Asian stocks edge lower on oil supply fears, Hormuz disruption concerns SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) — Asian stock markets traded mostly lower Thursday as investors weighed volatile oil prices and the risk of prolonged shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz despite a coordinated release of strategic crude reserves by major consuming nations. The International Energy Agency (IEA) said Wednesday that its 32 member countries agreed to release 400 million barrels of strategic oil reserves, the largest coordinated drawdown in the agency’s histor March 12, 2026

South Korea completes test of first homegrown air-launched anti-tank missile SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - South Korea has successfully completed the test of its first homegrown air-launched anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality said on Thursday. The Cheongeom, which literally means "heavenly sword" in Korean and is also called TAipers, was developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) in 2022 and manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace. Mounted on a light armed helicopter, it is designed to precisely stri March 12, 2026

Shopping arcade in Seoul finds new life as elderly hangout SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - A shopping arcade in central Seoul has found an unlikely second life as a favorite hangout for elderly people with little money. On the first floor of Nakwon Arcade in Jongno, a boisterous crowd of seniors fills the tables daily, some seated, others standing nearby, their laughter and chatter echoing all the way to the entrance. This is where the neighborhood’s best janggi (or Korean chess) players gather to compete. With recreational activities bann March 12, 2026

South Korean researchers develop task AI enabling robots to learn, execute everyday chores SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - South Korean researchers have developed a robotic task artificial intelligence system capable of learning and carrying out routine household and workplace chores by observing human demonstrations, the state-run Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM) said Thursday. The AI system, built by a team led by Kim Jeong-jung at KIMM's Department of AI Machinery, allows robots to acquire task skills from human demonstrations, replicate them in a virtua March 12, 2026

Photos show North Korean leader and daughter firing pistols during on-site inspection SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a munitions factory producing light weapons such as pistols, state media reported on Thursday. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim visited the factory the previous day to "learn about the munitions production." He was quoted as urging officials to "expand the factory's production capacity in a far-sighted way and raise the level of modernization of the production li March 12, 2026

LG CNS strikes strategic partnership with Palantir to accelerate AI transformation push SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - LG CNS, the IT services arm of South Korea's LG Group, signed a strategic partnership with U.S. artificial intelligence software firm Palantir Technologies, as the company moves to broaden its enterprise AI platform business. The agreement was signed ahead of Palantir's AIPCon event in the United States. LG CNS President and CEO Hyun Shin-gyoon and Palantir co-founder and CEO Alex Karp were among senior executives present at the signing ceremony on We March 12, 2026

U.S. targets Korea and 15 others for Section 301 trade probe after tariff setback SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) -The United States has opened a trade investigation into South Korea and 15 other economies over alleged structural overcapacity in manufacturing sectors, a move that could eventually lead to new tariffs as the Trump administration rebuilds its trade policy after a recent Supreme Court setback. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) said Wednesday it had initiated investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 into the “act March 12, 2026

South Korea releasing 22.46 million barrels of oil reserves in IEA joint action SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) -South Korea will release 22.46 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves as part of the International Energy Agency’s largest-ever coordinated emergency action to stabilize global energy markets shaken by the war in Iran. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Wednesday the decision follows an emergency meeting of the International Energy Agency (IEA), where its 32 member countries agreed to release a combined 400 million barrels from e March 12, 2026

Miyeon, NOWZ set to perform at fashion-themed festival in Tokyo SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - Miyeon of K-pop girl group i-dle and rookie boy band NOWZ will perform at Japan's "Tokyo Girls Collection," the island country's largest fashion-themed festival, according to their agency Cube Entertainment. Miyeon, along with five-member boy band NOWZ consisting of Hyunbin, Yoon, Yeonwoo, Jinhyuk, and Siyun will appear at the festival, which celebrates its 42nd year, scheduled for Thursday at Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo. The festiva March 11, 2026

Iran's 'Drones vs Patriots': If U.S. forces shift, who guards South Korea's skies? SEOUL, March 11 (AJP) - As U.S. air-defense assets are increasingly drawn into the widening war with Iran, South Korea faces an uncomfortable question: how much of its own air and missile defense can it sustain without American cover. Seoul has quietly acknowledged it cannot prevent U.S. tactical assets from being redeployed if Washington needs them elsewhere. The concern is not abstract. North Korea’s missile and drone tactics bear striking similarities to those now being tes March 11, 2026