Actor Kim Soo-hyun loses endorsement deals amid mounting allegations

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - Actor Kim Soo-hyun is facing growing scrutiny after allegations about his romantic relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron recently surfaced. The family of the 24-year-old actress revealed earlier this week that Kim had been in a long-term relationship with her, allegedly beginning when she was 15 and he was 12 years her senior. Under South Korean law, any romantic involvement with a minor under 16 is considered a criminal offense. Shortly after

March 12, 2025

Constitutional Court wrestles with decision on Yoon's impeachment trial

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea has yet to set a date for the final verdict in President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial over his botched martial law debacle last year. The court has reportedly been holding deliberation sessions almost every day since Yoon's hearings concluded late last month. In the meantime, the court gave prior notice that it will deliver rulings on Thursday for a series of pending impeachment cases including Choi Jae-hae, h

March 12, 2025

French film fest to showcase unreleased flicks this spring

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - The annual French film festival is set to return this spring here, offering opportunities to indulge in French films and cultural events. Organized by the French Embassy in Seoul in partnership with ARTNINE and the Busan Cinema Center, the festival under the name of French Cinema Week is supported by TV5MONDE, KBDF, Moët & Chandon, Alliance Française de Busan, and Hulotte. It will be held in Seoul and Busan from April 4 to 13. This year'

March 12, 2025

Samsung wins trademark lawsuit against Chinese firm TCL in Germany

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics has secured a preliminary injunction against Chinese home appliance maker TCL in a trademark infringement lawsuit in Germany, a ruling that could set a precedent in disputes over alleged "copycat" practices by Chinese companies. The District Court of Dusseldorf ruled in favor of the South Korean tech giant last month, approximately three months after Samsung initiated legal proceedings in November 2024, according to industry of

March 12, 2025

Canadian Embassy hosts seminar on North Korean human rights

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - A seminar to shed light on North Korean human rights was held in central Seoul on Wednesday. The event, hosted by the Embassy of Canada in Seoul, brought together a wide range of attendees including those supported by the funds provided by the embassy. Non-profit organization People for Successful Corean Reunification (PSCORE) shared the outcome of its research into the working conditions of North Korean IT workers, both in the isolated country and oversea

March 12, 2025

Korean instant noodle exports hit record high in February

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - South Korea’s instant noodle exports surged to a record monthly high of $121.15 million in February, a 30.4 percent increase from the same period last year, according to data released Wednesday by the Korea Customs Service. Total exports for the first two months of the year reached $228.64 million, up 28 percent year-on-year, with export volume rising 30.2 percent to 57,190 tons. The figures highlight the growing global appetite for Korean instant noodl

March 12, 2025

Soaring debt, housing slump threaten Korean construction industry

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - Anxiety is mounting among small and mid-sized construction firms in South Korea as a wave of bankruptcies sweeps through the industry. At least seven companies, including Shindonga Construction and Sambu Construction, have filed for court receivership this year, underscoring the financial distress gripping the sector. According to data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, 109 construction firms shut down by February 28 this year &mdas

March 12, 2025

INTERVIEW: Czech envoy highlights growing partnership between Czechia and South Korea

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - Ivan Jančárek, the Ambassador of Czechia to South Korea, underscored the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations. As they celebrate 35 years of diplomatic ties and a decade of strategic partnership, he highlighted key areas for further collaboration. "There is great potential for cooperation in trade, technology, and infrastructure," he said, pointing to the increasing opportunities for South Korean investment in Czechia&rsq

March 12, 2025

Mugshot of teacher accused in brutal stabbing of young girl unveiled

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - The identity and personal details of a 48-year-old teacher accused of fatally stabbing a young girl last month were unveiled on Wednesday. Police in Daejeon said they decided to disclose the mugshot of Myung Jae-wan online for about a month after reviewing the case the previous day, given the heinous nature of the crime. Under South Korean law, police can disclose personal information only when there is clear evidence linking a suspect to a crime or if the

March 12, 2025

PHOTOS: Arrival of spring

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - The warmth of spring has arrived, bringing life to rural fields and urban parks. Here's a glimpse of how people are celebrating the season.

March 12, 2025