OPINION: South Korea had martial law for 6 hours. Why did this happen and what can we expect now?

SEOUL, December 5 (AJP) - On Tuesday night, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sent shockwaves through the world by declaring martial law in the country. Yoon's opponents in the National Assembly immediately sought to mass at the legislature to block the decree. This led to a dramatic confrontation with soldiers over control of the building. However, in the early hours of Wednesday, sufficient numbers of South Korean legislators gained entry to the chamber. Of the 300 membe

December 5, 2024

PHOTOS: Protesters call for impeachment of Yoon

SEOUL, December 4 (AJP) -- Candlelight protests erupted in many cities in South Korea on Wednesday evening, calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol following his declaration of martial law late Tuesday, which was lifted six hours later.

December 4, 2024

​​​​​​​K-pop training goes global: World K-pop Center plans 32-nation girl group project

SEOUL, December 4 (AJP) -- "K-pop stands at the heart of Korean culture today. We aim to create a true cultural exchange by bringing together girl groups from 32 different nations," says Park Sung-jin, CEO of World K-pop Center. Speaking at the launch of news platform AJP at Seoul's FKI Tower on Tuesday, Park detailed his organization's vision for globalizing K-pop education through a U.N.-inspired strategy. Park emphasized that while famous K-pop artists have p

December 4, 2024

Studio Meta-K CEO: AI to shape future of 'K-content'

SEOUL, December 4 (AJP) - Kim Kwang-jip, CEO of Studio Meta-K, predicts artificial intelligence will play an increasingly vital role in K-content production, ushering in an era where virtual humans star in songs, advertisements, dramas, and films. Speaking at the launch event of news platform AJP at the FKI Tower in Seoul's Yeouido on Tuesday, Kim showcased various AI-powered content initiatives. His company, Studio Meta-K, specializes in developing and producing IP-based conten

December 4, 2024

Flitto CEO: AI is breaking down language barriers

SEOUL, December 4 (AJP) - "By 2025, the language barriers people experience today will be significantly reduced," says Lee Jung-soo, CEO of Flitto, predicting that an influx of new services will transform various aspects of society and economy. Speaking at the launch of the Asian news platform AJP in Seoul's FKI Tower on Tuesday, Lee outlined how artificial intelligence is dismantling language barriers that humanity has long struggled to overcome. Lee envisions a fu

December 4, 2024

Opposition parties move to impeach Yoon after martial law fiasco

SEOUL, December 4 (AJP) - Some 191 lawmakers from six opposition parties including the main opposition Democratic Party and minor parties like the Rebuilding Korea Party and the New Reform Party submitted a motion on Wednesday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, after his abrupt late-night declaration of martial law, which was ended in a chaotic overnight fiasco. By law, the National Assembly is required to vote on whether to impeach a president through a secret ballot within 72 hou

December 4, 2024

UN adopts resolutions to support peace in Middle East

SEOUL, December 4 (AJP) - The United Nations General Assembly convened to address the ongoing crises in the Middle East, emphasizing the urgent need for a two-state solution and peace in the region. President Philémon Yang underscored the enduring importance of the two-state framework as a political and moral necessity for resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict. He described the denial of Palestinian statehood as a driver of violence and called for the immediate cessation of

December 4, 2024

Xi holds talks with Cambodian senate president Hun Sen

SEOUL, December 4 (AJP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Cambodian People's Party and senate president Samdech Techo Hun Sen in Beijing on Tuesday, underscoring the importance of mutual support to solidify the strong bond between the two countries. Xi said that Cambodia holds a significant place in China's neighborhood diplomacy and expressed the country's commitment to building a high-level community between the two countries with a shared future in the new era.

December 4, 2024

French Embassy honors promising young talents in Seoul

SEOUL, December 4 (AJP) - Young French talents here were awarded prizes given by the French Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday. Presented by the embassy with sponsorship from various French organizations such as the French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), the French Foreign Trade Advisors (CCEF), La French Tech Seoul, and Le Cercle des Entrepreneurs Francophones en Corée (CEFC), the awards have been granted annually in recognition of young French researchers and entr

December 4, 2024

BOK to increase short-term liquidity to stabilize financial market

SEOUL, December 4 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea (BOK) announced on Thursday that it would increase short-term liquidity in the market by purchasing non-regular repurchase agreements (RPs). This move, aimed at stabilizing financial markets, comes after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared a state of martial law on Tuesday night. Typically, the BOK supplies liquidity through regular RP purchases. However, to address the extraordinary circumstances, the central bank expanded the range of

December 4, 2024