Bank of Korea likely to extend rate freeze despite Fed rate cut SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - The U.S. Federal Reserve’s third consecutive interest-rate cut is expected to have little immediate impact on South Korea’s monetary stance, with the Bank of Korea likely to keep its policy rate unchanged amid persistent won volatility, elevated housing prices and uncertainty over the U.S. policy path, industry sources said Thursday. The Fed lowered its benchmark range to 3.50–3.75 percent at its Wednesday meeting. Its latest do December 11, 2025

Kookmin University highlights new ERC center on robotic functional skin and hypersensory perception SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - Kookmin University hosted a K*-Colloquium on December 9 at its Industry-Academic Cooperation Building, where Professor Lim Si-hyung of the School of Mechanical Engineering presented the vision and roadmap of the newly selected Engineering Research Center (ERC) on Robotic Functional Skin and Enhanced Perception. The K*-Colloquium is a regular seminar series organized by the university's Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation. It serves as a forum fo December 11, 2025

Another BTS song hits 700 million views on YouTube SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - K-pop juggernaut BTS's another music video has racked up over 700 million views on YouTube, their management agency said on Thursday. Released in July 2021, "Permission to Dance" achieved the milestone the previous day, with the septet now having ten such videos under their belt. The upbeat dance-pop track offered comfort during the coronavirus pandemic, encouraging people to find joy and freedom through music. The English-language December 11, 2025

President Lee receives credentials from India's new ambassador in Seoul SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung received the credentials of India's new ambassador, Gourangalal Das, during a ceremony at the presidential office in Yongsan on Thursday. Das presented his letter of credence to President Lee, who welcomed him, posed for a photo, and exchanged brief remarks before continuing with the session. The event brought together eight newly appointed ambassadors to South Korea. Among them were Eva Marie Lussek of Austr December 11, 2025

South Korea, Japan urged to boost semiconductor, battery, AI cooperation SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, on Thursday called for cooperation between South Korean and Japanese companies in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries and artificial intelligence, citing mounting geopolitical risks and global supply-chain realignments. Speaking at a meeting in Seoul with Japanese Ambassador Koichi Mizushima, Sohn said the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ti December 11, 2025

North Korean leader makes 'important conclusion' ahead of party congress SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made an "important conclusion" at this week's plenary meeting, state media reported on Thursday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim "made an important conclusion on the agenda items” that were "discussed at the first-day sitting of the plenary meeting," which began earlier this week in preparation for the Workers' Party's key congress scheduled for December 11, 2025

Asian markets respond lukewarmly to Fed's widely expected rate cut SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - Asian markets reacted lukewarmly to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s widely expected rate cut on Thursday, underscoring lingering uncertainty over the future path of U.S. interest rates. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI gained 0.7 percent to 4,162.51 and the KOSDAQ advanced 0.3 percent to 937.79 as of 9:40 a.m. As expected, the Federal Open Market Committee lowered the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3.50–3.75 percent ov December 11, 2025

US House passes annual defense bill maintaining current USFK troop levels SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a defense bill that includes a provision prohibiting a unilateral reduction of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. The annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is passed annually by Congress to set defense policy, allocate funding priorities, and provide guidance on key security matters, was approved in a decisive 312-112 vote. The bill, which allocates a record US$901 billion in d December 11, 2025

KT, Samsung prove performance of AI-driven telecom network, paving way for 6G SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - South Korean telecom company KT said Thursday it has successfully tested its artificial intelligence–based Radio Access Network (AI-RAN) technology on a commercial mobile network, marking a key step toward next-generation 6G communications. Developed jointly with Samsung Electronics, the AI-RAN system analyzes real-time data exchanged between base stations and user devices to optimize radio settings on an individual basis — a sharp departur December 11, 2025

Major offshore wind farm comes online, boosting Korea's clean energy push SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - SK Innovation E&S said Thursday it has completed Jeonnam Offshore Wind Farm 1, the country’s largest privately financed offshore wind project, marking a milestone for South Korea’s efforts to expand renewable energy and meet its carbon-neutrality targets. A completion ceremony was held in Sinan, attended by Climate and Energy Minister Kim Sung-hwan, South Jeolla Province Governor Kim Young-rok and SK Innovation E&S President Lee Jon December 11, 2025