Korean firms show strong interest in foreign hiring, favoring Vietnamese workers

SEOUL, November 14 (AJP) - A survey of 557 South Korean companies by career platform Saramin and foreign recruitment service Comate revealed that 73.4 percent are willing to hire foreign workers, with Vietnamese nationals being the most preferred at 31.3 percent, followed by Central Asians at 20 percent and Filipinos at 18.6 percent. The hiring intention was highest among companies with 50-100 employees at 74.5 percent, while 84.2 percent of companies experiencing labor shortages ex

November 14, 2024

OPINION: What Trump's reelection means for relations between regional rivals China and Japan

SEOUL, November 14 (AJP) - Donald Trump was declared the winner of the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 6, sealing a historic and improbable return to the White House. His reelection has triggered speculation as to the state of world affairs once he assumes office in January. One of the relationships most speculated on is between the U.S. and China. Trump waged a trade war against China during his first term as president and has now promised higher tariffs on Chinese goods –

November 14, 2024

China taps vice UN representative as ambassador to Seoul: sources

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) -- China has nominated Dai Bing, currently the deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, as its new ambassador to South Korea, diplomatic sources said Wednesday. The Chinese government is reportedly in the final stages of review before officially announcing Dai's appointment to the position, which has been vacant for over three months. Beijing is expected to request agrement from Seoul as early as this week, the sources said. If approv

November 13, 2024

PHOTOS: Students protest co-ed proposal at Dongduk Women's University

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Students at Dongduk Women's University boycotted classes for a third day Wednesday over possible plans to admit male students. The university administration said no decision has been made on becoming co-educational and promised to consult with current students.

November 13, 2024

Singer Kim Ho-joong gets prison term in hit-and-run case

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Singer Kim Ho-joong was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on Wednesday for a hit-and-run accident early this year. He rammed into a taxi while driving under the influence and fled the scene in Gangnam, southern Seoul in May. Kim initially denied driving under the influence, but after CCTV footage and other evidence emerged, he was forced to admit it about 10 days later. The Seoul Central District Court reprimanded Kim for his reckless drivi

November 13, 2024

OPINION: The Republican election sweep – beyond the headlines

KENOSHA, November 13 (AJP) - If there was a single strategic turning point in the 2024 presidential election, it could have been the disastrous decision of the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris to take a pass on the Al Smith Dinner in New York. Since the now-legendary 1960 race between Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard M. Nixon, this singular event has generally been considered obligatory. The only other presidential nominee to duck the dinner was ill-fated W

November 13, 2024

Korea Zinc cancels controversial share sale; chairman to step down as board chief

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Korea Zinc on Wednesday withdrew its plan to sell new shares worth 2.5 trillion won (US$1.77 billion) amid regulatory scrutiny and shareholder pushback. The world's largest smelter announced the share issue Oct. 30 to fend off a takeover attempt by its largest shareholder, Young Poong, and MBK Partners. "We humbly accepted concerns from shareholders and market participants that we hadn't anticipated when we initially decided on the public o

November 13, 2024

Test-takers advised to avoid 'distracting' songs ahead of exam

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Over half a million South Korean students will sit for a crucial university entrance exam on Thursday, prompting authorities to implement extraordinary measures to ensure optimal testing conditions. To minimize distractions during the English listening section, flights nationwide will be grounded for approximately 30 minutes in the afternoon. Additionally, drivers have been urged to refrain from honking their horns. In a unique cultural phenom

November 13, 2024

North Korean troops engaging in combat against Ukraine forces, US confirms

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - North Korean troops in Russia have begun engaging in combat against the Ukraine forces, the U.S. State Department said on Tuesday. "We are incredibly concerned by Russia's decision to turn to soldiers have been sent to eastern Russia, and most of them have

November 13, 2024

Korean researchers develop wood-based aviation fuel

SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have developed aviation fuel from wood and grass that could cut carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared with conventional jet fuel. The technology produces high-energy components, including naphthene and aromatic compounds, from non-edible plant resources, KIST said Wednesday. Current sustainable aviation fuel solutions can replace only about 50 percent of petroleum-based compone

November 13, 2024