South Korea asks UAE to help bring home travelers stranded in Middle East SEOUL, March 6 (AJP) - South Korea asked the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to help support the return of South Korean nationals stranded in Middle Eastern countries, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday. In a phone conversation with UAE's Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan the previous day, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun requested special attention and support from the UAE government including assistance for those unable to return due to the closure of airports in Dubai shortl March 6, 2026

South Korea bans travel to all parts of Iran SEOUL, March 6 (AJP) - A travel ban has been issued on all parts of Iran amid rising tensions in the Middle East, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday. According to the ministry, the government raised its travel alert for Iran to the highest level, which prohibits travel to the country, from the previous level that had advised South Korean nationals to leave. The measure, which took effect from Thursday evening, came after last week's U.S.-led airstrikes against Ir March 6, 2026

Equity issues ground to a halt, bond offerings surge in Seoul in Jan SEOUL, March 06 (AJP) - Stock issues virtually came to a halt in January amid overheat concerns while bond issues — particularly in one- to five-year maturities — surged in Seoul, reflecting fears of borrowing rates going higher. According to the Financial Supervisory Service on Friday, total offerings in Korean equities and bonds in January came to 17.7440 trillion won ($12 billion), down 226.4 billion won, or 1.3 percent, from the previous month. Stock issuance t March 6, 2026

KOSPI stages sharp rebound to lead Asian recovery SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - Korean stocks led Asia’s rebound Thursday, with the benchmark KOSPI surging nearly 10 percent in a sharp reversal from the previous session’s record plunge, as bargain hunting and program buying drove a broad-based rally in heavyweight shares. The KOSPI closed at 5,583.9, up 490.4 points, or 9.6 percent, after swinging between an intraday low of 5,248.13 and a high of 5,715.3. Turnover reached 44.81 trillion won. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ outperforme March 5, 2026

Value-up index hit record highs in pre-war rally in Seoul SEOUL, Mar 05 (AJP) - The South Korean "Value-up Index", a specialized stock market benchmark launched by the Korea Exchange (KRX) as a centerpiece of the government-led corporate value-up program, reached an all-time high last month. The index was buoyed by a wave of share buybacks, cancellations, and enhanced shareholder return policies, alongside improving earnings across sectors including semiconductors, industrials, and finance. According to the "Monthly Co March 5, 2026

Fuel prices spike due to war in Middle East SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - Gasoline and diesel prices at gas stations across South Korea on Thursday have increased sharply following airstrikes on Iran by the United States and Israel late last month. The nationwide average gasoline price has surpassed 1,800 won ($1.2) per liter for the first time in three years and seven months. It is the first time the national average has exceeded the 1,800-won mark since Aug. 12, 2022, when it reached 1,805.9 won. Diesel prices have also cros March 5, 2026

War in Middle East echoes through Seoul SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - The war unfolding across the Middle East may be thousands of miles away from Seoul, but its shockwaves are being felt sharply in the capital of South Korea. Rockets are flying across borders in the region with no sign of the conflict abating. On the far eastern edge of the globe, the repercussions are unfolding in diplomatic halls, financial markets and even gas stations across the South Korean capital. A Tale of Two Embassies At 1 March 5, 2026

Dozens of South Korean tourists return home after being stranded in Middle East SEOUL, March 5 (AJP) - Some 36 South Korean tourists returned home on Thursday after being stranded amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The tourists, who were traveling on a package tour arranged by the country's largest travel agency Hana Tour, arrived at Incheon International Airport via Taipei at around 3:40 p.m. after being stuck in Dubai due to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)' closure of its airports following last week's U.S.-led airstrikes against Iran und March 5, 2026

BTS Comeback D-16: South Korea to launch anti-scalping system ahead of BTS comeback concert SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - South Korean authorities are rolling out a dedicated counter-scalping system to protect fans ahead of the upcoming BTS comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism confirmed the plan following a surge in illegal ticket trading for the high-profile event. Choi Hwi-young, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, called ticket scalping a "chronic disease" during a press briefing on February 12. T March 5, 2026

Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra wins 'Best in Show' at MWC 2026 SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S26 Ultra was awarded the 'Best in Show' title at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona, Spain, on Thursday. The award is part of the annual Global Mobile Awards hosted by the GSMA. It is widely regarded as a top honor at the exhibition, as the winner is selected by a specialized judging panel consisting of global analysts, journalists, and influencers. The accolade is given to the most innovative product March 5, 2026