Trump's move to reduce military drills stirs debate in Seoul and Washington SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump's order last Sunday to "substantially" scale back a joint military exercise with South Korea has triggered political criticism on both sides of the Pacific, with Democrats in Washington blaming Trump for weakening a key alliance, while South Korea's conservative opposition faulted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for allowing relations with Washington to deteriorate. Trump instructed the Pentagon to "sub August 18, 2026

K-pop boy band NEXZ showcase new album in Los Angeles SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - K-pop boy group NEXZ showcased a track from their upcoming fourth mini album at KCON LA 2026, a week before the album's release, their agency JYP Entertainment said on Tuesday. The seven-member group performed the title track of "SAUCIN" at the K-pop convention in Los Angeles ahead of the album's release, slated for Aug. 24. JYP described the track as a fast-paced Eurodance track with a festival-like mood and an addictive melody. The August 18, 2026

Vascular disease biotech firm makes strong KOSDAQ debut SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - South Korean biotech firm Ingenia Therapeutics made its KOSDAQ debut on Tuesday. Its shares closed at 17,990 won (US$12.70) on their first day of trading, up 49.92 percent from the offering price of 12,000 won. The strong debut may have been supported by the firm's plans to develop more drugs and pursue additional global licensing deals. It develops treatments aimed at restoring damaged small blood vessels by modifying signals in the cells that form t August 18, 2026

LIGHTSUM to make Japanese debut with new album next month SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - K-pop girl group LIGHTSUM will make their Japanese debut late next month with the release of their first full-group album in two years, their agency Cube Entertainment said on Tuesday. Set for release on Sept. 23, their Japanese mini album "Re:idol" includes five tracks such as "Doushite," "Fallin' World," "Stop and Go," "夜を歩く君へ" and "POSE! (Kawaii ver.)," a cuter version of the group' August 18, 2026

Global regulators to share climate policies at Seoul conference next month SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - Industry experts and regulators from global financial institutions will gather for a conference in Seoul hosted by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) next month, the South Korea's financial watchdog said on Tuesday. Under the theme "Future Climate Finance in the Era of Green Transition," the conference will be held at Ewha Womans University in western Seoul on Sept. 2. to discuss how the financial sector can support efforts to cut carbon August 18, 2026

Lee keeps wartime control plan as Trump cuts drills SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - South Korea will take back wartime control of its own troops on schedule and accelerate work on a nuclear-powered submarine, President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the allies' annual exercise scaled back. Trump said Sunday (local time) that he had instructed U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" the drills, writing on his social media platform that it was too late to can August 18, 2026

SHINee's Minho to release new album next month SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - K-pop boy group SHINee's Minho will return with his second mini album next month, marking his first Korean-language release in nine months, SM Entertainment said on Tuesday. The six track album, "Make It Hot," is slated for release on Sept. 7 and includes a title track of the same name. It will also be released on major music platforms that day. Pre-orders for the physical album opened Tuesday through online and offline retailers. It foll August 18, 2026

Chinese FM set to visit Seoul for talks this week SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to visit Seoul this week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday. At a regular press briefing, the ministry's spokesperson Park Doo Soon said Wang is scheduled to arrive in Seoul on Wednesday for a two-day visit and hold talks with his South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun. Their talks are expected to cover various issues including bilateral ties, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and other regiona August 18, 2026

Seoul expects Trump message to lead to talks with Pyongyang SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - South Korea expects President Donald Trump's outreach to Kim Jong Un to produce meaningful talks between Washington and Pyongyang, the foreign ministry said Tuesday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not disclose whether Seoul had been told in advance that the North Korean leader had replied. Foreign ministry spokesperson Park Doo-soon said the two allies had consistently declared themselves open to dialogue with North Korea and were maintaining clos August 18, 2026

South Koreans turn to bank savings amid stock market swings SEOUL, August 18 (AJP) - South Koreans are moving more of their money into bank deposits as stocks tumble and higher interest rates make saving more attractive, prompting major banks to compete for customers with promotional offers. Major banks are competing for customers with promotional offers, with Shinhan, NH NongHyup, Hana and Woori offering higher interest rates on savings accounts. Woori Bank recently drew customers with a limited-time deposit offer capped at 1 trillion wo August 18, 2026