Kim Jong-un reaffirms closer ties with Xi Jinping in message through domestic newspaper SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening ties with China, sending a reply letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping that was published on the front page of Rodong Sinmun on Tuesday. The letter was written in response to Xi’s earlier congratulatory message marking the 77th anniversary of North Korea’s founding. In the official English version of the message, provided by the Korean Central New September 23, 2025

Seoul's AI initiative gains BlackRock support SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - South Korea is making strides in the race for artificial intelligence (AI) supremacy as it brings on U.S. funding to back its initiative to become the Asia-Pacific hub of the big data economy. Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT signed a memorandum of understanding with BlackRock on a global partnership in the AI industry on the sidelines of President Lee Jae Myung's meeting with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink in New York on Monday (local time). The September 23, 2025

South Korea, Japan, and US reaffirm commitment to North Korea's denuclearization SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - The foreign ministers of South Korea, Japan, and the U.S. on Monday reiterated their commitment to the denuclearization of North Korea during a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, while stressing the importance of their trilateral alliance. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio along with his Japanese counterpart Iwaya Takeshi. In a joint statement released later in the day, the September 23, 2025

Bithumb partners with Trump-backed blockchain company SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - South Korea’s leading cryptocurrency exchange, Bithumb, has entered into a strategic partnership with World Liberty Financial, a blockchain finance company co-founded by Donald Trump Jr. and his brother Eric Trump. The agreement, announced Monday at Bithumb Financial Tower in Seoul, was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed by Bithumb’s Chief Executive, Lee Jae-won, and Jack Forkman, a co-founder of World Liberty Financia September 23, 2025

Turkish President Erdoğan urges global recognition of Palestine SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Tuesday the Palestinian cause has become "a global issue," pointing to growing recognition of Palestine and widespread public support. Speaking at the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in New York, he said, "In Europe, in Asia, in the Americas, in Africa, we are witnessing peopl September 23, 2025

PHOTOS: Seoul's public transportation on river SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - Seoul's newest water transportation service, the Hangang Bus, officially began operations on Sept. 18. This new public transit option is expected to become a significant attraction for both tourists and locals, offering a unique way to experience the city. The Hangang Bus navigates a 28.9-kilometer route, connecting seven key piers along the river: Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Apgujeong, Oksu, Ttukseom, and Jamsil. The full journey from the Magok pie September 23, 2025

Lee begins his week-long visit to New York SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Monday began his week-long visit to the U.S. to attend the U.N. General Assembly. Upon arriving in New York, Lee met with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink to discuss cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), according to Ha Jung-woo, a presidential adviser on AI. Fink expressed his intention to "actively cooperate" by leveraging global capital to help South Korea become the "AI capital" of Asia, and Lee welcome September 23, 2025

INTERVIEW: In age of air taxis, South Korea prepares for new era of aviation safety SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - When Hwang Ho-won left the quiet corridors of academia last year for the front lines of aviation safety, he knew the stakes would be unlike anything he had faced in the classroom. “Our main focus is building a predictive aviation safety system using data,” Hwang, the head of the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology, said in a recent interview. “The field’s tension and seriousness are unlike anything experienced in acad September 23, 2025

Soundtrack of K-pop anime remains No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 for 6th week SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - "Golden," one of the main theme songs from Netflix's hit South Korean anime "KPop Demon Hunters" stayed atop the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart this week, extending its streak on No. 1 to six weeks. The song from the anime's soundtrack claimed the No. 1 spot on the chart for a sixth week, "becoming the sole longest-leading No. 1 from a soundtrack this decade, and the longest-ruling such song in more than 10 years,&qu September 23, 2025

GM Korea faces crisis amid tariff woes, market slump SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - GM Korea is grappling with significant financial challenges stemming from steep U.S. tariffs and a struggling domestic market. The company, led by President Hector Villarreal, is facing criticism for its passive business strategy and a lack of proactive measures to secure its long-term future in the country. The most immediate threat to GM Korea's viability is a 25 percent U.S. import tariff imposed in April. Industry estimates suggest the compan September 23, 2025