Korea's kimchi imports hit record high amid cabbage price surge

SEOUL, Sept. 2 (AJP) - Korea's kimchi imports have reached a record high in the first seven months of this year, rising nearly 7 percent compared to the same period last year, customs data showed on Monday. From January to July, kimchi imports totaled around 130 billion won ($98.47 million), up 6.9 percent year-on-year, according to the Korea Customs Service. The import volume increased by 6 percent to 173,329 tons during the same period, breaking the previous record of 172,

September 2, 2024

Korean defense firms participate in major industry show in Poland

SEOUL, Sept. 2 (AJP) - Korea's leading defense companies are set to showcase their products at an industry fair in Poland this week, aiming to expand their footprint in the European market. The 32nd International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO), one of Europe's largest defense exhibitions, will be held in central Poland from Tuesday to Friday. About 800 companies from 35 countries are expected to participate in the event in Targi Kielce, an exhibition and congress center.

September 2, 2024

OPINION: 26 states may soon need to regulate cannabis – here's what they can learn from Colorado and Washington

SEOUL, Sept. 2 (AJP) - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has made moves to reclassify marijuana, making it a type of legal but regulated medicine, like Tylenol with codeine or some steroids. With the reclassification, 26 states where cannabis is currently illegal will need to decide whether they want to take action to stop the sale of cannabis in their state or figure out how to regulate the newly legal drug. A few states such as North Carolina have laws on the books sayin

September 2, 2024

Ruling, opposition party leaders' talks end without substantial outcomes

SEOUL, September 1 (AJP) - In a rare show of bipartisan dialogue, the leaders of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) met for talks on Sunday. But despite high expectations, the meeting at the National Assembly, between Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the PPP, and Lee Jae-myung, who was reelected as the DP's chief last month, ended without any tangible results. It was their first one-on-one meeting since they assumed their respective

September 1, 2024

Korea's exports extend rising streak for 11th consecutive month

SEOUL, September 01 (AJP) - Korea extended its export growth streak for the 11th consecutive month in August, driven by strong demand for semiconductors, according to data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Sunday. Exports grew 11.4 percent on-year, reaching $57.9 billion last month, while imports rose by 6 percent to $54 billion. This resulted in a trade surplus of $3.83 billion, marking the country's 15th straight month in the black since June of last ye

September 1, 2024

VISUALS: Seoul landmark aglow for autumn festival

SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - A major media art festival, "Seoul Light DDP 2024 Autumn," opened Thursday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a cultural complex in central Seoul. This year's theme, "logging the future with light," aims to illuminate connections between the past, present, and future. The Seoul Metropolitan Government hosted the event, which was organized by the Seoul Design Foundation. It runs daily from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Sept. 8. Visitors can view large-

August 30, 2024

Monthly transit pass proves a hit

SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - Over 2 million commuters have used a discounted monthly transit pass known as the "K-Pass," the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport said on Friday. According to the ministry, the cumulative number of users has reached to 2.15 million in about four months since the transit pass was first launched in May, as part of the government's scheme to encourage public transportation and address climate change. The pass is valid for

August 30, 2024

BTS member Suga's drunk driving case referred to prosecutors

SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - Suga, a member of K-pop boy band BTS has been referred to prosecutors without detention on charges of drunk driving, police in Yongsan, Seoul, said on Friday. The singer's driver's license was revoked early this month due to a blood alcohol concentration level exceeding 0.2 percent. The 31-year-old, who is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service with a public-sector desk job, was found riding an electric scooter under the in

August 30, 2024

Trailers unveiled for dramas featuring virtual artist Suvi

SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) – Korean tech startup Studio Meta-K teased two dramas featuring its virtual artist Suvi at a content industry fair this week. The two trailers were showcased at Broadcast Worldwide (BCWW) 2024, Asia's largest content industry show, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Seoul from Tuesday to Thursday. Studio Meta-K said Suvi appears in two generative AI-powered historical dramas, "Competition for the Queen's Throne"

August 30, 2024

Unification Ministry to boost North Koreans' exposure to outside world through radio broadcasts

SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - The Unification Ministry here said Friday that it plans to support civic groups' efforts to increase North Koreans' access to outside information, particularly through radio broadcasts. The move follows President Yoon Suk Yeol's vision for reunification between the two Koreas, which he outlined during his Liberation Day speech earlier this month. Yoon’s vision emphasizes expanding North Koreans' exposure to international information

August 30, 2024