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  S. Korea and Viet Nam agree to expand cooperation in rail and nuclear energy SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung held his first phone conversation with Vietnamese President Lương Cường on Thursday, reaffirming the two countries’ commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation. The 25-minute call, which began at 9:30 a.m., opened with President Cường congratulating Lee and expressing hope for meaningful progress during his term. "I hope President Lee achieves many accomplishments during his presidency," Cường said, according to June 12, 2025
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  PHOTOS: A season of new life in the wild SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - For the natural world, spring ushers in a period of profound renewal, marking the birth of countless fragile lives. From hidden dens to sun-dappled nests, this season witnesses the arrival of a new generation. We've gathered a collection of images showcasing these freshly arrived animal offspring. June 12, 2025
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  Snap to launch lighter, smarter AR glasses next year SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, is making a renewed bet on hardware with the announcement of a next-generation pair of augmented reality smart glasses, known simply as “Specs.” Set to launch in 2026, the new device represents a shift in strategy for the social media company, which has previously released AR glasses under the “Spectacles” brand, primarily targeting developers and creators. This latest iteration, however, June 12, 2025
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  Government to confront climbing grocery costs in meeting with industry groups SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - Kim Min-seok, President Lee Jae-myung's nominee for prime minister, is set to hold talks on Friday with representatives from the nation’s food and restaurant sectors as the government confronts growing public frustration over rising consumer prices. According to officials familiar with the issue, the meeting will take place in Seoul and will include representatives from the Korea Food Industry Association, the Korea Foodservice Industry Association, June 12, 2025
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  President vows to end stock manipulation, warns 'one-strike-out' under new rules SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung has declared a crackdown on illegal stock trading, pledging to restore trust in South Korea's capital markets through stronger oversight and strict penalties. During a meeting held at the Korea Exchange on Wednesday, the president warned that illegal profits in the market would not be tolerated under his administration. "If you try to play games in the South Korean stock market, you will lose everything," Lee said, addin June 12, 2025
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  Cheong Wa Dae swarmed by visitors ahead of closure for renovation as Lee prepares to move in SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - The former presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul has been swamped by visitors, ahead of its impending closure for renovation, as President Lee Jae-myung prepares to move into the compound. The number of visitors to Cheong Wa Dae began surging before and after the June 3 presidential election, amid anticipation that it might be their last chance to visit before it closes again, prompting many to flock there. According to the Cheong Wa Dae Fou June 12, 2025
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  Hyundai Steel halts operations at Pohang plant amid falling demand SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - Hyundai Steel has indefinitely suspended operations at its Pohang Plant No. 2, one of South Korea’s key production hubs for steel H-beams, citing deteriorating market conditions and a complete lack of production orders. The shutdown, which took effect on June 7, marks a significant retrenchment for the nation’s second-largest steelmaker. The Pohang facility had already been operating under a reduced two-shift system since late 2024 in response June 12, 2025
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  Military halts loudspeaker broadcasts along border SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - South Korea suspended its loudspeaker broadcasts along the heavily armed border with North Korea on Wednesday. The halt came about a year after the South Korean military resumed propaganda broadcasts in June last year, in response to a series of North Korean provocations including its bizarre campaign of sending trash-filled balloons toward the South. The latest move also came shortly after the Unification Ministry earlier this week urged North Korean defec June 11, 2025
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  Two pilots eject as South Korean fighter jet veers off runway during takeoff in Alaska SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - A South Korean KF-16 fighter jet participating in U.S.-led multinational drills in Alaska was damaged during takeoff, Air Force authorities said on Wednesday. But two pilots aboard were confirmed safe as they managed to eject themselves from the double-seat jet when it veered off the runway at Eielson Air Force Base. According to a military source, the two pilots are "safe" and have been reportedly transferred to a nearby hospital there. While June 11, 2025
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  Xiaomi to open its first offline store in Korea SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi will open its first offline retail store in South Korea later this month, the company said on Wednesday. Branded as the “Mi Store,” the retail space will be located on the second floor of the IFC Mall in Yeouido, Seoul. The store is designed to be more than a traditional retail outlet, offering product experience zones and on-site customer support services. The move signals Xiaomi’s broader ambitions in t June 11, 2025