Chinese premium EV maker Zeekr enters Korean market

SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - Zeekr, a premium electric vehicle brand under China’s Geely Automotive Group, has formally entered the South Korean market, signaling a deeper push into the global EV industry and following in the footsteps of budget rival BYD. According to corporate registration filings with South Korea’s Supreme Court, Zeekr has established a local subsidiary, Zeekr Intelligent Technology Korea. The company's stated objectives include the import, distri

March 24, 2025

LG OLED TVs sweep Consumer Reports rankings

SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - LG Electronics has swept the latest television rankings from Consumer Reports, securing all ten of the top spots with its OLED Evo models — a remarkable feat that underscores the company's growing dominance in the premium TV segment in the United States. According to the firm on Monday, all ten top-rated televisions in the influential consumer guide earned scores of 88 points or higher, with LG’s 55-, 65-, and 77-inch OLED Evo G4 models each

March 24, 2025

Reality show featuring kids faces uncertainty over airing amid growing controversy

SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - Cable channel MBN's upcoming reality show featuring young K-pop wannabes encountered an unexpected stumbling block over its airing, shortly after its racy teaser was revealed earlier this month. "Under Fifteen," which is supposed to air on March 31, now faces uncertainty about whether it will be postponed or canceled altogether as MBN gave in to mounting controversy over whether it is appropriate for young kids to appear on the show. "We

March 24, 2025

Constitutional Court rejects impeachment of Prime Minister Han

SEOUL, March 24 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court on Monday rejected the impeachment motion against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, ruling that although the motion was procedurally valid, the alleged violations did not justify his removal from office. In its ruling, the court stated that Han's actions could not be considered a grave breach of the law serious enough to deprive him of public trust. With the decision, Han returns to office 87 days after the National Assembly passed t

March 24, 2025

4 dead, thousands evacuated as wildfires ravage southeastern S. Korea

SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - At least four people were killed and six others injured as wildfires, driven by strong winds and dry conditions, swept through the nation’s southeastern region. The fires also forced the evacuation of approximately 1,500 residents. The blaze began on Friday in Sancheong-gun before spreading to other areas. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, all four victims were discovered in Sancheong. Of the six people inju

March 23, 2025

Three Korean women missing near Grand Canyon, search intensifies

SEOUL, March 23 (AJP) - Three Korean women, traveling from the Grand Canyon toward Las Vegas, have been missing for 10 days, prompting authorities in Arizona to intensify their search. The women, identified as Lee, 33; Kim, 59, her mother; and Kim, 54, her sister, were reported missing after they failed to arrive for a scheduled flight back to South Korea from San Francisco on March 17, according to the Los Angeles Consulate General and local law enforcement. The women were las

March 23, 2025

Multiple wildfires sweep South Korea, two firefighters perish

SEOUL, March 22 (AJP) - Massive wildfires engulfed multiple regions across South Korea on Saturday, claiming the lives of two firefighters and forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes as authorities raised the national crisis alert to its highest level. The most severe blaze in Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang Province, entered its second day uncontained, prompting the Korea Forest Service to deploy over 1,300 personnel including specialized firefighting units, police

March 22, 2025

Korean Air seals $32 billion deal with Boeing, GE for fleet modernization

SEOUL, March 22 (AJP) - Korean Air has inked a major agreement with Boeing and GE Aerospace, securing a total of about $35 billion in aircraft and engines as part of an ambitious fleet modernization initiative. The deal, which represents Korean Air's largest procurement by value, includes 20 Boeing 777-9 and 20 Boeing 787-10 aircraft to be delivered by 2033, with an option for 10 additional aircraft. The agreement is valued at $24.9 billion. In a parallel arrangement, Korean

March 22, 2025

Korean industry minister seeks exemption as Trump's deadline for reciprocal tariffs looms

SEOUL, March 22 (AJP) - South Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ahn Duk-geun said that it would be difficult for South Korea to avoid the impact of reciprocal tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, scheduled to take effect on April 2. During talks with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnik in Washington D.C., Ahn emphasized the close interconnection between the two countries' industrial ecosystems, particularly in advanced technology sectors. &

March 22, 2025

Mass rallies expected in Seoul as impeachment verdict looms

SEOUL, March 22 (AJP) - About 300,000 demonstrators are expected to flood central Seoul on Saturday as South Korea braces for a potential impeachment verdict against President Yoon Suk Yeol in the coming days. Pro-impeachment groups, including the Bisang Action for Yoon Out & Social Reform, have registered rallies with an anticipated attendance of 100,000 people, though organizers claim they will mobilize up to one million supporters. The opposition Democratic Party plans to

March 22, 2025