Korean bonds join global safe-haven rally on equity rout SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) — An equity rout driven by concerns over AI overspending is steering investors toward government bonds in Seoul and other major markets despite stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation and the prospect of a prolonged monetary tightening cycle. The three-year Korean government bond yield closed Thursday 1.6 basis points lower at 3.867 percent, while the 10-year yield fell 6.8 basis points to 4.193 percent, its lowest since Aug. 5. The 20-year and 30-year October 15, 2026

RIIZE's Anton to launch Spotify exclusive podcast SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - K-pop boy group RIIZE's member Anton will launch a six episode podcast exclusively on Spotify next week, SM Entertainment said Thursday. The podcast, titled "TON-AIR," will debut at noon of Oct. 20, with new episodes to be released every other Tuesday. Anton will use music as the central theme of the program, responding to listeners' stories and recommending songs based on each episode's topic. He also created the podcast's October 15, 2026

Miss Gee Collection brings a vintage glow to timeless elegance SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) — The Seoul Arts Center added color offstage as Miss Gee Collection brought a softly faded vision of spring to its autumn grounds, reaffirming the enduring appeal of one of South Korea’s longest-running designer labels. For spring/summer 2027, founder Gee Chun-hee stayed close to the classical, feminine grace that has defined her work. The freshness came through color, texture and movement — familiar silhouettes seen in a gentler light. P October 15, 2026

Korea launches AI content alliance SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - South Korea launched a 214-member alliance Thursday to identify artificial intelligence technologies for the content industry and feed them into future government R&D programs. The alliance brings together experts from 190 companies and institutions, along with individual creators, across four areas. Starting with games, video and media, music and performance, and story based content. Its recommendations will help shape new R&D projects planned fo October 15, 2026

Seoul, USFK look at different timetables for wartime OPCON transfer SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - South Korea and U.S. Forces Korea are sounding like a broken record as they repeat differing views over the conditions and timing for transferring wartime operational control to Seoul. Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), argued Wednesday in Washington that changes in the security environment and military planning require updated standards for the handover. “Because the conditions have changed, because we’ve changed our October 15, 2026

TSMC and ASML earnings suggest chip binge is far from over SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - Contrary to the panicky selloff in chip stocks over fears of an overhyped AI boom, stellar earnings and bullish guidance from Taiwan’s TSMC and Dutch equipment maker ASML suggest the chip binge is far from over. Samsung Electronics dropped 9.91 percent to 209,000 won Thursday, while SK hynix plunged 11.56 percent to 1,255,000 won. Yet results from the world’s largest contract chipmaker and the sole supplier of extreme ultraviolet lithography s October 15, 2026

KOSPI plunges over 7% as chip rout triggers trading halts SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - South Korean stocks plunged more than 7 percent on Thursday, triggering circuit breakers in both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ. The benchmark KOSPI tumbled 7.57 percent to close at 5,554.22, marking its steepest decline since July 28. The index extended its losing streak to seven consecutive sessions, shedding 21 percent over the period. The selloff came as U.S. inflation concerns and renewed doubts about the profitability of artificial intelligence (AI)-led inve October 15, 2026

South Korea can help close AI divide: World Bank VP SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - South Korea’s digital expertise, manufacturing strength and rapid modernization make it well placed to help narrow a global wealth divide that artificial intelligence could deepen, a senior World Bank executive said. “What we call Big AI is an ecosystem dominated by just a handful of advanced countries — not even all advanced countries — and a small number of global corporations,” said Kim Sangbu, the World Bank Group’s October 15, 2026

Lee's approval rating inches up to 44% SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rose 1 percentage point to 44 percent, edging up from a recent low, a poll showed on Thursday. In the latest National Barometer Survey (NBS) of 1,000 adults nationwide, conducted jointly earlier this week by pollsters Embrain Public, Hankook Research, Korea Research and Kstat Research, 49 percent disapproved of Lee's job performance, down 1 percentage point from the previous poll. Seven percent were u October 15, 2026

New bridge linking North Korea and China opens at last to boost trade SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - A long-delayed bridge linking China's northeastern city of Dandong with North Korea's border city of Sinuiju has officially opened, providing a new route for trade and exchanges between the two traditional allies, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday. The two sides held a joint opening ceremony, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and North Korean Cabinet Premier Pak Thae-song sending video messages to mark the occasion. Li des October 15, 2026