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  Teen snowboarder reaches men's halfpipe final SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - With this year's Winter Olympics underway in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Milan, teen snowboarder Lee Chae-un finished ninth in the qualifying round of the men's halfpipe on Wednesday, becoming the first South Korean man to reach the final. He is now set to compete in the final round in the alpine town of Livigno in northern Italy on Thursday, where the top 12 snowboarders will vie for medals. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Lee competed as South K February 12, 2026
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  Court set to rule on former interior minister over alleged martial law involvement SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - Former Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min is set to be sentenced on Thursday for his alleged role in disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle. The Seoul Central District Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict at 2 p.m., in a trial broadcast nationwide. Lee is accused of aiding Yoon's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024 by instructing police and fire agencies to cut off power and water to media outlets on Yo February 12, 2026
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  Kakao's profit jumps 48 percent in record year, plans AI push in 2026 SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - South Korea’s Kakao Corp. said Thursday its annual revenue exceeded 8 trillion won for the first time last year, with operating profit surging on stronger platform performance and improved cost efficiency. In a regulatory filing, the company said consolidated revenue for 2025 rose 3 percent from a year earlier to a record 8.1 trillion won, while operating profit jumped 48 percent to an all-time high of 732 billion won. Fourth-quarter revenue February 12, 2026
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  Ukraine War in 5th Year: Seoul urged to take "pragmatic" postwar posture *Editor's Note: As Russia's invasion of Ukraine nears its fifth year, AJP reviews how the war began, how it has evolved, and where it is heading — and asks the most urgent question of all: will it end? The third installment examines a practical post-war strategy for Seoul. SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - When Vladimir Putin recently spoke of "positive capital" in ties with Seoul while receiving the credentials of South Korea's new ambassador, Lee February 12, 2026
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  Uzbekistan and Türkiye align youth policies to boost technological and regional cooperation SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - Bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Turkey have expanded significantly in recent years, with youth policy emerging as a primary focus of the diplomatic agenda. This cooperation, initiated by the leaders of both nations, has moved beyond domestic social measures to become a formal component of interstate relations involving trade, education, and innovation. The shift toward a systematic approach was highlighted during the fifth meeting of the Minis February 11, 2026
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  Thailand sells 'luxury healing' image as Korean travelers drift away SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) – Thailand is rebranding itself as a “luxury healing” destination as it struggles to win back South Korean travelers increasingly opting for Vietnam and other alternatives amid rising costs, currency pressure and lingering safety concerns linked to regional tensions. Under its global “Amazing Thailand” campaign, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will reposition its 2026 communications strategy around the tagline &ldquo February 11, 2026
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  KOSPI stands out as regional winner as Tokyo stays closed SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) -South Korean shares emerged as regional winners on Wednesday, with Japanese markets closed for the National Foundation Day, as strong foreign and institutional buying and easing currency pressure lifted investor sentiment. The benchmark KOSPI rose 1.0 percent to close at 5,354.5, extending its rebound as heavyweight stocks regained momentum. The KOSPI 200 advanced 1.02 percent to 788.8, reflecting renewed strength in large-cap names. Foreign and inst February 11, 2026
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  VW's electrification push adds pressure on South Korea in Canada's $41bn submarine bid SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - Germany’s industrial offensive is widening beyond defense and into electric vehicles, adding fresh pressure on South Korea in Canada’s $41 billion submarine procurement race. On Wednesday, Volkswagen Group doubled down on its global electrification drive despite slowing EV demand worldwide, highlighting production milestones that underscore Germany’s manufacturing scale — a key factor as Berlin backs a consortium competing against S February 11, 2026
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  Job data hints AI stealing entry-level high-skill jobs in Korea SEOUL, Feb. 11 (AJP) – South Korea’s youth employment remains in the doldrums for a second straight year, and fresh losses in science, technology, law and accounting services suggest the country’s rapid embrace of artificial intelligence is steadily worsening job prospects for college graduates. January job data indicate that hiring is slowing just as companies accelerate automation, raising concerns that AI is quietly narrowing access to stable, long-term employ February 11, 2026
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  Surge in Chinese travelers to South Korea boosts bilateral ties, Beijing's state daily says SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - A surge in travel between South Korea and China is laying the groundwork for stronger bilateral ties, Beijing's state-run newspaper Global Times reported on Wednesday. Quoting South Korean Ambassador to China Roh Jae-heon, the English-language sister newspaper of the People's Daily said, "The number of Chinese visitors to South Korea is expected to exceed 6 million in 2026." The surge is "not merely a recovery in tourism statist February 11, 2026