Lee to embark on trip to India and Viet Nam this weekend for summit talks SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung will embark on a weeklong trip to India and Viet Nam this weekend, Cheong Wa Dae said on Thursday. In a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Thursday, national security adviser Wi Sung-lac said Lee is scheduled to leave for New Delhi on Sunday for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, followed by a series of expanded discussions with key officials. Lee's visit to the world's most populous nation co April 16, 2026

Samsung Electronics unveils 2026 AI TV lineup at European tech seminar SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics held its '2026 Europe Tech Seminar' in Frankfurt, Germany, from Wednesday to Thurdsay, showcasing its 2026 artificial intelligence (AI) TV and audio product lineups to European media and industry professionals. During the event, Samsung demonstrated its 'Vision AI Companion,' an integrated TV platform that functions as a smart home hub. The platform provides real-time information on viewed content and supports tasks such April 16, 2026

SK hynix to test Samsung's shock earnings as AI memory boom deepens SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - After Samsung Electronics’ mind-blowing first-quarter numbers, its memory-focused rival SK hynix will be closely watched to see whether its three-month earnings can match — or even eclipse — expectations when it reports January–March results next week. According to financial data tracker FnGuide, the consensus among domestic brokerages estimates SK hynix’s operating profit for the period at 34.9 trillion won ($24.8 billion), wi April 16, 2026

Into the void: sinkhole response drill Gyeonggi, April 16 (AJP) -The ground opens without warning. Asphalt fractures, steel buckles, and in seconds, what was solid becomes void. On Wednesday, fire authorities staged that moment. At the Gyosan public housing development site in Hanam, 77 rescue personnel moved through a carefully choreographed collapse — a large-scale sinkhole scenario designed to mirror one of the most unpredictable urban hazards. The three-day drill, running from April 15 to 17, brought toget April 16, 2026

South Korea eyes role in Europe-led Hormuz security push after Gulf war SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) -South Korea is moving to join Europe-led multinational talks aimed at restoring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz once the Gulf conflict subsides, signaling a cautious but deliberate step toward postwar maritime security operations. The presidential office said Thursday that President Lee Jae Myung is “positively” considering participation in a video summit set for Friday, bringing together 70 to 80 countries and international organizations April 16, 2026

AI unsettles game workforce in Korea as industry peaks out SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - The artificial intelligence scare has caught up with the game industry, once a top career choice for software programmers in South Korea, with as many as three in four feeling threatened by the new technology in a sector now past its heyday. A survey of 1,078 unionized employees at major publishers including Nexon, NC and Netmarble found that 77.3 percent were anxious about their jobs, according to results presented Wednesday at a National Assembly policy for April 16, 2026

FM seeks Mexico's help in securing stable crude oil imports in phone call SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun talked with Mexico's new Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco over the phone, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday. Congratulating him on his inauguration last week, Cho said the two countries should further expand economic cooperation, stressing that the Latin American country is South Korea's top trade and investment partner in the region. He then asked for help in ensuring a stable supply of crude oil for South April 16, 2026

South Korea's AI startups post strong growth under science ministry program SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT announced that AI and digital companies backed by its K-Global Project program posted broad gains in revenue, investment and employment last year, as the initiative celebrated a decade of nurturing the country's startup ecosystem. According to its press release on Thursday, the ministry surveyed 397 firms that participated in the program, drawing responses from 290 companies. Combined headcount at the end of 2 April 16, 2026

Record-high fuel surcharges to push up airfares ahead of peak summer travel season SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - Fuel surcharges on international flights will rise to record-high levels next month as oil prices remain high, even as there are some hopes for an end to the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. Both international and domestic flight routes are subject to these surcharges, which airlines adjust based on changes in the average price of fuel traded on Singapore's spot market. According to aviation industry data released on Thursday, the average price April 16, 2026

When K-fandom meets baseball, it's no longer just a game Fans cheer during the LG Twins–SSG Landers game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on April 11, 20 SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - Fanchant, glow sticks, choreographed dancing and a brisk run on merchandise stands — the ritual of K-pop no longer ends at the arena gates. In South Korea, it now spills into the ballpark. Spring, for a growing legion of fans, is no longer about cherry blossoms. It’s about the first flash of team colors under stadium lights, the hum of a crowd f April 16, 2026