PHOTOS: Spring hues sweep South Korea

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - A vibrant tapestry of spring color is unfolding across South Korea, drawing residents and visitors alike to witness nature's annual spectacle. In Nowon-gu, Seoul, the slopes of Mount Bulam have erupted in a riot of pink as the azalea gardens reach their peak bloom. The expansive display offers a striking vista. Farther south, in Daegu, the Tulip Garden at the E-World amusement park has become a magnet for flower enthusiasts. In Incheon, an innovative approach

April 24, 2025

Acting President urges swift passage of extra budget

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - Acting President Han Duck-soo on Thursday called for bipartisan support for a supplementary budget aimed at boosting economic recovery. In his speech at the National Assembly, the first of its kind by an acting president in about 46 years, Han urged lawmakers to swiftly pass the 12.2 trillion won (US$8.8 billion) supplementary budget. He stressed the fast approval of the budget is "important" to weather through a crisis as the country "faces

April 24, 2025

Harmful chemicals detected in children's toys from Chinese e-commerce platforms

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - Several children’s toys sold on major Chinese e-commerce platforms contain toxic substances at levels far exceeding safety standards, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Thursday. City officials said they tested 25 toys purchased from global platforms including Temu, Shein, and AliExpress. Four products failed to meet domestic safety regulations, with one “keyring doll” found to contain phthalate plasticizer (DEHP) at concentratio

April 24, 2025

US auto tariffs to reduce Korean car production by 315,000 units

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - South Korea’s passenger vehicle production is projected to fall by more than 300,000 units over the next two years as a result of newly imposed U.S. automotive tariffs, according to a report released Thursday by S&P Global Mobility. The research firm estimates that South Korean output will drop by 112,000 vehicles in 2025 and a further 203,000 in 2026, as a 25 percent tariff introduced by the Trump administration begins to take its toll. S&P c

April 24, 2025

INTERVIEW: Start-Up Chile CEO says real startups solve real problems through technology

Javiera Araneda, CEO of Start-Up Chile, speaks during an interview with AJP at the Global Startup Center on Apr. 23. AJP Han Jun-gu SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - To Javiera Araneda, CEO of Start-Up Chile, a startup isn't just a trendy business idea or a sleek new app. At its core, she says, a real startup is about purpose—and that purpose starts with solving a problem. “In our view, a startup should be tech-based,” Araneda said in an interview with AJP at a startup pit

April 24, 2025

VISUALS: Lanterns, festivities herald Buddha's Birthday

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - Jogyesa Temple, a prominent Buddhist center in the heart of Seoul, is abuzz with preparations for Buddha’s Birthday on May 5, 2025. The temple grounds are currently festooned with a multitude of colorful lanterns, each inscribed with the names of devotees, creating a vibrant canopy overhead. This spectacle has drawn an increased number of visitors and tourists, who come to offer prayers or simply find respite in the dappled shade cast by the illuminated decora

April 24, 2025

Ex-President Moon Jae-in indicted over bribery charges

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - Former President Moon Jae-in has been indicted on charges of taking bribes over allegations that he influenced the hiring of his former son-in-law at a low-cost carrier, prosecutors said Thursday. They have been investigating a case involving his daughter's ex-husband surnamed Seo, who, despite having no work experience in the aviation industry, was hired as an executive at budget carrier Eastar Jet's Thai branch in 2018, allegedly owned by former law

April 24, 2025

World-OKTA to hold Andong expo as planned, hoping to spark recovery after wildfires

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - Despite recent wildfire damage in North Gyeongsang Province, the World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations (World-OKTA) has decided to move forward with its annual global convention and business expo in Andong later this month. The 26th World-OKTA Leaders Convention and 2025 Korea Business Expo Andong (2025 KBEA) will run from Apr. 28 to May 1, drawing over 2,000 participants from Korea and abroad. The decision to proceed was made after careful

April 24, 2025

South Korea's economy shrinks in first quarter

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - South Korea’s economy contracted in the first quarter of 2025, weighed down by a prolonged political uncertainty and concerns about U.S. tariffs, according to preliminary data released by the Bank of Korea on Thursday. Gross domestic product fell 0.2 percent from the previous quarter, marking the country’s second economic contraction in just three quarters. The latest reading sharply contrasts with the central bank’s earlier forecast of 0.2

April 24, 2025

US urges allies to increase defense commitments ahead of tariff talks with Seoul

SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - The U.S. called on its allies for "stronger commitments to shared defense" on Wednesday, just a day ahead of its working-level talks with South Korea in Washington. "If the United States continues offering security guarantees and open markets, then our allies must step up with stronger commitments to shared defense," U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said during a forum hosted by the Institute of International Finance later in the day.

April 24, 2025