Jeju beef, pork enter Singapore market for first time SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - South Korea has exported Jeju-produced beef and pork to Singapore for the first time, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said on Monday. The ministry, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, held a shipping ceremony at Jeju Port, sending 4.5 tons of meat products valued at roughly 2.8 billion won. The shipment represents the first case in which Singapore directly assessed and December 1, 2025

Stray Kids achieve eighth consecutive No. 1 on Billboard 200 SEOUL, December 1 (AJP) - K-pop boy band Stray Kids' latest album topped the Billboard 200 albums chart this week, surpassing American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift's "The Life of a Showgirl," which had held the top spot for seven weeks. "Stray Kids claim their eighth No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart as 'Do It' debuts atop the ranking dated Dec. 6," the American music chart said on Sunday, adding, "With an eighth No. 1, Stray Kids December 1, 2025

Korean game makers target Southeast Asia, India as next growth engines SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - South Korea's major game publishers are expanding their focus on Southeast Asia and India, betting on the regions’ rapidly growing mobile-first user base and rising spending power. Companies are not only exporting games but also investing, forming joint ventures, and reorganizing operations to secure long-term positions in the markets. Industry officials say Southeast Asia has emerged as the world’s second-largest market for mobile g December 1, 2025

Remains of 25 Korean War soldiers recovered in DMZ SEOUL, December 1 (AJP) - Some 25 remains and 1,962 belongings from the Korean War (1950-193) were recovered in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the Ministry of Defense said on Monday. According to the ministry, the monthlong excavation, conducted by over 100 South Korean and UN troops from mid-October to late November, recovered the remains, many of which are believed to be South Korean soldiers, with precise identification pending further analysis and DNA testing. The project wa December 1, 2025

Hanwha Aerospace showcases K9, Chunmoo systems at Egypt's defense expo SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace said Monday it is participating in the Egypt Defense Expo (EDEX) 2025, which runs from Dec. 1–4 in Cairo, showcasing a range of artillery and air-defense systems. The South Korean defense manufacturer is highlighting its K9 self-propelled howitzer, set to enter service with Egypt from 2026 under a major contract. More than 450 companies are taking part in the exhibition, which is expected to draw around 40,000 visitors. At the December 1, 2025

South Korea's HD Hyundai consolidates shipbuilding units SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Mipo Shipbuilding completed their merger on Monday, forming an integrated entity under the name HD Hyundai Heavy Industries as the group seeks to reinforce its position as the world’s largest shipbuilder. The merger, first announced in August, follows a broader consolidation trend in the global shipbuilding sector, with major players in China and Japan also unifying their leading yards. HD Hyundai Hea December 1, 2025

Samsung Biologics to invest 7 trln won in third bio-campus SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - Samsung Biologics plans to invest about 7 trillion won ($4.76 billion) to build a third campus in Songdo, diversifying its contract manufacturing business beyond antibody drugs into emerging therapeutic modalities. The South Korean biopharmaceutical manufacturer said Monday it signed a land purchase agreement with the Incheon Free Economic Zone authority for about 187,427 square meters of industrial site in Songdo International City. The company will pay 2 December 1, 2025

Asian markets mixed as China rallies; Korea, Japan slip on policy concerns SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - Asian equities were mixed on Monday morning, with declines in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan contrasting with broad gains in China. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI slipped 0.35 percent to 3,911 as of 10 a.m., pressured by institutional selling. Institutions offloaded 132.1 billion won ($90 million), while foreign investors sold a modest 4 billion won as they monitored market direction. Retail investors bought 162.1 billion won, seeking to take advanta December 1, 2025

Labor Ministry to inspect Coupang's warehouses after recent massive data breach SEOUL, December 1 (AJP) - E-commerce giant Coupang's logistics centers and delivery warehouses will be inspected next week, the Ministry of Employment and Labor said Monday. The move follows a surprise inspection by Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon at a logistics center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province last week, shortly after a major data breach was detected. The inspection, set to begin next Wednesday, will cover Coupang's four logistics centers and three warehouses affected December 1, 2025

South Korean hotels ride wave of Chinese Gen Z travelers SEOUL, December 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s hotel scene is in the midst of a renaissance, energized by a surge of overseas travelers who are filling rooms, lifting revenues, and reshaping the country’s hospitality landscape. At the center of this revival is the return of Chinese tourists — once South Korea’s largest visitor group — whose comeback is accelerating faster than many in the industry anticipated. More than 14 million foreign tourists arri December 1, 2025