Chung Soon-mi becomes first overseas Korean awarded top Norwegian medal

SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - Musician Chung Soon-mi has become the first overseas Korean to receive Norway’s highest state honor, the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav, the South Korean Embassy in Norway said on Saturday. Chung was awarded the Knight First Class medal of the prestigious Order on Sunday in recognition of her significant contributions to Norwegian arts and culture. Established in 1847 by King Oscar I of Norway, the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav is the coun

May 26, 2025

North Korea begins repairs on damaged destroyer after failed launch

SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - North Korea has begun restoring a newly developed warship that was severely damaged during its launch ceremony last week, according to a report by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Sunday. The 5,000-ton-class destroyer sustained major damage on May 21 at the northeastern port of Chongjin. During the launch event, attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the warship’s stern reportedly detached from its transport cradle and tipped to

May 26, 2025

Final televised debate looms amid last-ditch push for single conservative candidate

SEOUL, May 25 (AJP) - With less than ten days remaining until next month's presidential election, four major candidates are set to face off once again in a televised debate scheduled for the coming Tuesday. In the upcoming final debate, which will focus on political issues and wrap up the three-part series, Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) who still leads the race with roughly 50 percent support in most polls, is expected to

May 25, 2025

Sales of air conditioners surge amid early heat wave

SEOUL, May 25 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics sold more than 10,000 air conditioners per day over the past week, as demand surged ahead of another scorching summer, the electronics giant said on Sunday. Samsung said the daily sales of its air conditioners surpassed the 10,000 mark over the last five days, up over 30 percent from the same period last year. The milestone came about a month earlier than last year, when it was set in mid-June. The early arrival of hot weather may have ru

May 25, 2025

North Korea arrests those responsible for failed destroyer launch

SEOUL, May 25 (AJP) - North Korea has arrested a slew of officials and shipyard workers responsible for the failed launch of its naval destroyer earlier this week and taken steps to investigate them. The country's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Sunday that the investigation into the incident is "being intensified." The development came just a few days after leader Kim Jong-un's fury over the incident, which he blamed on "criminal negligence

May 25, 2025

Conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo to meet former President Park Geun-hye

SEOUL, May 24 (AJP) - People Power Party presidential nominee Kim Moon-soo will meet with former President Park Geun-hye at her Daegu residence on Saturday, party officials announced. The meeting occurs ten days before the June 3 presidential election to select a successor to impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. Kim will be accompanied by Representative Yun Jae-ok, the campaign's chief manager, and party spokesperson Shin Dong-wook. This marks their first encounter since Kim won t

May 24, 2025

KATSEYE's 'Gnarly' charts for third week on UK Official Singles chart

SEOUL, May 24 (AJP) - Global girl group KATSEYE's track "Gnarly" has maintained its position on the UK Official Singles Top 100 chart for a third consecutive week, landing at number 90 for the week of May 23 to 29, according to chart data released Friday. The song first entered the UK chart at number 52 for the week of May 9 to 15 before securing its current three-week run. KATSEYE is a collaboration between South Korean entertainment company HYBE and American label Ge

May 24, 2025

Trump threatens 25 percent smartphone tariffs, 50 percent EU duties

SEOUL, May 24 (AJP) - President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on all smartphones manufactured overseas, including Apple iPhones and Samsung devices, while also warning the European Union of a 50 percent tariff on goods starting June 1. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump expanded his initial threat against Apple to include all smartphone manufacturers selling devices in the United States that are not produced domestically. "It wou

May 24, 2025

Turkish House reopens in Seoul as symbol of friendship with Türkiye

SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - After years of quiet during the pandemic, the Turkish House in Seoul’s Yeouido, the center of finance and politics, reopened on May 21, renewing its role as a space for cultural exchange between South Korea and Türkiye. The two-story building, nestled inside Ankara Park, has stood since 1995 as a small but visible reminder of the ties between the two countries. That bond dates back to the Korean War, when Türkiye was one of the first nations to

May 23, 2025

India and South Korea come together to mark 11th International Day of Yoga

SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - In Seoul on May 22, the Embassy of India and the Korea Yoga Association hosted a joint press conference to announce plans for this year’s 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY 2025), which also marks a decade since the first global celebration of the event in 2015. The main celebration will take place at Gwanghwamun Square, one of South Korea’s most iconic public spaces. About 1,000 participants are expected to gather under this year’s slogan,

May 23, 2025