Number of newborns rises for 9th consecutive month

SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - The number of newborns has increased for nine straight months, Statistics Korea said Wednesday. A total of 21,041 babies were born in March, up 6.8 percent or 1,347 newborns, compared to the same month last year, continuing an upward trend that began in July last year. It also marked the first time in about a decade that the number of babies born in March increased, a month often considered stressful for many people with an avalanche of somatic illnesses as

May 28, 2025

Korea weighs US trade demands with economic impact study

SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - South Korea has begun an economic feasibility study as part of ongoing trade consultations with the United States, signaling preparations for potential agreements that could carry broad implications for the country’s economy, according to government officials, Wednesday. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has commissioned the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy to assess the economic ramifications of current discussions with Washingt

May 28, 2025

Two-day early voting for presidential election set to begin on Thursday

SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - Early voting is set for Thursday and Friday, with next month's presidential election just around the corner. About 3,500 polling stations have been set up including at major railway stations and airports across the country. Voting hours are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voters with valid ID cards can cast their ballot at any polling station, regardless of their registered addresses. They can find information about the nearest polling locations on the website of

May 28, 2025

Over 6,000 armed police to escort ballot boxes in Seoul for June 3 election

SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - More than 6,000 armed police officers will be deployed in Seoul to escort ballot boxes and maintain security during South Korea’s snap presidential election on Jun. 3, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said Wednesday. The early election was triggered by the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol in April, following a Constitutional Court ruling. With the presidential term vacated, the country must elect a new leader within 60 days,

May 28, 2025

Seoul ranks 15th in Global Cities Index, second among Asian cities after Tokyo

SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - Seoul placed 15th overall in a global ranking of urban economies, according to a report released on Wednesday. Seoul climbed 26 spots from 41st last year to become the second-highest ranked Asian city after Tokyo which came in 9th, in an index by Oxford Economics that evaluated 1,000 of the world's largest cities across five categories - economy, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance - to compare each city's strengths and weaknesse

May 28, 2025

Trump tariff relief lifts Korea's business sentiment temporarily

SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - Business sentiment in South Korea posted its sharpest monthly increase in two years in May, bolstered by a temporary reprieve from U.S. trade tariffs, according to data released Wednesday by the Bank of Korea. Yet despite the surge, overall confidence remains mired below levels typically associated with economic optimism. The central bank’s composite business sentiment index (CBSI) climbed 2.8 points to 90.7 in May, marking its third consecutive monthl

May 28, 2025

PHOTOS: Panda twins at Everland

SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - Panda World in the Everland amusement park is currently home to a charming septet of ursine residents: four giant pandas and three red pandas. Among the star attractions are the giant panda twins, Ruibao and Huibao. Born in July 2023, these playful siblings have quickly become the zoo's undeniable darlings, drawing crowds with their endearing antics and undeniable cuteness.

May 28, 2025

Stablecoin push by candidates raises alarm among regulators, experts

SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - South Korea’s leading presidential candidates have pledged to support the development of won-pegged stablecoins even as financial authorities urge caution. With an estimated 10 million South Koreans actively trading crypto, both front-runners have made digital asset policy central to their campaigns. Lee Jae-myung’s camp has formed a digital assets committee tasked with drafting comprehensive legislation, while Kim Moon-soo has proposed incorpora

May 28, 2025

Lee Jae-myung maintains lead over Kim Moon-soo in final poll

SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - With just one week remaining before South Korea’s snap presidential election on Jun. 3, Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung continues to lead over People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo, according to the final public opinion survey released before the pre-election blackout period. The Realmeter poll, conducted on May 26 and 27, showed Lee with 49.2 percent support, extending his lead over Kim, who received 36.8 percent. Reform Party candida

May 28, 2025

HYBE sells SM Entertainment stake to China's Tencent Music

SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - HYBE, South Korea’s largest entertainment company behind BTS, has sold its entire stake in rival agency SM Entertainment to China's Tencent Music Entertainment. In a regulatory filing, Tuesday, HYBE said it would offload its 9.38 percent stake — totaling about 2.2 million shares — to Tencent Music, a subsidiary of China’s internet giant Tencent. The shares were sold at 110,000 won apiece, bringing the total transaction to approx

May 28, 2025