South Korea elected chair of key global food standards committee SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) - South Korea has been elected chair of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables, securing a larger role in shaping global food rules at the 48th Codex Alimentarius Commission meeting held in Rome from Nov. 10 to 14. The appointment coincides with the commission’s approval of South Korea’s proposal to add the term “kimchi cabbage” to international standards for kimchi — a move officials say strengthe November 17, 2025

Korea's bakery hotspot London Bagel chain moves to fix working conditions SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) - LBM, the operator of South Korea’s bakery hotspot London Bagel Museum and now under expansive investigation over alleged labor abuses, on Monday unveiled a comprehensive set of remedial measures to improve working conditions. The initiative focuses on bolstering job stability, enforcing compliance with legal working hours, and upgrading store-level safety and health systems. Repeatedly apologizing to employees and customers, CEO Kang Kwan-gu November 17, 2025

Hanwha Aerospace takes command of Korea's first privately led rocket launch SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) - South Korea is gearing up for the launch of its fourth Nuri rocket on Nov. 27, a milestone that marks the country’s transition from government-led space projects to a growing private-sector ecosystem. Officials say the shift is expected to open new export opportunities for domestic defense and aerospace companies as global demand for launch services accelerates. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute said the rocket is scheduled to lift off be November 17, 2025

South Korea targets AI, R&D collaboration in broader ASEAN strategy SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) - South Korea is seeking to upgrade its free trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen digital trade and ease regulatory hurdles for companies operating in the region, a senior government official said Monday. Yeo Han-koo, South Korea’s chief trade negotiator, said the government plans to prioritize the removal of non-tariff barriers that have slowed South Korean firms’ entry into fast-growing ASEAN November 17, 2025

Indonesia's High-Speed Rail: A Debt Trap? The murder of a South Korean student in Cambodia has sparked concerns over online scams. Chinese crime syndicates lured South Koreans with promises of high salaries, only to detain and force them into scams such as romance fraud and phishing. While these activities occurred in Phnom Penh, the main hub was Sihanoukville, influenced by China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The city, home to Cambodia's largest port, saw a surge in Chinese investment, transforming it in November 17, 2025

OPINION: In Trump's tariff world, South Korea learns cost of compromise When South Korea and the United States released a joint fact sheet on Nov. 14, it marked the end of 10 months of bruising trade negotiations set in motion by U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement is sweeping: Seoul will commit $200 billion to U.S.-designated projects and another $150 billion to the American shipbuilding industry, on top of a $150 billion investment pledge made in August. In exchange, Washington will cap tariffs on South Korean automobiles and pharmaceutica November 17, 2025

Korea's top conglomerates vow near $700 bn domestic investment, doubling US commitment SEOUL, November 16 (AJP) - South Korea’s four largest conglomerates — Samsung, SK, Hyundai and LG — pledged more than 1,000 trillion won ($687 billion) in domestic investment over the next five years, vowing to build new AI, semiconductor and hydrogen hubs outside the capital region to counter concerns that Seoul’s $350 billion U.S. investment commitment could drain high-tech capacity and jobs from home. The massive investment plans were laid out during a two-hou November 16, 2025

PM orders safety measures for Han River ferry service after another accident SEOUL, November 16 (AJP) - Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on Sunday instructed city officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of an accident involving a water ferry service along the Han River. His instruction came a day after one of the boats stalled near a dock in Jamsil, southern Seoul, while passing through shallow waters. Although there were no casualties or injuries, all 82 passengers aboard were frightened before being safely rescued. Stressed the need to November 16, 2025

US Navy chief tours South Korean shipyards as MASGA project gears up SEOUL, November 16 (AJP) - South Korea's leading shipbuilders, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean, said Sunday that U.S. Navy Chief Adm. Daryl Caudle visited their shipyards in the southern port cities of Ulsan and Geoje the previous day. His visit, accompanied by Kevin Kim, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim, and other officials, came just a day after South Korea and the U.S. released a joint fact sheet detailing their trade and security agreements, which inclu November 16, 2025

Registrations of electric vehicles surpass 200,000 in South Korea this year SEOUL, November 16 (AJP) - The number of registered electric vehicles in South Korea have exceeded over 200,000 units this year, the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment said on Sunday. According to the ministry, 200,650 electric vehicles have been registered so far this year, surpassing the previous record of 164,486 set in 2022. The government's efforts to promote electric vehicles have driven sales from 100,000 units in 2021 to over 200,000 units in just four yea November 16, 2025