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  US, Chinese fighter jets in brief aerial standoff over West Sea SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - A brief aerial standoff between U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) aircraft and Chinese fighter jets occurred over the West Sea earlier this week, multiple military sources said on Friday. The faceoff arose when China scrambled its own fighter jets in response to a large-scale air drill conducted by the USFK. According to the sources, about a dozen F-16 fighter jets took off from Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province last Wednesday and reportedly flew February 20, 2026
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  South Korea's AI Basic Act sparks demand for industry-specific compliance guidelines SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - South Korea's Basic Act for AI has taken effect, but businesses are struggling to translate the sweeping legislation into concrete operational practice, prompting growing calls for tailored, industry-specific compliance guidelines. The law imposes transparency obligations and governance requirements on companies deploying generative AI and other artificial intelligence technologies, with administrative penalties including fines for non-compliance. Anal February 20, 2026
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  ASIA INSIGHTS: Beyond tech rivalry: IMF's warning and Asia's path on coexistence The International Monetary Fund’s latest annual assessment of China reads less like a routine economic report than a structural warning for Asia’s manufacturing powerhouses. The IMF points to China’s widening trade surplus, effective currency undervaluation, expanding industrial subsidies, weak domestic demand and persistent deflationary pressure. Together, they signal the limits of an export- and investment-driven growth model that has powered China for de February 20, 2026
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  Ex-bobsleigh medalist elected to IOC Athletes' Commission SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - Bobsledder Won Yun-jong was elected to the Athletes' Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday, becoming the first South Korean athlete in winter Olympic disciplines to serve. According to the IOC, Won secured 1,176 votes from some 2,393 athletes participating in this year's Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, finishing first among 11 candidates. The silver medalist at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics becam February 20, 2026
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  Gang Gam-chan sails with global fleet as Korea rises on Indo-Pacific Seas VISAKHAPATNAM, INDIA, February 20 (AJP) - From the deck line to the distant horizon, the waters off Visakhapatnam shimmered with steel, color and motion on Wednesday as one of the world’s largest multinational naval formations assembled for the 2026 International Fleet Review. Flying the South Korean flag Taegeukgi high against a stiff Bay of Bengal wind, the 4,400-ton destroyer ROKS Gang Gam-chan cruised in tight formation alongside 18 other flag-bearing warships, cutting a s February 20, 2026
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  The heat is on Seoul as Tokyo gets a head start on U.S. investment SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - Japan has moved swiftly to translate its pledged $550 billion investment commitment to the United States into concrete projects, unveiling an initial $36 billion package centered on energy, infrastructure and critical materials — areas closely aligned with Washington’s strategic priorities — while Seoul remains mired in legislative gridlock. President Donald Trump welcomed the announcement, publicly praising Tokyo’s commitment and r February 20, 2026
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  EXCLUSIVE: Brazil looks beyond 'traditional trade' from K-beauty to AI in state visit SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - Brazil is looking beyond "traditional trade" through the Feb. 22–24 visit to South Korea, tapping fields from K-beauty to biosimilars, artificial intelligence and space cooperation in pursuit of "productive integration," its ambassador to Seoul said. "The main issue is reinvigorating a relationship that has evolved on just 'okay' in the past several years and is in need of a big jump," Ambassador Marcia Donner February 20, 2026
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  North Korea kicks off key party congress SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - North Korea has kicked off its massive party gathering, state media reported on Friday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, the ninth congress of the Workers' Party "opened with splendour" in Pyongyang the previous day. In his opening address, its leader Kim Jong-un said he is "full of optimism and confidence about the future," comparing this year's gathering with the previous one five years ago February 20, 2026
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  Seoul ready to push economic ties with New Delhi to new level - trade minister SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) -A deeper economic cooperation with India has become more important than ever for South Korea as the global trade environment undergoes rapid change, Seoul's Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo said Thursday. Speaking at the Korea-India Economic Cooperation Conference at Lotte Hotel Seoul, Yeo described India as “a central country” in South Korea’s New Southern Policy and “a leader of the Global South.” He said there is signific February 20, 2026
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  Iran and US reach preliminary agreement on negotiation principles in Geneva SEOUL, February 19 (AJP) - Iran and the United States have reached a comprehensive agreement on the basic principles for future negotiations following indirect talks held at the Omani Embassy in Geneva, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in South Korea said Thursday. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, described this second round of discussions as more serious than previous sessions, noting they took place within a constructive and practical atmosphere. Th February 19, 2026