PHOTOS: Snow sledding park opens in Dongdaemun

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - A new winter recreation facility featuring outdoor snow sledding has opened in Seoul's Dongdaemun District, offering a variety of winter activities for residents and visitors.

December 26, 2024

PHOTOS: The 13th Art Show opens at COEX

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - The 13th Art Show is underway at COEX in Seoul, showcasing diverse works from both domestic and international artists. The exhibition runs from Dec. 23 to 28, 2024.

December 26, 2024

National Assembly votes to appoint Constitutional Court justice nominees

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - Three justices nominated for the Constitutional Court of Korea were approved by the National Assembly on Thursday. But their final appointments remain uncertain as they require approval from Acting President Han Duck-soo who insists that he can only proceed if the National Assembly reaches an agreement granting him the authority to do so. The main opposition Democratic Party (DP), which holds a majority in the National Assembly, has been seeking to fill

December 26, 2024

OPINION: The Night of Seoul: A breakdown of rule of law in Korea's constitutional crisis

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) -- Harvard University professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, authors of How Democracies Die (2018), emphasize the importance of "respecting guardrails" and exercising restraint in presidential power, as norms and institutions like the separation of powers alone are insufficient. The authors particularly emphasize democratic norms: mutual toleration and understanding that recognizes opposing parties as legitimate competitors, and exercisin

December 26, 2024

Constitutional Court to hold first hearing over Yoon's martial law attempt

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea is set to hold its first hearing on Friday on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his abrupt declaration of martial law earlier this month. The hearing comes about two weeks after the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach him on Dec. 14. Such a public hearing is a preparatory procedure to discuss how the court will proceed with its deliberations to determine whether to impeach or reinstate the preside

December 26, 2024

Chinese port city strengthens ties with South Korea's Buyeo

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - China's eastern port city of Yantai aims to further deepen its ties with Buyeo, a small southwestern town in South Korea. During an event on Monday that brought together media outlets from both countries, the two provincial cities agreed to promote mutual exchanges, highlighting the growing cooperation between them. Representatives from government agencies, institutions, and media outlets from both countries attended, including Shandong Network Radi

December 26, 2024

Acting President refuses to appoint Constitutional Court justices without parliamentary consensus

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - Acting President Han Duck-soo said on Thursday that he will not appoint justices to fill vacancies at the Constitutional Court of Korea unless the National Assembly reaches an agreement granting him the authority to do so. "Under the inherent spirit of the Constitution, an acting president should refrain from exercising presidential power including appointments," said Han during a nationwide address in Seoul. "If such power must be exerci

December 26, 2024

Korean-led smart city project in Kyrgyzstan faces uncertainty

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - A $22-billion Korean-led smart city development project near Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul Lake faces potential collapse following South Korea's martial law declaration during Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov's state visit. The project, which secured a 49-year lease for 20 square kilometers of land in June, aimed to develop a medical smart city. President Japarov's abrupt return home during the Korean political crisis has left the project's fu

December 26, 2024

Korean won plummets to 15-year low amid political turmoil

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - The South Korean won fell to its weakest level against the U.S. dollar in nearly 16 years on Thursday, closing at 1,464.8 won per dollar. This marks an 8.4-won decline from the previous close of 1,456.4 won, reaching levels last seen during the 2009 global financial crisis. The won’s sharp drop reflects a confluence of domestic political uncertainty and global financial pressures. President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on Dec. 3

December 26, 2024

Chinese-made cars surge in South Korea, surpassing US imports

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - Chinese-manufactured vehicles have become South Korea’s second-largest category of imported cars, with 56,448 units sold through November, surpassing U.S. imports (43,623 units) for the first time and trailing only German imports (109,240 units). The surge is largely attributed to Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3, produced at its Shanghai factory, which sold a combined 28,498 units. Volvo’s Chinese-made S90 and XC60 models added another 13,6

December 26, 2024