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  E-mart challenges Daiso in budget beauty market SEOUL, April 21 (AJP) - E-Mart has stepped into the ultra-budget cosmetics market with the launch of a new skincare line developed in collaboration with LG Household & Health Care, marking a strategic push to capture cost-conscious beauty consumers. The retail firm announced Monday that it has debuted “Glowvby Beyond,” a new line under LG H&H’s beauty brand Beyond. The collection includes eight skincare products, each priced at 4,950 won (approximately April 21, 2025
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  Korea's dried seaweed exports hit new records in first quarter SEOUL, April 21 (AJP) - South Korea’s dried seaweed exports soared to record levels in the first quarter of 2025, fueled by rising global appetite for seaweed, particularly in the United States and China. Exports of dried seaweed — known as gim in Korean — reached $281 million between January and March, marking a 21.1 percent increase from the same period last year, according to data released Monday by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation. Expor April 21, 2025
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  Seoul court permits limited filming of Yoon's second insurrection hearing SEOUL, April 21 (AJP) - Former President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in court at 10:00 a.m. Monday, for the second hearing in his trial on charges of leading an insurrection, marking the first time the public has seen him seated in the defendant’s chair. Photographs and video footage of Yoon in court were released following the hearing, after the Seoul Central District Court approved limited media coverage. The court cited “the high level of national interest&rdquo April 21, 2025
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  Lee Jae-myung further solidifies his position as DP's likely presidential nominee SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, the former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), secured a resounding victory in the party's primary in the southeastern region on Sunday, solidifying his position as a frontrunner in the upcoming presidential election slated for June 3. Lee, who declared his presidential bid earlier this month and continues to lead in most opinion polls, garnered an overwhelming 90.81 percent of the votes in the Gyeongsang provinces, which i April 20, 2025
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  South Korea, US to hold tariff talks in Washington SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - Officials from South Korea and the U.S will meet for talks in Washington in the coming week. According to government sources here, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun will head to Washington for working-level discussions with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Both sides are currently in finalizing the agendas and other details, with the talks, proposed by t April 20, 2025
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  Hyundai Motor reaches sales milestone of 500,000 Palisades in US SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor has sold over 500,000 units of its Palisade sport utility vehicle (SUV) in the U.S., the South Korea's largest automaker said on Sunday. According to Hyundai, the cumulative sales of the SUV have reached 506,425 units as of last month, achieving the milestone about six years after its launch there in 2019. The Palisade has maintained steady sales in the world's largest auto market, with 28,736 units sold in 2019, 82,661 in 2020, and 8 April 20, 2025
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  Relocation of Presidential office on the cards again SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) - With the presidential election less than two months away, uncertainties loom over the future of the current presidential office in Seoul's central district of Yongsan. Many believe it would be inappropriate to continue using the office, which has been tainted by the impeachment of disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law debacle late last year. With Yoon's impeachment over his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law upheld by a April 20, 2025
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  Unidentified balloons with leaflets discovered south of DMZ More than ten balloons were discovered last week in areas just south of the DMZ. Military and police believe they were launched from two sites nearby, though the sender remains unidentified. “The balloons seem to have fallen short and landed near the DMZ,” a police official said. A civic group is reportedly planning to resume leaflet launches next Wednesday, after canceling a similar attempt last October. The move comes as spring winds, especially sou April 19, 2025
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  Apink drops new fan song celebrating 14th anniversary SEOUL, April 19 (AJP) - K-pop girl band Apink released a new digital single on Saturday, celebrating the 14th anniversary of their debut. According to their agency Choi Creative Lab, “Tap Clap” is Apink’s first full-member release in nearly a year and serves as a fan song. Member Kim Nam-joo contributed to the lyrics, expressing gratitude to their fans. With a bright sound and emotional melody, the track is accompanied by a music video that captures th April 19, 2025
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  Political leaders honor citizens of 1960 pro-democracy uprising SEOUL, April 19 (AJP) - South Korean political leaders on Saturday paid tribute to the citizens who took part in the pro-democracy uprising 65 years ago. Leaders from both major parties, including Democratic Party acting leader Park Chan-dae and People Power Party floor leader Kwon Seong-dong, visited a cemetery in northern Seoul to pay respects to those who died in the 1960 pro-democracy movement. The revolution was triggered by widespread protests against election fraud and April 19, 2025