In Korean classrooms, caffeine is the new nicotine SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - South Korea’s notoriously competitive school system is nothing new. What is more unsettling is this: for many teenagers, caffeine may now pose a greater risk than nicotine. High school senior Yoo Seung-ho drinks two cans of Monster Energy a day — which he considers moderate. “Some of my classmates drink up to five,” he said. Among Korean teenagers, energy drinks have become almost synonymous with studying. “My nephew drin April 20, 2026

Rally in Seoul raises awareness for people with disabilities SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - A nationwide association of parents of children with disabilities held a rally in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on Monday. The rally was held to mark the day for the physically challenged, observed annually on April 20 since 1981, to raise awareness of people with disabilities and better protect their rights. At the rally, participants held a procession that included taking three steps and one bow, a Buddhist practice of prostration that April 20, 2026

Seoul pushes fleet of war robots but who's in charge over them unclear SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - Unmanned systems are rapidly reshaping modern warfare, from the battlefields of Ukraine to the Gulf, and South Korea is accelerating its push toward autonomous combat capabilities under its “Army Tiger 4.0” modernization drive. The initiative reflects a broader shift across the military, as the Army, Navy and Air Force each move to build their own unmanned fleets. But a central question remains unresolved: who commands this expanding ecosystem of April 20, 2026

Asian stocks close higher amid cautious optimism over possible fresh US-Iran talks SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - Asian stock markets closed higher on Monday as investors bet on optimism ahead of another round of ceasefire negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, lifting overall market sentiment despite lingering tensions in the Middle East. Despite conflicting reports of impending talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, with Iran denying any plans to negotiate, the benchmark KOSPI in Seoul gained 0.44 percent to close at 6,219.09, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ rose 0.41 percent to f April 20, 2026

BOK's new chief to start work Tues after last-minute confirmation SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) — South Korea’s incoming central bank chief Shin Hyun-song is set to begin his term Tuesday under a cloud of unresolved personal controversies, after the National Assembly approved his confirmation report Monday following two earlier rejections. Shin marks the first nominee for the Bank of Korea governorship to fail to secure initial approval from the parliamentary Strategy and Finance Committee since confirmation hearings became mandatory in 20 April 20, 2026

Hyundai Motor protests to USTR Section 301 probe for potential double taxing SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group has lodged a complaint with U.S. trade authorities over potential double taxing, claiming additional duties under Section 301 could duplicate existing restrictions under other regulations. In its submission to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the automaker — which plans to invest $26 billion in the United States through 2028 — stressed its role in strengthening American supply-chain resilience as it April 20, 2026

Lee set to deliver speech at business forum in India SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung, who is on a state visit to India for a summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, is set to attend a business forum later in the day to promote investment and cooperation between companies in the two countries. Lee is scheduled to deliver opening remarks at the forum, co-hosted by the two countries, where he is expected to emphasize stronger supply-chain cooperation. The forum, being held for the first time in eight April 20, 2026

S. Korea hits the accelerator on nuclear pivot after Hormuz lesson SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - Nuclear energy has become hot. It already was due to the exponential demand for electricity to power hyperscalers to train and deploy artificial intelligence. But it has got even hotter due to the Gulf war crisis. South Korea is the world’s fifth-largest energy importer by value and one of the four largest importers of LNG globally, regularly purchasing around 40 million tonnes per year. With virtually no domestic fossil fuel reserves, the country April 20, 2026

Oil tanker passing through Strait of Hormuz 'heading to discharge its cargo' in South Korea SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - An oil tanker that passed through the Strait of Hormuz is expected to arrive in South Korean waters as early as next month, Reuters reported on Monday. The Malta-flagged Odessa is "heading to discharge its cargo ​at South Korean refiner Hyudai ‌Oilbank after passing through the Strait of Hormuz," it said. "The Suezmax ​tanker, which can carry 1 million barrels of oil, had its AIS tracker switched ​off and re-appeared on April ​17 near t April 20, 2026

NCT WISH drops its first studio album SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - K-pop boy group NCT WISH has dropped its first full-length album on Sunday after successfully wrapping up an encore concert in Seoul. According to SM Entertainment, NCT WISH releases its first studio album, Ode to Love, at 6 p.m. The 10-track album, featuring the lead single of the same name, brings together the group’s signature “fresh and neo” sound that it has built since debut. Ahead of the release, the group held its first solo conce April 20, 2026