Asian stocks edge higher ahead of BOJ rate decision SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Asian equities closed modestly higher on Wednesday, with South Korean stocks rebounding as heavyweight chipmakers led gains, while investors across the region remained cautious ahead of the Bank of Japan’s policy meeting later this week. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI rose 1.4 percent to 4,056.41, recovering above the 4,000 mark after two consecutive sessions of losses. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ slipped 0.6 percent to 911.07. Samsung Electronics jumped December 17, 2025

Much ado about nothing: Korea's "Hwandan Gogi" controversy winds down SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Claims that Korean ancestry dates back to the Stone Age and that an ancient polity called Hwan-guk once spanned territories stretching from western Europe to China resurfaced briefly in South Korea’s political spotlight this month — before being swiftly dismissed by historians. The claims originate from Hwandan Gogi, a book published in 1979 by Yi Yu-rip, founder of the religious group Taebaekgyo. The text asserts that Hwan-guk had a population December 17, 2025

SHINee's Key leaves TV shows amid alleged improper medical treatment controversy SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - K-pop boy band SHINee member Key belatedly admitted to receiving improper medical treatment and issued an apology, announcing his departure from all the shows he had been appearing on. According to a statement released by his agency, SM Entertainment on Wednesday, Key had received treatment at a hospital in Gangnam, southern Seoul after being referred by a circle of his acquaintances and believed the hospital's practitioner, known by her last name Le December 17, 2025

Hanwha to develop radar for South Korea's next-generation missile shield SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Hanwha Systems said it has secured a contract worth about $135 million to develop a multifunction radar for South Korea’s next-generation Cheongung-III missile defense system. The contract is part of the M-SAM Block-III program, led by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), and will run through June 2030, the company said on Wednesday. The project represents the first full-scale development of the Cheongung-III system since the upgrade of C December 17, 2025

Salvation army red kettle campaign under way SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Salvation Army red kettle campaigns are under way across the country as the year draws to a close. Active in Korea since 1908, the Salvation Army continues its long-running tradition of collecting donations to support neighbors in need. December 17, 2025

Korea set to test digital ADHD treatment amid overuse of concentration pills SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often taken lightly in Korea, particularly when strong school grades compensate for disruptive or reckless behavior — and, in some cases, when parents quietly encourage medication use ahead of college preparation. The neglect, delayed diagnosis and lingering aversion to child psychiatry frequently lead to long-term difficulties for patients. For many, treatment begins late and remains narrowly focuse December 17, 2025

South Korea's Doosan Enerbility wins new US gas turbine order for data center SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Doosan Enerbility said on Wednesday it has signed a contract to supply three large gas turbines to a major U.S. technology company. Under the deal, Doosan Enerbility will supply three 380-megawatt gas turbines for use at the customer’s data center, with one unit scheduled for delivery in 2027 and the remaining two in 2028. The company did not disclose the name of the customer or the contract value. The latest agreement follows an earlier deal December 17, 2025

PHOTOS: Annual winter festa lights up night of Seoul SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - The 2025 Seoul Winter Festa officially commenced on Dec. 12, marking the start of a city-wide celebration of light and culture. Hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and organized by the Seoul Tourism Organization, the festival aims to bridge the gap between local residents and international visitors. The event features a diverse lineup of programming that blends live performances and interactive experiences with the global appeal of K-culture. December 17, 2025

South Korea sees steady rise in fathers taking parental leave SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - The number of fathers taking parental leave in South Korea surpassed 60,000 for the first time last year, accounting for 30 percent of all parental leave takers. According to data released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics on Wednesday, the number of parental leave takers reached 206,226 in 2024, up four percent from the previous year, with some 29.2 percent being fathers. The number of fathers taking parental leave has steadily increased from 32 December 17, 2025

Propaganda leaflets floated to North Korea months before martial law fiasco, Defense Ministry reveals SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - South Korea floated propaganda leaflets into North Korea at least 23 times under the former Yoon Suk Yeol administration, the Ministry of Defense said Wednesday. According to the ministry's recent internal investigation, the leaflet drops, halted in July 2017 under Yoon's predecessor, resumed from February to November last year after a decision was made at a security meeting in October 2023, attended by then-Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, then-Un December 17, 2025