Son of late ex-President Kim Dae-jung dies at 75

SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - Kim Hong-up, the second son of late former President Kim Dae-jung, died on Wednesday due to complications from a chronic illness, according to his nonprofit organization named after his father, where he served as chairman. "The late chairman was a steadfast supporter who worked quietly behind the scenes to lead democratization movement alongside his father," said the Kim Dae Jung Peace Center. Born in July 1950 in an air-r

September 24, 2025

Samyang's global sensation 'Buldak' noodle sells over 8 billion packs

SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - Samyang Foods has announced a major milestone for its globally popular "Buldak" hot chicken flavor ramen series, with sales surpassing 8 billion units since its launch in 2012. The sales figure, which nearly matches the world’s population of 8.2 billion, underscores the brand's immense global success and its role in popularizing Korean cuisine, or "K-Food," around the world, the company said Wednesday. Exported to more

September 24, 2025

PHOTOS: Chuseok holiday is approaching

SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - As South Korea moves into autumn, families are beginning preparations for Chuseok, one of the nation’s two most significant holidays alongside Seollal (Lunar New Year). Often referred to as "Korean Thanksgiving," the holiday is a time for family reunions, expressing gratitude to ancestors, and celebrating the year's harvest. Chuseok, which literally means "autumn evening," falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month

September 24, 2025

China leaps on global corporate stage while Korean Inc. stagnates

SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - China is rapidly widening its footprint in the global corporate landscape while the Korean Inc. has remained stagnant, according to an analysis by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). KCCI study of Forbes’ Global 2000 rankings showed that the number of Chinese firms on the list surged to 275 this year from 180 in 2015. By contrast, Korean names thinned from 66 to 62 over the same period. The U.S. population strengthened from 575 to

September 24, 2025

Kakao deploys ChatGPT to defend ubiquitous rank among Koreans

SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - Kakao Corp., South Korea's dominant messaging platform, announced the most sweeping overhaul in KakaoTalk's 15-year history on Tuesday, unveiling plans to embed OpenAI's ChatGPT directly into the app in a bid to restore public trust after a series of scandals and to sharpen its edge against both domestic and global competitors. The integration, revealed at the company's annual if(Kakao)25 conference in Yongin, will launch in October and re

September 24, 2025

IMF raises South Korea's growth forecast but warns of structural risks

SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - The International Monetary Fund raised South Korea’s economic growth outlook for this year to 0.9 percent, up slightly from the 0.8 percent it projected in July. But the fund cautioned that the country must push ahead with structural reforms and long-term fiscal consolidation if it wants to strengthen its growth potential. The revised forecast came after the IMF's annual consultation with Seoul, conducted from Sept. 11 to 24. The fund l

September 24, 2025

Barnburner 'KPop Demon Hunters' sparks Seoul pilgrimage boom

SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - The climactic final battle of "KPop Demon Hunters," where HUNTR/X delivers the crushing blow to the demon, unfolds at Seoul's iconic Namsan Tower. The landmark scene has turned the tower into the pinnacle stop on the growing "pilgrimage" trail for fans tracing the film's shooting locations. Namsan Tower's appeal goes beyond fandom. With its cable car ride, panoramic skyline views, and the famed "love-lock" tradi

September 24, 2025

Lee seeks UN chief's help for peace on Korean Peninsula

SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for the UN's cooperation to ensure peace and security on the Korean Peninsula during a meeting with Secretary-General António Guterres. After delivering his keynote speech at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Lee met with Guterres, praising his leadership at the multilateral organization, stressing the UN's "crucial" role in addressing global crises and resolving internation

September 24, 2025

Seoul weighs phased investments, revenue sharing to counter US tariff demands

SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - Negotiations between Washington and Seoul over a $350 billion investment package remain mired in disagreement, delaying the conclusion of a deal that was expected to ease tariffs and deepen economic ties between the two allies. In July, the two countries reached a preliminary understanding to lower mutual tariffs from 25 percent to 15 percent, including reductions on automobiles, in exchange for South Korea committing to a massive investment in the

September 24, 2025

Rookie boy band's debut album ranks 15th on Billboard 200

SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - K-pop boy band CORTIS's debut album has made it onto the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart for this week. According to Billboard's latest chart released Tuesday, the quintet's "Color Outside The Lines" ranked 15th, just a few weeks after its release earlier this month, an impressive feat for a rookie K-pop act. The album contains five tracks including "What You Want," a song about pursuing dreams with confidence. CO

September 24, 2025