Seoul heralds record government debt pipeline for 2026 SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - South Korea plans to issue a record volume of treasury bonds next year, raising oversupply concerns on the tepid debt market. According to 2026 pipeline, the Ministry of Economy and Finance intends to issue 225.7 trillion won in treasury bonds. Although the figure is 5.4 trillion won lower than this year’s issuance, the net increase in outstanding debt will reach 109.4 trillion won—25.7 trillion won more than the previous year and potentia December 10, 2025

A German lesson for Korea amid geopolitical shifts “What is South Korea’s perception of China? Germany is currently deliberating its strategy toward China,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz asked President Lee Jae Myung during their first summit at the G20 in Johannesburg on Nov. 22. Lee did not respond immediately. Merz, sensing the moment, added that Berlin would take Seoul’s perspective into account as it shapes its new China strategy. Lee, for his part, asked what Germany had learned from over December 10, 2025

North Korea gears up for party congress SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - North Korea has convened a plenary meeting to prepare for the Workers' Party's upcoming key congress scheduled for early next year, state media reported on Wednesday. The state-run Korean Central News Agency said the plenary meeting, presided over by the country's leader Kim Jong-un, was held the previous day to discuss key policies and other issues. The year-end gathering, which usually takes place over several days in mid-December, December 10, 2025

Samsung unit enters humanoid robot market with investment in Norwegian robotics firm SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - Samsung Electro-Mechanics said Wednesday it has made a strategic investment in Norwegian electric motor company Alva Industries, marking its entry into the humanoid robot components market. Alva Industries said on its website on Dec. 9 that it will work with Samsung Electro-Mechanics on the development of advanced motor drive solutions for robots, following a multi-million euro investment. Founded in 2017, Alva is known for its proprietary fiber-p December 10, 2025

South Korea's government opens talks on nuclear expansion in drafting long-term power plan SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - South Korea is drafting a long-term energy roadmap that prioritizes renewable power while accelerating a phase-out of coal and reopening debate over the construction of new nuclear reactors. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Climate and Energy convened the first general committee meeting for electricity supply and demand at the government complex in Seoul, chaired by Minister Kim Sung-hwan. Updated every two years, the plan sets out national power demand f December 10, 2025

North Korea launches multiple artillery shells into West Sea SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Wednesday that North Korea fired about a dozen projectiles into the West Sea the previous day. "We detected around 10 artillery shells launched toward the West Sea at around 3 p.m. the previous day. The launch is presumed to be part of Pyongyang's regular artillery exercises," the JCS said, adding that it is conducting a thorough analysis of the launch. The launch comes as North Korea continues its winter December 10, 2025

South Korea to host 4th UN Ocean Conference in 2028 SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - South Korea will host the 4th United Nations Ocean Conference in June 2028 after the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution endorsing the bid in New York on Dec. 9, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday. The UN Ocean Conference, held every three years, is the world’s largest high-level maritime meeting, focused on implementing Sustainable Development Goal 14, which seeks to conserve and sustainably December 10, 2025

ADB raises South Korea's 2025 growth outlook to 0.9% on stimulus, chip demand SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) raised its 2025 economic growth forecast for South Korea to 0.9 percent from 0.8 percent, citing the impact of government stimulus measures and stronger global demand for semiconductors. In its latest regional outlook, the ADB also lifted its projection for 2026 growth to 1.7 percent from 1.6 percent. The ADB’s 0.9 percent growth estimate aligns with forecasts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) December 10, 2025

SK hynix mulls ADR listing in US SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - South Korea's memory giant SK hynix is deliberating to list its treasury shares on a U.S. stock market in the form of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) to further bolster its corporate value. In a disclosure responding to the Korea Exchange's request on ADR rumors, the company said Wednesday it would report further details within a month. Shares in Seoul opened 4 percent higher at 588,500 won ($400) upon the disclosure posted before the m December 10, 2025

Kookmin University wins national program to train next-generation eco-biological materials specialists SEOUL, December 09 (AJP) - Kookmin University said Tuesday it has been selected for the government's "Specialized Graduate School in Environmental Fields" initiative in the area of biological materials, a program overseen by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and supported by the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute. The project will run for five years from 2025 to 2030 with a total budget of 6.2 billion won. Professor Park Yong-cheol of December 9, 2025