Han Dong-hoon decries move to consolidate candidacy with acting president

SEOUL, May 01 (AJP) - Han Dong-hoon, one of two finalists in the ruling People Power Party’s presidential primary, on Thursday criticized growing calls among party lawmakers to consolidate the party’s candidacy with Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, accusing them of prioritizing their political survival over winning the election. “For some individuals, the goal is not victory in the presidential election but the preservation of their vested intere

May 1, 2025

DP presidential nominee forms broader election camp ahead of crucial court ruling

SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, former leader and presidential nominee of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), launched his election committee with a group of prominent figures to gear up for his campaign, with the snap presidential election just about a month away. The committee's high-profile lineup includes seasoned political veterans and former government officials, spanning a broad ideological spectrum from progressive to conservative, in an apparent move to pr

April 30, 2025

Trump Jr. holds series of one-on-one meetings with Korean CEOs

SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, held a series of private meetings with prominent South Korean business executives on Wednesday at Josun Palace Hotel in southern Seoul. The meetings, held in a secured area of the luxury property, began early in the morning in the same building that houses the office of Jung Yong-jin, the chairman of Shinsegae Group, who played a key role in organizing the junior Trump's visit. Among th

April 30, 2025

North Korea test-fires weapons from new destroyer

SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - North Korea has conducted a test of its new 5,000-ton destroyer, state media reported on Wednesday. According to the official state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected the tests of weapons from the destroyer, accompanied by senior military officials and his daughter Ju-ae on Monday and Tuesday. The multipurpose destroyer, named after Choe Hyon, a comrade of nation founder Kim Il-sung during his day as

April 30, 2025

Samsung Electronics posts record revenue in first quarter

SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics posted its highest-ever quarterly revenue in the first quarter of 2025, bolstered by strong smartphone and premium appliance sales. The company reported consolidated revenue of 79.14 trillion won, or about $59.1 billion, a 4 percent increase from the previous quarter. Operating profit rose to 6.7 trillion won, or $5 billion. Samsung also invested a record 9 trillion won ($6.7 billion) in research and development during the period, und

April 30, 2025

S. Korean government refutes US treasury secretary's claim about trade deal timeline

SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - The South Korean government denied U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's assertion that Seoul is seeking to conclude bilateral trade negotiations before its upcoming presidential election. In a joint ministerial statement, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said, “We have never conveyed or discussed any intention to finalize the framework of negotiations with the United States before the presidential election.” The ministry emphasized

April 30, 2025

Prosecutors raid ex-president's home in southern Seoul

SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - Prosecutors raided disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's home in southern Seoul on Wednesday. They are attempting to secure any evidence and other materials related to a series of allegations involving Jeon Seong-bae, a shamanic figure known as Geonjin Beopsa, who allegedly bribed Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, with luxury jewelry and high-end handbags in exchange for political arrangements and other favors. Despite his ouster from office atter

April 30, 2025

PHOTOS: 'Virus,' a tale of infection and irresistible love, set for May 7 release

SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - The cast and crew of the upcoming film "Virus" convened for a press screening and conference on April 28 at CGV Yongsan ahead of its May 7 release. Director Kang Yi-kwan appeared alongside stars Bae Doo-na, Kim Yun-seok and Chang Ki-ha to discuss the film, which explores the unsettling spread of the fictional “Toxo Virus” — a pathogen that causes its victims to fall into irrational, fatal love. Virus centers on the journey of a protagonis

April 30, 2025

From stadiums to stores, baseball fever grips South Korea

SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - After a long day at work, Kim Jong-chul, 54, makes a ritual stop — not at a stadium, but at the bakery section of his neighborhood convenience store. The lifelong LG Twins fan isn’t there for the pastries. "It's not really the bread I'm after," Kim said with a grin, tearing into a blueberry jam-filled pastry to retrieve a coveted sticker featuring one of his team's players. "I'm determined to collect all 21 stickers

April 29, 2025

PPP's two finalists to compete in runoff for presidential election

Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo (left) and Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), pose for a photo at the PPP's headquarters in Yeouido, western Seoul on April 29, 2025. Yonhap SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - Presidential candidates for the ruling People Power Party (PPP) were narrowed down to two on Tuesday ahead of the snap presidential election scheduled for early June. Among four candidates -- IT tycoon-turned-politician Ahn Cheol-soo, former party lead

April 29, 2025