New report reveals massive arms transfers between Pyongyang and Moscow

SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - North Korea has supplied Russia with large quantities of munitions and missile-related equipment, according to a report released Thursday by a multinational team that monitors UN Security Council sanctions on the renegade country. In its inaugural report, the Multinational Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) said, "Since began supplying Russia with ammunition in early September 2023, it has transferred over 20,000 containers of munitions and rel

May 30, 2025

Calls grow for certified quality checks on exports amid global used car boom

SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - With the rapid expansion of secondhand vehicles in the global market, there are mounting calls for South Korea to implement quality-certification measures for its exports. In a report released by the Korea Automotive Technology Institute on Friday, the used car market is expected to continue growing, with South Korea having ample potential for exports. Trade volume for used cars in the global market increased by 88.9 percent over the last decade, rising from

May 30, 2025

PHOTOS: Second day of early voting underway after previous day's record turnout

SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - The second day of early voting for next week's presidential election is underway at some 3,568 polling stations nationwide on Friday, following a record turnout of 20.41 percent the previous day. Since it was first introduced on a nationwide basis in 2014, early voting has allowed eligible voters who cannot vote on election day to cast their ballots in advance. Some 44.39 million voters aged 18 and above can cast their ballots at any polling station across the cou

May 30, 2025

Concert offers chance to explore Latin American music traditions

SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - A concert in southern Seoul earlier this week offered an opportunity to explore the transatlantic evolution of Baroque music, while also engaging with early Latin American music. Last Wednesday's concert at Banpo Simsan Art Hall, part of a music festival hosted by the Seocho Cultural Foundation, along with Musica Ex Machina, a creative ensemble dedicated to rare early classical music, examined how Baroque music evolved into a distinct hybrid form through ex

May 30, 2025

SK hynix union demands pay raise after record profits

SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - SK hynix's union of technical and administrative workers is pushing for an 8.25 percent wage increase, following its best-ever sales performance last year, according to industry sources on Friday. The union and management held this year's first round of wage negotiations last Wednesday at the company's Icheon campus. The union's proposal includes raising the salary cap, expanding regular wages to cover vehicle maintenance and fuel costs, and

May 30, 2025

Int'l forum to tackle global challenges kicks off in Astana

SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - A two-day international forum putting the spotlight on multilateral cooperation to tackle various global challenges and other issues is being held in Kazakhstan this week. The Astana International Forum (AIF) kicked off on Thursday in the Kazakh capital, bringing together over 1,000 participants including heads of state, business executives, renowned academics, and representatives from more than 70 countries. During the forum, over 100 ministerial o

May 29, 2025

Saltlux unveils new AI agent platform at annual forum

SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) -South Korean artificial intelligence company Saltlux introduced its latest suite of AI technologies on Thursday, showcasing ambitions to gain a stronger foothold in the intensifying global AI race. At its 20th annual AI conference, held at GS Tower in Seoul, the company unveiled LUXIA 3, a next-generation AI model comprising three core components: LUXIA3 LLM for language generation and understanding, LUXIA3 Deep for advanced reasoning and decision-making, and

May 29, 2025

PHOTOS: Hidden treasures of Mount Daedeok highlands

SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - On a May morning, under an overcast sky, I began an ascent toward Bunburyeong Peak on Mount Daedeok in Taebaek, Gangwon Province. The air at Dumundongjae, my starting point, felt sharply cold, reminiscent of late autumn. Layering a windbreaker over my rain gear provided a necessary warmth. As the trail commenced, bright yellow wild celandine emerged, blanketing the ground. While the trees above were still tentatively unfurling lime-green shoots, the

May 29, 2025

Four dead after Navy patrol plane crashes in Pohang shortly after takeoff

SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - A patrol aircraft with four people aboard crashed on a mountain in the southeastern city of Pohang on Thursday, according to military authorities. "A P-3 maritime patrol aircraft crashed several minutes after taking off from an air base in Pohang for training at around 1:40 p.m. due to unidentified reasons," the Navy said in a statement. The Navy is investigating further details including the exact cause of the crash. Firefighters were immediately

May 29, 2025

US Embassy in Seoul halts new interviews ahead of impending stricter student visa policy

SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - The U.S. Embassy in Seoul has reportedly halted the scheduling of new interviews for student visa applicants. This appears to be related to reports that the U.S. government has instructed its embassies and consular offices overseas to temporarily suspend such procedures as it prepares to mandate social media screening for students planning to study in the U.S. The embassy's website no longer shows available dates for those seeking to schedule interviews

May 29, 2025