sprint event with a time of 22:45.40. Her victory marks the country's first-ever gold medal in biathlon at the quadrennial event. The previous best result was a silver-medal finish in the men's relay event at

February 11, 2025