Korean energy giant SK Innovation completes merger with affiliate

SEOUL, November 1 (AJP) - The merged entity of Korea’s top refiner SK Innovation Co. and its affiliate SK E&S officially launched Friday, becoming Asia-Pacific's largest private energy company with assets worth about 105 trillion won ($78.5 billion). The company will retain the SK Innovation name and combines its petrochemical and battery operations with SK E&S's liquefied natural gas and renewable energy businesses. As part of a groupwide restructuring, the

November 1, 2024

North Korea hails 'successful' test launch of new ICBM

SEOUL, November 1 (AJP) - North Korea said Friday it successfully test-fired its new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) the previous day, praising it as an "ultimate" version of its long-range missiles. The missile, dubbed Hwasong-19, reportedly reached an altitude of 7,688 kilometers, traveling approximately 1,000 kilometers for about 86 minutes before landing in its targeted area in the East Sea, according to Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency (K

November 1, 2024

PHOTOS: North Korea releases photos of ICBM firing moments

SEOUL, November 01 (AJP) - North Korea announced on Nov. 1 that it has successfully test-fired its latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-19 on Oct 31. Its leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Kim Ju-ae observed the launch.

November 1, 2024

PHOTOS: Influencers gather for Halloween party in Seoul

SEOUL, November 1 (AJP) - About 300 foreign influencers and other partygoers dressed in spooky costumes gathered for a Halloween party in Seoul's hip district of Seongsu-dong on Thursday. The party was hosted by Exprivé, a company with over 5,000 foreign influencers promoting South Korean cosmetics and healthcare-related products. Participants enjoyed the American celebration with a Korean-style community event. Under the slogan "Influence Giving," the proceeds from th

November 1, 2024

Czech watchdog rejects Westinghouse, EDF appeals over KHNP nuclear deal

SEOUL, November 1 (AJP) - The Czech antitrust watchdog has dismissed appeals from U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric Co. and French state-owned utility EDF against Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) being chosen as the preferred bidder for a nuclear power plant project. The Czech Office for the Protection of Competition (UOHS) has been reviewing objections the two failed bidders filed after KHNP was named the preferred bidder in July to build new reactors in the Dukovany nuclear p

November 1, 2024

OPINION: What a Trump victory would mean for the world

SEOUL, November 1 (AJP) - According to the United Nations 2024 is "the biggest election year in human history" with half of the world's population – some 3.7 billion people in 72 countries – able to vote. Yet some elections are more consequential than others which is why the world is watching as the U.S. goes to the polls. The U.S. is the world's largest economy, and the biggest military power. But it also the lynchpin of many international strategic al

November 1, 2024

VISUALS: HoYoverse gaming festival kicks off at KINTEX

SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - Welcome to HoYoland, a gaming festival featuring Chines game developer HoYoverse's popular titles, opened Wednesday at KINTEX in Goyang, drawing approximately 15,000 visitors on its first day. The four-day event showcases all HoYoverse games including Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Honkai Impact 3rd through interactive booths, mini-games, and stage performances. The festival, running through Nov. 3, offers fans photo zones, merchandise sales, and the

October 31, 2024

VISUALS: Asia manufacturing industry expo opens at KINTEX

SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - The Asia Machinery & Manufacturing Exhibition (AMXPO) is underway this week at KINTEX in Goyang. The leading manufacturing industry exhibition in Asia opened Wednesday for a four-day featuring 92 companies from 12 countries.

October 31, 2024

South Korean, U.S. defense chiefs condemn North Korea's troop deployment to Russia

SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - South Korean and U.S. defense ministers on Thursday condemned North Korea's troop dispatch to Russia to aid its war against Ukraine. In their joint statement after the 56th U.S.-South Korea Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in Washington, D.C., South Korea's Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin denounced the North's "multiple missile launches, including ballistic missiles, its attempted launches of a space

October 31, 2024

North Korean troops to Russia will become 'cannon fodder': S. Korea

SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - South Korea's top envoy to the United Nations condemned North Korea's troop deployment to Russia, saying that they will be used as mercenaries with their earnings eventually funneled into the coffers of the North Korean regime. "As legitimate military targets, they will end up as mere cannon fodder, while the wages they are supposed to receive from Russia will end up squarely in Kim Jong-un's pocket," said Ambassador Hwang Joon-kook at

October 31, 2024