Ferry service along Han River tops 100,000 riders since full resumption last month SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - More than 100,000 people have taken ferries along the Han River in less than two months since the service resumed full operations early last month, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Friday. The water ferry service had been halted on some routes shortly after its bombastic launch in September last year due to a series of technical glitches and other problems, and then fully resumed on March 1 after being partially suspended for about 100 days. The April 17, 2026

Seoul flags rising downside risks as Middle East war drags on SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) -South Korea’s government on Friday highlighted increased "downside risks" for the economy as the prolonged Middle East conflict fuels inflationary expectation and dampens domestic sentiment. In its monthly “Green Book” report for April, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said “downside risks to the economy are increasing” due to heightened geopolitical uncertainty stemming from the war — toned up from last mo April 17, 2026

K-pop girl group KATSEYE to release new album this summer SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Los Angeles-based K-pop girl group KATSEYE will release their new album this summer. According to their agencies HYBE and Geffen Records, their third EP "Wild" is slated for release on Aug. 14, more than a year after their previous mini album "Beautiful Chaos" was released in June last year. KATSEYE, consisting of multinational members, have recently gained traction through appearances at major music festivals like the Coachella Festi April 17, 2026

Korean tanker safely clears Red Sea in first Hormuz workaround SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) -A South Korea-linked crude carrier has safely exited the Red Sea after loading oil in Saudi Arabia despite Iranian military's threat of attacks on the corridor along the Saudi coast in protest to U.S. naval blockade of Tehran ports. The Korean sea flag carrier makes the first confirmed shipment to reach Korean-bound routes via a Hormuz bypass since the Gulf conflict disrupted one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, according to the governm April 17, 2026

Samsung Electronics unveils AI-driven 'Home Companion' appliances for North American market SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics showcased its latest vision for an artificial intelligence-integrated lifestyle during its "The Brief New York" technical seminar held from Thursday to Friday. The South Korean tech giant introduced its "Home Companion" scenario, a suite of appliance-based solutions designed to reduce household labor and enhance quality of life through advanced AI recognition technologies tailored specifically for North American consumer April 17, 2026

Hormuz crisis fuels air and sea charges, adding to input pressure in Korea SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - South Korean shipping lines are introducing emergency bunker surcharges as the prolonged conflict between Iran and the U.S.-Israeli coalition drives up fuel costs, adding to input pressures and, ultimately, consumer prices. Sinokor Merchant Marine, one of Korea's largest container operators, said it will impose an emergency bunker surcharge of $100 per 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) on export cargo bound for Southeast Asia, effective this month. Industry o April 17, 2026

Asian shares edge lower ahead of U.S.-Iran talks; Samsung Electro-Mechanics hits record SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Asian markets traded lower Friday as recent rally momentum faded, with investors weighing mixed signals from the Gulf over whether the conflict may begin to wind down through renewed U.S.-Iran talks and separate negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.98 percent to 58,937.04, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index lost 0.81 percent to 26,180.23 and China’s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.18 percent to 4,048.38. South Korea& April 17, 2026

A village, a baby — and the limits of Korea's birth incentives SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - It takes a village to raise a child — and in Mungok-ri, a mountain-ringed hamlet in northeastern South Korea, it took a village just to welcome one. For the first time in 20 years, the community of barely 100 residents heard the cry of a newborn. Banners lined the narrow roads to celebrate Seo-yoon, the second child of Kim Hyun-dong and Chang Yoo-jin. Gifts poured in from neighbors and local groups. Even the provincial governor sent his congratulation April 17, 2026

Kpop big 4 unite to launch Coachella-scale Kpop festival  SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - South Korea’s K-pop powerhouses — HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment — are moving to institutionalize a Coachella-style annual K-pop festival, marking a rare joint initiative among the industry’s fiercest rivals. The four agencies have jointly submitted a joint-venture proposal, tentatively titled “Fanomenon” a portmanteau of “fan” and “phenomenon” to the Fair Trade Co April 17, 2026

Seasoned economic expert tapped as South Korea's new ambassador to UK SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Kim Heung-chong, the former head of a state-run think tank was tapped as South Korea's new ambassador to the U.K., the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. Kim, who headed the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) from 2020 to 2023, also served as an adviser in South Korea's negotiations on a free trade agreement with the European Union (EU) and sat on committees under various ministries including the Ministry of Trade, Ind April 17, 2026