Survey shows South Korean smokers harbor misconceptions about electronic cigarettes SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - Nearly half of South Korean smokers trying to quit believe electronic cigarettes help them stop smoking, despite strong warnings from medical experts that the devices hinder cessation efforts. The findings were released Wednesday at a forum in Seoul organized by the Korean Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco and the Korea Medical Broadcast Journalists Association. Researchers polled 500 smokers aged 25 to 59 who had attempted to quit in the past year May 27, 2026

South Korea's AI bonus wars set off domino effect beyond chips SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - May is typically a labor unrest season in South Korea, but this year the epicenter of disputes is no longer traditional factories — it is high tech. The bonus bonanza at the country's two chipmakers, which rode the AI wave to become two of only three Asian companies valued at more than US$1 trillion, is spilling across industries. Employees from manufacturers to platform operators and biotech firms are demanding a greater share of record earnings, May 27, 2026

Lee to mark first anniversary in office with news conference early next month SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung will hold a news conference early next month to mark his first anniversary in office and set out his vision and goals going forward. In a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday, Lee Kyu-yeon, senior presidential secretary for public relations, told reporters that the press conference will be held on June 8, where Lee will "reflect on his first year in office" and lay out his vision and key tasks for his second year. May 27, 2026

Mirae Asset lifts target prices for Samsung and SK hynix, citing memory re-rating SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - Mirae Asset Securities has raised its target prices for Samsung Electronics and SK hynix on Wednesday, arguing that South Korea's two memory makers remain steeply undervalued against global peers even after this year's rally, a call based on a re-rating of valuations rather than any upgrade to earnings forecasts. The brokerage lifted its target for Samsung Electronics to 550,000 won ($366.7) from 480,000 won, up 14.6 percent, and for SK hynix to 3.8 mil May 27, 2026

ASIA INSIGHT: Hidden danger behind Japan's new defense plan By mixing business supply lines and robot drones into its military strategy, Japan is turning factories into front lines. SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - When Chinese officials stopped shipping rare minerals to Japan last year, nobody saw a military attack. There were no warplanes in the sky and no warships at sea. Instead, the blow hit Japan right on its factory floors and technology labs. It was a silent punishment. Japan's Prime Minister, Takaichi Sanae, had just warned China abo May 27, 2026

Gyeonggi gubernatorial candidates set to face off in first TV debate SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - Three major gubernatorial candidates for Gyeonggi Province are set to clash in a televised debate on Wednesday night, just two days before early voting begins, ahead of the June 3 local elections. According to the National Election Broadcasting Debate Commission, Choo Mi-ae of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), Yang Hyang-ja of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), and Cho Eung-cheon of the minor Reform Party are scheduled to face off in a live debate co May 27, 2026

South Korean joint university team wins Bosch Future Mobility Challenge 2026 SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - A joint student team from Kookmin University and other prominent institutes won the top prize at the Bosch Future Mobility Challenge 2026, an international autonomous driving competition held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The team outperformed dozens of international competitors during the five-day event, the university said Wednesday. The competition, which ran from May 16 to May 20, 2026, invited undergraduate and master's degree students to develop autonomo May 27, 2026

Historic folk festival set to return in Gangneung next month SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - A folk festival with over 1,000 years of history, is set to return in Gangneng, Gangwon Province next month with eight days of ritual, performance and communal celebration along Namdaecheon, a stream running through the heart of the city. The festival, known as Gangneung Danoje, recognized as both a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and a national intangible heritage of South Korea, runs from June 15 to 22 in the eastern coastal city. One of Kor May 27, 2026

Iran denies seeking transit tolls in Strait of Hormuz SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - The Iranian government rejected allegations that it plans to impose transit tolls on commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, announcing a joint maritime security mechanism with Oman, the Embassy of Iran in Seoul said Monday. Any financial or logistical shifts in the strait directly impact South Korea, which faces a deepening energy security crisis. Thanks to the country's effort to diversify its sources for crude oil, South Korea's relianc May 27, 2026

USFK chief calls Korea a 'dagger' in Asia from China's strategic view SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, has described South Korea as a “dagger” in the heart of Asia from China’s strategic perspective, underscoring the peninsula’s growing role in Washington’s broader efforts to counter Beijing. According to the U.S. Army War College website on Tuesday, Brunson made the remarks during a podcast hosted by the school on May 22. “When they look out from the East Coast of China, May 27, 2026