Sticky points still in place in final stretch of Korea–U.S. trade deal talks SEOUL, October 23 (AJP) - “It ain’t over till it’s over,” senior Seoul officials said as they wrapped up last-mile marathon talks in Washington over a trade agreement tied to South Korea’s $350 billion investment pledge in exchange for relief from a 25 percent U.S. import levy. After a two-hour meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Kim Yong-beom, policy chief to President Lee Jae-myung, told reporters, “We discussed many remainin October 23, 2025

KAIST tops student survey as applications continue to climb SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - KAIST has been ranked the top university in South Korea among respondents in their 10s to 50s, according to the 2025 INUE–Korea Economic Daily University Survey, reflecting the school's growing reputation for innovation and creative education. The university said Wednesday that 6,991 students applied for early admission to its undergraduate program for the 2026 academic year, up 7.6 percent from a year earlier. The competition rate rose from 7.9 October 22, 2025

Türkiye and Korea mark 75 years since Turkish Brigade's arrival SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - A ceremony was held at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul on October 22 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Turkish Brigade's arrival during the Korean War. The event, organized by the Turkish Embassy in the Republic of Korea, commemorated the landing of Turkish troops in Busan on October 17, 1950, as part of the United Nations Command. Around 21,000 Turkish soldiers served in Korea between 1950 and 1953, with nearly 900 killed and missing, while 244 October 22, 2025

Koreans get serious about park golf, launching the first pro qualifying test SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Korea's love for golf is no secret, but the craze over its miniature, cheaper cousin turned serious this week as the nation hosted the world's first Professional Park Golf Pro Qualifying Test. The three-day competition began on Wednesday at Hanyeoul Park Golf Course in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, drawing 380 participants. Until just a few years ago, park golf — a hybrid between golf and croquet — was largely seen as a leisurely pastime October 22, 2025

South Korean stocks soar while other Asian markets mostly flat SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - South Korean shares extended gains Wednesday, outperforming most Asian markets that moved flat to lower amid profit-taking. The benchmark KOSPI rose 1.56 percent to close at 3,883.68, while the KOSDAQ gained 0.76 percent to 879.15. Battery-related shares led the rally after a JP Morgan report showed global energy storage system (ESS) shipments in September jumped 105 percent year-on-year. LG Energy Solution climbed 3.09 percent to 450,500 won ($315.05), a October 22, 2025

Many women still endure severe stress despite expanded infertility support, study reveals SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Despite increased support for infertility treatments many women undergo severe physical and mental stress from repeated procedures, a new study reveals. The study, conducted by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs and released on Wednesday, found that many women often suffer from serious complications such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, ectopic pregnancies, and multiple pregnancies involving two or more fetuses. Multiple pregnancies, October 22, 2025

Unscripted diplomacy may steal the APEC Gyeongju show SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Last-minute agenda-setting bustle is in full swing with nine days left until the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit brings together most-watched global leaders to the ancient city of Gyeongju, South Korea. Bets are high on a potential showdown between U.S. and Chinese leaders as stakes on the tariff war go ever higher. The stage sets the first meeting between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, as well a October 22, 2025

INTERVIEW: Solana pivots to Korea as key APAC blockchain hub SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - A passionate crypto community backed by financial stability and regulatory transparency rarely found across Asia-Pacific makes South Korea a key strategic focus for Solana, one of the world’s top five blockchain platforms, according to its regional head. "For us, South Korea within APAC is definitely one of our key strategic focus areas," said Alex Scott, head of Solana Middle East, in an exclusive interview with AJP during the Expand No October 22, 2025

South Korea, US discuss visa-related measures to ensure smooth entry of workers SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - Another round of working-level meeting between South Korean and U.S. officials was held via Zoom to discuss visa-related issues, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here said on Wednesday. The talks came as the two countries agreed to find ways to ensure the smooth entry of employees and workers for South Korean companies investing in the U.S., following the detention and deportation of more than 300 South Koreans during a sweeping raid in Georgia early last October 22, 2025

HOT STOCK: Undervalued Hyundai Motor plays catch-up amid tariff hopes SEOUL, October 22 (AJP) - South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor is emerging as a comeback play in Asian markets, as optimism grows over a possible U.S. tariff relief deal that could level the playing field long tilted in favor of Japanese rivals. Currently, South Korean car exports to the U.S. face a 25 percent import tariff—10 percentage points higher than the 15 percent levied on Japanese and European brands. Despite the disparity, Hyundai Motor’s shares have surged nearly 20 per October 22, 2025