POSCO apologizes after toxic gas accident leaves workers critically ill SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - South Korean steelmaker POSCO issued a formal apology on Friday after three workers were hospitalized for inhaling toxic gas during a sludge-cleaning operation at its steel mill in the southeastern city of Pohang. The company vowed to strengthen safety protocols to prevent similar incidents. In a statement, POSCO President Lee Hee-geun expressed “deep regret” over the accident, which occurred on Thursday and involved both POSCO employees November 21, 2025

Support bills for steel, petrochemical sectors set for parliamentary vote in South Korea SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - Special legislation designed to bolster South Korea’s steel and petrochemical industries cleared a key parliamentary committee on Friday, paving the way for final approval next week. The National Assembly's Industry, Trade and Energy Committee passed the so-called K-Steel Act and the Petrochemical Support Act with bipartisan backing. The measures, which advanced through a subcommittee on Nov. 19, are expected to win passage in a full National November 21, 2025

Defense Ministry forms task force to investigate those involved in martial law debacle SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - A task force has been formed to investigate any illegal activities by military personnel and officials during disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle late last year, the Ministry of Defense said on Friday. Minister Ahn Kyu-back will lead the task force consisting of some 50 members from various military branches and civilian advisers, in coordination with a separate task force headed by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok to conduct November 21, 2025

Trump Burger and Silla gold crown in Gyeongju APEC-themed travel package SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - A “Trump” hamburger named after the U.S. president who enjoyed it during his visit to South Korea for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) event — along with a chance to view authentic Silla dynasty crowns instead of the replica that pleased the VIPs — are among the highlights of a new tourism package launched to capitalize on APEC summit week in late October. Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture & Tourism Corporation (GCTO) wil November 21, 2025

Man arrested after knife attack on woman in southern Seoul SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - A man was arrested after attacking a woman in her 20s with a knife at a crammer in Seoul's affluent district of Gangnam on Friday. According to police, the man fled the scene shortly after the incident, which occurred around 11:50 a.m. in Sinsa-dong, but was later apprehended in Mapo, western Seoul, after authorities tracked him using CCTV footage. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries, and police are investigating the deta November 21, 2025

National Museum of Korea set to open new gallery showcasing Islamic art SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - The National Museum of Korea is set to open a new gallery featuring Islamic-themed art on its third floor starting Saturday. The exhibition is divided into three themes: religious art, cultural expansion, and court culture and manuscripts, covering Islamic art from the 7th to the 19th century. The first section showcases the essence of Islamic calligraphy, from early Quran manuscripts on parchment to large manuscripts from the Timurid Empire. Architec November 21, 2025

South Korea's biggest lenders move to curb home purchase loans SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - KB Kookmin Bank and Hana Bank, two of South Korea’s largest lenders, said they will suspend new home purchase loans through the end of the year, a move that is expected to be followed by other major banks and could create a year-end “loan cliff” for prospective buyers. According to industry officials, KB Kookmin Bank will stop accepting new mortgage applications for home purchases beginning Nov. 22 on its online platforms and No November 21, 2025

Korea's Hanwha and Emirati defense group EDGE upgrade air defense partnership Hanwha Aerospace signs MOU with UAE’s EDGE Group to expand defense AI cooperation SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - South Korea's defense firm Hanwha Aerospace and Emirati state-owned defense conglomerate EDGE Group on Friday announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand joint develpment across advanced air and missile defense, long-range precision strike, unmanned systems, and defense AI. Under the agreement signed during the Dubai Airshow November 21, 2025

Polestar CEO touts Busan plant as key export hub for North America SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - Michael Loscheller, chief executive of Polestar, stressed the strategic value of the company’s new production base in Busan, describing it as a critical link between Asian manufacturing and North American demand. Speaking to reporters in Seoul on Nov. 20, Loscheller said the plant has begun trial production of the Polestar 4 destined for North American markets. The facility, operated by Renault Korea, underwent a major upgrade this year to pre November 21, 2025

Asian shares tumble on renewed U.S. tech rout, exposing regional market fragility SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - Asian markets slid on Friday as a fresh selloff in U.S. tech reignited “AI bubble” fears and laid bare how deeply regional sentiment is tethered to Wall Street’s semiconductor cycle. Overnight, all three major U.S. indexes fell. Nvidia cooled 3.15 percent to $180.64, reversing its brief rebound. AMD plunged 7.84 percent to $206.02, while Micron Technology tumbled 10.87 percent to $201.37, clinging just above the psychologically importan November 21, 2025