Constitutional Court rejects Yoon's request to exclude justice amid alleged bias concerns

SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea on Tuesday unanimously rejected President Yoon Suk Yeol's request to exclude Justice Jeong Gye-seon from the bench overseeing his impeachment trial. Jeong, a newly appointed justice who joined the bench earlier this month after being nominated by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), is part of the panel handling the trial over Yoon's botched martial law debacle last month. The court said that Yoon's req

January 14, 2025

Dried seaweed prices double on soaring global demand

SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - The price of dried seaweed in South Korea nearly doubled in 2024 compared to the previous year, driven by surging global demand and robust exports, according to the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives on Tuesday. Data from 214 fisheries auction houses nationwide revealed a 4 percent increase in the trading volume of dried seaweed, known locally as "gim," to 536,000 tons in 2024. However, the trading value skyrocketed by 88 percent to

January 14, 2025

Concerns grow over potential clashes as another attempt to arrest Yoon looms

SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - The arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol appears imminent, as investigators are expected to make another try this week after the failure of their initial attempt earlier this month. Investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials reportedly plans to mobilize about 1,000 police officials in cooperation with the National Office of Investigation (NOI) for their upcoming attempt to arrest Yoon over his botched martial law debacle

January 14, 2025

Individuals will be granted rights to remove deepfake content

SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) said Tuesday it will introduce new legislation empowering individuals to demand the removal of deepfake content that misuses their personal data. This move is a part of the commission's efforts to foster a secure AI ecosystem while strengthening data privacy safeguards. Under the proposed legislation, individuals whose images or voices have been synthesized without their consent will have the lega

January 14, 2025

PHOTOS: Seoul's Gwangjang Market, a foodie paradise and shopper's dream

SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - Nestled in the heart of Seoul, Gwangjang Market is a vibrant tapestry of sights, smells, and flavors that's sure to tantalize any visitor's senses. This bustling traditional market, a favorite among international tourists, offers an unparalleled culinary adventure alongside a treasure trove of shopping delights. Step into Gwangjang Market's famed food alley, and be prepared to embark on a delicious odyssey. Aromatic wafts of

January 14, 2025

South Korea remains 5th in global military power ranking

SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - South Korea remained the world's fifth-strongest military power, unchanged from last year, according to a ranking compiled by Global Firepower (GFP) and released on Tuesday. In its annual report for this year, the U.S.-based think tank evaluated 145 countries to assess their "potential war-making capability across land, sea, and air, fought by conventional means." South Korea maintained fifth place in the ranking with a power index score of

January 14, 2025

Samsung Biologics lands record $1.4 billion contract

SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - Samsung Biologics announced Tuesday it has secured a 2.07 trillion won ($1.4 billion) manufacturing contract with a European pharmaceutical company, its largest deal to date. The multi-year agreement, spanning until December 2030, accounts for roughly 40 percent of the company's total manufacturing orders secured in 2024, which reached 5.4 trillion won. This also surpasses the previous record of a 1.7 trillion won contract signed with an Asian pharma

January 14, 2025

BOK downplays concerns of inflation from possible extra budget

SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea (BOK) has signaled its support for increased government spending to counter a slowing economy, downplaying concerns about inflationary pressures. In a written response to a National Assembly inquiry, the central bank stated that "the possibility of extra budget spending stimulating inflation is considered low, given the current economic circumstances." This stance comes as South Korea's economy faces headwinds following th

January 14, 2025

North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles into East Sea

SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Tuesday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff here said. According to the JCS, a slew of missiles were launched in Kanggye, North Pyongan Province around 9:30 a.m., flying approximately 250 kilometers before falling into the sea. The launch came just a week after North Korea test-launched a new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) equipped with a hypersonic warhead on Jan. 6. So

January 14, 2025

Trump may soften stance on North Korea's denuclearization, spy agency speculates

SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to pursue dialogue with North Korea and may opt for a "small deal" with its leader Kim Jong-un over the renegade country's nuclear weapons program, South Korea's spy agency said on Monday. The assessment was made during a closed-door briefing to lawmakers by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), just a week before Trump is set to take the oath of office in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 20.

January 13, 2025