Peru and S. Korea mark International Potato Day in Pyeongchang

SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - The Peruvian Embassy in Seoul and the Highland Agriculture Research Institute (HARI), operated by the Rural Development Administration, joined hands to celebrate the first International Potato Day on May 30 at HARI's headquarters in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. The Peruvian Embassy said in a statement on Jun. 13 that the event, marking a United Nations-recognized day established in 2023, brought together diplomats, scientists, and researchers from both

June 16, 2025

Korea Zinc sends first shipment of antimony to US

SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - Korea Zinc, South Korea’s sole producer of antimony, a mineral deemed critical for national defense, has shipped its first direct export of the material to the United States, according to the company officials on Monday. Roughly 20 metric tons of antimony were recently loaded onto a cargo vessel bound for Baltimore, Maryland, marking a significant milestone in Washington’s efforts to diversify sources of critical minerals and reduce its reliance on

June 16, 2025

PHOTOS: From lavender hues to golden canola, country enjoys floral flourish

SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - Across South Korea, flower fields are bursting into vibrant bloom, drawing visitors eager to soak in the seasonal beauty. In Donghae, a coastal gem in Gangwon Province, the annual lavender festival has just commenced, painting vast stretches of land in hues of purple. The festival will continue through July 22, offering a fragrant escape from urban life. Further south, in Suwon, a farm has become an unexpected early spectacle, with cosmos flowers — typically a

June 16, 2025

Korean gaming group condemns Tencent's reported Nexon takeover bid

SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - A South Korean gaming industry association on Monday strongly condemned a reported bid by Chinese technology giant Tencent to acquire Nexon, one of South Korea’s largest game developers, calling the move a threat to the country’s “industrial sovereignty” and urging the government to intervene. In a statement, the Korea Game Society criticized what it described as “systematic domination attempts” by foreign entities to gain c

June 16, 2025

US tariffs on steel-based appliances rattle key industry players of South Korea

SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - South Korean manufacturers are facing mounting trade pressures as the United States escalates its protectionist policies under the Trump administration. In a fresh blow to exporters, the U.S. will impose new 50 percent tariffs on home appliances made from steel derivatives starting June 23, expanding a web of duties that now encompasses everything from industrial metals to consumer goods — and potentially, automobiles. Samsung Electronics and LG Ele

June 16, 2025

LG Chem sells water treatment business to private equity fund

SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - LG Chem has agreed to sell its water treatment filter business to Glenwood Private Equity for 1.4 trillion won (approximately $1 billion), as South Korea’s largest chemical company accelerates efforts to streamline operations and sharpen its focus on high-growth sectors. The deal, signed on June 13, will transfer LG Chem’s Water Solution unit to Korea Water Solution Holdings, a special purpose entity established by Glenwood PE. The Water Solut

June 16, 2025

North Korea on track for up to 90 nuclear warheads, report says

SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - With nuclear-armed countries including China, Russia and the U.S. racing to bolster their nuclear arsenals, North Korea could increase its stockpile of nuclear warheads to as many as 90, according to a recent report. In its annual yearbook released Monday, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said North Korea "had assembled approximately 50 nuclear warheads and had sufficient fissile material to potentially produce up to 90 warhead

June 16, 2025

Chinese diplomat joins Seoul palace walk, highlights cultural connection

SEOUL, June 15 (AJP) - Fang Kun, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, said he believes walking tours like the one held Saturday offer a meaningful way to appreciate Korea's heritage and deepen ties between the peoples of China and South Korea. "I think this walking event gives everyone a chance to enjoy the beauty of Korea's historic palaces," Fang said during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Seoul Royal Palaces International Walk on Jun. 14.

June 15, 2025

Over 1,500 join palace walk event in Seoul to promote cultural exchange

SEOUL, June 15 (AJP) - With his son’s hand in his, Lee Bong-soo walked quietly through the grounds of Seoul’s royal palaces, taking in the scenes he had long wanted to share outside the pages of a textbook. "I always wanted to take my son to a palace, but the opportunity never really came up," said Lee, a resident of Goyang. "My workplace and home are far apart, which made it even harder. Palaces are full of historic sites and interesting things to see.

June 15, 2025

US steel tariffs likely to hit core of Samsung, LG's appliance exports

SEOUL, June 13 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are bracing for financial and operational turbulence after the Trump administration announced it would impose 50 percent tariffs on steel-derived products used in home appliances. The U.S. Commerce Department published the sweeping list of affected goods in the Federal Register, with implementation set for June 23. The targeted products include refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, freezers, stoves, rang

June 13, 2025