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  [K-Defense] S. Korean shipbuilders shortlisted for Canada's $14 billion submarine program SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - A consortium led by South Korea’s two largest shipbuilders, Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, has been shortlisted to compete in Canada’s next-generation submarine acquisition program. This is a $14 billion defense project that could eventually swell to $43 billion over three decades when long-term maintenance and upgrades are included. Industry officials confirmed Wednesday that the two companies, bidding as a consortium, were s August 27, 2025
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  [K-Tech] Shining light on brain cuts urge to drink, Korean researchers report SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - South Korean researchers say they have found that shining near-infrared light on the brain can significantly ease alcohol cravings and dependency, opening a potential new path for addiction treatment. The Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) said Wednesday that, in a clinical study, patients who received the therapy showed measurable reductions in both their urge to drink and overall dependency levels. The research, conducted jointly August 27, 2025
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  KAIST creates AI capable of detecting defects in smart factories with frequent machine replacements SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) have developed an artificial intelligence system that can keep detecting defective products in smart factories even when machines are replaced or production conditions change. The breakthrough solves a long-standing weakness in factory AI systems, which often fail when equipment or operating environments are altered. The research team, led by Professor Lee Jae-gil of KAIST August 26, 2025
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  Hardliner elected new PPP leader as party still grapples with Yoon's fallout SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - Hardline lawmaker Jang Dong-hyeok was elected as the new leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Tuesday. Jang garnered about 220,000 votes or 50.27 percent in a neck-and-neck runoff at the National Assembly in Seoul, narrowly defeating another staunch conservative and former presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo, who earned about 217,000 votes. The two-term lawmaker's win comes as a surprise as he has been vehemently opposed to the im August 26, 2025
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  South Korea to introduce fast-track immigration lanes for foreign executives SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - South Korea will open expedited immigration lanes for foreign business executives at Incheon International Airport starting Aug. 31, in a pilot program aimed at strengthening the country’s appeal as a regional business hub. The lanes, which will operate through December, are intended to shorten wait times for foreign travelers using staffed immigration counters, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Tuesday. On average, foreigners August 26, 2025
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  South Korean, US firms sign wide-ranging deals during Lee's Washington visit SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - South Korean and American companies signed 11 agreements and memorandums of understanding across shipbuilding, nuclear energy, aviation, liquefied natural gas and critical minerals during President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to Washington. The agreements were announced at a Korea–U.S. Business Roundtable on Monday at Washington D.C. (local time), attended by South Korea’s Trade Minister, Kim Jung-kwan, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnic August 26, 2025
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  [K-Pop] Soundtrack from K-pop anime tops Billboard Hot 100 again A scene from "KPop Demon Hunters." Courtesy of Netflix SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - One of the main theme songs from Netflix's hit South Korean anime has returned to the top spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. According to Billboard on Monday, "Golden" from the soundtrack of "KPop Demon Hunters" reclaimed the top spot on the U.S. singles chart this week, after slipping to second place behind American singer Alex Warren's "Ordinary" last August 26, 2025
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  South Korean consumer confidence reaches 8-year high SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - South Korean consumer confidence rose in August to its highest level in nearly eight years, buoyed by stronger household spending and robust exports, according to central bank data released Tuesday. The Bank of Korea’s Composite Consumer Sentiment Index edged up to 111.4 in August from 110.8 the previous month, the fifth straight monthly gain. The reading was the highest since January 2018, when the index stood at 111.6. A score above 100 signals op August 26, 2025
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  Softbank sheds $1.6 billion stake in Coupang amid push into AI SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - SoftBank, the Japanese technology investment giant, has unloaded nearly $1.65 billion worth of shares in Coupang, South Korea’s largest e-commerce platform, as it continues to pare back its holdings in the company. According to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, SoftBank sold 20 million Coupang shares on Aug. 20 at the New York Stock Exchange, raising about $576.8 million. The sale followed two earlier transactions this yea August 26, 2025
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  Hyundai Motor to add $5 billion to US investment, bringing total to $26 billion SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group said on Tuesday it would commit an additional $5 billion to its U.S. operations, expanding its planned investment through 2028 to $26 billion. The announcement coincided with the South Korea–U.S. summit between Lee Jae Myung and Donald Trump. Hyundai, which had already pledged $21 billion in March, said the new funds would be directed toward steel, automobiles and robotics. Chairman Chung Eui-sun outlined the plan as part of August 26, 2025