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  Korea's new finance minister pledges swift tariff talks with US SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - South Korea’s newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Koo Yun-cheol, pledged on Monday to move swiftly in pursuing tariff negotiations with the United States, citing national interests and practical outcomes as top priorities. Speaking at his inaugural press briefing at the Government Complex in Sejong, Koo emphasized the urgency of the talks, which come amid a fast-approaching deadline for a proposed mutual tariff suspension by Washi July 21, 2025
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  [K-pop] Netflix animation 'K-pop Demon Hunters' tops global streaming chart, fuels real-world fandom SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - The animated Netflix film K-pop Demon Hunters continues to dominate globally, reaching No. 1 on FlixPatrol's "TOP 10 on Streaming in the World" on July 20. The film, which premiered on June 20, led daily VOD rankings across 941 platforms in 167 countries, including Netflix and Amazon. Blending K-pop stardom with supernatural action, the film centers on two fictional idol groups, Huntrix and Saja Boys, who double as demon slayers while dominatin July 21, 2025
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  S. Korea's security chief visits Washington for urgent talks as tariff deadline approaches SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - South Korea's National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac has arrived in Washington, D.C. on Sunday (local time), returning just 11 days after his previous trip, to prevent a looming trade conflict with the United States and finalize plans for a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and U.S. President Donald Trump. South Korean officials predict that Wi will meet U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio, who also serves as National Security Advisor. Wi July 21, 2025
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  Scorching heat returns with vengeance as monsoon season ends SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - Scorching heat has returned, with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees Celsius across the country, as the monsoon season ended with a last bout of torrential rains that battered southern regions over the weekend. With recovery efforts from flooding and landslides still underway, temperatures climbed to as high as 34 degrees, prompting the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) to issue heat advisories for most parts of the country on Monday. Daytime hig July 21, 2025
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  SK Ecoplant under scrutiny over alleged accounting irregularities linked to IPO SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - SK Ecoplant, the environmental services arm of South Korea’s SK Group, is under scrutiny by financial regulators over allegations it inflated revenues at its U.S. subsidiary to bolster its valuation ahead of a planned initial public offering. The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) is set to hold a key audit committee meeting on Thursday to review the results of a months-long investigation into the company’s accounting practices. A preliminary hear July 21, 2025
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  Gov't begins handing out cash vouchers to all South Koreans SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - Starting Monday, all South Koreans are entitled to receive a handout ranging from 150,000 won to 550,000 won (US$108–$395), depending on their income brackets. Each eligible person can apply by Sept. 12 to receive 150,000 won in the form of cash vouchers, credit card points, or other gift options valid at local stores for three months, followed by an additional 100,000 won this fall, though the top 10 percent of earners will be excluded from the second r July 21, 2025
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  [K-Tech] LG CNS partners with Honeywell to jointly develop AI-powered automation systems SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - South Korean IT solutions provider LG CNS said Monday it has entered into a partnership with Honeywell of the United States to develop artificial intelligence-based automation technologies tailored for American manufacturing. The collaboration was finalized during a July 8 meeting in Houston between Hyun Shin-gyoon, chief executive of LG CNS, and Pramesh Maheshwari, president of Honeywell Process Solutions. The two companies will jointly develop automation July 21, 2025
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  PHOTOS: Torrential rains, landslides devastate southern villages SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - Heavy rainfall that battered South Korea from July 16 to 20 has resulted in at least 18 deaths and left 9 people missing, according to the Ministry of Interior and Safety. The southern province of South Gyeongsang bore the brunt of the casualties, with 10 fatalities reported in Sancheong, a county severely affected by landslides. Across 15 cities and provinces, the torrential downpours forced 14,166 residents from 9,887 households to evacuate their homes, July 21, 2025
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  Trump-era tax law threatens Hyundai's US EV sales, $2 billion at risk: analysis SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group could lose up to $1.95 billion in U.S. electric vehicle sales following the enactment of Trump’s sweeping tax legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), according to the Federation of Korean Industries. The OBBBA, which took effect on July 4, abruptly ends key clean energy incentives introduced under former U.S. President Biden, including the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. The phase-out — now set to conclude by Septem July 21, 2025
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  [K-Tech] South Korea nears decision on landmark energy storage tender SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - South Korea is poised to award its first large-scale energy storage system (ESS) tender this week, a 1 trillion won (approximately $720 million) project that has drawn fierce competition among the country’s top battery makers. The outcome could reshape the strategic priorities of an industry grappling with faltering global demand for electric vehicles. The Korea Power Exchange, under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, is expected to announce July 21, 2025