Global leaders gather for APEC CEO Summit SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - Global business moguls and other leaders gathered for talks at the CEO Summit as part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, which kicked off on Wednesday. The multilateral business roundtable, hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), is the largest ever, featuring more sessions, speakers, and high-level attendees. President Lee Jae Myung, along with leaders from major businesses October 29, 2025

Hanmi Semiconductor chairman increases stake in sign of confidence SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - Hanmi Semiconductor said Wednesday that its chairman, Kwak Dong-shin, will buy 5 billion won (about $3.7 million) worth of company shares using his own funds. The purchase, expected to be completed by Nov. 26, will bring Kwak’s total personal investment in Hanmi shares since 2023 to 47.3 billion won, raising his stake from 33.47 percent to 33.50 percent. Hanmi Semiconductor is a global leader in TC bonder equipment — technology critical t October 29, 2025

South Korea sees births rise for 14th straight month SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - South Korea recorded an increase in births for the 14th consecutive month in August, according to new government data released Wednesday. The National Data Office said 20,867 babies were born in August, a 3.8 percent increase from a year earlier. Births rose in 12 of the country’s 17 major regions, including Seoul and Busan, though declines continued in Daejeon, Sejong and several smaller provinces. The birth rate climbed to 4.8 per 1,0 October 29, 2025

AI data centers are 'strategic national assets': Naver chief SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - Naver’s chief executive, Choi Soo-yeon, urged greater institutional and policy support for artificial intelligence data centers, calling them essential to the next stage of digital development in South Korea. Speaking Wednesday at the APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju, Choi emphasized that AI data centers had become foundational infrastructure for the global economy and said governments should treat them as strategic national assets. “The AI October 29, 2025

Asian shares mostly higher early Wed; KOSPI and Nikkei lead on chip momentum SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - Asian markets were mostly higher early Wednesday, with Seoul and Tokyo continuing to set the pace for the region on the back of strong third-quarter earnings and ongoing enthusiasm for AI-related chips. Sentiment was also supported ahead of a potential U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut expected at this week’s FOMC meeting. Korea’s benchmark KOSPI rose 0.7 percent to hover around 4,040 after jumping 1.27 percent earlier, driven by a fresh rally in October 29, 2025

Lee set to hold talks with Trump in Gyeongju SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday is set to hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday in South Korea's historic city of Gyeongju on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Their meeting, scheduled for later in the day, comes about two months after they first met in Washington, D.C. in August, marking the shortest interval between reciprocal visits by the two leaders. Lee arrived in Gyeongju the previous October 29, 2025

PHOTOS: Media art bathes Gyeongju's historic sites for APEC SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju is providing a unique backdrop for global leaders, with the host city leveraging its ancient heritage to deliver a striking cultural experience. As delegates gather, the historic heart of Gyeongju is being transformed nightly into an outdoor art gallery, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology. The ancient Daereungwon Tomb Complex and the iconic Cheomseongdae Observatory are the ce October 29, 2025

North Korea fires cruise missiles as Trump arrives for APEC summit SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated overtures to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un were met with another round of provocation, as the isolated country test-fired a couple of ship-to-surface cruise missiles in the West Sea on Tuesday. According to North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday, the missiles "improved for the launch form the ship" were launched vertically the previous day and flew for about 7,800 seconds al October 29, 2025

Kia's electric van sets Guinness World Record for longest drive on single charge SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - South Korean automaker Kia said on Wednesday that its PV5 Cargo electric van has set a Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled by a light commercial electric vehicle on a single charge, covering 693.38 kilometers, or about 431 miles, while carrying a full load. “The Guinness World Record achieved by the PV5 Cargo demonstrates Kia’s vision to provide new mobility solutions beyond transportation,” said Song Ho-sung, the c October 29, 2025

Hanwha explores autonomous navigation through partnership with US company SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - South Korea's Hanwha Group is accelerating its expansion into the United States by teaming up with Havok AI, an American company specializing in autonomous navigation technology. Hanwha Solutions and Hanwha Ocean said Wednesday that they are exploring strategic cooperation with Havok AI in the development of unmanned maritime systems. On Tuesday, Havok AI’s chief executive, Paul Lewin, and his team visited Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in G October 29, 2025