World AI Film Festival to debut in Seoul in 2026 SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - The World AI Film Festival will make its Seoul debut in March 2026, bringing together artificial intelligence technology and film as part of its expanding global network. Content planning firm Vision Culture said it will host the World AI Film Festival Seoul 2026 (WAIFF Seoul 2026) on March 6 and 7, 2026, at Lotte World Tower in southern Seoul. The event will be held with official sponsor Lotte and media partner The Korea Herald. WAIFF is an internation December 12, 2025

Korea beats European powers to rank 7th most powerful country SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) -South Korea ranked as the world’s seventh-most powerful country in 2025, surpassing European heavyweights such as France and Italy, according to the latest CEOWORLD Magazine assessment — a result that highlights the country’s expanding influence, increasingly driven by soft power alongside industrial and strategic strength. The 2025 ranking underscores a central reality of global order: a small group of states continues to set the pace f December 12, 2025

OPINION: Why China becomes more popular in 2025 SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - The year 2025 has entered its final month. This year, unilateralism and protectionism have injected greater uncertainty into the world. China, however, has charted a different course. China has remained proactive, winning greater global goodwill through increasing opening up, stronger momentum of innovation, and an ever December 12, 2025

K-literature pipeline filled with next Han Kang candidates SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Han Kang's 2024 Nobel Prize has helped revive an almost-dead reading, literature and publishing community. Bookstores have regained life, and this year’s pipeline is rich with hopes of sustaining the Han Kang momentum. AJP introduces three potential post-Han candidates whose translated works have drawn overseas attention after publication and gained critical acclaim through major awards. Chung Bora “My grandfather used to say, ‘ December 12, 2025

Seoul taps sovereign funds to bankroll AI and next-generation tech SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - South Korea launching three-digit-billion-dollar government-sponsored growth fund investing AI and next-gen technology companies through equity and projecting financing is working on a separate wealth fund to systematically groom non-listed unicorn darlings. During a televised policy briefing to President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol outlined plans for a fund modeled on Singapore’s Temase December 12, 2025

PHOTOS: Get early taste of Lunar New Year holiday at COEX SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Festive Gift Fair opened on December 10 at COEX in Seoul, running through December 13. Organized by Messe E&D and Korea Food Service News, the fair features diverse gift sets including health products, agricultural and marine products, household goods, and food and beverages. Visitors can purchase items directly at the event, and various sampling opportunities make the experience particularly engaging for attendees. This year's fa December 12, 2025

PHOTOS: Pet fair underway in Seoul SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - The three-day "Christmas Seoul Pet Show" opened in Seoul on Dec. 12, showcasing a rapidly expanding companion animal market driven by the trend of "pet humanization" in South Korea. The event, which runs through Dec. 14, aims to promote the respect of companion animals, emphasizing their growing status as full-fledged family members in the country. This shift in perception — where pets are increasingly treated like human childre December 12, 2025

Asian markets rally on US optimism; Korean won volatile amid yen carry trade concerns SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Asian equity markets rallied across the board on Friday, lifted by optimism from Wall Street after U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s hawkish rate cut was interpreted as a signal that the American economy may avoid a recession. Despite the market rebound, currency volatility persisted. The Korean won closed at 1,476.3 per dollar as of 4 p.m., up 3.8 won from the previous session, amid concerns that it could again test the 1,480 level. Fears December 12, 2025

Ballet en Grand Jeté in Korea, blending graceful workout and fashion SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Once confined to the cultural elite, ballet in South Korea is stepping firmly into the mainstream — embraced as both a graceful workout and a fashion-forward lifestyle, propelled by star dancers, celebrities and social media. The shift is visible on major stages and smartphone screens alike. Leading male principals such as Kim Ki-min of the Mariinsky Ballet and Jeon Min-chul have gone viral on TikTok and Instagram, recasting ballet as aspirational December 12, 2025

Seoul, Beijing resume high-level trade talks after 7-year hiatus SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - South Korea’s Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan met Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Beijing on Friday, marking the first bilateral ministerial trade meeting between the two countries in seven years. The talks followed the recent South Korea–China summit and focused on restoring trade momentum. The ministers agreed to resume regular high-level consultations to strengthen economic cooperation. Seeking to expand economic engagement beyo December 12, 2025