Putin heads to Pyongyang amid deepening military ties

SEOUL, June 18 (AJU PRESS) - Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting North Korea this week. Putin is set to "visit North Korea from June 18 to 19 at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un," Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Monday. Putin's two-day visit starting Tuesday follows his summit with Kim in Vladivostok in September last year. This reciprocal visit to Pyongyang comes more than two decades after his last visit to t

June 18, 2024

Korea, China to hold diplomatic and security dialogue in Seoul

SEOUL, June 17 (AJU PRESS) - Korea and China are scheduled to hold their first round of diplomatic and security dialogue on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Monday. The high-level meeting between Korean and Chinese government officials follows their agreement at a trilateral summit held in Seoul late last month, attended by President Yoon Suk-yeol, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The Foreign Ministry here said that Korean offici

June 17, 2024

SK chief to appeal record divorce settlement, claiming 'critical error' in ruling

SEOUL, June 17 (AJU PRESS) - SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won said Monday he will appeal a recent court ruling in his divorce lawsuit, claiming a "critical error" in the court’s decision on property division between him and his estranged wife. On May 28, the Seoul High Court ordered Chey to pay 1.38 trillion won ($1 billion) in property division and 2 billion won in alimony to his wife, Roh Soh-yeong, in the nation’s largest-ever divorce settlement. "An o

June 17, 2024

Korea to streamline entry procedures for tourists to revitalize tourism

SEOUL, June 17 (AJU PRESS) - In a bid to attract more tourists and boost revenue, the government Monday announced a series of plans to simplify entry procedures and enhance travel conveniences for foreign travelers. Korea's tourism industry was severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, with the number of foreign visitors plummeting from 17.5 million in 2019 to 970,000 in 2021. Thanks to the increasing popularity of K-pop and Korean dramas in the global market, tourism is

June 17, 2024

Opinion: Unemployment and economic travails loom large over Modi's third term

SEOUL, June 17 (AJU PRESS) - After a year-long spectacle of grand roadshows spanning the nation and heated debates with rival parties, Narendra Modi, leading the coalition of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has secured victory in national elections, ensuring the way for his historic third consecutive term as India's Prime Minister. However, his victory falls short of expectations. The NDA alliance won 292 seats combined, far behind his bullish target of 400 seats. Modi&rsqu

June 17, 2024

BTS agency, CJ CheilJedang collaborate in K-food project marking Jin's military discharge

SEOUL, June 17 (AJU PRESS) - CJ CheilJedang has collaborated with HYBE to release special limited-edition Korean street food products featuring Wootteo, an astronaut character created by BTS member Jin, the Korean food giant said Monday. The limited-edition products include offerings from Bibigo, the food maker's premium ready-to-cook product brand, such as Tteokbokki (rice cakes smothered in sweet chili sauce) and Korean dumplings. This collaboration, designed to commemorate

June 17, 2024

Rainbow Robotics signs distribution deal in Viet Nam

SEOUL, June 17 (AJU PRESS) - SEOUL, June 17 (AJU PRESS) - Robot platform company Rainbow Robotics said on Monday it has signed an exclusive three-year deal with KOVIFA VINA for the distribution of its collaborative robot series RB in Viet Nam. Under the agreement signed on Friday in Bac Ninh, Viet Nam, KOVIFA VINA, an automation equipment maker headquartered in the country, will be the sole distributor of Rainbow's RB collaborative robot line in the Vietnamese market. The

June 17, 2024

LG Electronics opens AI appliances showroom in Spain

SEOUL, June 17 (AJU PRESS) - LG Electronics has unveiled Another Hanok, a premium experience space in Madrid, Spain, featuring the company's differentiated artificial intelligence-powered appliances and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions. Another Hanok replicates a traditional Korean architectural style building powered by LG's energy-efficient products, achieving 100 percent energy self-sufficiency through a smart system. The space will serve as a

June 17, 2024

Fifty Fifty to return with fresh lineup this fall

SEOUL, June 17 (AJU PRESS) - Girl band Fifty Fifty will return to the K-pop scene this fall with new members, according to their agency Attrackt. Initially planned for June, their comeback is now slated for September to allow for more preparation. "We planned to return to the stage in June, but decided to meet fans in September as we want to spend more time on final tune-ups," the agency said last week. "But we will release part of tracks ahead of the release of ou

June 17, 2024

PHOTOS: Once a Seoul landmark, Sewoon Plaza faces urban redevelopment controversy

SEOUL, June 17 (AJU PRESS) - Sewoon Plaza, located in Seoul's Jongno, is South Korea's first mixed-use residential and commercial complex. Completed in 1968, Sewoon Plaza was once a landmark of the capital city, serving as the only place in the country where people could find various electronic products and specialized books. Although it has experienced decline and deterioration over the years, numerous workshops that supply electronic components and offer custom orders still thrive i

June 17, 2024