Girls' Generation members shine in all-white suits SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) - Yoon-a and Hyo-yeon, members of K-pop girl group Girls' Generation, showed off their glamorous looks at a promotional event for a cosmetics brand in central Seoul on Monday. The two girls flaunted their stunning beauty in all-white suits while promoting Sulwhasoo's premium skincare products, which combine traditional herbal ingredients. In particular, Yoon-a, who has branched out into acting with appearances in various films a April 6, 2026

Seoul in a bind as Tehran imposes selective screening for Hormuz access SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) - Iran is allowing a trickle of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz under a selective access regime, with ships linked to "friendly" nations securing passage while South Korean tankers remain stranded, exposing Seoul's limited leverage in the deepening energy crisis. At least 15 ships transited the chokepoint over the past 24 hours with prior authorization from Tehran, a fraction of normal traffic, underscoring tight controls imposed after the ou April 6, 2026

Prosecutors seek 10-year prison sentence for ex-president in appeals trial SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) - Prosecutors sought a 10-year prison sentence for disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of obstructing law enforcement during an appeals trial in Seoul on Monday. It is one of the cases related to his botched declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, separate from his main charges of insurrection and abuse of power, for which he was sentenced to life in prison in February. In the first ruling delivered last January, Yoon was sentenced to fi April 6, 2026

JYP rookie boy band KickFlip drops fourth mini album SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) -South Korean rookie boy group KickFlip, under JYP Entertainment, dropped its fourth mini album My First Kick on Monday, kicking off its second year since debut in January 2025. The group consists of seven members, but member Amaru did not participate in this comeback due to health reasons. The six members — Gyehoon, Donghwa, Juwang, Minje, Keiju and Donghyeon — showcased the new tracks with high-energy performances. The title track, “Ey April 6, 2026

Lee expresses regret over civilian drone incursions into North Korea SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung on Monday expressed "regret" over civilian drone incursions into North Korea, saying they fueled unnecessary military tensions between the two Koreas. His remarks came during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul, after prosecutors last week indicted three individuals including a graduate student in his 30s, a military officer and an intelligence agency employee, accused of flying drones into North Korea April 6, 2026

Korea's fiscal deficit tops 100 trln won for second year despite ratio easing SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) - South Korea's managed fiscal deficit ratio to gross domestic product eased slightly to below 4 percent last year on improved tax revenue, while the deficit still exceeded 100 trillion won ($66.3 billion) for a second consecutive year, according to a government settlement report for fiscal 2025. The Ministry of Economy and Finance confirmed the managed fiscal balance at a deficit of 104.2 trillion won last year, slightly narrowing from 104.8 trillion won in April 6, 2026

Chang Han-na to lead Seoul Arts Center in first for musician, woman SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) -Child prodigy-turned cellist-conductor Chang Han-na has been named president of the Seoul Arts Center to become the first musician — and the first woman — to lead South Korea's premier performing arts venue since its founding, the culture ministry said Monday. Her appointment comes as part of a broader reshuffle of leadership across Korea’s flagship arts institutions, signaling a push to bring more practitioner-led vision to the country& April 6, 2026

South Korea, US launch monthlong survey to recover Korean War remains SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) - South Korea has begun a joint excavation with the U.S. to recover the remains of personnel from military aircraft that crashed in the East Sea during the 1950–53 Korean War, the Ministry of Defense said Monday. The monthlong survey, which runs until May 1, is taking place near Gangneung and Yangyang in Gangwon Province as a preliminary step ahead of a joint underwater project planned for August. During the survey, officials from both countries will al April 6, 2026

Seoul eyes alternative routes, envoys to Gulf as Hormuz disruption persists SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) - South Korea is exploring alternative shipping routes — including the Houthi-risk Red Sea — and preparing diplomatic outreach to major oil producers, as officials brace for prolonged supply disruptions from the Middle East conflict likely to extend through April. The shift reflects growing concern that instability in the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint handling roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG trade — will not ease quickly, forci April 6, 2026

Full bloom interrupted by a jealous spring rain SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) -It has been only a week since cherry blossoms reached full bloom across Seoul, and already a jealous rain has cut the season cruelly short, scattering pink petals like confetti across the campus of Kyung Hee University in Dongdaemun District. Rain is expected to fall across most of South Korea on Monday before skies gradually clear in the afternoon. The precipitation, driven by rain clouds moving in from the Yellow Sea, began in the Seoul metropolitan April 6, 2026