Power demand hits July record, prompting emergency measures

SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - South Korea’s electricity demand surged to its highest level in three years this week, as an unusually early and intense heat wave swept across the country. National power consumption reached 93.4 gigawatts on Monday, surpassing the previous July record of 92.99 GW set in 2022. By Tuesday evening, the load climbed further to 95.7 GW, pushing electricity reserves below the critical 10 percent threshold for the first time this summer, according to data f

July 9, 2025

Trump claims South Korea pays 'very little' for USFK upkeep

SEOUL, July 9 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump once again raised the issue Tuesday that South Korea is paying "very little" for the upkeep of maintaining some 28,500 U.S. troops here, arguing that it should pay for its own defense. "We rebuilt South Korea. We stayed there..... and they pay us very little for the military," Trump said during a cabinet meeting at the White House, while falsely claiming that 45,000 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea. "

July 9, 2025

From streetwear to skincare, Seoul's Seongsu-dong emerges as Korea's 'Style Capital'

Editor's Note: This is the sixth article in our series exploring the evolving landscape of the Korean beauty industry and the products that captivate international visitors. SEOUL, July 08 (AJP) - In the heart of Seongsu-dong, a once-industrial neighborhood now transformed into one of Seoul’s trendiest enclaves, foreign visitors will find a curated showcase of South Korea’s rising fashion and beauty prowess — all under the banner of e-commerce powerhouse Musi

July 9, 2025

TRAVEL: Korea's coastal 'fan trail,' where land meets sea

GANGNEUNG, July 09 (AJP) - Along South Korea's rugged East Coast, a unique pedestrian path known as the Badabuchae-gil Trail offers a captivating journey where ancient geology meets stunning ocean vistas. Stretching from Jeongdongjin to Simgok Port in Gangneung, this coastal walk is distinguished as the nation's sole trail built along a marine terrace, a testament to millions of years of geological transformation. The coastal terrace at Jeongdongjin, a prominent feature

July 9, 2025

KAIST president urges action for South Korea to join AI's global top three

SEOUL, July 08 (AJP) - KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung on Monday called for South Korea to take bold steps to become one of the world's three leading artificial intelligence powers, stressing the urgency of building a fully independent AI ecosystem. Speaking at a national science and technology policy forum held in Seoul on Monday, Lee laid out a wide-ranging strategy that ties AI development to national infrastructure, education, semiconductors, and global alliances. &qu

July 8, 2025

Teaser video for BLACKPINK's new single builds excitement ahead of release this week

SEOUL, July 8 (AJP) - K-pop girl group BLACKPINK unveiled a teaser video for their upcoming single on Tuesday, just days ahead of its release later this week. The music video for "Jump," which is set for release on Friday, was created by multiple Grammy-winning American director Dave Meyers, according to their agency YG Entertainment. The quartet already showcased the song during their two-day concert in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province last weekend, where the four members reu

July 8, 2025

Seoul sees hottest early July temperature on record

SEOUL, July 8 (AJP) - The temperature in Seoul soared to 37.7 degrees Celsius on Tuesday afternoon, the highest ever recorded for early July in the capital, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The record high temperature comes as an early heat wave continues to persist, breaking the previous record of 36.8 degrees set in 1939. Other parts of the country also sweltered through record-high temperatures, with Busan at 34.5 degrees, Inchon at 35.6 degrees, and

July 8, 2025

HD Hyundai Infracore secures deal to supply engines for K2 battle tanks

SEOUL, July 08 (AJP) - HD Hyundai Infracore has signed a 92.3 billion won (approximately $66.5 million) contract with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration to supply engines for the K2 main battle tank. The deal covers phased deliveries of DV27K engines through 2028. The DV27K is a domestically developed 1,500-horsepower powerplant capable of propelling the 56-ton K2 tank at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour. It features a high-efficiency combustio

July 8, 2025

South Korea's economy stalls despite stimulus, KDI warns

SEOUL, July 8 (AJP) - South Korea’s economy continues to lose steam despite the rollout of a supplementary budget earlier this year, the state-run Korea Development Institute said in its latest monthly report, highlighting persistent weakness in the construction sector and mounting external pressures. In its July economic trends report released Tuesday, the institute offered a downbeat assessment of the economy’s trajectory, stating that growth indicators remained &ldquo

July 8, 2025

Kim Jong-un visits mausoleum on his grandfather's death anniversary

SEOUL, July 8 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the mausoleum of his grandfather and regime founder Kim Il-sung to mark the 31st anniversary of his death, state media reported on Tuesday. Kim junior visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang around midnight, accompanied by senior party officials, according to the country's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). He "paid high tribute to the statues of the great leaders" and made "a d

July 8, 2025