Proposal for 'dawn delivery' ban stokes controversy in South Korea SEOUL, November 09 (AJP) - A heated controversy has erupted in South Korea over a proposal by some unionized delivery workers to ban "dawn delivery" services conducted between midnight and 5 a.m. The dawn delivery market has boomed, growing from 400 billion won in 2015 to 11.8 trillion won ($8.9 billion) last year, predominantly serving fresh foods and perishable goods. This rapid growth is driven not only by small business owners who rely on the service to receive in November 9, 2025

Global game developers will converge on Busan this week for G-Star festival SEOUL, November 09 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest gaming convention, G-Star 2025, is set to open on Nov. 13 at the BEXCO convention center in Busan, promising its most expansive lineup yet. This year’s event will host 1,273 companies from 44 countries, filling 3,269 booths under the theme “Expand Your Horizons.” Organizers say the annual showcase has evolved into a global cultural festival that reflects the expanding scope of the gaming industry — from November 9, 2025

Chinese fishing boat capsizes in Yellow Sea; Two dead, three missing SEOUL, November 09 (AJP) - A Chinese fishing vessel with 11 crew members aboard capsized in the international waters of the Yellow Sea early Sunday, leaving two crew members dead and three missing, according to the Korea Coast Guard. The 98-ton vessel overturned at 6:50 a.m. in international waters about 81 kilometers southwest of Gageodo Island in Sinan-gun, South Jeolla Province. A nearby Chinese fishing boat immediately initiated rescue efforts, saving six of the crew. The K November 9, 2025

Foreign visitors surge 17.6 percent as S. Korea approaches post-COVID record in arrivals SEOUL, November 09 (AJP) - Nearly 6.5 million foreign visitors arrived in South Korea between January and September with the country on track to match last year’s post-pandemic record of 7.54 million, according to data from the Ministry of Justice's immigration office, Sunday. The figure represents a 17.6 percent increase from the same period a year earlier, when 5.52 million tourists entered the country. Monthly arrivals have consistently topped 500,000 this year, November 9, 2025

K-pop nears "golden moment" by scoring big on Grammy nominations SEOUL, November 08 (AJP) -K-pop is approaching a “golden moment” on the global stage as a wave of Korean female artists secured nominations in top categories for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. “APT.,” BLACKPINK member Rose’s collaboration with Bruno Mars, and “Golden,” an original soundtrack piece from Netflix’s blockbuster anime KPop Demon Hunters, were both shortlisted for major honors including Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Per November 8, 2025

Regional dialogue in Seoul seeks stronger security cooperation SEOUL, November 07 (AJP) - A two-day regional dialogue aimed at strengthening security governance and exploring long-term policy cooperation in East Asia was held in central Seoul from Thursday, bringing together experts and scholars from across the region. Co-hosted by the Seoul-based International Policy Studies Institute (IPSI) and the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), the dialogue brought together security scholars, policy experts, and researchers from Tai November 7, 2025

KOSPI sinks below 4,000 as U.S. tech selloff deepens; KRW nears 1,460 per USD SEOUL, November 07 (AJP) - Asian stocks tumbled on Friday as a sharp overnight correction in U.S. technology shares reignited concerns about a potential “AI bubble,” sending investors toward safe-haven assets and pushing the Korean won to its weakest level in months. The won briefly touched 1,458.0 per U.S. dollar during intraday trading, pressured by simultaneous foreign selling, lingering uncertainties surrounding U.S. tariff negotiations, and a broad pullback from r November 7, 2025

Korea's growing multicultural families test social readiness for diversity SEOUL, November 07 (AJP) - Interracial marriage in South Korea, once largely associated with aging rural bachelors seeking younger spouses from Southeast Asia, has evolved as cross-border unions expand into Europe and North America — underscoring the need for a more systematic framework for addressing depopulation and building an inclusive society. Government data show that one out of every 20 babies born in Korea last year was part of a multicultural family, and both m November 7, 2025

South Korea to launch special benefit program to nurture scientists and AI experts SEOUL, November 7 (AJP) - The government will foster scientists and related professionals by offering a range of benefits to support their research and other studies, the Ministry of Science and ICT said on Friday. The ministry plans to finalize concrete plans for such a program with an aim to launch it by the second half of next year. Under the program, about 20 scientists will be selected annually over the next five years to receive research grants, stipends, and various other b November 7, 2025

HOT STOCK: Innotech rockets to the ceiling on KOSDAQ debut on chip-related hype SEOUL, November 07 (AJP) - Innotech, a South Korean maker of environmental test equipment, quadrupled on its KOSDAQ debut Friday, underscoring the frenzied appetite for anything tied to chipmaking. The shares opened at 50,300 won — 242 percent above the initial public offering (IPO) price of 14,700 won — and immediately hit the daily permissible ceiling of 58,800 won ($40). The stock stayed locked at the upper limit throughout the session despite a sweeping rout that dra November 7, 2025