KAI secures Surion helicopter contracts worth 71 billion won SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said Friday it has signed separate contracts to supply one Surion multipurpose helicopter each to the Korea Coast Guard and the Korea National Park Service. The Coast Guard contract is valued at 38.5 billion won, while the National Park Service deal totals 32.8 billion won, KAI said. Each contract covers one helicopter along with spare parts, ground support equipment and training for pilots and maintenance personnel. December 19, 2025

Nine-year-old boy becomes South Korea's youngest professional go player SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - A nine-year-old boy has become South Korea's youngest professional go or baduk player ever, the mind sport's governing body said on Friday. According to the Korea Baduk Association, Yoo Ha-jun earned professional status after passing the final qualification round the previous day, along with another young boy Pyo Hyun-woo who is 12 years old. The two stood out among about 55 under-12 apprentices to become South Korea's youngest professional G December 19, 2025

Korean digital platforms under threat and underprepared SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Global content platform TikTok announced more than $2 billion in annual safety investments on Thursday — a stark contrast to South Korea's major digital platforms, which are struggling to fend off both cyberattacks and real-world security threats. TikTok said the platform, which surpassed 1 billion monthly active users globally in 2021, continues to expand its reach, with more than 100 million videos uploaded each day. According to TikTok' December 19, 2025

Lee Jae Myung warns against collateral-heavy lending, seeks structural banking reforms SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday renewed his criticism of what he described as the banking sector’s reliance on “easy” interest income, urging regulators to embed stronger consumer protections and tighter oversight into law. Speaking at a policy briefing of the Financial Services Commission (FSC) at the Government Complex Seoul, Lee asked whether financial institutions effectively avoid losses even when loan delinquencies occur b December 19, 2025

How Korea's "young-40s" are redefining the premium phone market SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Koreans in their 40s have long been seen as digitally fluent, image-conscious and economically confident — hip moms and dads who keep pace with trends and AI tools alike. Lately, however, they have come under a new kind of mockery: for trying too hard to look young. At the center of the joke — and the shift — is the smartphone. More specifically, the iPhone, increasingly embraced as a symbol of youthfulness. What began as online &ld December 19, 2025

Gov't urges Mexico to minimize impact of looming tariff hikes SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Park Jung-sung on Friday met with Mexican Ambassador to Seoul Carlos Peñafiel Soto to discuss trade-related issues ahead of planned tariff hikes next month. Their talks came after Park consulted with relevant industry officials last week to assess the expected impact of the tariff hikes on imports of automobiles, textiles, and other goods passed by Mexico's congress earlier this month, and come up December 19, 2025

Korean markets price in Japan's rate hike to 30-year high, yen carry risk weighs SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Japan’s widely expected rate hike to 0.75 percent — the highest level in 30 years — delivered a mild upset to Korean markets, pressuring bond prices and the currency while lifting equities as investors positioned for a stronger yen environment. Although still low by global standards — compared with Korea’s 2.50 percent policy rate and the U.S. federal funds rate midpoint of about 3.6 percent — the Bank of Japan’ December 19, 2025

Century-old Buddhist pavilions gain heritage status SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) announced on Friday that it will designate three pavilions from the late Joseon Dynasty as "Treasures," while elevating two iconic medieval stone pagodas to the status of "National Treasures." The three newly recognized pavilions include the Chimgyeru Pavilion at Songgwangsa Temple in Suncheon, the Mansaeru Pavilion at Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong, and the Cheonboru Pavilion at Yongjusa Temple in Hwase December 19, 2025

PHOTOS: Annual lantern festival lights up Seoul SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Seoul's annual lantern festival has arrived at the perfect time, illuminating the city for the holy, jolly holiday season. Now in its 17th year, the festival runs until the first week of the coming year, featuring around 500 lanterns, along with illuminating displays and other festive decorations. Visitors can explore various installations along the Cheonggye Stream, stretching from Gwanghwamun in central Seoul to Dongdaemun Desi December 19, 2025

SK Signet to raise 30 billion won to expand global EV charger business SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - EV charger maker SK Signet said on Friday its board had approved a third-party share sale worth about 30 billion won, with parent company SK Inc. set to participate in the offering. The company said the proceeds will be used to expand production infrastructure to support global growth and to strengthen product competitiveness. SK Signet plans to gradually increase capacity and improve operating efficiency centered on its production base in Texas, whil December 19, 2025