BTS Comeback D-16: BTS teaser sparks global buzz ahead of 'ARIRANG' comeback SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - BTS ignited massive online buzz Thursday after releasing a teaser for its upcoming comeback performance "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE : ARIRANG," sending anticipation among global fans soaring ahead of the group’s long-awaited return. The K-pop sensation unveiled the trailer across its major social media platforms, quickly drawing millions of views and reactions from fans worldwide. The video opens with the roar of ARMY, BTS’ global fanb March 5, 2026

Middle East Crisis: Away from the front lines, Iran and Israel wage a war of words in Seoul  SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - The Iranian and Israeli embassies in Seoul held back-to-back press briefings Thursday, trading starkly opposing narratives over the escalating war in the Middle East as both sides sought to shape international opinion. The unusual diplomatic exchange unfolded within hours of each other in central Seoul, with the Iranian ambassador accusing the United States and Israel of launching an illegal war and the Israeli envoy defending the military campaign as a neces March 5, 2026

South Korea to crack down fuel price collusion amid Middle East tensions SEOUL, March 5 (AJP) - The government will crack down on price collusion and other unfair practices, and strict measures will be taken against any violations, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yoon-cheol said on Thursday. His remarks came as domestic fuel prices were already surging even before the impact of escalating tensions in the Middle East caused by last week's U.S.-led airstrikes against Iran under the military operation dubbed "Operation Epic Fury&qu March 5, 2026

Uzbekistan targets Central Asian hub status through South Korea partnership: envoy SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - Uzbekistan is positioning itself as a central transport and logistics hub in Central Asia by leveraging its geographic location and expanding infrastructure partnerships with South Korea, a top envoy said. "True diplomacy is when political dialogue turns into production chains, investments and jobs," Uzbekistan Ambassador Alisher Abdusalomov told AJP in an exclusive interview Wednesday. Without direct access to the sea, the country relies heavi March 5, 2026

Trade chief seeks stronger ties with Mercosur countries amid global uncertainty SEOUL, March 5 (AJP) - Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo on Thursday met with ambassadors from four Mercosur countries to discuss ways to enhance cooperation. Formed in 1991, Mercosur is a South American trade bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Thursday's talks follow President Lee Jae Myung's summit with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Seoul late last month, as South Korea looks to expand economic and trade ties with the bloc. March 5, 2026

Seoul hires legal advisers as U.S. Coupang investors move toward arbitration SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) -South Korea has recruited legal advisers to respond to a notice of intent to arbitrate filed by U.S. investors in e-commerce giant Coupang, the Ministry of Justice said Thursday, marking the first formal step in a potential investor–state dispute under the Korea–U.S. Free Trade Agreement. The ministry said it selected South Korean law firm Peter & Kim and U.S.-based Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP to represent the government during the March 5, 2026

Seoul issues strong verbal intervention after two-day rout, markets rebound SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) -Seoul authorities issued a strong verbal intervention to calm markets Thursday, signaling readiness to deploy large-scale liquidity if needed after the country’s stock market suffered its steepest two-day rout on record following the outbreak of war in the Middle East. Officials reassured investors that Seoul stands ready to tap a 100 trillion won ($75 billion) market stabilization program should financial volatility intensify, as the benchmark KOSPI pl March 5, 2026

WAIFF D-1: Live human-machine symphony to open Seoul artificial intelligence film festival SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) - The World AI Film Festival Seoul 2026 will open Friday with a live performance blending human artists and machine generation, signaling a shift in how the entertainment industry approaches artificial intelligence. Kicking off on March 6 at Lotte Concert Hall in southern Seoul, the two-day event begins with a special performance titled "The Symphony of AI & Human." Organizers programmed the opening ceremony to move away from traditional film fe March 5, 2026

Korea hopes to win full fleet of Canadian submarines - industry minister SEOUL, March 05 (AJP) -South Korea will push to win the full order of Canada’s next-generation submarine fleet rather than settle for a split contract with a European rival, Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said Thursday, as Ottawa is said to be weighting the option of dividing one of its largest-ever defense awards. Speaking to reporters at Incheon International Airport before departing for Canada, Kim said Seoul is working “with everything it has” to secure the e March 5, 2026

Tesla leads South Korea's imported-car market SEOUL, March 5 (AJP) - U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla claimed the top spot in South Korea's imported-car market last month, boosted by brisk sales of its revamped Model Y, the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association said on Thursday. Some 27,190 imported vehicles were newly registered last month, up 29.7 percent from 20,960 units the previous month and 34.6 percent higher than a year earlier. The cumulative number of registrations for the first two mont March 5, 2026