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  South Korea prepares response to Mexico's tariff hike plan The South Korean government is taking steps to address Mexico's planned tariff hikes, a move that threatens to disrupt supply chains and raise costs for major South Korean companies. The tariffs, which are part of Mexico's new legislative initiative, are expected to target 1,463 product classifications, a significant increase from previous measures. Affected items include auto parts, steel, home appliances, and textiles — all sectors where South Korean firms hav September 17, 2025
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  FM heads to Beijing to discuss Xi's possible visit to South Korea next month SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun headed to Beijing on Wednesday, making his first trip to China since assuming his post. Cho is set to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi later in the day. Their discussions are expected to focus on Chinese President Xi Jinping's possible visit to South Korea late next month on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the historic city of Gyeongju. Although Beijing has yet to c September 17, 2025
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  Hyundai Motor joins international hydrogen energy conference in Japan Hyundai Motor Group said Wednesday that it participated in the 7th Hydrogen Ministerial Meeting and the 1st Sustainable Fuel Ministerial Meeting held at the Hilton Hotel in Osaka, Japan, on Sept. 15. The Hydrogen Ministerial Meeting, initiated in 2018, gathers officials from major countries and international organizations to discuss hydrogen energy promotion and global cooperation. This year, it was held alongside the 1st Sustainable Fuel Ministerial Meeting, co-hosted by Japan September 17, 2025
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  SK Innovation targets global market with battery recycling tech SK Innovation is set to enter the global battery recycling market with its proprietary Battery Metal Recycling (BMR) technology. The company announced on Wednesday that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with U.S. engineering firm KBR at the Fastmarkets Conference in Portugal. Under the agreement, KBR will combine its crystallization technology with SK Innovation's BMR technology for global sales, generating royalty revenue for SK Innovation. KBR, with about 34 September 17, 2025
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   Lee vows practical diplomacy with US, China, Japan, and Russia SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday that South Korea will pursue "practical diplomacy centered on national interest" to improve relations with the United States, China, Japan, and Russia. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day, Lee outlined the first of five foreign policy tasks under his administration, emphasizing that South Korea must navigate its diplomacy based on pragmatic choices rather than ideology. "We will move beyon September 16, 2025
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  Orderly Gen Z-led uprising in Nepal strikes a chord with Young Koreans SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - “They are better than us,” said one Korean viewer of a viral video showing Nepal’s royal palace on fire, recalling with bitterness former South Korean President’s stunt of declaring martial law last November. Another Korean remarked on YouTube, “It’s impressive how the Nepalese military maintained neutrality, focused on protection and mediation, and stayed true to their beliefs until the end.” September 16, 2025
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  K-pop shares going "Up, Up, Up" in their "Golden" moment SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - K-pop stocks are on a roll, humming along to the chart-topping "up, up, up" tune of "Golden" from Netflix's animated blockbuster "KPop Demon Hunters." The four household K-pop agencies have been riding on the Sony film's surprise success and its soundtrack. Shares of YG Entertainment have more than tripled from 32,300 won ($23.38) a year ago to 97,600 won this month. Those of SM Entertainment soared from 58,100 September 16, 2025
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  Travel advisory issued for parts of Cambodia SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - A travel advisory was issued for some parts of Cambodia amid a rise in employment scams and detentions involving South Korean nationals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday. The advisory includes a special travel warning for Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Bokor Mountain in Kampot Province, and Bavet, a border town in Svay Rieng province. The ministry urged South Koreans planning to visit these areas to cancel or postpone their trips. Tho September 16, 2025
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  TRAVEL: Finding solace at old traditional house in Nonsan NONSAN, September 16 (AJP) - In an age of hyper-modernity, where sleek hotels and digital conveniences dominate our travels, there's a certain magic to stepping back in time. It's a magic that comes not from flawless service, but from the slight, delightful inconvenience of history itself. This is the experience that awaits at Myeongjae Historic House, where a stay is not just a night's rest, but a journey into the heart of Korea’s rich past. Nestled in the se September 16, 2025
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  SK hynix dwarfs Korean peers in tax and KOSPI contribution SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - SK hynix continues to soar on global artificial intelligence boom, towering over its local archrival Samsung Electronics in both tax contributions and stock performance. The memory giant reported 2.77 trillion won (about $1.95 billion) in corporate tax payment for the first half of 2025, nearly tripling 908.9 billion won paid by No. 2 taxpayer, according to disclosures from Korea's top 50 listed companies. The hefty tax bill reflects SK hynix's September 16, 2025