South Korean envoy meets Iranian foreign minister in Tehran SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - South Korea's special envoy to Iran Chung Byung-ha has met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday. According to the ministry, Chung, who was dispatched to the Middle Eastern country earlier this month, met Araghchi the previous day. During the meeting, which came about two weeks into his stay there, Chung reportedly sought Iran's cooperation, as he continues efforts to ensure the April 23, 2026

Honda Korea to exit car sales after two decades SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - Honda Korea announced it will cease automobile sales in the country by the end of 2026, pulling the curtain on a presence that once crowned it the top-selling import brand but withered steadily over the past several years. Lee Ji-hong, CEO of Honda Korea, told a hastily convened press conference on Thursday at COEX in Seoul that the decision came after a thorough review of shifting market conditions and persistent currency headwinds. "We have comprehe April 23, 2026

S. Korean researchers identify protein mechanism to overcome leukemia drug resistance SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - A joint research team from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Uijeongbu Eulji University Hospital, and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology has identified a new molecular mechanism that controls how chronic myeloid leukemia responds to anticancer drugs, the state-operated research institute located in the central city of Daejeon said Thursday, April 23, 2026. Chronic myeloid leukemia is caused by an abnormal protein called April 23, 2026

OPINION: Paradox of the second shock - Why protectionism cannot solve productivity problem KARACHI, April 23 (AJP) - The global economic order is currently grappling with a phenomenon that many have termed China Shock 2.0. Unlike the first iteration at the turn of the millennium, which saw a surge of low c April 23, 2026

Harim to rescue Homeplus Express, completing farm-to-fork empire SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - South Korea's poultry giant Harim Group has been named preferred bidder for Homeplus Express, the supermarket arm of the country's No. 2 retailer Homeplus, in a deal that could throw a lifeline to the creditor-protected hypermarket chain and complete Harim's long-pursued vertical integration from chicken farm to checkout counter. Homeplus said on Tuesday that Harim Group affiliate NS Shopping was selected as the preferred bidder for its smaller-fo April 23, 2026

After rare catch, Han River survey sets sights on new discovery SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - Expectations are rising for new discoveries in this year’s regular catch season along the Han River, following last year’s rare find of a protected species that underscored improving ecological conditions in the capital’s main waterway. The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Thursday conducted a fish species survey near Bamseom Island beneath Seogang Bridge in Yeongdeungpo-gu, western Seoul, as part of its semiannual monitoring progr April 23, 2026

Matchmaking firm Duo slapped with fines for massive data breach SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - Matchmaking firm Duo was slapped with heavy fines over a massive data leak affecting nearly 430,000 users, a state-run privacy watchdog said on Thursday. The Personal Information Protection Commission imposed about 1.2 billion won (US$810,000) in penalties and fines on the company after a Duo employee's computer was hacked in January last year, exposing sensitive personal information of some 427,464 paid members. The leaked information included names April 23, 2026

Hyundai Motor profit falls sharply on cost surge, misses expectation SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor, South Korea's largest automaker, posted a sharp drop in first-quarter earnings amid rising cost pressures from U.S. tariff barriers and Gulf-related shocks. Operating profit for the first quarter of 2026 came in at 2.51 trillion won, down 30.8 percent on year and in line with the market consensus of 2.4 trillion to 2.6 trillion won compiled by FnGuide. The underperformance reflects multiple headwinds for carmakers – sharp rise in o April 23, 2026

President Lee pitches S. Korean growth model as Viet Nam pursues infrastructure surge SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung committed to deepening strategic cooperation in nuclear energy, transportation, and finance during a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung in Hanoi on Thursday. Lee framed the partnership as a catalyst for a new "Red River Miracle," drawing direct parallels between South Korea's rapid post-war industrialization and the current development trajectory of Viet Nam. The diplomatic push comes as Se April 23, 2026

More tax incentives for butane to support small businesses amid surging global prices SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - Tax cuts on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) butane products will be raised to 25 percent from around 10 percent to ease fuel costs for small trucks and other commercial vehicles, the Ministry of Finance and Economy said on Thursday. According to the ministry, the cut will take effect on May 1 and run through the end of June, lowering butane prices by about 51 won per liter from previous levels. Butane is widely used by freight and commercial vehicles, meanin April 23, 2026