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  Another BTS song hits 700 million views on YouTube SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - K-pop juggernaut BTS's another music video has racked up over 700 million views on YouTube, their management agency said on Thursday. Released in July 2021, "Permission to Dance" achieved the milestone the previous day, with the septet now having ten such videos under their belt. The upbeat dance-pop track offered comfort during the coronavirus pandemic, encouraging people to find joy and freedom through music. The English-language December 11, 2025
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  President Lee receives credentials from India's new ambassador in Seoul SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung received the credentials of India's new ambassador, Gourangalal Das, during a ceremony at the presidential office in Yongsan on Thursday. Das presented his letter of credence to President Lee, who welcomed him, posed for a photo, and exchanged brief remarks before continuing with the session. The event brought together eight newly appointed ambassadors to South Korea. Among them were Eva Marie Lussek of Austr December 11, 2025
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  South Korea, Japan urged to boost semiconductor, battery, AI cooperation SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, on Thursday called for cooperation between South Korean and Japanese companies in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries and artificial intelligence, citing mounting geopolitical risks and global supply-chain realignments. Speaking at a meeting in Seoul with Japanese Ambassador Koichi Mizushima, Sohn said the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ti December 11, 2025
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  North Korean leader makes 'important conclusion' ahead of party congress SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made an "important conclusion" at this week's plenary meeting, state media reported on Thursday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim "made an important conclusion on the agenda items” that were "discussed at the first-day sitting of the plenary meeting," which began earlier this week in preparation for the Workers' Party's key congress scheduled for December 11, 2025
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  Asian markets respond lukewarmly to Fed's widely expected rate cut SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - Asian markets reacted lukewarmly to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s widely expected rate cut on Thursday, underscoring lingering uncertainty over the future path of U.S. interest rates. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI gained 0.7 percent to 4,162.51 and the KOSDAQ advanced 0.3 percent to 937.79 as of 9:40 a.m. As expected, the Federal Open Market Committee lowered the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3.50–3.75 percent ov December 11, 2025
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  US House passes annual defense bill maintaining current USFK troop levels SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a defense bill that includes a provision prohibiting a unilateral reduction of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. The annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is passed annually by Congress to set defense policy, allocate funding priorities, and provide guidance on key security matters, was approved in a decisive 312-112 vote. The bill, which allocates a record US$901 billion in d December 11, 2025
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  KT, Samsung prove performance of AI-driven telecom network, paving way for 6G SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - South Korean telecom company KT said Thursday it has successfully tested its artificial intelligence–based Radio Access Network (AI-RAN) technology on a commercial mobile network, marking a key step toward next-generation 6G communications. Developed jointly with Samsung Electronics, the AI-RAN system analyzes real-time data exchanged between base stations and user devices to optimize radio settings on an individual basis — a sharp departur December 11, 2025
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  Major offshore wind farm comes online, boosting Korea's clean energy push SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - SK Innovation E&S said Thursday it has completed Jeonnam Offshore Wind Farm 1, the country’s largest privately financed offshore wind project, marking a milestone for South Korea’s efforts to expand renewable energy and meet its carbon-neutrality targets. A completion ceremony was held in Sinan, attended by Climate and Energy Minister Kim Sung-hwan, South Jeolla Province Governor Kim Young-rok and SK Innovation E&S President Lee Jon December 11, 2025
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  Seoul raises market watch after Fed rate cut SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) -South Korea’s deputy chiefs of fiscal, monetary and financial policy convened an emergency macro-financial meeting Thursday, after the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) delivered its third consecutive interest rate cut and signaled only limited easing ahead. The meeting — held via conference call — brought together Lee Hyoung-il, vice minister of economy and finance; Yoo Sang-dae, deputy governor of the Bank of Korea; Kwon D December 11, 2025
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  Oceans Minister offers to step down amid bribery allegations SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Chun Jae-soo resigned on Thursday, just a few days after allegations emerged that he accepted bribes from the powerful Unification Church, better known as the Moonies. The church is suspected of bribing a slew of lawmakers from both the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) to allegedly secure various favors including its long-pursued dream of constructing an underwater tunnel betwe December 11, 2025