Gang Gam-chan sails with global fleet as Korea rises on Indo-Pacific Seas VISAKHAPATNAM, INDIA, February 20 (AJP) - From the deck line to the distant horizon, the waters off Visakhapatnam shimmered with steel, color and motion on Wednesday as one of the world’s largest multinational naval formations assembled for the 2026 International Fleet Review. Flying the South Korean flag Taegeukgi high against a stiff Bay of Bengal wind, the 4,400-ton destroyer ROKS Gang Gam-chan cruised in tight formation alongside 18 other flag-bearing warships, cutting a s February 20, 2026

The heat is on Seoul as Tokyo gets a head start on U.S. investment SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - Japan has moved swiftly to translate its pledged $550 billion investment commitment to the United States into concrete projects, unveiling an initial $36 billion package centered on energy, infrastructure and critical materials — areas closely aligned with Washington’s strategic priorities — while Seoul remains mired in legislative gridlock. President Donald Trump welcomed the announcement, publicly praising Tokyo’s commitment and r February 20, 2026

EXCLUSIVE: Brazil looks beyond 'traditional trade' from K-beauty to AI in state visit SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - Brazil is looking beyond "traditional trade" through the Feb. 22–24 visit to South Korea, tapping fields from K-beauty to biosimilars, artificial intelligence and space cooperation in pursuit of "productive integration," its ambassador to Seoul said. "The main issue is reinvigorating a relationship that has evolved on just 'okay' in the past several years and is in need of a big jump," Ambassador Marcia Donner February 20, 2026

North Korea kicks off key party congress SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - North Korea has kicked off its massive party gathering, state media reported on Friday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, the ninth congress of the Workers' Party "opened with splendour" in Pyongyang the previous day. In his opening address, its leader Kim Jong-un said he is "full of optimism and confidence about the future," comparing this year's gathering with the previous one five years ago February 20, 2026

Seoul ready to push economic ties with New Delhi to new level - trade minister SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) -A deeper economic cooperation with India has become more important than ever for South Korea as the global trade environment undergoes rapid change, Seoul's Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo said Thursday. Speaking at the Korea-India Economic Cooperation Conference at Lotte Hotel Seoul, Yeo described India as “a central country” in South Korea’s New Southern Policy and “a leader of the Global South.” He said there is signific February 20, 2026

Iran and US reach preliminary agreement on negotiation principles in Geneva SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - Iran and the United States have reached a comprehensive agreement on the basic principles for future negotiations following indirect talks held at the Omani Embassy in Geneva, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in South Korea said Thursday. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, described this second round of discussions as more serious than previous sessions, noting they took place within a constructive and practical atmosphere. Th February 19, 2026

Samsung's historic surge lifts KOSPI to record close SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - South Korea's benchmark KOSPI set a fresh record on Thursday as trading resumed following the Lunar New Year break, led by Samsung Electronics' historic close above 190,000 won. A buy-side sidecar was triggered on the KOSDAQ at 10:41 a.m. amid an aggressive rally in mid- and small-cap shares. The KOSPI jumped 3.1 percent to close at 5,677.3 points, marking a fresh all-time high after hitting an intraday peak of 5,681.7. The strong upward momentu February 19, 2026

When Seoul becomes the screen: From neon signs to BTS's digital stage SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - On March 21, Gwanghwamun will not need to be transformed into a concert venue. It already is one. Along the 12-lane, 512-meter boulevard leading to the historic gate, walls of massive digital displays are permanently embedded into the cityscape. Office towers, commercial buildings and transit hubs double as screens. When BTS stages its comeback there, livestreamed on Netflix, the infrastructure will simply shift mode — from advertising an February 19, 2026

BTS Comeback D-30: J-Hope, a messenger of hope through lyrics, rap, and giving *Editor’s Note — As BTS prepares to return as a full seven-member act with a new album set for March 20 and an open-stage performance at Gwanghwamun on March 21, following a near four-year hiatus for rotational military service, AJP revisits the group’s 13-year trajectory. This series reexamines BTS’s history, music, performance identity and enduring appeal. The fourth installment traces the roots and growth of J-Hope. SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - By the ti February 19, 2026

Déjà vu on housing as Seoul launches another real estate war SEOUL, Feb 19 (AJP) - Seoul has once again taken a hard-line approach to real estate policy — deploying higher taxes, stricter lending caps and strong-worded warnings from the president. Yet instead of cooling the market, the measures have fueled another surge in housing prices and rents in the capital. Sound familiar? Koreans have witnessed this cycle under almost every progressive government over the past two decades. The pattern is repeated: authorities crack down o February 19, 2026