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  BTS reunites this June after nearly two years of service SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - K-pop wonder BTS is on track for a full-group return this June, as the last of the members complete their military service. RM and V are set to be discharged on Jun. 10, followed by Jungkook and Jimin a day later. Suga wraps up his service on Jun. 21. Jin and J-Hope, who finished earlier, are already preparing for the group's long-awaited reunion. The group has been on hiatus since late 2022, when Jin became the first to enlist under South Korea’s May 26, 2025
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  Yoon Suk Yeol appears in court for fifth insurrection trial amid investigation into deleted phone records SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - Former President Yoon Suk Yeol returned to the Seoul Central District Court on Monday for the fifth hearing in his trial on charges of insurrection and abuse of power. It was his third time entering through the main public entrance. As in previous appearances, he passed reporters in silence, offering no comment on the Dec. 3 martial law declaration or whether he intended to address the public ahead of the Jun. 3 presidential election. The May 26 hearing is th May 26, 2025
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  OpenAI sets up South Korean subsidiary SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - OpenAI said on Monday that it has established a Korean subsidiary and plans to open its first office in Seoul in the coming months. The move is part of the company’s broader international strategy, dubbed “OpenAI for Countries,” which aims to deepen partnerships and infrastructure investments worldwide. Over the past year, OpenAI has opened offices in 11 cities, including London, Dublin, Brussels and Paris. Seoul will join Tokyo and Singapo May 26, 2025
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  Amorepacific taps Daiso to launch new men's grooming brand SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest cosmetics maker Amorepacific has rolled out Monday a new cosmetics line for men through Daiso, the popular discount chain, aiming to reach younger male consumers who are just beginning to explore skincare and grooming. The cosmetics maker said in a statement that its new brand, called “Prep by B.READY,” is geared toward men in their 20s and 30s. “The brand targets male customers who are new to styling,” th May 26, 2025
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  Homeplus lease terminations leave small businesses in limbo SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - Homeplus, a South Korean retail chain undergoing court-supervised restructuring, has begun notifying landlords of plans to terminate leases at 17 stores, deepening uncertainty for hundreds of small businesses operating within those locations. The potential closures span major metropolitan areas, including Seoul, Incheon, and Busan, and affect stores in Gayang, Ilsan, Siheung, Jamsil, and other key commercial districts. An estimated 200 to 300 small businesses o May 26, 2025
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  Lee Jae-myung calls inter-Korean summit essential but says now is not the time SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung said Monday that while holding a summit with North Korea is something that should happen, current conditions make it unlikely in the near future. “It is something that obviously should happen, but I don’t know whether it will be possible,” Lee told reporters during a visit to Ajou University in Suwon on May 26. “At the moment, it would be extremely difficult.” Lee ackn May 26, 2025
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  Subscriber exodus accelerates at SK Telecom following security breach SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest mobile carrier, SK Telecom, has raised device subsidies and sales incentives in an urgent attempt to stem a wave of customer defections triggered by a widespread security breach and logistical failures earlier this month. The telecom provider reportedly increased its official subsidies for Samsung’s Galaxy S25 smartphones to 680,000 won (about $510) and for Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models to 650,000 won. With a May 26, 2025
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  South Korea launches $29 billion battery storage initiative SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - South Korea has launched its most ambitious energy storage initiative yet, opening the door to what officials estimate could become a $29 billion market by 2038 — offering a much-needed boost to domestic battery manufacturers grappling with a global slowdown in electric vehicle demand. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy unveiled plans for a nationwide tender to install 540 megawatts of battery energy storage systems (BESS), marking the country' May 26, 2025
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  Chung Soon-mi becomes first overseas Korean awarded top Norwegian medal SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - Musician Chung Soon-mi has become the first overseas Korean to receive Norway’s highest state honor, the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav, the South Korean Embassy in Norway said on Saturday. Chung was awarded the Knight First Class medal of the prestigious Order on Sunday in recognition of her significant contributions to Norwegian arts and culture. Established in 1847 by King Oscar I of Norway, the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav is the coun May 26, 2025
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  North Korea begins repairs on damaged destroyer after failed launch SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - North Korea has begun restoring a newly developed warship that was severely damaged during its launch ceremony last week, according to a report by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Sunday. The 5,000-ton-class destroyer sustained major damage on May 21 at the northeastern port of Chongjin. During the launch event, attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the warship’s stern reportedly detached from its transport cradle and tipped to May 26, 2025