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  South Korea's presidential office to hold emergency meetings after US court tariff ruling SEOUL, February 21 (AJP) - South Korea's presidential office announced Saturday it will convene a high-level meeting of relevant ministries this afternoon to discuss the fallout from a United States Supreme Court decision that struck down President Donald Trump's centerpiece tariff policy. The meeting, scheduled for 2 p.m. (0500 GMT), will be co-chaired by National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac and Kim Yong-beom, the presidential chief of staff for policy. It follows a sepa February 21, 2026
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  BTS Comeback-29: How K-pop is woven into the Korean heritage SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - On a chilly afternoon during the Lunar New Year holiday, the long line outside the National Museum of Korea curled past the plaza and into the nearby park. Families carrying gift boxes, grandparents holding grandchildren’s hands, and young couples in padded coats waited patiently for their turn to enter. For many, this was not a detour between holiday meals. It was the destination. Over two days of the Seollal break — Feb. 16 a February 20, 2026
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  Korea's main index touches new ceiling, defying regional caution SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - Korea’s main KOSPI played solo with eyes set on the next historic milestone of 6,000, regardless of simmering tensions in the Middle East that weighed on markets across the region and the globe. The key index rose 2.3 percent to close Friday at 5,808.5, bouncing right back after dipping to 5,684.9. The blue-chip KOSPI 200 advanced 2.3 percent to 859.6. It diverged from regional peers. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.1 percent to 56,825.7, while February 20, 2026
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  Impeached ex-president apologizes but still defends botched martial law bid SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - Former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday apologized for the pain caused by his botched declaration of martial law in 2024, while defending it as a "measure solely intended to save the country and its citizens." His remarks came just a day after the Seoul Central District Court handed down a life sentence on charges of insurrection and abuse of power over his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law. Despite the apology, Yoon insisted that deploying t February 20, 2026
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  KAIST confers honorary doctorate on Formosa Group Chair Sandy Wang SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced on February 20 that it has awarded an honorary doctorate in business administration to Sandy Wang, Standing Member of the Formosa Group Executive Management Committee and Chair of Formosa Bio. The ceremony took place during the university's 2026 commencement exercises. Wang was recognized for her role in leading the strategic growth of Formosa Group by prioritizing sustainabilit February 20, 2026
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  New firefighters ready to serve communities in Incheon SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - Some 116 new firefighters graduated from the Incheon Fire Academy in Ganghwa, Incheon on Friday. The new graduates, the academy's 27th class, pledged to protect the lives and property of citizens. Over 24 weeks since enrolling in September last year, the graduates completed rigorous training as part of the academy's mission to nurture elite firefighting personnel ready for the field. They will be assigned to about a dozen fire stations across In February 20, 2026
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  Antitrust watchdog moves to penalize seven flour millers over price-fixing cartel SEOUL, Feb 20 (AJP) - South Korea’s competition authority has initiated formal sanctioning procedures against seven major flour producers and distributors, including industry giants CJ CheilJedang and Daehan Flour Mills, for alleged price-fixing. The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) announced Friday that it has dispatched examination reports—equivalent to a criminal indictment—to seven companies: CJ CheilJedang, Daeseon Flour Mills, Daehan Flour Mills, Sajo Don February 20, 2026
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  Rosé and Bruno Mars win IFPI Global Single Award for APT. SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - A collaborative track between South Korean singer Rosé and American artist Bruno Mars has become the first K-pop song to top the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Global Single Chart. The rock-pop single "APT." led the worldwide sales and streaming rankings for 2025. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) on February 19, "APT." secured the top position on the annual cha February 20, 2026
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  Satellite images suggest North Korea gearing up for massive military parade SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - With North Korea's key party congress underway this week, satellite images suggest the country has been preparing for a large-scale military parade, with over 12,000 people believed to have been mobilized. According to Yoo Yong-won of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), satellite images taken between Feb. 9 and 17 by Vantor, formerly Maxar Intelligence, showed around 12,000 troops gathered at Mirim Airport near Pyongyang for the parade's February 20, 2026
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  BTS Comeback D-29: Why Gwanghwamun is the ideal stage SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) -Snow has melted on Mount Bugak, revealing dark rocks and early greenery above the skyline. Below, the statue of King Sejong the Great stands at the mouth of Gwanghwamun Gate, gazing over an avenue quietly preparing for a moment it was never designed to imagine — the return of BTS. The historic corridor, where royal processions once passed and modern protests later gathered, is being transformed into an open-air stage. As spring settles over central February 20, 2026